Week 1 Recap: Jem and the Holograms?

It was a record setting opening week ladies and gentleman. We witnessed history in the making not once, but twice this week as old rivalries were reaffirmed and new owners sought to make their mark in the league. The extended opening week was fraught with tragedy and triumph as key players went out due to injuries and younger players proved that they have the moxie to make it in the league. 

Soviet Bears vs Winter Warriors

The San Jose Soviet Bears, known for their high scoring affairs, set a league record with their win over the Washington Winter Warriors this week. The Warriors were tentative out of the gate this week and that ended up costing them. Despite, switching up lines, Warriors coach Mac Cannon never got the matchups he wanted. The Bears sailed to victory and set a league scoring record for a single week in spite of injuries and benching team captain Ovechkin.  Final Score: San Jose Soviet Bears - 308.70 to Washington Winter Warriors - 271.95.

Benders vs Monarchs

The Boston Benders opened the season strong by scoring a decisive win over the Milwaukee Monarchs. The Monarchs were plagued with injuries, bad penalties, and ultimately a player suspension this past week. In the end, coach Derek Heilmann benched his entire team for one game in an effort to send a message. Final Score: Boston Benders - 220.65 to Milwaukee Monarchs - 191.15.

Balla’s vs Demon Donkeys

The Denver Demon Donkeys set a league record this week by beating the Las Vegas Balla’s by a margin of 54 points. The Balla’s posted a strong start to the week but by midweek they had entered a tailspin. The Donkey’s focused on the basics and repeatedly kicked the Balla’s up and down the ice. Final Score: Las Vegas Balla’s - 207.85 to Denver Demon Donkeys - 261.85.

Wolves vs Sasquatches

The Seattle Wolves opened up their season homestand against the Saskatoon Sasquatches this week. It was a matchup of the Northern IHHL giants that went back and forth nightly. In what turned out to be the closest contest of the week, the Wolves managed to eek out a five point win. Final Score: Seattle Wolves - 219.55 to Saskatoon Sasquatches - 214.50.

Blackjacks vs Mayors

The Cleveland Blackjacks welcomed the Harpswell Mayors to Cleveland to open up the 2015-2016 season. Under the steady hand of new owner and coach Andy Cordova, the Blackjacks played a solid defense first game and were able to control the tempo of the match up. The Mayors’ conversely never seemed to get things on track this week; despite an outstanding performance by Goalie Devan Dubnyk. Final Score: Cleveland Blackjacks  213.60 to Harpswell Mayors - 194.70. 

 Quote of the Week

Amidst the Monarchs disappointing play in the season opener, Coach Derek Heilmann was overheard saying “What?! Why did I bench you? Jesus. I can ice Jem and the Holograms and see better results!”

This week's matchups: 

Week 1: Gonna Give You Goosebumps!

The opening week of IHHL action is guaranteed to give you goosebumps! When it comes to opening week drama, the IHHL seems to have it all. Conference re-alignment? Check!

Injury fueled feuds? Check!

Coming from behind under dog stories? Double Check!

As we enter the final weekend of the opening week, it is still too early to call a decisive winner in any of the match ups. Fall is here, Winter is coming, and IHHL fans, we here at Game Misconduct could not be more excited!

Soviet Bears vs Winter Warriors

The Soviet Bears have been under intense pressure all week from the Winter Warriors. In what is turning out to be the highest scoring match of the 2015-2016 season, the Warriors trail the Bears by a scant nine points.

Benders vs Monarchs

The Boston Benders, still smarting from an early exit from last years playoffs have decided to take it out on the Monarchs. While the Monarchs may be trailing, don't count them out yet. Fluery posted a shutout on Thursday to keep the Monarchs in the hunt.

Balla's vs Demon Donkeys

The Balla's posted a strong start to the season but the Demon Donkey's have surged in the last few days to take the lead. Heading into the weekend the Balla's will have their work cut out for them.

Wolves vs Sasquatches

For the start of the season, the IHHL's two most northern teams face off in a knock down drag out fight. Despite a mid week surge by the Wolves, the Sasquatches refuse to back down and the two teams enter the weekend with a mere 10 points separating them.

Blackjacks vs Mayors

The Blackjacks, invigorated by the new ownership, jumped out to an early lead over the Mayors. In spite of this, the Mayors have kept kept chugging along and enter the weekend with a comfortable 20 point lead.

Draft Analysis - Dunlop Conference - Opening Night

Continuing our look into the IHHL Tea Leaves, we now turn our mystic eyes to the Dunlop Conference. The Western Conference has traditionally been a wild and high scoring and it appears a modicum of grit will be added to the mix as the conference picked up the Soviet Bears and Seattle Wolves.  

Saskatoon Sasquatches - A

In another incredible surprise, top prospect Jack Eichel fell to an astounding fourth round selection for the Sasquatches. You have to start to wonder about the mental stability of most of the owners in this league after letting Eichel fall so far. Their loss is the certainly the Sasquatches gain going forward this season.

Denver Demon Donkeys - A-

The Demon Donkeys enter the 2015-16 season a bigger and stronger team than last season. While the first lines are impressive, the depth on the bench is clearly the most impressive in the Dunlop Conference. We have to give them a minus, however, after selecting goalie Semyon Varlamov. Varlamov had a stellar performance two years ago but stumbled last season and will have to prove himself.

San Jose Soviet Bears - B+

What a time to be a Soviet Bears fan. After bringing home the IceBucket their first season in San Jose, the Soviet Bears managed to pull off a great draft despite being in the #5 draft position. In a very unconventional move, team owner Scott Hall elected to draft a goalie in the first round, taking the highly touted Carey Price. While solid goalkeeping is always desired, changes in the league scoring structure over the past few years may actually devalue this move. Only time will tell if that move, balanced with drafting offensive talents like Pavel Datsyuk and TJ Oshie will pay off and keep the Soviet Bears on track to head back to the top of the league this season.

Las Vegas Ballas - C

We here at Game Misconduct are still not at all sure how this team was ever sold to Dan Hall. He continues, against all odds, to field a solid squad. Against the conventional wisdom that has permeated the league for years the Ballas drafted two goalies, Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo. The Rinne and Luongo tandem looks to be a bit shaky but they will have a formidable defense in front of them as well which should help.

Seattle Wolves - C

The Wolves certainly have one thing going for them coming out of the draft. Offense. Steven Stamkos will be joined this season by the likes of Taylor Hall, James Neal, and P.K. Subban creating one of league’s most dangerous units. There is, however, a significant drop off once you look past the core of the team you are left with questions up and down the lineup.

Opening Night

Don't forget gentle readers, tonight is the kick off of the IHHL season. This weeks match ups, concluding on Sunday, October 18, are:

IHHL Draft Analysis - Conway Conference

We say the same thing every year: There’s simply no way to accurately assess a team’s performance at the draft the day after it has taken place. But that’s not going to stop us from trying. With the start of the season just days away, we will start by looking at the Conway Conference.

The Conway Conference, known more for grinding it out then scoring underwent a transformation this offseason. With the IHHL realigning conferences, two powerhouses, the Winter Warriors and Benders, moved in and are threatening the Monarchs’ claim to the Conference crown. How does the East stackup as of the draft? Read below to find out.

Cleveland Blackjacks - A

New owner Andy Cordova put on a clinic at the draft this season. The Blackjacks are absolutely stacked and look ready to challenge for the Conway Conference championship. The potent offense of Sidney Crosby, Tyler Seguin, and Kyle Okposo is only the first layer of a deep team. While the level of optimism currently flowing through the fan base of the Blackjacks is warranted, they have a tough fight ahead of them in the newly realigned Conway Conference.

Milwaukee Monarchs - B+

After an incredibly surprising drop to the third pick in the draft, Connor McDavid, the best prospect in the juniors this season by far, the Monarchs had no choice but to draft him. One can only assume that he will be put on the same line as Evgeni Malkin, potentially making one of the most potent combos in the league. Despite that good news for the Monarchs, they still have a defense that will have to prove itself early on in the season.

Washington Winter Warriors - B-

While the Winter Warriors have drafted what appears to be a solid team there doesn’t seem to be a true star player anywhere to be found. That isn’t to say that team owner Mac Cannon will find his squad at the bottom of the rankings come playoff time. There are, however, many questions that will need to be answered going forward this season, chief among them, who will lead this team in scoring and will it be enough to challenge for the IceBucket.

Harpswell Mayors - C

After a very successful inaugural season the Harpswell Mayors are starting off this season with what appears to be a solid squad. If you take a deeper look you’ll see that much like Winter Warriors there isn’t a lot of star power on this roster. Add to that the ongoing legal issues with team captain Patrick Kane and the Mayors may be in for a rough season.

Boston Benders - C-

Joe Pavelski, Shea Weber, and Ryan Kesler. Two of Boston’s top offensive talents and certainly their top Dman all have cracked their 30s. While many thought that the Benders would try to get younger this season it seems that they have instead become older and possibly a bit slower as well. Ever the optimist, Ms. Waters through an intern has professed her belief that the Benders will continue to challenge for the IceBucket.