No doubt by now everyone's noticed my lack of activity in game. I've had a lot going on in my life these past few months (really this entire year) and it doesn't look like things are gonna slow down any time soon. So with that said, it's been a pleasure to guide the zone and work with everyone to bring it to what it is today. My only regret is that I had several goals in mind when I took over the zone from w0 and while some of those goals I've been able to achieve (ASSS, multi-rink, fixing "everyone ?go scrim") there are still several I wish I could have had more time to work on. Over the years I've been very open with everyone in regards to what I wanted to do with the zone, where I wanted to take it, and more importantly, I've worked with someone who I knew from the very beginning had the potential to be a great zone owner.

With that said, I approached Arnk about taking over the zone several weeks ago and after a long deliberation he's agreed. I realize I've left him with a bit of a mess as the RSHL LC has not yet been chosen (Arnk was my #1 choice) but I'm 100% confident that he can take the zone to the level I wanted to take it myself, if not even higher. I've worked with Arnk ever since I was handed the zone in 2005 (or early 6) so I know that our visions for the zone's future are very similar.

Lastly, while I may not have always made the popular choice, every decision I've made has been in the best interest of the zone. Including my final one, leaving the zone in Arnk's very capable hands. I'll still be around the forums and hopefully in game for my cashpuck matches (gooooooo team batman2??) and for the upcoming RSHL season but my activity will most likely never be at the same point it once was. So with that said, it's been fun and I wish Arnk the best of luck. See you guys.

Attention Cashpuck Participants

The Rosters have been set (for the most part)!
The Schedule has been determined (for the most part)!

And Cashpuck is nearly ready to get underway! I will be submitting the Cashpuck rosters soon and I need a Team Name and Banner/Logo for each team. If you do not provide one, I will make one for you (it won't be as lazy as Arnk's, I want my league to look nice :) )

Players, PLEASE make sure you are ?signup'd on the name that you signed up with. If that is not the name you will be using in league please send me a message with the name you will be using.

If any mistakes are made on these first rosters, it will be up to the captains to accept applications manually. In honor of our recent shakeup...

Conferences
Arnk Dylie Conference: Abvolt, KS+, Goldeye, Trick-, Antsy
BlueGoku Conference: Zeppelin, The Czar, Stevewhitmer, WhiteIrishRebel, Batman2

Season Start Date: July 7th

Due to time restrictions (you do want to finish in time for RSHL right?) and large roster allowances availabilities will be restricted. The schedule will be announced shortly, be prepared to play beginning on the 7th. Captains can talk to me if there is, at maximum, one day they cannot play (be advised I will hold it against you for the rest of the league).

Any questions can be forum PM'd to myself, The Boogieman.

Hockey Top 5
D.Hasek (4566.6)
CaNa (3263.3)
jugg (2753.2)
Acido (2676.7)
dark kn|ght (2567.5)



Football Top 5
Broncs (958.9)
Sim (765.2)
Antsy-HZ (637.1)
Trick- (583.0)
Young Kyz (479.8)

REFEREES WANTED

If you would like to try your hand at reffing this summer, love watching hockey zone games, feel you can be impartial in the heat of furious messages, then wait no longer, sign up to the ref corps here:
HERE!

More information will be given after signing up.
NOTE: This Applies to all current refs too as I gather some of you don't want to ref this summer.

The Cashpuck Draft is scheduled for...

Sunday June 28th 2009 @ 9 PM EST!

- Snake Draft
- Picks are located in this thread!
- Draft list will be up once I get home tomorrow afternoon (lulparty). General rankings are up in the spreadsheet.


Format
------

- 2 Conferences of 5 teams each.
- 13 game season (2 conference games, 1 interconference game)

Details will be added to this post later
Contact me with any problems/concerns

It's finally time...

Cashpuck Signups are now open!

Cashpuck is an event where registered players are generated a salary. Captains are chosen and a draft is then held, complete with salary cap. Cashpuck offers you the chance to play competitively and demonstrate your skills with players you might not get a chance to, and see how much your really worth!

