Santa is a Bandit

Many of the regulars here will know of my coverage of the NLL, which will feature a season preview the day after Boxing Day. One of the teams, the local Buffalo Bandits, has been known to alter their logo to fit for St. Patricks Day uniforms. Given the competition below was only started up within the past two weeks, there was leniency as to what logos could be used. So I ran with the first thing that came to mind.

"Hello good folk. Remember that Christmas comp I was talking about? I thought we had one of these many years ago but looking back through the archives it seems it wasn't the case. But there are firsts for everything! So here we go. 

I wanted the brief to be broad enough for anyone to be creative but not so restricting that it limits it to a few designs. So the deal is this: 

• You are to design a home and clash guernsey for a fictional Christmas-based team in a way that best evokes the Christmas spirit or can easily be recognised as a Christmas guernsey."

The logo is a stripped down version of the bandits with the hat and gloves becoming Santa’s and the bandana doubling as a beard with the facial complexion changing to a pale version of the red shade used. The premise is that the home jumper is a Santa impostor sneaking down the chimney. The front of the jumper breaks the fourth wall so we can see the thief. The shorts are slightly lighter in color to indicate the bottom of the chimney and the soot found there with minimal interior lighting to differentiate. The road, in contrast, is exterior - the sky on the top half and snow on the bottom. Between the snow and back numbers, I snuk in the Inuktitut spelling of the name to fill in the space on the jumper.

I also proceeded to provide preliminary details on the competition thread, where we were instructed to submit...

Nunavut Thieves (Nunavut Tilligaqti-it, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᑎᓪᓕᒐᖅᑎᐃᑦ)
Location: 1 Allezam Parkway Plaza, Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, H0H 0H0
Colors: Naismith Crimson, Hunter Green, Pale Naismith Crimson, Midnight Black
Ground: The Den (Nunarjaq, ᓄᓇᕐᔭᖅ)

I included the Roman spelling of the Inuktitut words just for good measure. I did not include field (iruqsivik, ᐱᕈᖅᓯᕕᒃ) as the sponsored ground which would have been Qulliq Energy Field (Qulliq Aulajunnautit Iruqsivik, ᖁᓪᓕᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᓯᕕᒃ). H0H 0H0 is not an actual postal code in Canada nor is it the one for Iqaluit, Nunavut. However, There is an ad on Jazz FM 91 out of Toronto advertising for kids to write to Santa using that postal code. So I found somewhere across the street from the Iqaluit  Broadcasting Company and plopped an Aussie rules stadium there with its own postal code.

Fun for the holidays is a great stress reliever even, if you aren’t stressed. That’s all this was, but still it was good to find another way to be creative!

-Ricky

(Not) Another BNGLHoF Thanksgiving

Hi there. I have been asked about if BNGLHoF has an abbreviated pronunciation or anything like that. The answer is yes - "binglehoff" would be correct. Though it does sound more like a last name or just plain gibberish. No matter, the BNGLHoF is inducting its fifth class of logos this year and has some strong candidates both modern and traditional.

A couple of the highlighted logos are showing of popular opinions. Many have questioned the ousting of the CFL logo being inducted by the CFL. The Sydney Swans have both looked back while going forward and thus bringing a strong identity of its current successes. The Columbus Crew is taking strides like much of MLS has or is beginning to look like an actual soccer brand. And one of a pair of WHA logos in the Cleveland Crusaders goes to the use of the color purple, which only the LA Kings at the time had experimented with with any success. The people have spoken in 2016 for logos and this is your representative.

-Ricky

Here I Go Again On My Own

It's the third week in a row, second since my return to BigFooty, that my club is celebrating a milestone. One of our females, username Wooshette, is also doing her 200th "match" for her career. As expected, more banners.

Locker Room Side (aka the back)

Field side (aka the front)

I found out that I had the front and back can actually be determined. I just have been doing so the opposite. Note the start and end of Autumn Wind as made famous by NFL Films with John Facienda's iconic voice and Sam Spence's musical composition of The Raiders. An autumn wind? Appropriate for Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus Day today (which I hope those who get to enjoy will do so).

