The National Strat-O-Matic Hockey League Newsletter League Established May 1, 1997 Volume #11, Issue #19 - June 5, 2008 ********************************************************************* Current League Officers: Commissioner: Doug Norris Vice-Commissioner: Brian Leahy (7/15/07 to present) Email the whole league: mailto:nshl at yahoogroups dot com NSHL Chat List: mailto:nshlchat at yahoogroups dot com Web Page Administrator: Guy Caron League Web Site: http://nshl.org Files Adminstrator: Brian Leahy / Tom Vinacci League Files Site: http://www.highrantdistrict.com/SOM/NSHL Team Websites: Capital City Cougars: http://members.tripod.com/~CapCity/ Seattle Rainiers: http://math.colorado.edu/~norrisdt/rainiers/rainiers.html ********************************************************************* 2008 FARLEY CUP FINALS ARE SET! The last owner in NSHL history to capture the Farley Cup Trophy in his first year of ownership? That would be Eric Goodman, who took a franchise to Houston in 2000 and defeated Montreal the following spring. Six years later, Goodman abdicated his franchise into the hands of Michael Kuduk. Now Kuduk has a chance at matching Goodman's feat, as the Western Conference champion Houston Aeros get set to square off against the Brooklyn Fourteenth in the 2008 Farley Cup Finals. It took more than a bit of effort, however, as the Aeros had to overcome a three-games-to-one deficit against the Nevada Thunder. Dan Irvine's retooled squad won the first two games of the Western Conference Finals in Houston and looked to have the advantage after capturing Game Four on home ice. But the Aeros stormed back, taking Game Five in Houston before Simon Gagne's power-play goal secured a 5-4 victory in Game Six. In a wild Game Seven, things were tied at three early in the third period before Brenden Morrow's penalty shot goal gave Houston a lead they would never relinquish. Houston has a tough task ahead of them, as they will face a Brooklyn roster which has been relatively untested in this spring's playoffs. Now competing in their second consecutive Farley Cup Finals, the Fourteenth dispatched Corner Creek, St. Michael's and Quebec City with an overall record of 12-3. This year's Eastern Conference Finals saw both teams winning on home ice through the first three games of the series, and Quebec City looking to square the series with a 3-2 lead early in the third. But John Madden tied the game before Barret Jackman's first goal of the playoffs gave Brooklyn the game-winning goal. The Fourteenth then punched their own ticket at home in Game Five. The Fourteenth and Aeros are both relatively healthy entering the Finals, which pundits think will go at least six games. Good luck and congratulations to both teams! ********************************************************************* ON 2008 OVERUSAGE: We are about to release the 2008 overusage draft choice penalties. A warning in advance - they will be severe, and some of you will not be happy. The mandate we have is that the owners want this to be an effective deterrent, and I apologize if any feathers get ruffled. ********************************************************************* SUMMER CALENDAR OF EVENTS: June 19: Farley Cup Finals will be completed (please?) June 19: 2007-08 Trophy Finalist ballots are due. June 30: Please submit your Constitutional amendment proposals to Patrick Shea and/or myself by this date. July 7: 2008 Constitutional Amendment ballot released to league. July 21: 2008 Constitutional Amendment ballots due. ALL OWNERS MUST VOTE! August 13: All teams must have a roster of no greater than 26 players. September 13: 2008 NSHL Entry Draft, 11:00 am EDT. September 20: 2008 NSHL Waiver Draft (conducted via draft lists). ********************************************************************* 2007-08 TROPHY FINALISTS: Here are this year's finalists for the league's annual end-of-season awards. In order to be on the final ballot, a candidate must have received a number of votes which would place him in the top N (including ties), where N was the maximum one voter was allowed to select. Please return your final ballot to me by the end of June 19th; although not required to vote, I would love to see everyone vote. All finalists are listed alphabetically. Please e-mail me with any questions or comments. (vote for one of the following) GRETZKY TROPHY (Awarded to the league's most valuable player) SES Rod Brind'amour 32 goals, 78 assists, 62 takeaways, 39 hits VAW Sidney Crosby 49 goals, 79 assists, 36 takeaways, 21 hits FGF Roberto Luongo 45-29, 2.40 GAA, 92.0% sv, 6 shutouts, 74.8% GRSV BRK Alexander Ovechkin 62 goals, 74 assists, 54 takeaways, 44 hits (vote for one of the following) SAWCHUK TROPHY (Awarded to the league's top goaltender) BUF Rick DiPietro 48-20, 2.54 GAA, 91.9% sv, 3 shutouts, 72.4% GRSV BRK Olaf Kolzig 47-11, 1.98 GAA, 92.9% sv, 9 shutouts, 78.6% GRSV FGF Roberto Luongo 45-29, 2.40 GAA, 92.0% sv, 6 shutouts, 74.8% GRSV (vote for one of the following) ORR TROPHY (Awarded to the league's top defenseman) HOU Nicklas Lidstrom 10 goals, 63 assists, 96 takeaways, 60 hits PIT Scott Niedermayer 13 goals, 80 assists, 67 takeaways, 57 hits BUF Dion Phaneuf 24 goals, 56 assists, 75 takeaways, 76 hits (vote for one of the following) LEMIEUX TROPHY (Awarded to the league's top first-year player) LIB Evgeni Malkin 26 goals, 30 assists, 20 takeaways, 16 hits MON Alexander Semin 42 goals, 33 assists, 8 takeaways, 38 hits PIT Paul Stastny 27 goals, 30 assists, 17 takeaways, 13 hits (vote for one of the following) BLAKE TROPHY (Awarded to the league's top coach) VAW Junu Kim SES Scott Shigemi BRK Jeff Tsuruoka BUF Tom Vinacci (vote for one of the following) GAINEY TROPHY (Awarded to the league's top defensive forward) SES Rod Brind'amour 62 takeaways, 39 hits, 5 defense, 8 intimidation CGC Kris Draper 41 takeaways, 17 hits, 5 defense, 9 intimidation SEA Mike Fisher 60 takeaways, 51 hits, 5 defense, 12 intimidation MAN Samuel Pahlsson 48 takeaways, 38 hits, 5 defense, 12 intimidation FGF Joe Thornton 48 takeaways, 30 hits, 4 defense, 8 intimidation (vote for one of the following) HARVEY TROPHY (Awarded to the league's top defensive defenseman) LIB Zdeno Chara 90 takeaways, 130 hits, 5 defense, 14 intimidation HOU Nicklas Lidstrom 96 takeaways, 60 hits, 5 defense, 6 intimidation BUF Dion Phaneuf 75 takeaways, 76 hits, 4 defense, 12 intimidation (vote for one of the following) PARENT TROPHY (Awarded to the comeback player of the year) HRH Cristobal Huet 27-19, 2.56 GAA, 92.0% sv, 2 shutouts after 23-10, 2.48 GAA, 92.5% sv, 2 shutouts in 2006-07 SES Ruslan Salei 11 goals, 51 assists, 90 takeaways, 71 hits after 0 goals, 11 assists in 2006-07 MON Alexander Semin 42 goals, 33 assists, 8 takeaways, 38 hits after missing all of 2006-07 (vote for one of the following) NORRIS TROPHY (Awarded to the owner/associate who best exemplifies the spririt of the league and its members) MON Guy Caron VAW Junu Kim CCC Brian Leahy (vote for two of the following - in order of preference) 2007-08 ALL-STAR LEFT WING: HOU Simon Gagne 41 goals, 45 assists, 43 takeaways, 18 hits BUF Ilya Kovalchuk 43 goals, 46 assists, 16 takeaways, 26 hits BRK Alexander Ovechkin 62 goals, 74 assists, 54 takeaways, 44 hits VAW Henrik Zetterberg 44 goals, 47 assists, 52 takeaways, 25 hits (vote for two of the following - in order of preference) 2007-08 ALL-STAR CENTRE: VAW Sidney Crosby 49 goals, 79 assists, 36 takeaways, 21 hits, 56.7% FO PIT Saku Koivu 35 goals, 85 assists, 32 takeaways, 47 hits, 64.1% FO LIB Vincent Lecavalier 46 goals, 58 assists, 55 takeaways, 26 hits, 51.8% FO FGF Joe Thornton 24 goals, 84 assists, 48 takeaways, 30 hits, 52.2% FO (vote for two of the following - in order of preference) 2007-08 ALL-STAR RIGHT WING: CCC Daniel Alfredsson 45 goals, 48 assists, 72 takeaways, 22 hits SEA Dany Heatley 47 goals, 63 assists, 30 takeaways, 20 hits FGF Marian Hossa 53 goals, 53 assists, 61 takeaways, 31 hits BUF Martin St. Louis 43 goals, 68 assists, 71 takeaways, 26 hits (vote for two of the following - in order of preference) 2007-08 ALL-STAR LEFT DEFENSE: QCP Tomas Kaberle 8 goals, 57 assists, 114 takeaways, 80 hits HOU Nicklas Lidstrom 10 goals, 63 assists, 96 takeaways, 60 hits NCH Sheldon Souray 17 goals, 39 assists, 28 takeaways, 71 hits BUF Marc-Edouard Vlasic 1 goal, 48 assists, 70 takeaways, 44 hits (vote for two of the following - in order of preference) 2007-08 ALL-STAR RIGHT DEFENSE: LIB Zdeno Chara 13 goals, 59 assists, 90 takeaways, 130 hits PIT Scott Niedermayer 13 goals, 80 assists, 67 takeaways, 57 hits BUF Dion Phaneuf 24 goals, 56 assists, 75 takeaways, 76 hits HOU Chris Pronger 8 goals, 53 assists, 58 takeaways, 65 hits (vote for two of the following - in order of preference) 2007-08 ALL-STAR GOALTENDER: PIT Martin Brodeur 36-36, 2.85 GAA, 91.6% SV, 6 shutouts, 73.5% GRSV BUF Rick DiPietro 48-20, 2.54 GAA, 91.9% SV, 3 shutouts, 72.4% GRSV BRK Olaf Kolzig 47-11, 1.98 GAA, 92.9% SV, 9 shutouts, 78.6% GRSV FGF Roberto Luongo 45-29, 2.40 GAA, 92.0% SV, 6 shutouts, 74.8% GRSV ********************************************************************* TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY: U2 played their famous live concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre. Just sayin'. ********************************************************************* 2008 CONFERENCE FINAL RESULTS: #2 QUEBEC CITY PATRIOTES at #1 BROOKLYN FOURTEENTH Quebec City 0, at Brooklyn 1 [Game One, Brooklyn leads series, 1-0] BRK Olaf Kolzig - thirty saves, shutout, 6/6 GR BRK Alexander Ovechkin - game-winning power-play goal, takeaway QCP Manny Fernandez - twenty-eight saves, 5/5 GR Quebec City 2, at Brooklyn 6 [Game Two, Brooklyn leads series, 2-0] BRK Mike Comrie - two goals, assist BRK Alexander Ovechkin - goal, three assists BRK Jarret Stoll - four assists, two hits Brooklyn 4, at Quebec City 5 [Game Three, Brooklyn leads series, 2-1] QCP Olli Jokinen - two goals, assist, hit BRK Jarret Stoll - shorthanded goal, assist, takeaway, hit QCP Jochen Hecht - two assists, two takeaways Brooklyn 4, at Quebec City 3 [Game Four, Brooklyn leads series, 3-1] QCP Tomas Kaberle - goal, assist, three takeaways, hit BRK Matt Pettinger - two assists, two takeaways BRK Olaf Kolzig - twenty-eight saves, 9/12 GR Quebec City 1, at Brooklyn 2 [Game Five, Brooklyn wins series, 4-1] BRK Olaf Kolzig - twenty-one saves, 6/7 GR BRK Matt Pettinger - game-winning goal, four takeaways QCP Manny Fernandez - twenty-five saves, 5/6 GR #3 NEVADA THUNDER at #1 HOUSTON AEROS Nevada 6, at Houston 2 [Game One, Nevada leads series, 1-0] NEV Jean-Sebastien Giguere - twenty-eight saves, 5/6 GR NEV Jason Arnott - two goals NEV Brian Campbell - three assists Nevada 6, at Houston 3 [Game Two, Nevada leads series, 2-0] NEV Brian Rolston - two goals, three takeaways NEV Mike Sillinger - shorthanded goal, two assists, takeaway NEV Jason Blake - power-play goal, two assists, hit Houston 4, at Nevada 3 [Game Three, Nevada leads series, 2-1] HOU Tomas Vokoun - twenty-nine saves, 8/9 GR HOU Simon Gagne - goal, assist, tow takeaways NEV Jaromir Jagr - two assists, hit Houston 4, at Nevada 5 [Game Four, Nevada leads series, 3-1] NEV Bill Guerin - game-winning power-play goal, assist, takeaway, hit NEV Sergei Zubov - power-play goal, assist, takeaway, two hits HOU Rob Blake - two power-play goals Nevada 2, at Houston 4 [Game Five, Nevada leads series, 3-2] HOU Shane Doan - game-winning goal, assist, two takeaways, hit HOU Mats Sundin - goal, assist NEV Mike Sillinger - goal, assist, hit Houston 5, at Nevada 4 [Game Six, series tied, 3-3] HOU Simon Gagne - game-winning power-play goal NEV Jaromir Jagr - two goals, assist HOU Rick Nash - goal, assist, two hits Nevada 3, at Houston 6 [Game Seven, Houston wins series, 4-3] HOU Justin Williams - two goals HOU Brenden Morrow - game-winning penalty shot goal, assist HOU Tomas Vokoun - thirty-two saves, 5/6 GR ********************************************************************* 2007-08 REGULAR SEASON LEAGUE STANDINGS: NORTHEAST DIVISION GP W L OL SL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Brooklyn Fourteenth 82 62 16 2 2 128 0.780 280 181 36- 3- 1- 1 26-13- 1- 1 Buffalo Bulldogs 82 56 23 2 1 115 0.701 287 213 32- 9- 0- 0 24-14- 2- 1 Long Island Berserkers 82 42 36 0 4 88 0.537 257 259 22-18- 0- 1 20-18- 0- 3 Corner Creek Green Cal 82 36 37 2 7 81 0.494 233 242 24-12- 2- 3 12-25- 0- 4 Lyndonville Blades 82 31 42 4 5 71 0.433 218 241 21-15- 3- 2 10-27- 1- 3 Empire State Americans 82 30 42 3 7 70 0.427 177 253 14-21- 1- 5 16-21- 2- 2 ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W L OL SL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Quebec City Patriotes 82 43 30 3 6 95 0.579 245 242 24-12- 2- 3 19-18- 1- 3 Florida Hellcats 82 41 33 4 4 90 0.549 231 237 21-17- 2- 1 20-16- 2- 3 St. Michael's Privatee 82 41 36 2 3 87 0.530 229 236 25-14- 0- 2 16-22- 2- 1 Manayunk Bullies 82 39 36 3 4 85 0.518 226 215 18-20- 1- 2 21-16- 2- 2 Stone Harbor Sound 82 31 44 1 6 69 0.421 178 231 15-23- 1- 2 16-21- 0- 4 Montreal Wanderers 82 25 52 1 4 55 0.335 183 291 10-28- 1- 2 15-24- 0- 2 NORTHWEST DIVISION GP W L OL SL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Fort Garry Fiddler Cra 82 51 25 3 3 108 0.659 259 202 27-10- 2- 2 24-15- 1- 1 Nevada Thunder 82 50 27 3 2 105 0.640 284 216 25-15- 0- 1 25-12- 3- 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 82 49 27 3 3 104 0.634 256 231 24-13- 1- 3 25-14- 2- 0 Seattle Rainiers 82 50 29 2 1 103 0.628 302 231 25-15- 0- 1 25-14- 2- 0 Seattle Sasquatch 82 47 30 0 5 99 0.604 291 275 24-14- 0- 3 23-16- 0- 2 North Calgary Hawks 82 43 33 2 4 92 0.561 281 252 22-15- 2- 2 21-18- 0- 2 CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L OL SL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Houston Aeros 82 54 26 0 2 110 0.671 308 212 29-11- 0- 1 25-15- 0- 1 Capital City Cougars 82 48 27 3 4 103 0.628 276 246 23-13- 2- 3 25-14- 1- 1 Hampton Roads Hounds 82 45 28 4 5 99 0.604 247 221 20-16- 2- 3 25-12- 2- 2 Pittsburgh Sound Chase 82 40 38 0 4 84 0.512 243 242 20-19- 0- 2 20-19- 0- 2 Topeka Tarantulas 82 23 51 3 5 54 0.329 188 314 12-27- 0- 2 11-24- 3- 3 Minneapolis Massasauga 82 7 71 2 2 18 0.110 129 325 3-37- 1- 0 4-34- 1- 2 ********************************************************************* 2007-08 EXPANDED LEAGUE STATISTICS: EXPANDED STATISTICS Total Home Road NORTHEAST DIVISION REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO Brooklyn Fourteenth 59-16 1- 2 2- 2| 35- 3 0- 1 1- 1| 24-13 1- 1 1- 1 Buffalo Bulldogs 45-23 2- 2 9- 1| 27- 9 0- 0 5- 0| 18-14 2- 2 4- 1 Long Island Berserkers 35-36 2- 0 5- 4| 18-18 1- 0 3- 1| 17-18 1- 0 2- 3 Corner Creek Green Calv 32-37 2- 2 2- 7| 22-12 0- 2 2- 3| 10-25 2- 0 0- 4 Lyndonville Blades 25-42 3- 4 3- 5| 16-15 3- 3 2- 2| 9-27 0- 1 1- 3 Empire State Americans 24-42 2- 3 4- 7| 13-21 1- 1 0- 5| 11-21 1- 2 4- 2 ATLANTIC DIVISION REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO Quebec City Patriotes 38-30 1- 3 4- 6| 20-12 1- 2 3- 3| 18-18 0- 1 1- 3 Florida Hellcats 34-33 2- 4 5- 4| 17-17 1- 2 3- 1| 17-16 1- 2 2- 3 St. Michael's Privateer 34-36 1- 2 6- 3| 21-14 1- 0 3- 2| 13-22 0- 2 3- 1 Manayunk Bullies 35-36 1- 3 3- 4| 16-20 1- 1 1- 2| 19-16 0- 2 2- 2 Stone Harbor Sound 23-44 2- 1 6- 6| 11-23 2- 1 2- 2| 12-21 0- 0 4- 4 Montreal Wanderers 20-52 3- 1 2- 4| 8-28 1- 1 1- 2| 12-24 2- 0 1- 2 NORTHWEST DIVISION REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO Fort Garry Fiddler Crab 41-25 4- 3 6- 3| 20-10 3- 2 4- 2| 21-15 1- 1 2- 1 Nevada Thunder 43-27 1- 3 6- 2| 22-15 0- 0 3- 1| 21-12 1- 3 3- 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 42-27 4- 3 3- 3| 21-13 3- 1 0- 3| 21-14 1- 2 3- 0 Seattle Rainiers 44-29 5- 2 1- 1| 24-15 1- 0 0- 1| 20-14 4- 2 1- 0 Seattle Sasquatch 33-30 6- 0 8- 5| 17-14 5- 0 2- 3| 16-16 1- 0 6- 2 North Calgary Hawks 37-33 3- 2 3- 4| 17-15 3- 2 2- 2| 20-18 0- 0 1- 2 CENTRAL DIVISION REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO REG OVT SHO Houston Aeros 50-26 2- 0 2- 2| 28-11 0- 0 1- 1| 22-15 2- 0 1- 1 Capital City Cougars 44-27 1- 3 3- 4| 22-13 0- 2 1- 3| 22-14 1- 1 2- 1 Hampton Roads Hounds 40-28 1- 4 4- 5| 17-16 0- 2 3- 3| 23-12 1- 2 1- 2 Pittsburgh Sound Chaser 37-38 1- 0 2- 4| 19-19 0- 0 1- 2| 18-19 1- 0 1- 2 Topeka Tarantulas 17-51 2- 3 4- 5| 8-27 1- 0 3- 2| 9-24 1- 3 1- 3 Minneapolis Massasauga 7-71 0- 2 0- 2| 3-37 0- 1 0- 0| 4-34 0- 1 0- 2 ********************************************************************* INCENTIVE POINTS: Incentive points are not discretionary, and are assigned strictly per formula without