Signup details can be found in this thread: Here!

There is no signup deadline as of now, but it will be determined based on the proceedings of the RSFL finals.

Stay tuned for updates.

I forgot to post this last week...

Hockey Top 5
D.Hasek (4617.8)
CaNa (4065.9)
Zanaz (3623.0)
Navimaster (3221.2)
jugg (2887.8)



Football Top 5
Broncs (952.8)
Sim (664.9)
dark kn|ght (530.3)
Trick- (464.1)
BaK- (386.7)

Hockey Top 5
CaNa (5959.9)
Deathboy-evil (4838.4)
D.Hasek (4434.9)
jugg (3665.0)
Kula Shaker (3022.6)



Football Top 5
Sim (2670.9)
Trick- (1710.3)
Broncs (1680.9)
Young Kyz (1389.9)
Sting (1371.2)

After an unusually long downtime, we're back. RSFL games will continue as scheduled, and the postponed games will be rescheduled.

Hockey:
Deathboy-evil (8989.5)
CaNa (5270.7)
Navimaster (5083.9)
J-Walking (4673.9)
AvAtAr. (4656.5)


Football:
Sim (4414.1)
batman2 (3240.5)
Abvolt (2144.9)
Deci (1900.1)
Cee Lo (1759.4)

Are you a professional at Hockey Zone but aren't receiving the credit you deserve? Come prove it in the RSHL Season 15 All-Star events. All players are welcome and encouraged to come and show off their skills. At the time of the event there will be an advertisement for the arena being used (Mainly ?go asevents). Please note: For the goalie events you are required to have played goalie in MSHL or RSHL to compete.


Sunday, March 15th
8pm EST - 2v0 Shooter (Winners: Kula Shaker & Sim)

Tuesday, March 17th
8pm EST - Slalom (Winner: Gilder)
(followed by) - Breakaway Goalie (Winner: Peppy Hare)

Wednesday, March 18th
8pm EST - Speed (Winner: Zayb)
(followed by) - Breakaway Shooter (Winner: Abvolt)

*Rescheduled* Sunday, March 22nd
8pm EST - Accuracy (Winner: Stryke)

*Rescheduled* Monday, March 23rd
8pm EST - Slap Shot (Winner: Stryke)
(followed by) - 2v0 Goalie (Winner: CaNa)


Thanks to all for participating in this years events. Hope to see you next year!

Congratulations HipCheck on winning MSHL Season 6!

On behalf of the staff behind RSHL Season 15, we'd like to personally congratulate Golden Arm on earning the Season 15 Playoff MVP. Golden Arm was outstanding in the playoffs, particularly when Creasers needed him the most in clutch situations.

Statistics:

372.9 Rating, 83 saves, 14 GA, 85.57 Save %, 1.33 GAA

Look at Golden Arm's Key Playoff Games:

Game #2 vs Mazer -- Quarter-Finals -- Helping to tie the series at 1-1

Game #3 vs Mazer -- Quarter-Finals -- 1st playoff shutout advances Creasers to the Semi Finals

Game #3 vs Baby Seal Killers -- Semi-Finals -- An 11 save effort and a 4-2 victory advances Creasers to the RSHL Finals

Game #3 vs Explosive -- RSHL Finals -- An outstanding night in goal, accumulating 10 saves and only 1 goal helps Creasers take a key 2-1 game advantage in the finals

Game #4 gave Creasers the RSHL Season 15 title with Golden Arm's 2nd playoff shutout.

Other notable nominees: Rockman and Mr. Jack

	1st	2nd	3rd	1st OT	Final
	0	0	0	1	1
	0	0	0	0	0

Total game time: 43:53

NEW BLACKIE CUP CHAMPS - CREASERS
Courtesy of Daresay:


It's official. After seasons of misfortune, inopportune chokes, and failure to meet expectations, Violence's Creasers squad has finally reached the pinnacle of Hockey Zone greatness, defeating Explosive 1-0 in overtime to win its first Blackie Cup ever. The win caps off one of the lowest-scoring RSHL Finals ever, as only 15 total goals were scored between the two teams over the course of the four games played. This is a surprising fact, considering some of the offensive powerhouses that were present on each team in the series.