-Ricky

A Warrior To and Fro

I kind of needed somewhere to put the below images. In footy down under, you man see banners the players run through before each game with new weekly words of encouragement done by season ticket holders, much like tifos in soccer. Well we have an Aussie rules game simulator using only numbers, which then feeds a "play-by-play" of an actual game. Our friends at BigFooty have a league just for people who want to "be a player" in the league. One of which is the former captain (our first) of my only team, by the username of Frankston Rover, is in his "200th game". He came from another team as our team expanded into the league as did some others. I am one of the few who remain from the teams' first season, also my first overall. Our team is the only one not based in Australia (though the other "players" are Australian) and all that we the players do is basically talks smack to each other, I'm just the one usually mellow in my remarks and don't cause any trouble. Back to the banners, when a player reaches a milestone, something regarding it is often featured on such banners.

Facing tunnel to locker room.

Facing field.

So now that that has been explained, note the pun of the team name, derived (presumably) from the movie The Warriors which happens to be based at Coney Island. Moving on, The play-by-play is posted in real time as the script of it is broken up into thirds per quarter and lasts about twenty to thirty minutes in total once a weekend per team. That's the basic logistics of what's going on and that I believe will have to do for now.

-Ricky

Nice Ice, Baby

So we have a decision. I notice that this is half an hour earlier than normal, but I have breaking news from half an hour ago. This morning, KeyBank Center announced that the design at center ice has been approved, though the ice has yet to be painted via their other pictures on their Twitter handle.

As you've seen here, I put my ideal designs as to what it should look like. This was despite knowing the placement of the old "First Niagara Center" script being in the same spot that the above is and also that the Sabres primary logo would remain. The diamond pattern in the center line has shrunk and the Key Bank key is between it's parent and "Center" which is the only incorrect prediction that was made. This of course referring to the key going after the entire script (after "Center"). Let's look at the knock-offs I put together one more time.

Now that we've established this, we just have to wait for the paint to dry. In any case the Key Bank process is relatively complete and we now have zero evidence of First Niagara at the arena, despite the transition not being finalize until October 10 at individual bank branches, the ones not sold to Northwest Savings Bank that is. No matter, don't be surprised if the name changes once more in ten years, but Key Bank is as big as HSBC was in it's heyday. And with this investment, it may impact what happens with Key Arena in Seattle - which by the way is without a major tenant not named the WNBA's Seattle Storm. For now, a bientot.

-Ricky

"Here's to Old Niagara"

For the sake of adding school pride attire, the below was purchased. As of last week I became remember of the sport management master's program at Niagara University. In addition I happen to hold out a couple of weeks which wand up leading to a good thing as the below item happen to be on sale something like 10 or 15 percent. While it isn't the team's current uniform it serves its purpose considering this is being sold not by athletics but the school bookstore instead.

Courtesy of: Niagara Athletics

What's interesting is how similar this particular design looks compared to the final Anaheim alternate in the Mighty Ducks era. It is of note that the academic and not athletic department logo is used for the shoulder patches. The only thing that would have made this that much nicer is the New York Rangers style yoke but of course in school colors that's on the home white jersey. But no matter still a solid article of jersey.

-Ricky

Voodoo Hoodoo in Vancou[vou]

I have been wanting to get in a new fantasy hockey league since the previous one has been inactive for two years. I had to have a team, but wanted to save the Foxes Brand I'd been building up for a later time. so I went to RHI for a moniker. I wanted to stay away from the Buffalo Teams and I had just used the AFL's Anaheim Piranhas for football (which meant RHI's Bullfrogs were out). That left San Jose's Rhinos or the Vipers of St. Louis with Vancouver. You can see the below decision.

Jersey quirks here and there, but I figured "chump league, need for jersey sponsor" was in order. Just for me. Nobody else is being required to do this nor are they likely going to except maybe a couple other participants. But if that wasn't enough, I had to do the rink and surrounding dashers to make thing entertaining.

I decided rather than apply the currently pre-existing sponsors, we should make it more authentic. Sure enough, I can guarantee this looks nothing like the actual thing. But I had to start somewhere.

How about having a night time skate? Problem solved. Glow in the dark ice paint, though used more often in curling is a viable option as the Nashville Predators recently showcased. But here, we do instead.

This seating chart below actually isn't really different from the original copy, except I made it more generic (removing Vancouver Giants wording) and added pricing to corresponding seating.

That folks is a wrap. I've made amusement of this for enough time that it can just be left here for experiential purposes. Toodles.

