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Archives |
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Hussein leaves team unexpectedly
(posted on
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005)
Decimated defense loses another;
Knights prepare for Rangers
(posted on
Sunday, June 12th, 2005)
Team conducts practice; players
speak highly of trap
(posted on
Sunday, June 5th, 2005)
Rasoul to continue on as Captain
(posted on
Sunday, June 5th, 2005)
Bangash mistaken for baseball player
(posted on
Friday, June 3rd, 2005)
Rasoul to step down as Captain
(posted on
Friday, June 3rd, 2005)
Zia Bangash to possibly retire?
(posted on
Thursday, June 2nd, 2005)
Knights
to pursue Ayubi for playoffs
(posted on
Thursday, June 2nd, 2005)
Akhtar added to team
(posted Thursday, May 26th, 2005)
Channa replaced with yet another Alvi
(posted Monday, 23rd, 2005) |
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(posted on
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005)
Hussein
leaves team unexpectedly
By: Nauman
Abbasi
In Monday night's game against
the Mississauga Rangers, the Crescent Knights were missing several players
and fielded a skeleton roster which led to a 5-2 loss. Most players that
were missing weren't in action due to suspensions, injuries or preplanned
unavailability. However, one player was missing in action without a proper
reason or excuse. That player was winger Shakir Hussein.
Hussein, an avid fan and player
of the sport of golf, was expected in the line-up for the game though
rumours persisted that he may be quitting the team to pursue a career in
golf. Though he's no Tiger Woods, Hussein felt strongly about a possible
career change and was prepared to leave the team due to a conflict with a
player on the team. Most notably, Hussein had a disagreement during the
Crescent Knights game against the Sauga Scream with Assistant Captain
Faraaz Alvi. Hussein, upset that he didn't get to play a shift with his
brother, Shuaib Hussein, stormed off the bench after Alvi reportedly told
him to leave the bench if he was going to act childish. Alvi later stated
that the team didn't need that kind of behavior during a game and that
players were to comply with the team's prepared line-up instead of
demanding their own changes. Alvi, a fierce and competitive player,
angered Hussein so much that Hussein stormed off and left the team. The
team cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Sauga Scream despite not having the
energetic play of Hussein in the lineup.
The team's management left hope
that Hussein would come to his senses and realize that his conduct was
detrimental to the team. On Monday night however, Hussein failed to show
up despite the team being severely shorthanded. "Faraaz wasn't even
playing this game (since he's in Pittsburgh representing Pakistan in the
World Ball Hockey Tournament) so if he had a problem with only him, then
he had no reason to not show up to this game," said captain Abdul-Aziz
Rasoul. The captain later added "Shakir knew we needed him badly for this
game and he didn't show up which shows he has a problem with the team as a
whole." Rasoul was disappointed with Hussein, as was most of the team, but
left open the possibility for Hussein to return.
Assistant Captain Nauman Abbasi
wasn't as welcoming however. Abbasi became furious with Hussein after
hearing that he wouldn't be playing. "If people have an issue with
something, they should come and talk to us about it instead of just
quitting the team," said Abbasi. "We all made a commitment to each other
and he's bailing on us, especially when we need him and value him as part
of this team, which is totally not cool." Abbasi, who played despite still
not being fully recovered from a left quad strain, felt that if Hussein
wanted to quit, he was more than welcome to. "After not showing in a game
where we needed him most, especially after such a childish incident, I
don't know if I'd want him on the team," said Abbasi. He later went on to
add that he was fond of Hussein as a friend but that what Hussein did was
"not acceptable as part of the Islamic ideals that the team is trying to
instill".
Hussein has yet to comment
though rumours persist that he will likely leave the team. Rasoul and
Abbasi were adamant that there would be no refund of fees to Hussein and
that Hussein had quite possibly strained his relationship with several
players due to his behavior. "It's one thing to have an issue with just
one person and it's another to just quit the team," said Rasoul. The
Crescent Knights play their next game on Monday, June 20th against The
Danza's at 7pm.
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(posted on
Sunday, June 12th, 2005)
Decimated
defense loses another; Knights prepare for Rangers
By: Nauman
Abbasi
A different look will be present
for the Crescent Knights come Monday's game against the Mississauga Rangers.