Part of Creasers' success can be attributed to their ability to shut down Lawn Dwarf, the superstar-turned-mercenary who was a mid-season rental for Frozen Flame's squad. Many believed that this move would put Explosive over the top and seal the Cup for them. However, Creasers had other ideas. Lawn Dwarf was held to only five points over the course of the series, all of which came in the first two games. In games three and four, LD was not only held pointless but also carried the stigma of a -2 rating.

Game four kicked off as uneventfully as the last two games, with both sides playing very cautiously and trying not to give up the first goal. Other than the dual warbird attack of Violence and Sniper Hz, which probably generated the most scoring chances of either side throughout the series, both sides remained quiet and defensive.

The game really was a snore-fest, as only 14 shots were registered during the game (10 for CR, 4 for EXP). There were scattered missed opportunities throughout the game, as well as a couple of clutch defensive plays (and, perhaps, cases of being in the right place at the right time) by both Ho and Revolution in the third period, preventing a player from the other side from shooting into an empty net.

Also notable was the disappearance of Frozen Flame after the second period. Explosive's captain disappeared into the locker room at the second intermission and did not return to the game, although he was spotted in the tunnel leading to the locker room near the end of the third period. Trick- manned the pipes for Explosive for the rest of the game, and turned in a valiant effort, stopping every shot that he had a chance on. Trick's efforts would help Explosive weather the Creasers attack and send the game to overtime.

Explosive's defense was anchored down by Broncs, who was voted in an RSHLPA poll as one of the most annoying players in the league. The loquacious defenseman has become infamous for his crease-sitting and hated for the pride that he takes in his role. However, in what many would consider "poetic justice," it was a misplay by Broncs that would lead to Creasers' cup-clinching overtime goal. After a glorious opportunity for Revolution went by the wayside moments before, Funk E fed an outlet pass to Violence, sending him in on a two-on-one with Sniper Hz. Broncs, who is known for getting caught out of position on those kinds of plays, came forward too far in his leviathan to challenge the forwards. Sniper and Vio, both in warbirds, easily outran Broncs, and Vio passed to Sniper for the easy tap-in to win the Cup.

Now, after one of the longest droughts of an established franchise in the history of the RSHL, Creasers can add its name to the list of the teams that have won it all. The names of such stars as Mr. Jack, Violence, BaK-, NO SOUP 4 U!!!!!!, and Young BOw shall be forever etched onto the glory of the Blackie Cup for all to see.

For more RSHL Finals coverage, visit Kula's Blog at: RSHL Blog
Playoff MVP: TBD

Football season is starting again, and we're beginning to accept signups for teams now. Check out http://football.rshl.org for more information.
If you haven't played football before, now is the time to try it out, there's a whole season ahead with many opportunities to play.

	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
	0	0	1	1
	0	0	2	2

Total game time: 36:00

Game 3 is always an exciting match, especially when a series is tied 1-1 going into it.

The first period, as was most of the game, was a little of a snorefest. Passes could not be made, and easy defensive checks were blown left and right. Like in the previous 2 games, the first period consisted of no action, limited shots, and a waste of 12 minutes.


The second period included limited action as well. We saw Broncs play offense to shoot down Vio and Sniper HZ flying warbirds. However, this tactic failed, when Viop found the first goal of the night in the 3rd period with a lazy head fake that frozen flame fell asleep on and let it slide by.


Moments later on a 2v0 break with apac trailing, a quick pass from sniper allowed vio to shoot the one timer, a_pac being unable to make the check in time.

With a little time left, blaze cut across the crease and on a highly debated goal, clean. Blaze's goal aside, creasers maintained puck control for the rest of the period and would not allow Explosions to complete the come back.

