Commish’s Corner

Week 7 Picks

BWW vs. Adams

A very wacky week of scheduling. When entering each matchup into the complex, AI driven Forx data base, I was mentally thinking of who to pick for each contest and struggled on each, feeling they were all coinflip style games. Which made me wonder about the current standings and the schedule, and I confirmed my suspicion. An anomaly of sorts this week if you look closely. 1 plays 2. 3 plays 4…. And so on..  with that, I will leave this weeks picks to a Schlossman-style coin flip. Both teams made significant acquisitions that have paid off as both teams finished at the bottom of the barrel last year. Both teams are complemented by solid goaltending. The first flip has youth over experience.

Adams 7-6

Golf Center vs. Matt-1928

These two franchises know each other well. Once sharing a wall, now only share a parking lot(still). Nestled in the south end of town, the Block 36 sponsors had hoped to entertain this years Forx Hockey Winter Classic but complained about something as foolish as customer parking issues. Instead, In an effort to gain game attendance, Callaway 2025 Big Bertha golf sets will be handed out by the Man in the Fancy Shoes to the first 300 fans according to GC’s Eric Leach. I don’t venture into the GC’s locker room often but I can sense the feeling of reality is mutual as both these squads have an honest potential of playing in their first playoff play-in games come February. Plenty of time left for both to address that concern. The 1928’ers have snubbed the GC’s the last handful of meetings including the playoffs. Flip #2 continues with that theme.

Mattress 6-5

Bonzers vs. Johnny’s

I’m running out of things to say when it comes to the young bucks of Bonzers. They continue to play close, competitive games but lack the final push. Things won’t get easier as Reed-O came to life last week for Johnny’s and T. Reslock is seeking a return this week after I nearly acquired him off not-showing-up waivers. Flip #3 to Johnny’s

Johnny’s 6-5 S/O

Broods vs. Rumors

Before we head off for Christmas Break, this week’s graveyard games should be just as entertaining as the three before it. Some holiday absences might not reflect the true outcome of what may be repeated later in the season. Rumors will notably be without N. Walker who broke his collarbone in an unsanctioned Sunday skate while removing his elbow pads too abruptly in the locker room, which is this year’s first Darwin Award submission. Placed on the IR, this will open the door welcomingly to J. Neith who will return after the break. Broods with flip #4.

Broods 7-6

Red Pepper vs. AE2S

What a contest to end with. Unfortunately, there won’t be anyone up late enough to watch or they’ll all be in the shooting room testing their Big Bertha clubs. The RP’s take their unique mix of folks against an AE2S that will be tested heavily these next few weeks of the season. AE2S has risen to the top of the standings again this season and looking to become a contender…not a pretender(Peewee B1 Hockey Dad Inspirational Locker Room Quote right there). RP flip #5 ☹, I threw away the coin.

Pepper 6-5 S/O

 

Week 6 Picks

Bonzers vs. Rumors

The men in plaid are back to work this week as they were able to hang around for a period with the defending 2024 champs before the Broods took over with their experience. Things continue to click with the new folks but with ‘young’ teams comes beer league inexperience. Theres that adjustment period that many of the elders can relate to where the teamwork eventually starts to click, versus the 17 weeks of what feels like the 24-year-olds are still trying out for the team. With that, the Rumors ‘Elders’ need this to rebound back after a fluky loss last week and will now begin to brace for impact on the next paragraph.

Rumors 7-4

Matt 1928 vs. Red Pepper

Rumors members are advised to skip this scripture as so, so many folks are still talking this week about the late-stage heroics last week. Down 0-2 with 10 left to play, the Mattress makers were able to pillow top quilt 4 unanswered goals to steal one away. The Commish was able to sneak a GWG into the mix by unveiling a 42-year-old dad body speed burst, which is primarily used for emergencies like post Taco Johns meals, and wheel around his former neighbor, M. Glimsdahl, who has since put his house up for sale. In an attempt to share the news with Mrs. Commish at 12:18 A.M., he was quickly, NSFW, verbally reminded that that is not allowed and then went to the basement where he nests for 17 Wednesdays a year. The Highs and Lows as this week will be dramatically different playing the RP’s who are a freight train right now. So for now, we will savor that flavor…

RP 11-5

Broods vs. BWW

BWW making their case for comeback team of the year as they comfortably sit amongst the middle of the pack with a 3-2 record after finishing last season with 4 total wins. They’ll have their mitts full with the Broods who play a strategic style with the unfamiliar teams. The Broods don’t panic and seem to mentally string a team along before widening the gap. Despite how well Semmens is playing in net this season, the BWW’s will need more than a few bounces to go their way.