 No,
the jersey's aren't changing nor have any of the players changed the look of
their beards. Rather, the Crescent Knights will be without some of their key
players for what is becoming an important game against the Rangers. Gone is
defenseman Faraaz Alvi who's out in Pittsburgh representing Pakistan in the
World Ball Hockey Tournament. Alvi, donning the green and black
curry-stained jersey of Pakistan, won't be back until June 20th at the
earliest. Gone is defenseman Farhan Siddiqui who's been suspended for one
game due to his confrontation with an opposing player in last Wednesday's
game against the Sauga Scream. Siddiqui, a medical student completing his
residency in Collingwood, Ontario, will likely spend this free time
operating on anything that he can find and performing dissections on local
farm animals. Defenseman Mustafa Alam is unlikely to play due to the
strained hamstring injury that he sustained in last Monday's game against
the Mississauga Wildcats.
Now word has spread that Nauman
Abbasi will be unavailable to play as well. However, the unavailability of
Abbasi comes as no surprise after seeing a lack of mobility at Saturday's
practice from the speedy player. After filling in admirably on defense
against the Sauga Scream in place of Alam, Abbasi re-aggravated a left-quad
injury. This same injury originally occurred in 2004 after Abbasi recovered
from a partially torn left ACL in his left knee. The quad strain developed
after the knee injury had healed and plagued Abbasi for nearly 2 months
including his play in the ICCO Invitational Tournament of August 2004. Now,
the quad injury has occurred again and has the Crescent Knights concerned in
terms of Abbasi's availability. "I want to be able to play but it's tough
with this injury," said Abbasi. The injury was sustained after Abbasi
sustained a thigh-on-thigh hit along the boards during the team's last game.
"This injury prevents me from being able to move the way I need to move and
puts a lot of stress on my left leg in general," added Abbasi. Zia Bangash,
the center who scored the game-winning goal against the Sauga Scream last
Wednesday and has been reminding everyone since of his greatest
accomplishment ever, later quipped: "Nauman needs to be wrapped up in a big
bandage." A big bandage has been put on order by the Crescent Knights to get
Abbasi back in the line-up soon.
With no Alvi, Alam, Abbasi and
Farhan Siddiqui in the line-up, the onus falls on Kamran Siddiqui, Fiaz Jatt
and Saqib Ali to be the defensive backbone of the Knights. Siddiqui and Ali
both played well in Wednesday's game against the Sauga Scream though it
should be mentioned that the entire team looked great in their play against
an inferior team. Sadegh Rasoul will move to defense to compensate for the
personnel losses though it takes away a valuable forward from the team. With
Yousuf Sowdagar not available to play, the team is looking quite thin
all-round which gives the Mississauga Rangers as good a chance as any to
exact revenge on the Knights for defeating the Rangers 4-1 in the season
opener. The puck drops at 8pm and you can catch all the action on Rogers
Community Channel 10.
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(posted on
Sunday, June 5th, 2005)
Team
conducts practice; players speak highly of trap
By: Nauman
Abbasi
After a grueling 3 hour
practice where the players were expected to perform to their fullest,
members of the Crescent Knights have apparently gained a better
understanding of the game of hockey. Drills such as direct passing and
cross-ice passing were conducted to start off the team practice where only
five players were unable to attend. After the passing drills were
completed, assistant captains Nauman Abbasi and Faraaz Alvi led the team
through some more strategic drills. The first drill taught the team how
to play better in their own zone using man-to-man coverage. This drill
focused on having five players entering the offensive zone against five
players who had to defend against them without their hockey sticks. Winger
Shakir Hussein, the metro-sexual yet stylish older brother of forward
Shuaib Hussein, gave high praise to this drill. "This one is really good".
Center Zia Bangash seconded that notion. Kamran Siddiqui, a tree disguised
as a defenseman, eagerly took part in the drills. "I can finally use my physical
side in this one... oh yeah." He was reported to have rushed back to
his home in
Hamilton after the team practice to eat biryani.
After the man-to-man coverage
drill was completed, Abbasi and Alvi both explained the team's new
defensive system - the neutral zone trap. The drill was completed with
varying degrees of success though it was generally understood that it
would be a work-in-progress for the rest of the season. The 1-2-2 neutral
zone trap system, modeled after the successful system applied by the New
Jersey Devils of the NHL, can be better understood at
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1571/neutrap1.htm.
Winger Ihtisham Qureshi, coming
fresh off a league fine for an accidental high-stick, spoke highly of the
team's attempts to implement the new system. "This is something that
should help us out, said Qureshi. The proud father of a 6 month-old son, Saif-ul-Haq, performed solidly in practice and credited his new workout
routine and jogging schedule for his improved conditioning. Alvi and
Qureshi apparently jog in the early morning though questions have arisen on how
long that initiative will last.
