So, what makes a good team? Well, to simplify and relate my answer to the Freddy Ball Hockey League, then there are two primary components of a winning team: dedication and a defence-first mindset. You can throw out statistics in an attempt to prove me wrong; however, there isn’t a player in the league that is going to be dominant against a powerhouse defence.
Let’s take a look at last season’s champions, the Shooters. All season long, the Shooters were firmly seated near the bottom of the league. They struggled with poor attendance and a lack of scoring prowess. Fast-forward to the playoffs, where a rejuvenated lineup commenced a triumphant march to glory. The Shooters brought a full lineup to every game. They also brought the “right” lineup to every game. You see, the Shooters were comprised of players that were there to do the right things to win games. It was commonplace to see every member of the team blocking shots, or actively playing defence in their own zone. You would be hard-pressed to find a superstar offensive player on Frenchy’s team, but you could list off a bunch of names that screamed dedication and defence.
So, perhaps last season’s champions were an oddity. Well, sitting very comfortably at the top of the 2014-2015 circuit is Tim O’Leary’s Flying Elbows squad. A quick glance at the yellow roster yields more of the same style of players. Firstly, they boast one of the best goalies in the league in the acrobatic Brandon. Troy Doyle is a perennial defenceman of the year (with significant offensive upside to boot). Captain Tim is one of the most intelligent players in the league, and plays an aggressive man-to-man defence. Brian Kelly is a solid shutdown defenceman who has been consistently improving his offensive game. Up front, the Elbows are lead by the tenacious Justin McKillop, the crease-dwelling duo of Vinnie and Jamie, and the crafty Travis Muxworthy. Team attendance thus far has been excellent, and their commitment to defence-first hockey has allowed the team to flourish at both ends of the gym.
It will be interesting to see how teams and players continue to mingle and form new strategies as the season progresses. There will always be a certain guilty pleasure to score a pile of goals and rack up points, but in the end, the championship tends to reside with those willing to sacrifice individual glory for the better of the team. At this stage in the season, the yellow squad appears to be the stand-alone favorite to hoist the coveted trophy. Can anyone find a way to tame the Flying Elbows? Stay tuned.
