As we have reached the quarter point of the season, let's take a look at the award race going on for Season 74.

Challenge Cup:

1. Edmonton Blizzard – Taking first place the current Champions have been experiencing no cup hangover as they are currently dominating the league to the tune of 15 – 2 – 0 record! It is true they play in a weaker division, but there is no doubting how good this team is.

2. Texas Renegades – I am a little surprised they are the second best team in the league right now, they have a good roster, but there are others that arguably own a better overall team. Say what I will with personal thoughts this team has earned this spot with a 15 – 3 – 0 record.

3. Atlanta Inferno – It is true Atlanta is below Baltimore in the standings, but its separation is by 1 point. I am going to give the edge to Atlanta right now with an impressive 13 – 4 – 2 record. But they should not be sitting to comfortably the East is deep in talented teams clawing at this spot.

In the mix:
Baltimore Platoon – is it time for the Platoon to take that next step?
Buffalo Stampede – looking strong with a 13 – 2 – 1 record.
Philadelphia Forge – Eastern Conference Champs making another run.
Winnipeg Aurora – The last great western challenger
New England Wolfpack – You just can’t sleep on the Wolfpack.

Ron Mexico Trophy (MVP voted by the committee):

1. Matsmith Soderberg-Tremblay – The early leader for this prestigious award. Matsmith is tied for the league lead in goals (19) and third in the league for points (35). If he can keep up this pace he might be a lock for this trophy.

2. Ricky Koivu – Tied for second in goals for season 74 (17) with a few others and sits second in points (36). He is making a strong case for consideration as he battles for the coveted trophy.

3. Kyle Murray – Arguably doing the most on this list with the least surrounding him. Murray has put up a respectable 16 goals so far well within the hunt and sits first in points (39). If he is able to hold his point lead he could earn the nod.

In The Mix:
Graj Virrok – 17 goals (t-3rd) and 35 points (t-3rd) keep an eye on him.
Shoyo Hinata – 17 goals (t-3rd) and 34 points (t-5th) keep Shoyo in striking distance.
San-sam Emerson – Top goal scoring defenseman (9) has to be considered in the mix.

John McBride Award (top goalie):

1. Justin Time – The most wins (14) paired with one of the best GAAs (2.23) and a top 5 save percentage (.920) and he gets the initial nod for this award.

2. Casey Fantobens – 12 wins are impressive as he is tied with two others for second place. Among those three the GAA and save percentage are close (all good for top 10 goalies), what has separated Casey from the pack is his 12.90 Goals Saved Above Average good enough for second place.

3. Ally Mathieson – Getting the final nod. Pretty much identical stats as Casey Fantobens in wins, save percentage and GAA. It is the slightly lower (7.87) Goals Saved Above Average that lowered Ally to third on this list.

In the Mix:
Base Pack – 4 shutouts and best save percentage and not in the mix? 8 – 3 – 3 record falls short. To others right now.
Anthony Dione – Near identical to Casey and Ally but fell short on Goals Saved Above Average.

Scott Stevens Trophy (Best Defender):

1. Sam-san Emerson – Leads all defenders in goals (9) and tied for the lead in points (23). Also leads defenders in shots (80) next closest is 11 behind him. Add to the impressive stats a top ten in hits, penalty minutes, and assists. Hey this is a points driven category and Sam is the leader here.

2. Tommi Koivu – Tied for 3rd in goals (6) and tied for 1st in assists (17) and in points (23). If Sam-san is first Tommi is a VERY close second in the Stevens trophy race.

3. Ben Jammin – A name that is familiar to this trophy race. Jammin is a in the fight with 5 goals. Sits in second for defensive points with 22, being in the mix offensively pared with 28 hits. Jammin is right there with the top of the league this season.


In the Mix:
Emil Egil – 19 points, second best +/- Emil is right there with the others.
John Brown – only thing holding Brown back is a lack of goals (4) and a lower +/- if they can improve he will skyrocket.
Dirty Boots – Buzzing all around the top 10 in most categories a small jump in stats could make the push into contention.