Yousuf Sowdagar, expected to
make his season debut on Monday, June 6th against the second-place
Mississauga Wildcats, will add some much-needed speed to the team. His
presence comes at the expense of center Sadegh Rasoul who will be missing the next two
games due to a personal trip to Windsor. Reportedly, Rasoul is looking to
cover his debts by playing some Blackjack at Windsor's casinos. If
he fails to win any money or falls into further debt, the younger Rasoul
has made plans to flee across the Canadian/American border and take
shelter in Dearborn, Michigan where the largest population of Muslims and
Arab-Americans reside in the United States.
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(posted on
Sunday, June 5th, 2005)
Rasoul to
continue on as Captain
By: Nauman
Abbasi
Abdul-Aziz Rasoul, captain of
the Crescent Knights hockey franchise, has decided to continue on in his
role as captain according to Canadian sports channel TSN. The decision
comes a few days after it was reported that the winger was going to step
down and would try to hand the position off to another player. However,
reports indicate that assistant captains Faraaz Alvi and Nauman Abbasi
both informed Rasoul that there was no one suitable for the post and that
Rasoul would have to fulfill his commitment. Both reportedly told Rasoul that the
veteran players on the team would take more leadership initiative to ease
the burden on him.
Rasoul, sporting a trimmed down
beard after learning that his posture was being adversely affected from
the weight of the beard, apparently accepted the decision of his
teammates. He has vowed to become celibate from hockey after the season
for the next 8 months to focus on his job and schoolwork and will give it
his all in the meantime for the team as captain. Rasoul was
recently accepted into the University of Toronto to study teaching. No
decision has been announced whether he plans to permanently retire to
focus on teaching as of yet. |
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(posted on
Friday, June 3rd, 2005)
Bangash
mistaken for baseball player
By: Nauman
Abbasi
Waseem Bangash, the enigmatic
yet slower-footed younger brother of tortoise Zia Bangash, has reportedly
been mistaken for Boston Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon. The younger
Bangash, who followed in his older brother's footsteps by growing his hair
long and developing a beard, has admitted that he does look like the famed
baseball player because of his shaggy locks. "It's true, people have said
that I look like Johnny Damon," said Bangash.
Recently, at a Toronto Blue
Jays game where the host team played the Boston Red Sox, Bangash was
escorted away by security to the visiting team's locker-room for his own
security. Throngs of fans were excited to meet the self-proclaimed "idiot"
before security intervened thinking that Bangash was in fact Damon. Upon
entering the locker-room, security was baffled to find a clone of Damon
already there and promptly escorted the original Damon out to the line-up
gates. They later realized, after Damon argued and successfully proved his
identity, that the clone was in fact Bangash. This led to Bangash being
detained instead and accused of "misidentity terrorism" since it was
discovered that he is also Muslim.
The Boston Red Sox, when
reached for comment, blamed the security staff of the Rogers Center for
the incident and issued a statement:
"The Boston Red Sox deeply
regret the mistaken identity of outfielder Johnny Damon and condone the
security staff of the Rogers Center for their inability to properly
protect our players. However, we as an organization are putting this
incident behind us because we understand that this is Canada and not the
United States. In the United States, such an incident would have led to
both men being detained and then deported out of the country before a
proper investigation could be conducted. This method would help ensure
that security is better maintained but because this is Canada, we
understand that the anti-terror laws are different and will put this
incident behind us."
Bangash was later released by
security after an exhaustive investigation was concluded. He could not be
reached for comment on the matter but it was reported that he would "never
again attend a Blue Jays game" after the treatment he received.
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(posted on
Friday, June 3rd, 2005)
Rasoul to
step down as Captain
By: Nauman
Abbasi
As first reported by Rogers
Sportsnet of Ontario, captain Abdul-Aziz Rasoul of the Crescent Knights
has stated that he will be stepping down as captain of the team due to
personal reasons. The move comes on the heels of a 2-game losing streak
where the Crescent Knights have allowed 10 goals and have scored none.
However, Rasoul was adamant that it had nothing to do with the recent
losses or time being taken away from grooming his beard. He stated issues
such as work and family as the being the primary reasons for his decision
to step down though rumours persisted that lack of sleep was also a
factor.
The most obvious candidates to
take over as captain of the team are assistant captains Mustafa Alam and
Nauman Abbasi though Abbasi himself felt that Alam was a better choice.
"He has the experience and leadership mentality to be the captain. The
players respond well to him and he knows how to lead the team without
losing the guys along the way," said Abbasi on Thursday night. Abbasi also
added that he himself was swamped with obligations such as school, work
and maintaining the team's new website. Alam could not be reached for
comment on the matter.
With Rasoul, the older brother
of the Knights' Sadegh Rasoul, prepared to step down as captain of the
storied franchise, questions have arisen on the fate of the "C" on his
jersey. Can it be removed from the jersey without harming the jersey all
together? The same question was posed earlier in the week when assistant
captain Faraaz Alvi asked to step down from his position. That offer was
rebuffed by Abbasi who reminded Alvi of his value to the team and that
Alvi's handling of the defense had been good over the course of the
season. Alvi later backed down from that request after realizing how nice
the "A" looked on the jersey and how it coincidentally was one of the
initials to his name.
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(posted on
Thursday, June 2nd, 2005)
Zia Bangash to
possibly retire?
By: Nauman
Abbasi
Rumours have been swirling
lately that Zia Bangash, the elder statesman of the Crescent Knights, may
be looking to retire after this season. Frustrated with his inability to
provide any offensive punch and with his increasingly old age, Bangash has
apparently floated the idea to both friends and family. However, nothing
has been said publicly by Bangash on the matter which has led to
speculation that he may still be undecided on the matter.
Bangash, the older brother of
power forward Waseem Bangash, has managed to play three games this season
mostly in a defensive role on the fourth line. His attentiveness to team
defense has made him a favourite of many of the players on the team
including the notoriously-tough Faraaz Alvi. In a recent game, Alvi was
quoted as saying "Zia's playing good defensively out there unlike the rest
of you!" This attention to defense combined with Bangash's ability to get
along well with his teammates has made him a solid role-player on the team.
It also lends credibility to rumours that Bangash may pursue coaching in
the future instead of playing because of his attention to defense and
ability to gel with players.
"I would rather have him out
there playing with us but with his age, health and with his kids getting
older, I wouldn't be surprised if he made that move," said assistant
captain Nauman Abbasi who has coached the team on occasion this season.
"I think he'd do a pretty good
job as a coach if he decides to do it one day but for now, we need him as
a player more than anything," added Abbasi. The assistant captain
later commented that with Bangash getting a haircut recently, it made
Bangash more "aerodynamic" which may help him gain some speed in pursuing
the ball.
The Crescent Knights play their
next game against the second-place Mississauga Wildcats on Monday, June
6th, 2005. For tickets, please contact Ticket Master or arrive at the arena
and pay $3 to watch the team play.
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(posted on
Thursday, June 2nd, 2005)
Knights
to pursue Ayubi for playoffs
By: Nauman
Abbasi
The Crescent Knights, already
saddled with a bloated roster both on offense and defense, are rumoured to
be considering adding Tariq Ayubi to the team for the playoff run. Ayubi,
24 and the younger brother of Green Birds player Sajid Ayubi, would bring size and toughness to the defense if he can be added to
the team. Currently, he's playing for the Green Birds in the
Tier-2 league and is one of the defensemen for Team Pakistan's
entry into next week's World Ball Hockey Championships in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Adding Ayubi to the team may be
a problem though for both the short-run and long-run. With 7
defensemen already on the roster in Faraaz Alvi, Mustafa Alam, Farhan Siddiqui,
Kamran Siddiqui, Fiaz Jaat, Saqib Ali and the injured Faheem Kotwal, there
appears to be no room to add the veteran Ayubi. However, both Farhan
Siddiqui and Kamran Siddiqui are slated to be unavailable from July
onwards due to the elder Siddiqui's upcoming marriage. This would allow
Ayubi to step into place and replace the two defensemen. According to
league rules though, a player who is already playing Tier-2 hockey may
only play Tier-4 hockey if he didn't play Tier-2 hockey the previous year.
This is the current stipulation that allows assistant captain Faraaz Alvi
to play for the team since he also plays for the Green Birds team in
Tier-2 hockey this season. The stipulation could be used to allow Ayubi to
play for the Crescent Knights. Is it necessarily wise to have two
defensemen such as Alvi and Ayubi on the team when neither will be able to
play for the team next year? Both Alvi and Ayubi will lose their
eligibility for Tier-4 hockey after this season leaving the Crescent
Knights with gaping holes on defense.
With a crop of young players
desperately in need of playing-time development, it would stand to reason
that Alvi and Ayubi would take away the playing time of these young and
inexperienced players. Then again, if the Crescent Knights have any
aspirations to make the playoffs, it may be necessary to have both Alvi
and Ayubi playing big-minutes. Short-term gain for long-term loss may be a
better option when there's no guarantee the franchise and its dwindling
fan-base will still be around for next year.
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(posted Thursday, May 26th, 2005)
Akhtar added to team
By: Nauman
Abbasi
Naeem Akhtar has joined
the Crescent Knights. Akhtar, 20, is considered a pillar for the future of team
because of his devotion to hockey and huge potential. It could be said
that his potential is as much as his 6'4" frame which should
bring size and skill to the team's forward corps.
Akhtar was
originally considered for the team but was not added due to his commitment
to another team that he plays for. However, when it became apparent that
Akhtar could play for both teams, the Crescent Knights quickly added him
to the roster.
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(posted Monday, 23rd, 2005)
Channa
replaced with yet
another Alvi
By: Nauman
Abbasi
Gurj Channa has
left the Crescent Knights franchise to pursue his education. Channa, a
late addition to the team, had 1 goal in 3 games for the Knights before
announcing that he would have to leave the team. He was the only
non-Muslim on the team before his departure.
Sniper Salman Alvi,
30, joins
the franchise in Channa's place. Alvi, the older brother of goaltender
Kamran Alvi and the older cousin of defenseman Faraaz Alvi, brings a lethal slapshot
to the team. His ability to fire it down the ice will definitely help the
team in penalty killing situations or when the team badly needs an icing
called against it.
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Team News
Goalie Alvi all
right after hit;
Siddiqui recovering
Kamran Alvi, playing on defense in last 2 games, leveled by tough hit from
Stars forward. Alvi though is okay. Kamran Siddiqui injures knee on trip.
Recovering slowly.
(posted Monday, July 4th, 2005)
Alvi heckles
Sauga Scream player
Faraaz Alvi watches Sauga Scream lose to Mississauga Wildcats. Alvi
heckles Rayhan Malik of Sauga Scream. Malik stuggles due to heckling as
Sauga Scream lose.
(posted Monday, July 4th, 2005)
Abbasi's hockey
sticks go missing
Nauman Abbasi's hockey sticks go missing after game against Eagles.
Abbasi, 23, forced to purchase new sticks. New stick improves dismal
slapshot.
(posted Monday, July 4th, 2005)
Locker-room left unlocked; theft occurs
Ihtisham Qureshi loses $50 after team's locker-room not locked during game
against Nordiques. Each member of team decides to contribute $2 to help
recover cost.
(posted Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005)
Hussein returns to team
Shakir Hussein, 22, returns to team after one-week hiatus due to personal
reasons.
(posted Monday, June 20th, 2005)
Both Alvi's return
from Pittsburgh
Faraaz Alvi and Kamran Alvi return from World Ball Hockey Tournament.
Faraaz Alvi played defense for Pakistan and had 0 points in 6 games.
Kamran Alvi played goal for Pakistan and allowed 3 goals in 8 minutes of
sparse play.
(posted Sunday, June 19th, 2005)
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Leading Scorers
(Last Updated: July 4th, 2005)
Shuaib
Hussein (C)
12GP: 5G, 9A, 14 points
Yousuf
Sowdagar (LW)
5GP: 6G, 4A, 10 points
Faraaz
Alvi (D)
10GP: 2G, 6A, 8 points
Waseem
Bangash (RW)
11GP: 4G, 2A, 6 points
Abdul-Aziz
Rasoul (LW)
11GP: 2G, 4A, 6 points
Nauman
Abbasi (D)
9GP:
0G, 4A, 4 points
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PLAYER InjuRIES
(Last Updated: June 27th, 2005)
Faheem
Kotwal
Torn Right ACL
out for season
Nauman
Abbasi
Swollen Left Knee
day-to-day
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STANDINGS/RECORD
(Last Updated: June 27th, 2005)
Record: 4 - 8 - 0 [8 points]
Rank: 5th out of 8 teams
Streak: 2 Games Lost
Goals For: 26
(6th out of 8 teams)
Goals Allowed: 43
(6th out of 8 teams) |
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PREVIOUS RESULTS
(Last Updated: July 4th, 2005)
Stars 6, Knights 2
Eagles 5, Knights 4
Knights 3, Nordiques 2
The Danza's 4, Knights 2
Rangers 5, Knights 2
Knights 5, Scream 1
Wildcats, 5, Knights 1
Stars 6, Knights 0
Eagles 4, Knights 0
Knights 2, Nordiques 1
The Danza's 3, Knights 1
Knights 4, Rangers 1
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