Due to other
commitments, I was unable to make it to Border Battle until Sunday morning. As
a result, I had to rely on the help of others to make this blog post come to
life. A very special thank you to Mark Wineck for being my eyes on the MXL
field this past weekend.
MXL
Most exciting game to watch – Waterloo Wolves Vs. Hespeler
Hooligans
One could have
predicted that this would be an exciting match based solely on the fact that it
occurred between two of the top teams in the MXL division. I must admit that I
underestimated Wolves as I predicted Hespeler for the win. Hooligans spent the
majority of this game working off penalties which likely gave Waterloo the ammunition
they needed to pull through with a strong win. Penalties are always expected,
especially when two fairly equally matched teams play one another. Emotions
heat up and this can either help or hinder a team. In this case, Hooligans
allowed their emotions to get the best of them, taking a whopping 21 minutes in
penalties in this match alone.
At the beginning
of this match, the two teams went point for point leaving Wolves leading 3-2
with just over four minutes remaining in the half. Waterloo made the most of
those four minutes procuring a quick 2 points finishing the half with Hooligans
trailing by 3. The first point in the second half has got to be one of the
longest points in CXBL history lasting nearly 8 minutes before Hespeler was
forced to towel the point to their challengers. It seems that the point lasted
this long because both teams had 2 players remaining. Hooligans opted to make a
move to bring it down to a 2-on-1 but missed the shot consequently forfeiting
the point. Toward the end of the match, Hooligans pulled off another two flag
hangs but, thanks to their penalties, also toweled 3 more points to Wolves. Waterloo
came through with a 9-5 win but I hope
to see both of these teams battling again at NAX, hopefully involving less
penalties on Hespeler’s part.
Hooligans' Brock Browett
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
Most surprising game – Barrie Freeze Vs. Sarnia Energy
Prior to this
event, I had these two teams pegged as being well-matched in regard to player
talent and coaching and while I still believe that to be true, I was incredibly
surprised by the outcome of this match. Truth be told, many suspected that this
match could go either way but I am sure nobody expected an 8 point spread.
Sarnia took the first point of the game with Freeze quickly evening the score.
Having not been on the sidelines, I am not sure what happened next but Freeze
must’ve fallen apart considering they toweled the next 5 points to Energy with
Sarnia pulling in one more flag hang before the end of the first half leaving
them leading by 6. Freeze hung the first flag of the second half and after toweling
the next point, managed to bring the score to 7 – 3 Sarnia. Freeze went on to
towel the next point and thanks to their major penalty, Sarnia procured 2 more
fast points before the game ended with Energy leading by 8. This match was
certainly a good showing for the Sarnia Energy crew but I don’t think it will
be enough to secure them a spot at NAX.
Most Impressive team at this event – Waterloo Wolves
This is a team made
up of a combination of some of the old Woodstock Defiance and Tavistock Defiant
guys as well as a few stragglers. These are players who are well-known in the
paintball community for their hard work and passion. It’s no surprise to see
them battling at the top of the MXL bracket, after all, some of them already
have an MXL title and a season of CXBL under their belts. After their tie
against Sarnia Energy at Central Event 1, many questioned whether this team may
be over-rated. Waterloo came back this event, knowing they had to step up to show
that they deserve a spot at NAX, and show up they did. Wolves win over Hespeler
showed that they are fully prepared to do everything in their power to finish
at the top. It looks like they’d have to lose two matches at Central Event 3 to
give up their spot in the top three, and I just don’t see that happening.
A special shout
out to Mark Wineck for guesting with Kitchener Recon to become the oldest
player to have ever played in a CXBL match. Fifty isn’t so bad, eh Mark? There
may be a one-on-one against Robert Lee in your paintball future! That’s a point
I wouldn’t even think of missing!
Wolves getting Amped
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
Weakest team – Woodstock Semper Fi
I said the same
about Hustle, I wish I could be talking about another team. All I can say is that
your match against 420 Army at Central Event 3 may be your only chance at
saving yourselves. It’s no longer just a want, you guys NEED to win that match
and I for one, think you can do it!
Team to watch out for at event 3 – Georgina Rebels
I really think
that these guys are under-rated. Sure they are a middle-of-the-pack team but I
don’t think they’re without potential. The only significant loss they’ve
suffered was against Brooklin Fingers and it was their first match of the
season. Their other losses were only by a 2-3 point spread and on top of that,
they have wins against Woodstock and 420 Army. Just as they showed up stronger
at Border Battle than they were at Central Event 1, I expect them to regroup
and gain strength again for Central Event 3. The only hindrance is that they
face two very strong teams (Hespeler Hooligans and Waterloo Wolves) at Event 3.
Rebels, don’t let the bigger names slow you down. Take every opportunity to
practice your skills and drills and to get to know the field layout. Upsets are
far from unheard of but you are going to need to learn to stay out of the
penalty box.
Team to most surpass expectations- Sarnia Energy
Sarnia’s only
losses are to two of the top teams. Their tie with Wolves proved a surprise to
many but also showed that they are here to play hard. Energy’s only remaining
matches are against Fury and 420 Army and because of their showing so far this
season, I feel confident that they will come out with some big wins.
Sarnia Breakout
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
Other reflections:
Since the penalty
minute recap was such a hit with the CXBL Elite, I thought I’d do the same for
the MXL division. In this division, the penalty minutes were more evenly
spread throughout the competition. From most penalty minutes to least, here are
the MXL teams.
1.
Georgina Rebels
Matches Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 59
2.
Winnipeg 420 Army
Matches Played: 4
Penalty Minutes: 51
3.
Oshawa Fury
Matches Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 40
4.
Sarnia Energy
Matches Played: 6
Penalty Minutes: 37
5.
Hespeler Hooligans
Matches Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 34
6.
Woodstock Semper Fi
Matches Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 33
7.
Barrie Ntwo Freeze
Matches Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 32
8.
Waterloo Wolves
Matches Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 29
9.
Brooklin Fingers
Matches Played: 6
Penalty Minutes: 26
Signing off,
The Paintball Wife
P.S. My MXL predictions weren't nearly as good as my CXBL predictions. 4 of 7 correct.
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