-Ricky

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, For Better or For Worse

As of earlier today, this is what we have to show you as only one area KeyBank Center is currently up. We are only part of the way done with just over a month to opening day of the 2016-17 NHL season. Here is the progress of the changeover from First Niagara Center to KeyBank Center. But the old rustic-looking door overhangs with the stampeding buffalo are gone and are expected to never return (unfortunately).

Nothing pretty, but we'll be tracking it as best we can over the coming days and weeks, which is when it should be done. I do not expect to see new lights that say the arena name since it took so long for that process to be removed. From what is understood, especially that you cannot view where the signage was because of Harbor Center, it will not only not light up but also will be smaller and to the left of the original spot than it has been in the past. Keep checking in to see what's happening.

-Ricky

First Key Niagara Bank Center Update

As I was passing by the arena along the I-190 yesterday, I did the same as I have when I'd pass for the past few weeks. But today was different - the main signage at the top of the arena read "FIRST NIA____ _______" though minor "KeyBank Center" signage had been installed prior to this revelation. There's a little over a month for it to be done, so this is pretty much last minute considering it should've started when the announcement saying the deal was finalized was made. We'll follow this further for at least the next week (depending on how my grad process goes). Just for clarification, the picture was taken while stopped at the Scott and Washington traffic light.

-Ricky

Don't Get into the Piranha Pool

Though it has been unknown throughout much of the week, I have gained ownership to another fantasy football team in another fantasy football league. I have in this instance assumed the identity of the Arena Football League's former Anaheim Piranhas. I was given the team by the commissioner from another person no longer competing and was allowed up to three franchise tags, all of whom are "modelling" the below uniforms I've produced for my team.

Notice that I've pulled a Dallas Cowboys and am going with home whites. But instead of also wearing them on the road, the roads will be worn when the home team is not wearing a dark color. In such an event, the alternates would be worn in place of the roads. Again, these won't be even manufactured, but for the entertainment of it there is a plan of action so to speak. As for the original Piranhas of '98, I had an uncle that moved to Orange County in California well before that and he made the first cut of tryouts for the team's first season, but all of those got cut in favor of players from the recently folded short-lived Professional Indoor Football League. He now works as an Engineer for Nissan, but in his youth built a Dodge Charger from scratch and painted it to look like the "General Lee" from the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard which he still owns. He, just like others, would still probably had other full-time jobs even if he was playing in that era of arena football. But still, playing football as a part-time job isn't bad either... This selection was in part because of that story, though I knew of that team when they actually were still an active franchise. Have fun in this season for drafting playing fantasy football, and maybe putting your own logos and uniforms together too.

-Ricky

The Effin' Center is Getting Another Facelift

As of yesterday, one of my sources was around Canalside and has alerted us that the signage is coming down following last month's closing of KeyBank's acquisition of First Niagara. Keeping in mind I am quarter of the way around the world, All I have is what maybe one of the last photos of FNC signage before work began yesterday. As many know, it will keep "Center" as the location following the sponsor's name.I plan to stop by next week Monday. Until then, the Macedonian First League has four matches today one of which I will be attending at the time of this post. Should be about halftime. You'll get to see some of that shortly.

-Ricky

"It's a Little Off the Beaten Path, Al."

Thought professional soccer was played in stadiums? Think again. Multiple clubs across the Balkans have no such entities - not even stands for the spectators. While there are two teams in the city of Bitola in the Macedonian First League, one does play in a stadium in need of upgrade or replacement. However, the other team plays here:

Yes, that's a mule tied to the fence. The home of FK Heraclea doesn't actually have a name and is in one of the villages directly next to the ruins of the same name and the outskirts of the city limits of Bitola. It is of the beaten path in a part of the village I wasn't previously aware of on but a tertiary dirt road. I hope I haven't burned a despicable image in your minds but this is real life in a second-world country.

-Ricky

The Crow Hop Dance

For the purpose of a new jersey concept, I sought to use something old with slight alterations. Though the AFL's Adelaide Crows aren't a hockey club, I wanted to take the re-brand I presented last year and put it to a jersey, but I felt the current logo didn't do it justice nor did I feel I could work on fitting it into a concept. The striping is not something unheard of in all of sport, but it's not found too often on a hockey jersey. Especially where it's cut in half. While I wasn't thinking of any pro team. The Minnesota Swarm jersey I received last week has that pattern across the arms except strictly in alternation.