Broods 8-4

AE2S vs. Johnny’s

Johnny’s suffered another loss and was their first ever (regulation) loss to the BWW’s. The absence of T. Reslock and the quietness on the stat sheet by Reed-O are driving factors. They’ll get things going and hopefully very soon as it’s never good when your leading scorer on the team is the jersey number 69 worn by veteran, B. Halverson. Traditionally the player sporting that jersey denomination is your token go-to locker room guy.  Meanwhile the Engineers are putting together another dominant season and they’re doing it by committee. All of the nerds have contributed with at least one point to begin this season, except for B. Nelson. B. Nelson is exempt from the previous stat line as like a few of us, is over the age of 40 and suiting up and being able to tie your own skates will soon be a recognized, commendable stat.

AE2S 8-3

Adams vs. Golf Center

Golf Center played the RP’s last week and competed in the first recognized FHL game where the goalies were blindfolded and played with 8’ x 12’ nets. After the game concluded with a defenseless 18 to 11 final, the refs immediately filed a workman’s comp claim, complaining of wrist stiffness due to the score card overusage. The Adams squad feels eerily similar to the 2016 Golf Center team that came onto the scene that year. Built with muscly armed, average looking bros that have that youthful vibrance. Before things get more awkward, the Adams squad has the slight advantage in current momentum this time around.

Adams 6-5

 

Week 5 Picks

BWW vs. Johnny’s

With the first month of the season in the rearview, the storylines for each team are starting to take shape. Johnny’s is on life support with BWW amongst the middle of the pack with a loaded 2^nd half of their round of 9. BWW is seeing contributions from veterans Lehmbecker and Langerud with help from rookie Sampietro who is for sure receiving some sort of beer league NIL kickbacks based on his UND sponsored equipment he’s been wearing. With S. Mutscher sidelined with bilateral pinky-toe weakness, the Johnny’s squad has not been able rally and put together a full 51 minutes. Johnny’s relies heavily on Reed-O up front who enters this week with 3 points on the season after averaging 2 points per game the last couple seasons. Based on the numbers, BWW has the momentum in this goal tender dual. This is a bold pick as Johnny’s is 11-1 all-time and the one loss was technically in a friendly match after playoff losses.

BWW 5-4

Bonzers vs. NDAD/Broods

The Bonzers squad is likely another top pick for this years Forx Hockey’s spirit team award. They’re those guys you root for, except when you’re playing them, as they bring some energy to the building. Whether they’re proving to the world that brown and yellow, plaid uniforms should coexist with the rest of beer league society or the simple fact that they fill 1.5% of the potential attendance capacity in the building each night is a win in itself. With all that being said, unfortunately, they lose another game here.

NDAD 9-3

Adams vs. AE2S

Adams has jumped out of the gates with a surprising 3 wins on the season, absolutely crushing their win total from last year of 2. The young fellas have stepped up in the first month with Severson and White leading the way, meanwhile the once leaned upon players in C. Adams and Greene are checking the classifieds for new jobs on other teams as they’ve become obsolete in their current situation. AE2S stays hot with nearly a full line of Solc’s last week. They likely would have won in regulation but became disoriented by Czech spoken obscenities that were echoing throughout the building by Jarda Sr. in the bleachers stemming from poor 3^rd period play. AE2S keeps the young pups in Czech.

AE2S 7-4

Golf Center vs. Red Pepper

With a 1-2-1 record, the Golf Center folks look to hit the reset button. After a successful wine tasting holiday event from the GC’s R. Johnson household, plans are to spark the team by ‘hydrating’ with wine vs. beer. The locker room will unfortunately be replenished with bladders from boxed wine making the GC players incapacitated by the middle of warmups. Red Pepper will add to their weekly exponentially growing Goals For number here as they continue their dominant first chunk of the season.

Pepper 10-4

Mattress 1928 (Factory) vs. Rumors

The mattress men played a great period… of hockey leading into the holiday but were unable to sustain those efforts. This is the 9^th season in a row where they will play a purposeful game at the graveyard time slot in hope of catching a Rumors goalie in his 3^rd contest of the night. With the refs clearly not helping the MF’ers win games this season and knowledgably knowing, We the players, aren’t going to generate wins, they’ll stick with this scheduling agenda to possibly find an fatigued goalie advantage. Fingers crossed.

