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United States Rink Bandy League: Commissioner's Report

By Commissioner Arundel, 07/06/14, 9:30PM CDT

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Mississippi Mojo sit atop standings at midway point of USRBL 2014 season

After five weeks of action in the United States Rink Bandy League, the Mississippi Mojo have found themselves back amongst the favorites for the 2014 Cannon Cup. The Mojo have amassed a perfect 5-0 record while scoring 51 goals and giving up only 23. Their 51 goals scored is also tops in the league, with player/manager Mike Hosfield pacing the Mojo with league leading 16 goals. 

Mike Hosfield
MoJo Player/Manager: Mike Hosfield

 

Hosfield’s Mojo are playing together in their 5th indoor season, as well as having played outdoor bandy together the past 4 winters. Their collective ball possession, passing, and ability to shoot from a distance have made any team's game against the Mojo a difficult evening at the rink this season. The Mojo have yet to trail at the half time interval, and a 9-7 victory over the up and coming Saints has been their closest result to date. Far from a one trick pony, the Mojo have been bolstered by many different goal scorers:  Andy Hogan (11 goals) 'Steve-O' Strampe (6) and the Haertzen brothers, Jon (9) and Tyler (4), are all finding the back of the net.


The Mojo are in a fight until the end this year, as their schedule will get considerably tougher into the second half of the season. Match ups against the current number 2, 3, and 4 teams in the table will show the Mojo’s true colors. 


Summer bandy juggernaut, Sirius BC, as well as Chris Halden’s, Minnehaha Maulers, are hot on the Mojo’s trail. Both of these teams are sitting with four wins and one loss and looking as strong as ever. Sirius BC and the Maulers met in Week 4 this season in a heavyweight bout that could be a preview of the 2014 Cannon Cup final. The Maulers ground out a 6-4 victory after being gridlocked 2-2 at halftime. To nobody’s surprise, Mauler forward and last year’s scoring champ, Archie Skalbeck, led the way that evening against Sirius BC scoring two goals. He is also hot on Hosfield’s heels in the overall scoring race with 15 goals through 5 games. Second year forward Mikael Lickteig has provided a spark for the Maulers with high end speed and intensity, along with finding the back of the net 10 times.


Despite the narrow loss to the Maulers, Sirius BC look as strong as any other team in the league thru the half-way point. The loss of power skating Jack Hillen has been impressively overcome by Sirius BC with waves of players who can skate, pass, and score. Brandon Polich (11 goals), Taylor Matson (9), and Zak Lavelle (9) are all looking very comfortable with a bandy stick in their hands, and have put up the numbers to back it up. Mike Shibrowski in the nets has been difficult to beat, as he has allowed a league low 15 goals against through 5 weeks. 


The Flying Sparrows and Dynamo Washburn played to a 7-7 tie in their Week 4 match up. Both teams now find themselves in a position to make a run in the second half. Sparrows forward Jon Keseley (14 goals) has experienced an indoor bandy career resurgence as he is only 2 goals off the league lead at this point. Keseley’s off season training at the 1st Athlete  facility in Edina is clearly apparent out on the ice. His combination of elite speed plus a hard, accurate shot make the Sparrow's Keseley one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the game.


Dynamo Washburn continue to improve, which means a run to the finals this season is squarely in the young team’s crosshairs. Last year’s semi-finalist look stronger than ever, with Anders Jecha picking up right where he left off after an award winning 2013 campaign (Goalie of the Year). Balanced scoring and a strong team attitude have Dynamo primed for a long run in the playoffs. The Cannon Cup is the only major North American Bandy title which has eluded the Knutson brothers, Andrew and Peter.  Is this the year they fill out their trophy case? 


Spanky’s United, The Yaks, and the SLP Orioles all sit at 2-3 as we make the turn to the second half of the season. Spanky’s seem to be sitting right where they can be the most dangerous, with 2 wins in their last 3 games and looking better each time they take to the ice. The Yaks are also surging, winners of their final two games before the break after a 0-3 start. These two clubs will meet in Week 6 - a match up that might set the tone for the remainder of The Yaks regular season. Defending Cannon Cup Champion, St. Louis Park Orioles, have cooled off considerably after a strong 2 wins and zero loss start to their campaign. Don’t take The Orioles team lightly, for roster issues have plagued this squad during the regular season and is nothing new. If they have all their players together during playoffs, anything can happen for The Orioles.


The Saints and the Duluth Tigers are both still looking for their first victories this year, with a Week 6 showdown between these two clubs to start of the second half of the season. The Saints are gaining valuable experience every week of their first season.  The Saints played the undefeated Mojo to a 7-9 decision in an impressive showing. The Tigers have also been plagued with roster issues making it difficult to find a win. However, several top Tigers have just recently returned to the lineup, including US National Team players Davis Plaunt and Evan Richardson. Recent rumors that USA Bandy stand out and Swedish Elite League player, Daren Richardson, might be joining the Tigers in the coming weeks could strengthen the Tigers club in the second half of the regular season.


There are five games down, and five to go in the 2014 USRBL regular season. With this many contenders and elite players fiercely competing, it is safe to say that any of the teams can claim the Cannon Cup!


United States Rink Bandy League Commissioner, Scott Arundel