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However, I also thought that like the Swarm, I'd have to figure out how to make the TV numbers more visible. Instead of a single outline, I decided a double outline was more appropriate to help the cause. Between the Colorado Avs slternate lettering and the Buffalo Sabres cape numbers, it was a perfect mix of sharp angles and curvature to the respective fonts and works better than the font used in the original logo. It's not a collegiate representation, it it seems to work fairly decent here. But the striping only being used on the side would look better than all across the current home jumper. I might have to put that up to show the visual. We'll get there, but for now that's it.

-Ricky

Buzzing Across the Border

Our newest addition to the locker room arrived today! Three days ahead of time even. I guess this is probably it was only going two hours away from its departure city of Toronto. This is of another currently relocated team. But it features real laces, something hard to come by in the league of host.

The pre-honeycomb Minnesota Swarm jersey was one I questioned, but still had relatively liked. And it happened to turn out okay. Then the new jersey template came out with the introduction of the honeycombs as the first team to display the new template as the rest would go on to stay blank or ad shoulder patches. I happened to be wearing the navy shorts with yellow t-shirt as the mailman was approaching my front door with it, so I took this photo instead of getting the jersey independently or using a stock image of it. Keep checking back for more. There will be original content in the coming days.

-Ricky

Keep the Sleeves!

There was a consensus here that for the first time on the night of the first Sunday was also the first time a sleeved jersey was worn when the Larry O'Brien Trophy was won. That prompted us to have myself update and subsequently use the NBA sleeved jersey template. While many have reviled them, I have welcomed them with open arms as a person who doesn't like tank tops and already wears a t-shirt under basketball jerseys (a la Patrick Ewing). At first, I thought the modern version of the jerseys were Nike knockoffs with how there was design leeway on the back, but then I saw the location of the shoulder and gusset mesh.

This would not be anywhere near an appropriate color scheme for a Buffalo basketball team (the yellow more so than the navy). But here it serves its purpose just fine, as Indiana Pacers as the jersey front is. Aside from the back, if these were for Indy then I don't know if it would be best on sleeves than a normal jersey. That (you would think) won't happen ever. Just don't come back to me and tell me if it does.

-Ricky

Shooter the Golden Hoosier in Hawai'i

Well, not exactly. The Pacers are well into their middle ages, and once again the organization has done the subtle but efficient effect with their special logo department. I must say, though it is trademark to Pacer alternate logos, it would look better without the roundel. But in no means am I filing complaints. I think that if one ring of the roundel is removed, it would be most perfect (preferably the outer gray).

In other news, it took two days plus today to relay news that "Number 19"  is going to be done at 19. Josh Sansderson most recently of the Toronto Rock Announced his retirement on Wednesday after not quite two full decades. I remember the first time I saw Shooter play on TV - the 2002 Championship game against Toronto as a member of the (then) Albany Attack (currently Vancouver Stealth). It's funny how when I was working on the below concept, I randomly chose his number to test on the concept without thinking of him to shortly discover of his retirement. as I had with Tavares during his retirement ceremony, I omitted the captain's letter from this concept. When it was done on Tavares', I was still used to seeing him with the "A" on his chest. I'll save that story for another day. Lots of retirements in Toronto the past half decade, including Whipper (Bob Watson), Chugger (Bandits GM Steve Dietrich), Scoop (Jim Veltman) and now Shooter as well as Blaine Manning before him among others. The lead-up to the not so great season for the Rock could very well be this core group of veterans slowly but surely having gradually diminished roster ability.

When we use the term "re-invent the wheel," I took that in this case to mean update the Hawai'ian jerseys Toronto wore in 2008. As I kept the traditional elements from the original, I used the current leaf template to provide a 75 to 25 red to blue ratio. This was because I felt more blue should be incorporated, while keeping to the original red version of this uniform. This would be one of those looks better in person than conceptualized uniforms. If you look at the original, and put it side-to-side with this, you will see what I mean though not exactly the same. Well, I tried - that in itself was hard work.

-Ricky

Alternate Jersey Induction Ceremony 2016

Today is the moment you have been waiting for in the alternate jersey world. The name of this hall of fame has altered to be more reflective and less-discriminatory of heritage and special event jerseys as opposed to just actual third jerseys and also to reflect jerseys across other sports (which will begin for next year). However this year, there was only one inductee by our voting contingent.

