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reid · 02-02-2020, 02:52 PM

(780ish words, ready for grading)

Falcons

Detroit, MI – Up until yesterday, the Detroit Falcons were the hottest team in the league. Coming off of a 0-2-1 start to the season, the Falcons rattled off 9 straight wins in dominant fashion – posting a +17 goal differential in those 9 games. Following that run of dominance, the Anaheim Outlaws battled out a win with a 3rd period goal to end the Falcons streak. Detroit could not bounce back the next game against Carolina, and fell flat against St. Louis in the game yesterday, losing 5-0 to the Scarecrows.

Tomorrow, the Falcons are looking for revenge against the straw men, going to St. Louis for two back to back games. These games are key for the falcons, as they look to snap their 3-game skid, and get back to the winning ways of last week. These two games should offer an exciting preview for the Outdoor rivalry game hosted by Detroit – the final game of their season series. For St. Louis’s part, they are 5-5 in their last 10 games, with the win against Detroit snapping their own 3-game losing streak. Both teams are tied atop the league standings, but Detroit is ranked 1st in the Power Rankings, with St. Louis being ranked 4th.

Taking a look at the two previous games in the season series, the Monday games should be exciting ones. The rivals combined for 40 PIMs and 72 hits in just the two games, so games three and four of the season series should be a chippy one. The two faced off in the season opener, requiring a fifth-round shootout goal by Borys Franciszek to end it. The special teams were evenly matched, with Detroit posting a 18% PP and 80% PK, with St. Louis managing a 20% pp and 82% PK. With two evenly matched teams who don’t exactly enjoy each others company, this is must watch hockey.

Players to Watch:

Detroit:
Cal Labovitch has started the year off with a bang. Fresh off of a top 3 finish in ROY voting with a 31 point rookie season, the swiss winger has 9-9-18 in 12 games to start the year, before being held scoreless during the Falcons 3 game skid. He leads the falcons in points, as well as P/20. Labovitch has been key to the Falcons success, and when he has had a dominant game. The Falcons are 9-2-1 when Labovitch records a point, and 0-3-0 when he is held off the scoresheet.

Edward Williams is following in Labovitch’s footsteps, lighting up the league in his rookie season. With a 7-5-12 stat line, Williams leads the leagues rookies in goals and points. He is shooting a scorching 36% and is 5th in Falcons scoring. The offensively minded rookie is making an impression on the league, and is looking to keep his amazing rookie season going.

St. Louis:
Ruslan Zaporoshets is leading the league in points with a 7-13-20 line, good for 1.5 p/20. The Toronto North Stars draft pick is in his third SMJHL season and is asserting his dominance in the leagues first 15 games.

Flash Gordan is also scoring at more than a point per game, with 3-16-19 for the Scarecrows. He is leading all defenceman in points, and his 16 assists is tops in the league. The offensive minded defenceman is in his 4th season with the Scarecrows and has massively stepped up his game after his 0.72 ppg outing last season.

Other Notes:

Despite the result of the last game, Detroit’s Paddy Kane Reilly II said “St. Louis couldn’t score on a soccer net.” With five goals allowed in the last game, it is clear that goalie Oleg Igorevich Burov was not getting the job done. Rookie A Jobin will get the call for the next two games and look to regain form after a tough start to the year.

The top lines for both the Falcons and the Scarecrows are dominating so far this season. The trio of Labovitch, Kaarlo Kekkonen (4-9-13) and Luke McMaster (3-8-11) has combined for 42 points and a plus 24 rating. This has been key for the Falcons, as they boast a very young roster, and the vets stepping up has allowed them to flourish. St. Louis’s top line of Zaporozhets, James Ronlain (9-7-16) and Danny Marston (5-6-11) has combined for 47 points and a plus 19 rating. The duel of the teams top lines is one of the key storylines to follow during their two game battle.

Time will tell how the season series works out, and ultimately the next two games are only an appetizer for the first ever Outdoor Rivalry game coming soon.