Zac Electrifly

No one has really played yet this season. What happened in the first game of the season was scrapped. Technically every teams first two games have been postponed. The league schedule has changed to reflect this. In week three and week four each team will be playing two games. In week three teams will be playing their week three games and their week one games.

It is week three of the SIHL. Team B plays Reno Pond Hockey at Noon. Team A plays Team D at 1:00pm. Team A plays Team B at 2:00pm. Reno Pond Hockey plays Team D at 3:00pm. All games are at the Marv Teixeira Pavilion at Mills Park in Carson City.

Week three will start with Team B vs Reno Pond Hockey (Team A). This will technically be the second game of the season. This will be the first game of the season for Reno Pond Hockey. Team B was in the initial game of the season that was canceled a few minutes into the game. Team B should be eager to play. Team B’s goalie did not show up in week one. That is something to watch out for here in week three. This will be Reno Pond Hockeys first game with an all new roster. Team chemistry could be an issue in their first game. A bigger issue is that two of their players are currently injured. Roster health could be a key issue for Reno Pond Hockey in week three. Neither team has to play back to back games. Both teams should be coming out strong trying to get the first win of the season. This game also adds another competitive element as several of the Team B players used to play for Reno Pond Hockey.

Team B are second in the power rankings. Reno Pond Hockey are last in the power rankings. What this game will come down to is goaltenders showing up, players showing up, team chemistry, injuries. The SIHL is largely a game of who shows up. In a close game the team with a deeper bench tends to win. This game should be within three goals with Team B winning. Injuries may be the deciding factor in Reno Pond Hockeys ability to have that team chemistry and bench depth to win in their first game. Puck drop for this game is set for Noon.

In the second game of the day Team A will take on Team D. Team A is facing a challenge as they will have to play back to back games. If they go all out in their first game that could lead to energy issues in their second game. Especially later in their second game. If they pace themselves in this game they could run into the issue of allowing the other team to take control of the game. Team D will be running into issues of not playing together yet. A lack of chemistry could lead to sloppy turnovers and miscommunications. Team A will likely try to go up early then pace themselves more as the game progresses. Team D will likely be trying to keep the pressure on Team A throughout the game. Waiting for Team A to slow down so they can capitalizing on the lack of pressure.

Team A are top in third in the power rankings. Team D are first in the power rankings. I think Team D will likely be leading after the first half. At some point Team A will slow down. At that point Team D will gain a three or more goal lead and coast to a victory. The main factor in this game is how much energy Team A will conserve playing back to back games. Puck drop for this game is set for 1:00pm.

In the third game of week three Team A will play Team B. This will be a rematch of the first game of the season that was postponed shortly into the first half. Both of these teams will be looking for their first or second win of the season. Both teams should be looking forward to the rematch. This will be the second of back to back games for Team A. Team A will be coming off playing the top team in the league only to have to play in another challenging game. I think stamina could be a key issue for Team A in this game. Weather they conserve energy in their first game or not they will not have a lot of time to rest. Some of their players (if not all of their players) will be tired. Team B will be in a better position. Having an hour off they should not be as tired. If Team B comes in with a strong pace and solid pressure they will win. This game will largely come down to who is more tired.

Team B are second in the power rankings. Team A are third in the power rankings. Team B will likely set the tone early. Team B will likely control the pace of the game no matter the scoreline. The pace of the game will slow down as it goes on. Early goals will be a huge factor in this one. Whoever is leading after the first half will likely win the game. Team B will likely have more strong offensive attacks late in the game. Team B might overwhelm Team A. A victory for team A will depend on how they handle offensive attacks from Team B later on in the game. Team B will likely win this game by five or more goals. Puck drop is set for 2:00pm.

In the final game of week three Reno Pond Hockey will play Team D. This will be the second game of the day and season for both teams. Both teams will be looking for either their first or second wins. Reno Pond Hockey will have two hours of down time between their two games. They should be well rested for this game. That said Team D will still be a challenge. A short bench for Reno Pond Hockey could be the difference in them staying competitive with Team D. Team D will have an hour of rest. That might be enough time for them to overcome any energy issues they would have otherwise.

Reno Pond Hockey is last in the power rankings. Team D is first in the power rankings. Both teams will likely try to set the pace early in the game. The skill of Team D may be too much for Reno Pond Hockey to handle. Reno Pond Hockey might be able to keep it close if they have a few subs. Injuries might be the downfall of Reno Pond Hockey in week three. Team D will likely win the game. Reno Pond Hockey will only win it if it is a close game. I’d like to say the game will be within three goals but the game could get out of hand for Reno Pond Hockey very easily.

There will be plenty of action in week three. With four games there will certainly be no lack of action. Will Team D dominate another season? Will Team B have a goalie? Will Team A run into a brick wall having no energy with back to back games? Will injuries and a short bench prevent Reno Pond Hockey from being competitive early on in the season? Will any of the teams have what it takes to start the season with back to back wins? Who will lead the standings after week three?