respect to extenuating circumstances. Incentive points may be appealed through the Review Board. CUMULATIVE INCENTIVE POINTS: BRK -2 IP CCC exempt FLO -2 IP HRH -1 IP HOU -1 IP MAN -3 IP MIN -1 IP NEV -2 IP NCH -2 IP QCP 1 IP STM -1 IP SES -1 IP SHS -2 IP TPK -2 IP VAW -7 IP ********************************************************************* 2007-08 NSHL NORRIS POWER INDEX To calculate the predicted margin of victory for an upcoming game, take the NPI of the home team, subtract the NPI of the visiting team, and add the calculated home-ice advantage (currently 0.237 goals). NPI: projected "power" of the given team VAR: variation in a team's NPI. SOS: strength of schedule (average NPI of opponents to date) NORRIS POWER INDEX NPI VAR SOS LW 1. Brooklyn Fourteenth 1.347 4.001 -0.113 2 2. Houston Aeros 1.302 8.194 0.008 1 3. Nevada Thunder 1.103 6.795 0.190 3 4. Buffalo Bulldogs 0.823 6.023 -0.069 4 5. Seattle Rainiers 0.801 8.296 0.157 5 6. Fort Garry Fiddler Crabs 0.582 9.050 0.112 8 7. Seattle Sasquatch 0.578 7.403 0.204 6 8. Vancouver Whitecaps 0.576 5.721 0.128 7 9. North Calgary Hawks 0.389 7.367 0.110 10 10. Capital City Cougars 0.380 6.042 0.017 9 11. Hampton Roads Hounds 0.127 7.964 0.029 11 12. Long Island Berserkers 0.044 8.451 0.005 12 13. Quebec City Patriotes 0.003 5.310 -0.008 13 14. St. Michael's Privateers -0.022 8.255 0.029 14 15. Manayunk Bullies -0.030 5.078 -0.100 15 16. Corner Creek Green Calves -0.037 6.199 0.068 16 17. Pittsburgh Sound Chasers -0.051 7.123 -0.029 17 18. Florida Hellcats -0.112 8.141 -0.049 18 19. Lyndonville Blades -0.328 6.169 0.040 19 20. Stone Harbor Sound -0.781 5.548 -0.006 20 21. Empire State Americans -0.985 5.684 0.040 21 22. Montreal Wanderers -1.427 6.395 0.013 22 23. Topeka Tarantulas -1.591 7.082 0.084 23 24. Minneapolis Massasauga -2.692 4.403 0.176 24 ********************************************************************* POSTSEASON INJURY REPORT: This will change with every playoff game, and will be announced to the relevant owners at that time. BRK - (none) HOU - (none) ********************************************************************* ASSOCIATE LIST: SINCE GP Dean Engemoen June 16, 2007 17 Francois Lessard December 10, 2006 8 Steve Kramer December 13, 2004 0 Greg Ralls December 14, 2004 0 Andrew Smith November 19, 2005 0 J.J. Schrems May 1, 2006 0 Scott Bruner June 18, 2007 0 Dale Ripley September 11, 2007 0 Steve Beren February 2, 2008 0 If you're still an active associate, and aren't on this list, please get in contact with me. Thanks! Doug ********************************************************************* TRANSACTIONS: All free agents *must* play in at least six of your team's games the following biweek. Violation of this results in the player being released immediately. ********************************************************************* League Governing Boards Responsibilities of the following governing boards are outlined in the Constitution. Review Board Tom Vinacci, Buffalo Bulldogs Patrick Shea, Long Island Berserkers Mark McNeil, Lyndonville Blades Constitutional Council Head: Patrick Shea (patrickjshea at verizon dot net) Doug Norris, Commissioner Brian Leahy, Vice-Commissioner Andy Bartalone, St. Michael's owner (vacant) *********************************************************************