As we wrap up our second week of action in Season 7 of the Ice Tilt Hockey League, I checked in with several players in management positions throughout the league. From Sweat Division to Core Division, here is what they had to say about their teams and their aspirations for Season 7.
CORE DIVISION
SEA SICKNESS
First off, I checked in with the beloved Sea Sickness. These OG’s are in their fifth season in the ITHL and have went through multiple rebrands during their time in the league. This season they have the whole band back together, as Soolu and Hoskins return home after one season stints with Trap House and the Twine Ticklerz, respectively. New additions Big Maple, Snake Houston, and Toad look to make big contributions as well in the Sea Sickness’s push for a Core Title Run. When asked about the Sea Sickness chances at a title and how the new additions are fitting into one of the friendliest locker rooms in the league, MangoSlaw said this: “Decent shot. Think we’re like a top 5 team. New Signings are good. Feel like we have depth at every position that we have a chance to win no matter what lineup we put out.” You have got to love the confidence coming from a team considered the lovable losers of the ITHL, we then asked MangoSlaw what the league should look for from the Sea Sickness this season and his response was straight and to the point, “Absolute dominance.”
PILSNER PEOPLE
Next, I talked to the owner and GM of Pilsner, Rudiger McMuffin on what he is expecting from his squad this season and how the new additions are fitting into the locker room. Kirk had to this to say about the Pilsner People Season 7 squad: “We have almost no shot at the Core Division title but I LOVE our team.” We take what he says with a grain of salt, however, due to offseason acquisitions Red Devil (McWrap) and Tkachuck (NHLer) both of whom have won ITHL Championships and Deadeye (McDouble) helps provide a steady presence on the blue line. The Pilsner People also just picked up former Armada GM and stellar goaltender, E_vaporrub to boost their depth. Does the Pilsner loving, McDonalds themed team have what it takes to bring home the Core Division Championship?
COLON CANONBALLS
The last Core Division team I decided to interview was the Colon Cannonballs. They are not as tenured as the aforementioned teams, but they are well respected amongst the league and a good group of guys. We spoke with Mabbz (Tremendous Johnson), center and GM for the Cannonballs on his expectations for Season 7 and who the biggest Core Division threats will be. Mabbz had this to say about the Cannonballs, “I think we can make a real push for the title. We always seem to be in every game, need to find more consistency with our new guys too. Overall if we play up to our standards, we can win the title for sure.” It sounds as if they are quite confident in their chances at a title, he knows this will not come without adversity though, “Out of the teams we’ve seen, the Clash and Flamingos were very solid teams. Can’t count out teams like Sea Sickness and the Boats as well. Best team is most likely TB Clash.” I look forward to seeing how the bowel themed team fares in Season 7.
SWEAT DIVISION
SAILORS
Our first team I decided to interview for the Sweat Division was the Sailors, who took last season off and have reformed to make a legitimate push at the Sweat Division Title. When asked about the Sailors chances at the title and how the star cast is fitting together, this is what Owner Phlayy had to say: “Yeah we will probably win it, team is still fairly new to each other so we have raw talent just need to build some chemistry and get some more practice. I think last night was an eye opener for us that we can’t just get on for game time and never practice together… So I think we will definitely be seen in the finals.” One of the more soft spoken personalities in the massive league- Phlayy and his Sailors partner in crime- Monds are some of the OG ITHL veterans that may one day be inducted into the ITHL Hall of Fame. Their last run as the Sailors fell short of the Promised Land as they lost to the Twine Ticklerz due to inconsistent net minding on the back end. Those issues should be all but resolved as they signed one time Rookie of the Year, Impulse and his new tandem partner, Mooner2019. Do the Sailors have what it takes to outlast the competition in what is sure to be the most competitive season yet?
COMETS
The second team I decided to interview out of the Sweat Division was the infamous Comets. The Comets have now been in the league for over a year, joining in Season 3 as the Flint Force. In what has become a storied tenure in the ITHL, the Comets have failed to win a singular playoff series in their existence. Determined to put the past behind them, the Comets went on a signing spree as soon as the offseason began for them. Re-signing CrazyGrenade to an AGM role, and bringing in loads of LG talent including: TheWindex; BenDuguay; Ivan DeLosh; Moshi Moshi; and ZTurnsyy. When asked about how he feels the Comets stack up against the rest of the Sweat Division, AGM CrazyGrenade provided this answer: “I think that our chances are looking good. We got the pieces we need, me, Zach, Evan and Salted have all came a long way since the first season. With our new guys they all fit the play style well and are all very versatile to contribute offensively and defensively, plus their availability is great so that helps. I think you can expect to see a high seed finish and a deep playoff run, the boys are going for it all this season.” I followed up this answer by asking if he felt that their offseason shopping spree has left a target on the Comets back, they do not seem to be bothered, to say the least. If anything, the hate is only providing more motivation to the Comets squad with Grenade adding, “I feel that there is, but teams in sweat are starting to realize we aren’t the only team with good players. Also I think that it was way over-exaggerated in the offseason with teams bitching about the guys we brought in, but we don’t give a shit what other teams think and we are just gonna’ play our game.” Will the recent additions be enough to break the Comets Curse? Or will another offseason of misery ensue?
Benedict Peay