Normally I don’t like to travel but when the opportunity to go to Las Vegas to see some came up I could not miss the opportunity. So I packed up the doggie dish chewed on my owners shoe and dragged him all the way out to the car for a long ride.
Elvis had it right when he sang “Bright light city gonna set my soul, Gonna set my soul on fire, Got a whole lot of money that's ready to burn, So get those stakes up higher, There's a thousand pretty women waitin' out there, And they're all livin' the devil may care, And I'm just the devil with love to spare, so Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas”! That’s exactly what he did!
Las Vegas Aces coach Dan Corsatea and owner/operator of the Las Vegas Roller hockey Center was nice enough to set me up with a view of the games from the penalty box. I guess he felt Pucky wants to be caged up! Wrong he was as I have some Alpo to sling!
So with the second festival now behind us we are starting to have an idea of how things are shaping up.
In the Elite Division:
Las Vegas Aces – They are leading the pack and Tim Mullis and the Corsatea Brothers (Darren Forward and Branden Goalie) and are looking to make sure they are involved with the AIHL Finals when they return to Las Vegas this year. Pucky will be flying first class and staying in a Suite at the Bellagio if the executive committee recognizes him for his writing prowess. The Aces are a deadly team at home and showed it by going 5-0 after going 3-1-1 in the first weekend of games out in Irvine.
OC Rocket Flex –Led by hockey legends Tyler Svoboda, Gerry Osterkamp, and George Barber these guys are leading a team of young bucks potentially to AIHL glory. Some of these gentlemen know what it takes to taste AIHL glory as they were members of the National Champion OC Alliance back in 2015. Do not under estimate this team as they can fly and I am also pretty sure the quickness of George Barber skating by the penalty box was the one who stole the Rocket Puck I was chewing on! I am coming for your ankle next time I see you!
Arizona Outcasts – After a trip to the AIHL Finals last year and the Conference Finals the year before will this be their year. Alex Dodt and the boys will look to put up a wall in front of standout goaltender Clay Taylor who over the past 2 years has singlehandedly won them games. This team top to bottom can be very dangerous and if they got hot like the Arizona sun watchout. By the way a special thank you to Brian Ganz for scratching me behind the ears during his games off.
Arizona Ghostriders – Led by the Marr brothers and veteran goalie Eric Hernandez the Ghostriders round up the Elite division. Their record does not show well but I can promise you they have been in every game. Coach John Marr and I had a conversation after this weekends games and instead of giving the team Gatorade before the games he is going to give them some Alpo to get them fired up. John the Alpo bag has been shipped as of this writing and I expect the guys to save me some for the upcoming super festival in Irvine.
On to the Minors:
Gentlemen we have a ladies team in the league and they are helping get an exhibition setup for the super festival in Irvine. With this occurring we will potentially be adding a womens division to the AIHL next year.
Lady Arizona Ghostriders – Up first are the feisty women whose record may put them at the bottom of the table but I can promise you they are a tough competitor. Strong defense has kept them in all of their games and as soon as they find a way to light the lamp they will be a force to be reckon with! Ask the Las Vegas Aces how tough these girls are as one of their players was the recipient of a boarding penalty courtesy of Chelsea Wells. Chelsea was quoting Olalf Sanderson from the Iceland team in Mighty Ducks 2 saying “2 Minutes Well Worth It”!
Arizona Ghostriders – The only team scoring less goals then their lady counterparts are the young Arizona Ghostriders. These kids have all the potential and once they click it will be a beauty to watch. Though towards the bottom of the table right now coach Marr will be getting them on the right track I can promise you that.
Las Vegas Aces – Coming off of last years Southwest Tier 1 Championship the team has had a rough start.David Vanderklipp will look to bring this team back to the promised land of the finals and plans to show everybody white the dice on their jersey will roll in their direction.
Arizona Outcasts – A talented group of players with stand out Andrew Stacy leading the way. His 14 points have helped them win a couple games. He just needs to stay away from the penalty box have also been the detriment to his team this year.
OC Rocket Flex Blue – Led by East Coast Export Chrstian Iacobellis and Eddie Limbaga who still to this day looks like he is 16 years old can very well be a contender. Portions of this team were on the National Tier 2 Finalist Revision Vanquish and they can play. A good mixture of veterans and the sassy Celeste Lotahyo will make any team shake when they lineup against them.
OC Rocket Flex Green – While the Blue team has some crafty veterans this team has all the firestarters. With 5 players in the double digits for points it is going to come down who wants to stop their firepower. Can the Mavin Outlaws keep them at bay?
Mavin Outlaws – Parker Moskal is being screamed from the rafters everywhere with his division leading 36 points. Their only loss being the first game of the season coming to the OC Rocket Flex Green the Outlaws are looking to stamp their ticket early and quickly this season and make a run at the minor tier 1 title. Can Parker continue to average 3.6 points per game. Stay tuned to find out.
Time for this dog to go see the groomer so I can get a trim. Look forward to sharing my doggie dish later this afternoon when I wrap up the Minor Tier 2 competition on the East.