Game 4 is sunday where Explosion faces elimination in yet another series.

	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
	1	2	0	3
	1	0	1	2

Total game time: 36:00

In what was supposed to be a crucial game 3 of a 5 game series, both teams failed to show some of their best players. Key members of both teams were absent or sitting in spec during the game, which lead to multiple broken plays and missed opportunities.

The game started off curiously as DiscoDuckPN and Snhmib were the starting goalies, with Verez no where to be found and fur of fur sitting in spec. Both goalies seemed to be relatively rusty as the first period goals by Chaotic- and Zanaz were both relatively weak plays. After the first Admiral goal by Chaotic-, Verez managed to show up and take over goalie duties for Hipcheck. But this would have little influence on the game as Admiral's passing and general play was nowhere near their normal standard and they hardly threatened to score. In the first period, Admirals managed a meager 3 shots on net while Hipcheck took 8. It is worthy to note that many of Hipcheck's shots were from long range or right at the goalie, but nevertheless, props to DiscoDuckPN for keeping his team in the game.

In the second period, not much changed as both teams were still missing key players. Hipcheck was without captain and star warbird Miagy, who leads the team in goals in playoff. Admirals was still without Gotrek and fur of fur. Star goalie fur of fur was still sitting idle in spec while co-captain Carlito Brigante only played 7 minutes in the entire game. Hipcheck was finally able to beat DiscoDuckPN in this game as they scored 2 goals, courtesy of Conan and Zanaz. DDPN faltered this period as he let in 2 goal on only 5 shots. On the other hand, Admirals managed 2 shots on net and HipCheck goalie Verez was more busy typing then playing goalie. All in all, another period dominated by Hipcheck and missed opportunities on both end.

With the team down by 2, Admirals decided to substitute in long time veterans Mad Jack the Pirate for Chaotic. This move would decided the end result. After some heroics from DDPN to keep his team in it early in the period, Admirals finally started mounting a comeback attempt beginning with a DC penalty against Dragonwing0. During this powerplay, newly substituted Mad Jack the Pirate missed a glorious opportunity as he had Verez beat but shot the puck off the post. Minutes after this play, Xogon, who finally was warmed up after entering in the second period, assisted on Gilders goal to cut the deficit to 1. But this would be as close as they get as they were unable to penetrate Hipcheck's defense even with more puck control and could only manage 1 shot other than their goal.

All in all, this game showed that Admiral is not as deep as many thought they were. They struggled mightily without star player Gotrek and although they got solid goalkeeping from DiscoDuckPN, there were several shots that DDPN would like to have back. On the other hand, Hipcheck showed that they could win even without Miagy, but they were up against a disorganized Admiral's squad, and it was clearly that they could have used Miagy's finishing touch as many opportunities was wasted due to shooting right at the goalie or just bad shooting.

With this win, Hipcheck is 1 win away from capturing the Live-Wire Cup and winning MSHL Season 6.

First Star: Zanaz
Second Star: DiscoDuckPN
Third Star: Conan

	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
	0	0	0	0
	0	2	0	2

Total game time: 36:00

With their backs against the wall from a heartbreaking Game 1 loss, Explosive came out in full force for Game 2 with hopes of regaining back momentum that carried them throughout the early rounds of the playoffs. Both teams showed up on-time as the game officially began around 10:14 PM EST.

Period 1:

Explosive: A_Pac (Terrier), Ho (Jav), Trick- (Terrier), Lawn Dwarf (Wzl), Broncs (Levi), FF (Shark)

Creasers: Mr. Jack (Spider), Funk E (Wzl), Bak- (Jav), Golden Arm (Shark), Rockman (Unsure), Violence (WB)

The first period didn't show much action as both teams played a conservative-type of offense in order to feel one another out. Both team managed to put up 3 shots a piece on each other as both Golden Arm and Frozen Flame looked fresh in net. Our first action of the game came with A_Pac committing a defensive crease with 25 seconds remaining in the period. A_Pac was unable to control his ship as he flew into the southern/post area of the net, catching a pass inside the line. The period ended in a 0-0 tie, with Creasers having the penalty advantage heading into the 2nd period.

