MXL
Most Exciting Game –Mississauga
Hate VS. Huntsville Predators
Predators
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
If you’ve
been following the MXL division this season, you know that prior to this match,
these two teams were tied in points near the top of the standings. There was
never any doubt that this would be a pressure-filled match with both teams eagerly
eying the win. Both teams have a mix of up-and-coming players and CXBL
retirees. They must be well-matched competitors because the first point of the
match was a long one, lasting nearly 7 minutes, with Huntsville hanging the
flag. From there, the teams went back and forth, each securing some points (and
some minor penalties). Toward the end of the half, Predators made a move and wrestled
in a quick few points leaving the score at 5-2. Hate must’ve had a “team talk”
that managed to bring their heads back into the game because they came out and
took the first 3 points of the second half, tying up the match. With dominance
switching back and forth for the last few minutes of the game, Predators
managed to come out ahead as the match finished at a predictably close 7-6.
Hate's William Scheffel
Photo Credit - Sheldon Carless
Most Surprising Game –
Sarnia Sabres VS. St. Catherines Savages
I must
admit I had almost given up on Sarnia after event 1. I predicted that they
would be one of the strongest MXL teams due largely to their CXBL-stacked
roster. Many of these guys played for Scarborough Hustle before the team was
relegated at the end of the 2012 season and while they were never super strong
in the CXBL bracket, I figured that they would be right at home in the MXL
division. After seeing them suffer a significant 10 point loss to Brooklin
Mafia and then a loss to Mississauga Hate, I started to wonder if they might be
following in the shoes of Woodstock Semper Fi.
Savages
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
St.
Catherines, while still suffering losses at Event 1, had lesser point spreads
against some highly competitive teams. They demonstrated a drive that had me rooting
for them during this match. My mistake, perhaps, was giving up on Sabres too
soon. Maybe, they knew that they needed to step things up and prove themselves
this event and put in the necessary time and energy practicing. Whatever the
reason, it was Sarnia who came out with a lead after a fairly back-and-forth
first half. With a score of 4-3 with 12 minutes remaining, Sabres went to work
to secure their lead, widening the gap to 7-3. With less than 2 minutes on the
clock, Savages managed to secure what some may have predicted would be the last
point of the match. However, St. Catherines suffered a major penalty with only
9 seconds left in the game thus handing their competitors another point
bringing the final score to 8-4 Sabres.
Most Impressive Team
at this Event – Huntsville Predators
Huntsville Predators
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
Huntsville
enjoyed some close wins over two strong teams, Mississauga Hate and Milton
Mutiny. They have now matched the leading Brooklin Mafia in terms of points and
will have the pleasure of facing their most skilled competitors next event!
This team certainly has the right ingredients for a win, the question is, will
they pull it off?
Weakest Team at this
Event – Georgina Grizzlies
It’s pretty weak to bail on
an event. It’s pretty weak to make other teams fork out a lot of money on gas,
hotels, etc. in anticipation of a match that you have no intention of playing.
Enjoy your bans, Georgina, you certainly earned them for your lack of decency.
Team to Watch out for
at Event 3 and Team to Most Surpass Expectations – Milton Mutiny
Mutiny
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
Well, clearly I didn’t take
a close enough look at Mutiny’s roster changes before formulating my
predictions for Border Battle. They picked up Shayne Salmon, a familiar face,
who did plenty of work on the 2012 Medonte squad and Alex Lyness, also from
last season’s Ntwo. This team suffered a
painful loss to Brooklin Mafia at Event one which led me to underestimate them.
Their other losses to Sabres and Predators were by a much smaller point spread
which suggests that they are adapting to the playing styles of theoretically
much stronger teams. Additionally, Mutiny stormed into Border Battle, showing Hooligans
that they know how to play this game! Milton’s passionate up-and-comers paired
with the experience of their past Elite players will allow them to continue to
build momentum as they prepare for event 3.
Mutiny's Shayne Salmon
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
Penalty Minutes
As it turns out, the MXL division is rocking the penalties.
Interesting that the teams leading the pack have the least penalty minutes…coincidence?
I think not. In order from most penalty minutes to least, here are your MXL
teams!
1.
Milton Mutiny
Games Played: 4
Penalty Minutes: 48
2.
Georgina Grizzlies
Games Played: 3 (before their season ended)
Penalty Minutes: 43
3.
St. Catherines Savages
Games Played: 4
Penalty Minutes: 40
4.
Sarnia Sabres
Games Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 40
5.
Hespeler Hooligans
Games Played: 4
Penalty Minutes: 35
6.
Mississauga Hate
Games Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 32
7.
Huntsville Predators
Games Played: 5
Penalty Minutes: 27
8.
Brooklin Mafia
Games Played: 4
Penalty Minutes: 26
A little interesting fact…last year after Border Battle it
was Brooklin Fingers and Waterloo Wolves with the least penalty minutes. Do I
spot a trend?
Signing off,
The Paintball Wife
P.S. Considering Georgina didn’t show, I basically went 2
and 2 for my MXL predictions. That’s a pretty poor prediction percentage!
Thanks for stirring things up, guys! :P
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