We are proud to announce that another member of the inaugural class of NHL alternate jerseys, the 1996 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim "Wild Wing" jersey, as the newest member of the BNG Alternate Jersey Hall of Fame. With the inclusion of this year's inductee, there are eighteen members of the hall - all of which are former NHL uniforms. We congratulate this year's Stanley Cup winner the San Jose Sharks/Pittsburgh Penguins on their triumph. As hockey season concludes next season, the alternate jersey induction date will continue to be the day after the if necessary game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.  This concludes our presentation for today, thank you for reading.

-Ricky

KeyBank Center It Is (We Think)

While the Key Bank takeover of First Niagara may still fall through possibly, there has been anticipation that the name change will still go forward this October. We also figured that assuming it does, a new look will come in some form at center ice. This will probably just be the removal of First Niagara Center in favor of KeyBank Center. Our Friends at Frozen Faceoff have just changed it to adapt with the current center ice design. I went quite a bit beyond that.

As you see, I changed the look completely from just the logo - while the logo does look good, it is bland at center ice. I decided that that needed an update to what you see above. However, If the pattern on the centerline of all diamonds stay, I wouldn't be opposed to that specifically. As you may have also noticed, the venue name is printed four times. Only the Scottrade Center in St. Louis and Florida's BB&T Center do that currently. I could have done four more with the logo before the script, but I didn't like how that looks and it differentiates the bank from the venue to some degree. Well, I thought this might be something slightly different the past few days. It's certainly something I'd like to have done a bit more often. But that can be said of many of the projects here. Have fun with these. I might even adapt these into a rink with dasher board concept. Until then, only time will tell.

-Ricky

Adjusting Things that Won't Happen

Yesterday we discussed how Crossroads Arena (name during planning; soon to be Key Bank Arena) as Marine Midland Arena was relatively unique when it first opened. Now, its seems as though (as of May 11 this year) what you see below will presumably not happen. As I worked on yesterday's center Ice concepts, I did theses alongside but felt the need to separate them upon completion.

Notice the positioning of the arena name is relatively exact to what was of yesterday. However, this wouldn't have worked in say the HSBC era, for example. With Key Bank, I can see it but don't want to push it. If anything, I do see two things that could work well, but I'll let you see them tomorrow.

-Ricky

Return the Wavy Lights!

When First Niagara bought shares of HSBC, it also purchased the naming rights to HSBC Arena. At which point, I was hoping to see the lights in the shape of waves on the arena exterior that accompanied the "Marine Midland Arena" lighting would return in some capacity. They didn't. I tried to do a mock up of it before the days of BNG, but now I decided at least with center ice, I can be more accurate.

That was probably one of may favorite sponsors ever. It was local and it was unique. Think of what would've happened if General Mills had the naming rights... Buffalo would be playing in a cereal bowl instead of a bank.

No matter, with  the Key Bank takeover of First Niagara, the name change will again be in place - this in four months time. Barring another name change, Key Bank will have the rights until expiration in 2026.

-Ricky

The Inaugural Class of Third Jerseys

The purpose of this post is none other than introducing this vision I found while browsing YouTube.

Just a thought. Bob McKensie's hair though... He looks better now. Salmon?! I have seen originals of the uniform and I'm not talking about the one I have. The originals don't even look salmon - looks a little too dark, but I suppose it passes. They for sure got one thing right: Burger King was the worst of the five.

-Ricky

Thanks, Gordie

This weekend, a week after the great Muhammad Ali passed away, it is with a heavy heart to learn that we have lost another dedicated athlete in "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe. As with Jean Béliveau and the Montréal Canadiens, we have plans to pass along our sympathies to the Red Wings organization. The below is the tribute for the organization.

How didn't give it the "how do you do" very often if ever, but he certainly left his mark across six decades of hockey. He spent time to be integrated with the community, just ask Wayne Gretzky. All that can be said really, simply put, is "thank you."

-Ricky

How to Open a Tournament

As every year, our friends at HJC is looking for a logo suitable for it's annual concept tournament. Entrants were allowed a maximum of three concepts and are likely going to be allowed to vote fro their own. If I vote for one (if permissible), it will be for the hexagonal depiction. Last year was the only in which I did not participate from the inaugural. In subsequent years, I have not advanced passed the first round. My goal will be to surpass that mark. Until then, well se what the logo will be, since we can't right now, you can view my submissions below.