Period 2:

Explosive: A_Pac (Terrier), Ho (Jav), B|aze (Terrier), Lawn Dwarf (Wzl), Broncs (Levi), FF (Shark)

Creasers: Mr. Jack (Spider), Funk E (Wzl), Bak- (Jav), Golden Arm (Shark), Rockman (Unsure), Violence (WB), Puker (Wzl), Duke Nukem (Unsure), Sniper Hz (WB) ** Several subs/lagouts throughout the period

Period 2 started with Explosive still on the penalty kill, as Creasers continued to try to punch in a goal to take a 1-0 lead. However a solid defensive stance and controlled puck movement would ensure that Creasers would never get a good look as the penalty ended 1:35 into the period. Both teams continued to play conservative until the 5:36 mark when Blaze pushed passed the defensive and shot a beautiful fade/rotation shot into the upper portion of the goal, giving Explosive the 1-0 lead. Around 5 minutes later, Creasers would commit another penalty that proved to be their Achilles heel for the game. Violence saves a potential goal, giving Explosive a very decisive 5 minute man advantage. Sean "Lawn Dwarf" Rolly would capitalize on the penalty with a goal a minute later with a great pass from Ho, giving Explosive a strong 2-0 lead heading into the 3rd and the 1-man advantage still in their favor.

Period 3:

Explosive: A_Pac (Terrier), Ho (Jav), B|aze (Terrier), Lawn Dwarf (Wzl), Broncs (Levi), FF (Shark), Trick- (Terrier), Klammy (Terrier) ** Subs throughout

Creasers: Mr. Jack (Spider), Funk E (Wzl), Bak- (Jav), Golden Arm (Shark), Rockman (Unsure), Violence (WB), Duke Nukem (Unsure), Sniper Hz (WB) ** Several subs throughout the period

Creasers entered the period with a desperation to tie the game, as Explosive and a red hot Frozen Flame in goal looked determined to tie this series up. Explosive managed to control the clock and the puck for most of the time though Creasers did get some excellent chances to score a few goals. However, Goalie of the Year Nominee and previous winner of the MVP award, Frozen Flame, was outstanding all night making spectacular saves and showing why he's one of the best goalies in the league. Around the 3:30 mark into the period, Creasers would commit their 2nd Defensive Crease and 3rd overall penalty as a team on the night. Penalties would prove to be the deciding factor in allowing Creasers any chance to come back into the game, as Explosive controlled the tempo and ended the game on top with a 2-0 victory.

With the win, the series is now tied 1-1 heading into a very important Game 2 on Wednesday, February 25th at 10:00 PM EST.

MVP'S:

#1: Frozen Flame - Outstanding night in goal with superb saves
#2: Lawn Dwarf - 1 goal and 1 assist for the reigning Playoff MVP
#3: B|aze - Beautiful goal and an overall commanding puck control presence on the ice.

Award Winners Link (in case you missed it): Award Results

	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
	0	1	3	4
	2	1	2	5

Total game time: 36:00

Tonight marked the start of the RSHL Finals as two teams, after a whole season of hard work, will finally duke it out to lay claim to the top prize. Both teams showed up in full force and early, thus the game was able to be started on time. But, there was a wrench in the plans even before the puck was dropped as Head Ref Furry+ had to catch a plane thus preventing him from finishing the game. Thankfully, Bitemark+ stepped up and volunteered to take the game. (Unfortunately, BM+ has an issue with writing game reports so you readers are left with this unsightly mess by me.) This was the harbinger of controversy, which would mire the end of the game.