Rumors 6-4

 

Week 4 Picks

AE2S vs. Golf Center

Considered to be the best week of the season because theres not many where you get to start your Thursday off with Jack Shi…..nothing to do. But before that, what a pleasant way to start the Gobble Gobble-Turkey Wishbone Game of the Week. 2 rosters set to faceoff with a familiar gentlemen’s rivalry as both clubs know each other well. This time around leans more towards the Engineers. Those nerds are winning. They’ve been able to put together a solid start to the season with mediocre body types and below average skill sets. Fending off their opponent’s youth, the GC’s will need to rely again on R. Johnson to stay hot on the score board. These two split their season series last year. AE2S takes the first round.

AE2S 6-4

Mattress 1928 vs. NDAD

It’s been reported before and the Next Gen analytics state that the Mattress Men are a heavy favorite in this contest if NDAD’s skilled players J Douce, R. Douce, Lazur, R. Kuntz, D. Kuntz, Wurden, Johs, Jacobi, J Lamoureux, Benke, Bancroft and Hovet are all out for tonight’s game. Years ago, these storied franchises once played for a glorious, coveted, put together in less than 5 minutes, traveling popcorn trophy, seen here. Now, buried somewhere in the landfill, it’s only a blip in our memories after the Commish became insanely jealous of NDAD’s success. New memories can be made here as the 1928’ers will cling to life as they begin a nasty stretch of opponents.

NDAD 10-2

BWW vs. Red Pepper

The Pepper handed Broods their 1^st loss dating back to Jan. 2023, 26 straight, with a dominant 3^rd period. The RP’s look to beat that streak as they continue to filter through tryouts again this week.  Lacking a Hockeydb.com profile and Division I experience, R. Ronkowski has since been the first notable departure of the early campaign. Ronko declined to comment but according to his Facebook page wanted to wish BWW a Happy Thanksgiving. I have nothing nice to say about BWW after they handed the Mattress folks their 2^nd shutout on the season. They’ll also be working to solidify their season roster as they accidentally held a tryout for a currently rostered player a week ago. Despite that…and no matter how dominant Semmens has been to start the year, Red Pepper strolls into the holiday.

Pepper 10-3

Bonzers vs. Adams

This time last year these squads were on life support amongst the bottom of the pack. Ignoring where they currently sit in the standings, both of these squads are now among the most intriguing of the ten-team group as they bolster their average looking, muscly arms into this contest. A reunion tour here as many of these fellas have known each other since Termites. Red River and Central jerseys will be made available for the players before the game and the players will join their respective team as the beer league Gambucci Cup is reignited. A coin toss game here but I’ll feed off the little stats we have available and give Adams the nod this go around.

Adams 6-5

Rumors vs. Johnny’s

Rumors picked up their first W of the season after putting together an impressive 5 goal combined, 2^nd and 3^rd period edging the GC’s. A balanced attack led by Aikens who netted a natural hat trick in the 3^rd period. Johnny’s has yet to find their legs and are unfortunately leading the league in many of the wrong categories. Johnny’s has never won in regulation against Rumors and are 0-12 all time. Although, they were able to scratch together a shootout win in their one meeting last year. Rumors has looked solid to start their 2024 season and more of the same here.

Rumors 8-2

 

Week 3 Picks

Broods vs. Pepper

This week’s early bird special consists of a rematch to last year’s championship combatants. Both teams seeing big numbers out of their impact players in the first couple weeks. J. Lammy followed up a 5-point week 1 with a 4-point showing this past week. Meanwhile, G. Johnson continues to produce points at an exponential rate after tying FHL’s current all-time points leader, M. Lukkason, in 51 less games. Questionable attendance on both sides of the rink as to whether the Fargo Faithfuls can navigate the pending weather and if Johnson will be lost in the sea of red after Pepper’s roster, largest post-covid, saw record numbers. They’ll have time to dwindle it down before February 12^th.

Broods 7-5

Golf Center vs. Rumors

I got a chance to watch each of the squads last week and what a delightful experience. It was a playoff vibe in the 2^nd week of November. One…. All of us would argue that both teams should have won their respective games but only GC’s were able to sneak through via a shootout. GC’s J. Breidenbach expected to return this week after tattoo artist T. Kratochvil implanted a ‘Made in Slovakia’ puck scripture into the side of J.B.’s neck, which unfortunately read ‘aikavolS ni edaM’ to the rest of us. Kratochvil was likely demo-ing a Golf Center sand wedge on the shot. The other random fun fact coming from the Rumors camp was the 5 or so folks that recognized that R. Edevold was breezer-less last week. Maybe I’m slipping a little on not catching that myself, but I was intrigued at the “buzz” that was weirdly generating. Rumors is 0-2 to start the season but have been one of the better looking teams. They’ll start a 1 game winning streak here.

Rumors 8-4

Adams vs. Johnny’s

The Adams youth was held in check by the Broods powerhouse last week. Rookie production continued with Reck and LeDuc recording points and they’ll be expected to contribute again in this one. The Loungers were held in check as well, losing 6-1 but felt like it could have been 6-5 after being stifled by a hot 1928’ers netminder. Still trying to digest what many of these teams have to offer but Johnny’s will need to match the speed of the refurbished Adams team. Reed-O and Reslock’s names come to mind. Plenty of history as these two teams were the makeup of the toilet bowl championship last season. Johnny’s needs that 1^st win and we need another shootout this week.

Johnny’s 6-5 S/O

BWW vs. Matt 1928

Breezers were mentioned in an earlier blurp and randomly this topic will make its way around a 2^nd time. 1928’ers D. Haley reportedly will also shed his ‘hockey pants’ as our Canadian friends would say. Why this story line is important to our Forx community is not because of the removal itself, but for beer league circle of life. Where once “Dilly” was known to be characterized by words such as ‘fast’ and ‘elusive’; he’s now realizing that age is leveling his playing attributes and rewording them into ‘fat’ and ‘traffic cone’. As mentioned in the team group chat, he’ll feel like McDavid out there but look like he’s six big, juicy McChicken’s in the tank, to the rest of us.

MF 6-3

Bonzers vs. AE2S

Bonzers put together a hell of a nail biter last week storming back with 3 late period goals to force a shootout. Last week I made mention of M. Reynolds and my recognition of his speed on the ice and wondered if it was still present since the high school days. I can confirm… he’s still fast. AE2S is 2-0 to start and are an early season pick to finish in the top-4 come February. This should be an entertaining contest with yet another youthful theme on hand. The Engineers compute their way to 3 wins.

AE2S 7-4

 

Week 2 Picks

Bonzers vs. Golf Center

Bonzers lost an entertaining week 1 battle. Despite the loss, Z. Erickson(no relation, unless he continues to excel, then I will assume he’s a distant, welcomed relative) picked up right where he left off with a goal to start his sophomore campaign. Newcomers J. Grandstrand and once the fastest man on skates, M. Reynolds also tallied to spark the 9^th year of ‘rebuilding’ for the Bonzers squadron. The GC’s jumped out early with 2-1 lead against the defending champions but were mourning the roster losses of Norman and Gilbertson and ended squandering the next 5 goals. Tonight’s tilt should be entertaining as both teams are loaded with former local high school talent… just some older than the others. A little experience goes a long way.

GC 7-5

Red Pepper vs. Rumors

Rumors was on the wrong side of a year 9 instant classic, opening night extravaganza. A back-and-forth affair but an opponent driven 3^rd period was the difference. Rumors has plenty of playmakers and speed to come with it, which might just need another week or so to make things click. Red Pepper had an agenda week 1 and that was to score a season’s worth of goals in 51 minutes. Not sure what to expect week 2 but it wouldn’t be fair to not make my pick.

Pepper 19-5

AE2S vs. BWW

Just when I thought the 2S’s were running out of Redbull in the veins, The Engineers put together an impressive, score from anywhere, 3^rd period to upset a conditioned Rumors club. J. Wuitschick, Forx Hockey’s 2^nd best statistician, later pointed out that that was their first season opening win since the 2020 campaign. The BWW’s relied on their wily veterans in their win feeding off their ringleader Langerud who potted 2 goals. Eventually sealing the deal with a rare and not to mention game winner from C. Jones, who's making his first and likely last Commish Corner appearance. BWW will have their hands full and Semmens will be busy in net in this one.

AE2S 8-3

Matt 1928 vs. Johnny’s

The Mattress makers were blanked for just their 2^nd time in franchise history. Despite plenty of chances and shots on net, they quickly realized that Adams goalie, Christianson, has one of the quickest belly buttons in the league. As if a loss wasn’t enough, further demoralizing information was presented this week as per Forx Hockey NextGen stats, they will check in as the 2^nd oldest team in the league, only moving down one spot after adding a 19-year-old to what was supposed to lower that end of the spectrum. The 1928’ers A. Theisen unretiring and re-retiring 6 times in the locker room before the game ended up being the difference to the average age. For the Johnny’s camp last week, they checked the necessary 2024-25 boxes: sign waiver; get bag out of garage rafters; eliminate a 30-rack before the game; physically pretend to show up for Red Pepper game; eliminate 30-rack after the game; and hope to not see RP until 2025-26. They’ll be ready this week.

GR 6-5

NDAD/SG vs. Adams

As mentioned in the last blurp, Matt Fac became #2 on the average age list, making the defending champs the league’s old timers. At an average of 35.57, their bodies took a toll right out of the gates with backs and ribs already falling behind the brain’s instruction. Broods will now face off against what was the 3^rd oldest team a year ago, to the league’s 2^nd youngest team after a major reload took place. Broods, J. Lammy put together an impressive night 1 with 5 points to lead the way and will yet again be expected to do more of the same here and keep the young guns, Severson and White at bay.  My first of many Tortoise and the Hare references this year.

Broods 6-1

 

 

2023-24 Year 8 Recap:

The seasons typically wrap up in early March and the minute that happens, I board a ForxJet 1 to my timeshare in Fordville, ND and vacation from what we do here until late October. Last year, the common recurring theme I noticed was the parity coming back to the league. It maybe wasn’t necessarily easily noticed on the standings page but you could see it in the games from the bottom to the top. With waivers trickling in for this season, theres a sense that more of the same is in store. The season concluded on February 28^th, 2024 in what might have been the best contest I’ve seen yet. A triple overtime thriller that was broadcasted out in a first for the league, livestream event.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557049552494&mibextid=LQQJ4d

 

Welcome back my winter friends….… Year 9 begins. The picks are in.

 

Week 1 Picks

AE2S vs. Rumors

The Nerds are set to return to the ice, unbuckle those pocket protectors and switch gears from a summer filled of various robotics club events. AE2S is bringing back much of what the had last year in what was a very successful rebuild that ended in a quarterfinal loss to none other than their 7^th consecutive week 1 opponent, Rumors team. Similar to the Rumors squad, more of the same names rostered here including J. Neubert who may be the leagues first senior citizen after successfully completing 48 trips around the sun. Both teams projected to make a similar run and finish among the top 5 in the standings. Always a toss up here as Rumors is the unnecessarily more conditioned team to start but will they be distracted from an ongoing equipment issue from A. Knudsons gear after ‘his cat found a new litter box’ during the offseason.  Does one lean towards the Revenge of the Nerds or the ammonia plagued, Human Smelling Salt? AE2S will keep it tight but lack the legs come the 3rd.

Rumors 5-3

Broods vs. Golf Center

Boring offseasons from these 2 clubs. After missing free agency, both teams will look nearly identical as what their 23-24 staff consisted of. The most notable loss will be the goaltender from the Broods squad. Likely not a concern for the NDAD Broods as they will raise their championship banner at 7:29 or when the Zamboni doors officially close, which ever comes first. The Broods team completed a league record, perfect season. No team in the previous 7 years that had won the regular season went on to win the Championship. The Broods last loss was January 11^th of the 22-23 campaign and came from this weeks Golf Center opponent in an 8-4 affair. Despite a goaltender change, the Broods have known to be tight defensively and that likely is the deciding factor this week.

Broods 6-4

Mattress 1928 vs. Adams

The early 19^th century mattress makers bring the aging family back together as the leagues oldest team. Theres still some positivity around the locker room though,  One ‘young guy’ addition to speak of and a 3^rd place finish a year ago has resulted in another ticket to board the Titanic. After trimming the fat last year, Adams has done so again as key veteran’s will now become part-time employees in Grinde, Bacskai, and Tweten. Adams seemingly has the largest roster reload year over year and look to address their worst season in a 2-10-1 record. Biased and optimistic week 1.

Matt Fac 5-4

Red Pepper vs. Johnny’s

The Johnny’s squad had an up and down season knocking off a top team or two throughout the season and just missed that elusive 6-seed to avoid a 1^st round play-in. That came back to bite them as they would go on to lose to the Bonzers squad who hadn’t won a playoff game since the show Friends was still airing new episodes. Red Pepper as always will surprise us all before puck drop on its members but there does seem to be a revamp underway. Pepper had and will again this year have a successful season led by G. Johnson who put up record numbers a season ago. The RP’s lead the way round 1.

Johnny’s Key Returners: R. Olson,  T. Mutscher, T. Reslock, A. Sauve       Pepper Key Returners: None

Pepper 7-2

BWW vs. Bonzers

BWW was amongst the bottom last year and with a few additions were not able to turn the tide, not to mention losing their goalie midseason put a kerfuffle on team morale. A few additions this season and Semmens back in the blue paint will be a blessing to start. But then comes the elephant in the room as Bonzers burst on to the scene late last season with their aforementioned key wins that were long overdue. Every year tends to feel like a ‘rebuilding’ year but thus far it seems they have a few extra tools in the box to get things possibly back to a .500 season?? That’s why the games are played and with that I’ll feed off the late season success and a carry over to this year.

Bonzers 6-4