LBCSHL playoffs start tonight. the seeding is as follows:

1. Pennsbury
2. Holy Ghost
3. Father Judge
4. Roman Catholic
5. Archbishop Ryan
6. Neshaminy

Judge vs Neshaminy at 715 and Roman vs. Ryan at 9. The top 5 teams in this league are so tight that its hard to make predictions. Nonetheless, are there any predictions? Is Pennsbury the real deal?

I think Judge should win tonight barring a hot goaltender or some fluky bounces. The Roman Ryan game should be tight. Gotta take Ryan in this one. Though I can't really pick a game to save my life. Insight? Predictions?

Pretty sure Gannon and Barnes are out for a while. That would make it tough for Pennsbury to do much in the playoffs. They are a good team, but their succes was based on 5 players all year. Those 5 are very good players, but now that the 2 best are hurt, how far can they go?

At this point I dont think Roman is much of a threat. They have fallen apart the second half of the year.

Ryan has had some coaching issues which have been publicized on this board. They still have enough talent to beat a very good team when they are clicking.

HGP and Judge are probably playing the best hockey now, with Ryan right there in the mix.

I would guess The finals will be some combination of HGP, Ryan or Judge.

On Gannon and Barnes, a post in another thread said Barnes was hooked when he was hurt, which was nothing like what I saw. One too many dangles by Barnes in front resulted in a shoulder to shoulder hit by Lockhart coming across the slot. Pennsbury's website described what happened:

quote:

However, a well placed clean check by CRN’s Taylor Lockhart put Ian Barnes, the area’s top goal scorer, on the sideline with a shoulder injury. With Barnes off the ice and in the locker room the Falcons were still able to carry the game to Rock. Minutes after the Barnes injury the Falcons suffered another serious blow when Captain Ryan Gannon (LBCSHL point leader) suffered a serious knee injury while killing a penalty.

Summary goes on to describe their condition.

quote:

The Saturday injury report revealed that Ian Barnes suffered a grade 1 separation of the AC joint (separated shoulder). Barnes is expected to be out for at least a week before resuming skating. X-rays revealed no broken bones in the leg of Ryan Gannon. Gannon left the hospital on crutches and has had his leg placed in an immobilizer and is expected to require and MRI to determine if there is any ligament damage

Judge came back in the last three minutes to beat Neshaminy 3-2. Neshaminy led 2-1 when Judge scored SH with about three minutes left. With 1.3 seconds left Judge got the game winner from a scrum in front of the net. Judge had over 50 shots to Neshaminy's (I think) 17.

Roman was handling Ryan 5-1 with about five minutes left in the third when I made my exit.

I spoke to The Gannon's tonite, Barnes will start to practice with the team this week. Gannon is out 3-4 weeks and will miss the LBCSHL playoffs but hopefully be ready for the Flyers Cup. He was walking without crutches tonight.

The Judge Neshaminy game last night was too close for comfort. It had a hot goaltender and some fluky bounces, but Judge was able to pull it out in the end. Hats off to the Neshaminy Goaltender who played the game of his life, stopping 49 shots.

Ryan lost the game last night due to lack of discipline. They put themselves in the box so much over stupid penalties, and the fast Roman team dominated. That, and it seems that they tried to do it all as individuals. When they play like a team they can hang with / beat anyone. They did not play like a team last night.

Next week should be fun. Monday night at 7:15 Roman vs. Pennsbury, followed by Judge vs. HGP at 9.

Pennsbury will be busy as they have to finish their Suburban League schedule against Tennent on Thursday and Rock South on Friday.

Then open the LBCSHL playoffs on Monday.