Also don't forget, June 16 will be the Alternate Jersey Hall of Fame induction for 2016. Notice the name will officially change on that date with logo to boot. That will come in time. Until then, whatever will be will be.

-Ricky

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: End of Season

Are Saskatchewan worthy champions? Yes. Were they the better team on Saturday? No. Would they have won game tree in Buffalo this Saturday? I think so. However the latter pair don't matter. We have brief  2016 reactions below, but that will need another day of material to itself. We'll dissect more then. Otherwise, it was a relatively entertaining game. Looking on the horizon, we may see expansion in the near future (I'm guessing for 2018). This is across the league, but the officiating did not get any better this year. I have not been pleased since the year referee Chet Couture retired (2009). Seven long seasons I have waited for officiating to find stability. However, just like the players, the refs get paid peanuts. Basically, I need more consistency among penalties and less ref control on interpretation. I am positively receptive to what Commissioner Sakiewicz has done. The toughest season for him is out of the way, s maybe for me there's hope.

Champions Cup (Game 1):

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Weekly Total: 1/1

Season Total: 53/81 (.654%)
Postseason Total: 4/8 (.500%)
Cumulative Total: 57/89 (.640%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Report Card (Overall):
Buffalo Bandits: (B+) Struggled at times against weaker opponents; improved defense.
Calgary Roughnecks: (B-) Though the squeaked out a playoff berth after starting 6-0, improvement from last year required starting Scigliano.
Colorado Mammoth: (C+) Jones carried team a lot still not enough for getting to the Finals;
Georgia Swarm: (B-) While they did make the playoffs, it didn't initially look that way; finding better juju at the Infinite Energy.
New England Black Wolves: (A) don't know if anyone gave them a chance to make the playoffs despite roster improvements.
Rochester Knighthawks: (F) Offense lost  a lot of force; gave up two game lead for last playoff spot late in season after four straight Finals.
Saskatchewan Rush: (A) Great team up until Finals, where team was above average instead of great; need better Bold back up in case of emergency.
Toronto Rock: (F) Flat start to year, worse finish  than 2015 Calgary - both started 0-6; core veterans not entirely stepping up.

Vancouver Stealth: (C-) Big improvement on both offense and defense; lucky T-Rich came out of retirement.

Final Power Rankings:
1. (1) SASKATCHEWAN - Lucky just enough Saturday night, but still the better team over all (in my opinion).
2. (2) BUFFALO - Can't be disappointed with the season fully.
3. (3) GEORGIA - The picks that are left are doing well, and the ones that aren't have given other players.
4. (4) COLORADO - How have they not been close to a final given their relative regular season success?
5. (5) NEW ENGLAND - Wings fans thinking they are missing out on some playoff lacrosse.
6. (6) CALGARY - Must decide what to do with Mike Poulin.
7. (7) VANCOUVER - Don't know much of what else can get them playoff bound again.
8. (8) TORONTO - Still get league's best dressed award for another year.
9. (9) ROCHESTER - We've learned that Rochester needs to either embrace the purple more or go back to a more traditional teal.

View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: Champions Cup Game 1

We can't say this was a surprise. While I did pick Buffalo to win, I had thought that Saskatchewan was the more balanced, better goaltending team (Bold is better than Cosmo though Buffalo has the better tandem, in my opinion). Now while we might expect the Rush to get the job done, Buffalo did go to their barn a few months ago and stole one - it's the difference as to who hosted first.

Champions Cup (Game 1):

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Weekly Total: 0/1

Season Total: 53/81 (.654%)
Postseason Total: 3/7 (.429%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Champions Cup (Game 2):

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Champions Cup (Game 2):
1. (2) SASKATCHEWAN - In the driver seat, don't want to go back to Buffalo.
2. (1) BUFFALO - Got their hiccup out of the way, but can't do that again.
3. (3) GEORGIA - Those trades and picks from this decade are paying dividends. .
4. (4) COLORADO - Into the deep freeze for now.
5. (5) NEW ENGLAND - That close, big step up from recent franchise history.
6. (6) CALGARY - A 2004 rematch? Maybe next year.
7. (7) VANCOUVER - One less division opponent and still can't find playoffs.
8. (8) TORONTO - Safe to say Toronto's worst ever season.
9. (9) ROCHESTER - Speechless.

View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky