The supplemental drafts have been completed, all the teams are set... here come The Blades! Well positioned in second place with a paltry 10 points separating them from the first place Bong Water, The East Van Blades are looking for a repeat championship performance. With a now healthy Zetterberg, the return of Heatley in a few short weeks, and the newly acquired and very well rested Teemu Selanne on the roster, Blades fans are beginning to plan the victory parade down Fraser Street. Is that rain outside or is it the sweat on Alan 'Bong'-Moon's forehead? Stay tuned.

Is it the rise of the Organics or the fall of the Blades? Either way, the hockey pool is bunching up in the middle (or the bottom) as three teams battle within a few points of each other. The Certified Organics have been really hot lately... they've been burning up the standings... with 31 points so far this week you could say they're smokin'! Is it the prowess of the Organics' GM? Nope. Is it the 4 point night by Zach Parise? Try again. Alfredsson's 18 point month? Uh uh... Then why? It's because Toby's roof is on fire... literally. I'm serious. His roof is actually on fire.

And what's going on at the top of the Pool standings? It's not the Blades and since this is my post... who cares?

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that at this time one year ago the East Van Blades were 25 points behind the leader... and then they came back to win the season championship. Then again they had Lecavalier, Ovechkin, Briere, Hossa and Malkin too... ah the glory days... sigh.

Get out your $20 and put your stick on the ice...The VP Hockey Pool draft is coming up...Start making your list and checking it twice...

The end is near and the Stanley Cup Finals are one game in with the Ducks or Canuck Killers winning game one against Canada's Team even tough everyone knows that Ottawa is not really Canada's Team, Vancouver is. With an insurmountable lead and only the East Van Blades with a mathematical albeit highly improbable chance of even making it close, The David Milchards look to capture their first ever Stanley Cup.
When asked to comment on the possibility of the win GM David Milchard was quoted as saying. "Well, you know, I don't want to get ahead of myself, you know? Right now it looks good for us but we're just going to take it one game at a time and hope that we come out on top. you know?" GM of the East Van Blades Justin Leigh has left the country already for Mexico and is on holiday, not showing a lot of faith in his teams chances.
Everyone else will be looking forward to packing up the Golf bag and hitting the links until it comes time for Pre-Season 2007-08 and next years hockey pool.

The David Milchards look to hold off a late charge by the Blades

The Thrashers and Penguins are gonzo from the playoffs. What does this mean? All the Players have lost at least one player and only two of the eight series have been decided! The Bongwater have lost three of their top four players, qWest also loses three players and is in danger of losing another two if the flames go down in uh flames to the Red Wings. Looking good are The David Milchard who are perched on top of the standings and are the only team to lose just one player so far. The Playoff Heros are hanging tight in second place while the defending pool champs The Eastvan Blades are bringing up the rear and averaging 2 points everytime the Sabres score a goal. The playoffs are still young but the drama has already begun.

The Tokers and The Bong Water kept it tight but in the end The East Van Blades powered ahead of the pack and won the first annual Vancouver Players regular season NHL Hockey Pool by an impressive 64 points. GM of The Blades, Justin Leigh was very emotional in his post-season press conference...

After some discussion it has been decided that the Playoff Pool will be conducted as follows:

There will be no draft. Each Pool participant will bring their team pre-selected to The Club (or send selection by email to justin@justinleigh.ca) on Monday April 9th at 7pm. Your team must consist of 8 forwards, 2 defencemen, and 1 goalie. You can pick your players from any of the 16 teams that are in the playoffs. One point will be awarded for each assist and each goal for the forwards and defencemen. The goalies get 1 point for each win. To make it interesting I suggest 2 points if a goalie that gets a shutout win but we can decide that on April 9th. After the teams are handed in there will be a poker game for those who wish to show up. Please feel free to invite other interested people. The bigger the pot the better the pool. Winner takes all. In the event of a tie the winners split the pot 50/50. Price to enter pool: $20. Taste of victory: priceless.

earlier post...

Let everybody know... On Sunday April 8th the last game of the 2006-2007 NHL regular season will be played. After this the match ups for the first round of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs will be decided. The following evening we shall commence the draft selection for the highly anticipated 2007 Vancouver Players Stanley Cup Hockey Pool. The draft will be held at The Club on Monday April 9th at 7pm. Rules to be announced. May the best man win.

This Tuesday at 3pm is the NHL trade deadline. When should we meet to make our final trades? Tuesday night we could do it at The Club and have a Poker Game after. Is everyone available Tuesday night?

It was a big Saturday night for both the Blades and the Tokers. It was a disappointing evening for the Bong Water. How about the Rice Rockets and Certified Organics? Does it matter? It's still not over but one thing is for sure, we are back to a two way battle for supremacy in the VP 2006/2007 Hockey Pool. May I suggest a grudge match?

In the right corner, wearing blue and white, dropping bombs for The Blades, Vincent Lecavalier with 14 points so far in February. And in the left corner, wearing red and black for The Tokers, Jerome Iginla with 13 points this month. "Let's get ready to RUUUUMMMBLLLLLE........"