White Walkers (-110)
Ninja Turtles (-130)
Over 7.0 Goals (+115)
Under 7.0 Goals (-160)
Notes: White Walkers are missing Nolan, Satok and Pelletier while Ninja Turtles are missing Caleb, Luke, Jordan, Cherie, Sky, Jai and Julie. Subs incoming for green but this is going to be a tricky game for both teams missing their Canadian 1st rounders. Corey and Zisser will both be in so the under is probably the play with both teams missing serious firepower, but it’s a really tricky one to handicap as white may have lost both games Tuesday but still looked better than I personally expected. Then again, those preseason expectations were lower than that of the public so its possible I underestimated this team as a whole. I think this one is truly too close to call with both teams missing so many top-end players, but that also makes this by far the most competitive game of the evening. I would probably sprinkle the under and maybe just a little bit on green to win but without much conviction as this is a sicko bet only. Then again, so are most of the bets in this league.
Layin’ Pipe (-2.5 Goals) (-260)
The GoldMembers (+2.5 Goals) (+175)
Over 7.0 Goals (-120)
Under 7.0 Goals (-120)
Notes: Gold will have Rose and Will subbing for Annie and Max but otherwise is trotting out a severely depleted lineup featuring their entire top line out of commission, plus their top dman and captain and multiple other players. Meanwhile silver won’t have Tommy or Pete and while they tried to convince me that’s pretty much the same, it just ain’t so. I like this gold team a lot but this one’s going to be a serious struggle for them as they’re rolling with only 7 guys and 2 ladies and without most of their top picks. I’ve got pipe by 3.
Layin’ Pipe (-3.0 Goals) (-250)
White Walkers (+3.0 Goals) (+160)
Over 7.0 Goals (-130)
Under 7.0 Goals (-110)
Notes: Similar situation to the above, similar line to the above. Neither team is at full strength but when counting Friday night absences, Pete Tommy and Reape don’t really count as severe in the slightest. I’d like to see the Walkers make a game of it but have no idea how that’s going to happen without Satok, Pelletier and Nolan. Pipe by 5.
Merry Pranksters (+2.5 Goals) (+135)
SexyBack (-2.5 Goals) (-180)
Over 7.0 Goals (-130)
Under 7.0 Goals (-110)
Notes: Of all the teams scheduled to play tonight blue has by far the most absences as SexyBack is currently slated to rock a lineup of 6-8 total players depending on Ivan’s work schedule and whether Yehuda for sure bails on a concert he was supposed to go to. He claims there are a “plethora of women” going that are exactly his type which makes it even more shocking that he is currently leaning towards playing hockey instead. Then again, a Friday night primetime game with a short lineup and guaranteed minutes – who could not love that? Pranksters on the other hand seem to have pretty much everyone in except Robyn (for whom Sarah Hoffman might sub) and possibly Tom White / Jacob. Blue has Cardello subbing plus Sam’s buddy AJ but otherwise will be putting athleticism to the test in Phelps’ possible farewell game (at least until he flies in for the championship on September 10). It’s a lineup situation not seen since the halcyon days of EJ Entertainment but then again, that may have been the most dominant team in league history, giving up 8 goals on the entire season before losing three of their top players right before the championship. In honor of their longtime goalie who will hopefully be reasonably sober at gametime and continuing the evening’s theme of mostly blowouts, I’ve got blue by 5. See ya tonight.
UPDATE: Phelps late scratch. Blue by 4.