To start the game, Creasers dressed the same players that lead them to victory in game 3 against Baby Seal Killers. On the other hand, Explosives surprised many by starting Revolution and klammy in favor of Broncs and Trick-. This decision by the Explosive's captains came back to haunt them as just over 2 minutes into the game, Mr.Jack made Revolution look like a pylon by perfectly timing a pass that Revolution immediately passed back. This nifty move stunned Frozen Flame and allowed Mr.Jack to smoothly put the puck into the top corner for a goal. This was only the start of Explosive's defensive woes. With less than a minute remaining in the period, another defensive lapse allowed Mr.Jack to sweep across the goal unguarded and put in his 2nd goal of the period. Creasers took a 2 goal lead into the intermission.

Explosive had seen enough of their lackadaisical play from the first period and changed it up by substituting in regular starters, Trick- and Broncs for klammy and Revolution. Creasers countered with Sniper Hz and Duke Nukem(aka Sika), substituted for rockmen and Funk E. Creasers' captain Violence just substituted in two players who have not played Hz in months during one of the most crucial games. Some call this move crazy, some call it brave. I call it ingenious. Both players would go on to make huge impacts on the outcome of the game. Sniper Hz immediately rewarded his captain's trust in him by increasing the CR lead to 3 after 4 minutes of warmup, I mean ice time. This goal was largely due to Broncs lunging and giving up a 2v0, which Sniper Hz promptly hogged and scored on. This 3rd goal seemed to awaken the so far quiet EXP offense as they started pressing and clustering around the CR crease and eventually Lawn Dwarf was able to pick up the puck after a Trick- death and snipe it past Golden Arm before the cluster of spiders and terriers reclaimed him and the puck. This also happened with less than a minute left in play.

The third period saw both teams field the same players that finished the previous period. Once again, CR was able to score just minutes into the period of a neat snipe by Duke Nukem that caught EXP goalie Frozen Flame off guard. After this goal, Lawn Dwarf started displaying signs of "Hero Syndrome" (term coined by Zalt) and started shooting and keeping the puck more. This more offensive mindset seem to influence the whole team as they forgot to play defense and gave up another 2v0 to Sniper Hz, who hogged and scored once again. At this point, Violence attempted to call a timeout to substitute in his bench but was too slow with his request and the puck was dropped already. This confusion caused a crack in the CR defensive wall and Broncs was able to redeem himself by sneaking a shot past Golden Arm. This goal also brought a stoppage in play which allowed Violence to substitute in Volt, Young BOw (aka Rainbow Boy) and rockman for Bak-, Funk E and Duke Nukem, respectively. This move immediately caused trouble as only second after being substituted in, Young BOw decided to catch the puck in the CR and put his team shorthanded. Although EXP was unable to score on the powerplay, it gave EXP all the momentum in the game, and only a minute after the end of the powerplay, they scored. This narrowed the CR lead to only 2 goals. EXP pressed for the lead and missed several good chances while CR's counterattack also was lousy with putting puck in net. With less than half a minute remaining, controversy struck as A_Pac scored for EXP but just before he scored, Volt caught the puck inside the crease! This caused a long delay as there was a debate regarding this play. In the end, it was voted by the goal judge freq that Volt did not DC due to the fact that B|aze shot the puck at Volt while he himself was in the crease as well. Thus, NODC was called and A_Pac's goal stood. After puck drop, EXP made one last push at the net but was unable to penetrate CR's defensive wall of 3 spider, 1 terrier, 1 jav and a shark.

Game over. Creasers escaped with a 1 goal victory after almost giving up a 4 goal lead.

3rd Star: Sniper Hz (2 goals in his first match back from months of inactivity)
2nd Star: Golden Arm (14 saves, 4 goals against, made many crucial saves early on to keep his team ahead and preventing EXP from gaining momentum)
1st Star: Mr. Jack (2 goals, 2 assists, the new soul of the CR team)

After the game, Explosive's captain and goalie, Frozen Flame, issued this statement.

Frozen Fla> u wont score more than 2 nxt game
Frozen Fla> its over

	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
	1	2	1	4
	1	1	0	2

Total game time: 36:00





- Aqualicy