Drunks Digest

1/3/03 - Prospal in the clutch.

Brett Harvie

Vaclav Prospal's great play this year has been a bit of a suprise to most of the league. With 22-26-48 hes seventh in goals and sixth among centers in points. Although hes been very consistent this so far this season, a large part of those points have come in his league high 18 game point streak, which ties a league record. Never a defensive minded forward, Prospal has improved by leaps and bounds defensively this year boasting a +6. But even though very impressive, none of those stats are his finest. Vaclav currently leads the league with, amazingly, 9 game winning goals. His performance in the clutch is a large part of the reason teh Icedogs are opening so many eyes this year.
As good as he is playing, the skilled Russian, is ever modest, "Well the team is winning not me. Somebody has to get the winner, I've just had my turn often this year." Often is an understatement of the 9 game winners. taking into consideration nobody else in the league has more then 6, Vaclav is on pace for a record season. a guy who can net 10 game winners in a year is considered a good go-to player, Vaclav is on pace for around 20. "Ya, I am happy to be able to help the team win but I just hope that somebody keeps getting the winners."
So While Vaclav is going for the league record point streak on day 52 against the Nighthawks, Vaclav says hes more proud of his improved defense habits, "You can be on ice and get 50 goals in a year but if they are getting more goals then you are when your on the ice your not helping your team."
Either Way Vaclav says he will continue to work on the defensive aspect of the game. With managment and the Coaching staff raving about him, Vaclav hasn't let it go to his head. And perhaps thats the reason that hes great play has lasted for more then a few games.

1/1/03 - Greetings from Across the Pond, where young children have universal health coverage and hockey players have more teeth! The Euro division is getting tighter by the minute as the Kings zip of to an 8-2 streak and jump over the Antwerp club for second in the division, fifth overall in the conference. The IceBats slip to third (9th in conference). The real news is that the Galaxy have pulled themselves out of the mire and it appears coach Cassidy is finally getting things done his way. Other note worthy statistics for this mid-season edition are as follows:

The Nighthawks lead the league in PIMS per game, giving a good old fashioned Helsinki face wash to opponents, getting 1.5 minor penalties more per game than the second most penalized club.

The Piranha's Mark Recchi leads the league in scoring with 26 goals and 47 assists for a robust 73 points at the halfway point (projected 146 total points).

The Euro Division averages 126.4 Goals Forced, 3rd of all divisions behind the East and the Big Canada divisions.

The Euro division averages 132 Goals Against, 3rd of all divisions but barely out of the cellar as the pacific division's 132.8 is the worst of all divisions.

Sadly, comparing these numbers, the Euro division is not the best division, but the third best behind the East and the Big Canada. If not for the Pacific, we'd be the worst. So let's pick up the pace and press on for the second half.

From Across the Pond, this has been Brett Ommen: GM of the IceBats...melter of the butter pats.

Updated Power Rankings issued. No new articles or submissions to post.

Power Ranking: The points are weighted (2x for overall; 1.5X for last 10 and goal diff; 1x for OT and special teams; 0.5X for PIM and shot diff) then totaled. A max score of 240 is possible.

Any comments, suggestions or submissions can be sent to me at [email protected]. Thanks, guys! - Brian Pate, JAX GM

Rank	Team	Pts	Prev
1	Racers	202.50	2
2	Spartans	197.50	1
T3	Vipers	195.75	5
T3	Battalion	195.75	3
5	X-Men	188.25	4
6	Galaxy	177.00	7
7	Prowlers	175.75	18
8	Hum	166.00	13
9	Pirhanas	163.75	8
10	T-Rex	160.00	10
11	Martians	150.75	9
12	Storm	142.75	15
13	Wolves	137.25	16
T14	Kings	133.50	17
T14	Rattlers	133.50	6
16	Attack	128.25	12
17	Ice Dogs	126.25	11
18	Army Ants	123.00	20
19	Vikings	116.50	22
20	Ice Bats	111.00	14
21	Hornets	109.75	19
22	Phantoms	88.50	24
23	Fury	65.75	29
24	Cannons	64.75	21
25	Devils	61.75	23
26	Rams	54.25	25
27	Nighthawks	52.75	26
28	Blaze	48.75	28
29	Chrunch	32.25	27
30	Brahmas	19.00	30