Bojo Biscuit (Best Defensive Defender):

1. Hodor – Number 1 in Blocked Shots (86), tied for second with +/- and the best defensive game rating. He doesn’t show up a lot on the score sheet and it is because he does everything to prevent opponents for getting the opportunity to become dangerous in his own zone playing a smart clean game.

2. Tommi Koivu – Owning the most take aways in the league (42) with only giving away the puck 4 times and a healthy amount of hits and blocked shots earn him a nod for the second defensive award.

3. Toasty – Second in blocked shots (85) while owning a positive +/- rating on a weaker team. Toasty is doing everything on his shifts to keep the puck out of his own net.

In the Mix:
Darnell Mohamed Johnson II – 84 blocked shots is good for 3rd, take aways are a little low and a negative +/- needs to be improved upon.
Seamus O’Slapahan – Never count Seamus out on this award 4th in Blocked shots (74) a good amount of hits (22) and 17 take aways puts up a strong case.
Emil Egil – 55 blocked shots, 20 hits, 16 take aways and the second best defensive game rating.
Landon Fischermann – 55 blocked shots, 22 hits, 25 take aways and the third best defensive game rating.

Ryan Jesster Award (Top Rookie):

1. Inactive Forever – Leading all rookies in points (25), goals (9) and sitting a +12, he is looking like the real deal and a near sure lock for the top rookie award right now.

2. Johnny Shuffleboard – Giving it a run for his money as a defender 4 goals and 6 assists should be acknowledged.

3. Just-to-buy My-love – 5 goals as a rookie is above average, second in points 17 is what gets noticed. Not out of this race by any means but 8 points will be a lot to make up over the coming weeks.

In the Mix:
Logan Webb – 5 goals once again, and 15 points. There is a lot of ground that needs to be made up.
Kevin Kim – 14 points, still there and could make a push for the title of RotY.
Johnny Fourstars – 14 points as well but only 3 goals, would like to see some more goals as well as points.
Dominik Winters – 7 goals, I think is good for second among rookies, and 13 points. Need to get a few more assits.

Jeff Dar (Best Two Way Forward):

1. Ricky Koivu – 17 goals, 36 points, over 3 minutes of average shorthanded time on the ice and a respectable Ricky is being used heavily in all situations for the Philadelphia forge. Best defensive rating among forwards should help in this decision.

2. Ivan Lacksamus – nearly 3 and a half minutes of average shorthanded time on the ice, Lacksamus has been a force on the defensive side of the puck for the pack. Throw in 31 points and a +14 rating and you have an argument for two way forward.

3. Jarrod Lakemore the second best defensive rating among forwards earns Lakemore this spot. A slightly lower offensive production (28 points) to the other two and less short handed time (2 mins ASTOTI) puts Lakemore behind them.

In the Mix:
Graj Virrok – 35 points, 79 defensive rating means Virrok is doing everything needed on the defensive side of the puck.
Luke Laraque – is in the conversation as well 27 points 77 defensive rating.


Aidan Richan Trophy (Most Improved):

1. Kyle Murray – He sits at the potential to nearly double his previous goals best (43) and points (83), meaning a 83 goal and 166 point season. His average ice time has decreased in the process meaning he really has improved a ton during the off season.

2. Johnny Wagner-Svenson – A quarter of the way into the season and he is nearly halfway to his best point total and over halfway to his most goals, while slashing is +/- rating. Doing all of this without adding any playing time. He is set to double his points and nearly triple his goals.

3. Pork Tenderloin – The Defender is looking to exceed his goal totals and point totals and it will likely be a positive 33% increase. His ice time has increased and so has his play. Most impressive are the defensive stats Blocked shots could exceed 230 which would double his current numbers, hits look to improve and take aways could increase as well.

In the Mix:

Billy Herrington – Right there with the rest looking to double and more with current goals and points. Nearly a 2 and a half minute increase in ice time has really helped.
Eggward Elric – Playing behind some of the best of the league may have stunted his earning potential, but now he is looking to nearly double some of his best point totals.
Jay Bryzi – The young defender had an ok rookie season. This year is looking like he will double his points and quadruple his goals. The sky is the limit for him.