Welcome to the latest edition of Federal Offenses. My totally one-sided look at the circus we all tolerate called the Federal Prospects Hockey League. I know it’s been a few weeks, but sometimes life gets in the way. We’re going to change it up a little and talk about each team and their futures, for the rest of this season and moving forward.
Let’s start with the two teams that definitely are not making the playoffs.
Baton Rouge Zydeco
You don’t need a crystal ball to tell you their season is essentially over. They have no legitimate chance to make the playoffs, but perhaps they can be the spoiler. All but 2 of their final 9 games are against Mississippi who is on the bubble for their first playoff berth. I don’t see a scenario where Mississippi does not clinch, but losing late to Baton Rouge could be a momentum killed going into the post season.
Blue Ridge Bobcats
The expansion Bobcats have made strides in the right direction. They have a solid fan base and I see nothing but good things in the future. Given another season to build, I have no doubt Head Coach Vojtech Zemlicka will make them a solid playoff contender next season. Things are definitely looking up in Wytheville. Playing the spoiler to Watertown the final weekend could end their season on a high note.
Now for the playoff contenders
Watertown Wolves
It was only 2 seasons ago when they had the best record in the league and won the Commissioner’s Cup. Now, they’re struggling to make the playoffs. Off the ice distractions never help, but having two of their owners get arrested for DUI so close together is not a good look. They’re neck and neck with Elmira and play them 3 times down the stretch. Ending the season against Blue Ridge could be the advantage they’re looking for, but teams like that love to play the spoiler. I hope for this storied franchise they can turn things around. Making the playoffs this season would be a great start. Hopefully the ship rights itself next season before their loyal fanbase jumps ship.
Elmira River Sharks
The league owner River Sharks surged at the absolute right time, putting them solidly in the playoff hunt. It won’t be easy down the stretch, playing Binghamton twitch and Danbury once, but they could control their own fate playing Watertown three times. Nobody expected this from Elmira, but the future does not look bright as there appears to once again be issues with the Arena. Hopefully for their fans, hockey remains in the “Queen City”.
Mississippi Sea Wolves
The Sea Wolves are solidly in 4th place in the Continental Division and poised to clinch their first playoff berth. After a tumultuous season, with Player/Head Coach Joe Pace Jr suddenly stepping down and retiring mid season, it’s nice to see things ending on a good note, but they’ll likely be playing Columbus in the first round and that doesn’t bode well. Head Coach Dustin Skinner came in unproven and has shown to be a solid bench boss with a bright future. As for the Sea Wolves, we don’t know how bright their future really is. Rumors that the Mississippi Coast Coliseum wants to phase out hockey are getting louder by the week, but the Sea Wolves are bringing in solid attendance numbers. Hopefully for their fans, they can keep hockey alive.
Danbury Hat Tricks
Danbury went from the best record in the league and winning the Commissioner’s Cup, to barely a winning record. Fortunately they already clinched their playoff berth and can look forward to the post season. Their seeding remains to be determined. They are only 2 points behind Motor City for second place with a game in hand, but they play Binghamton 3 times down the stretch. As for their future, the Rabbits are here to stay. Danbury’s fanbase is one of the most loyal and rabid groups in pro hockey and they are one of the cornerstones of the Fed.
Port Huron Prowlers
Port Huron has been solid, middle of the road all season. They locked in their playoff spot at #3, but they’ll likely be playing the always tough Carolina. A first round exit is likely. Their future in POHO is of course bright. The Prowlers are one of the cornerstones of the FPHL.
Motor City Rockers
Motor City came in strong this season, behind the goaltending of Trevor Babin, the Rockers are a legitimate contender. It’s nice to see the fan favorite Babin on a contender. Motor City could be the sleeper team from the Empire Division. It is surprising to see a contender averaging less than 1,000 fans though. Hopefully they can bring the attendance up and the Rockers can survive.
Carolina Thunderbirds
If there’s one thing consistent about the FPHL, it’s that Carolina and Columbus will be at the top of the Continental Division. No matter what they do in the regular season, Carolina always turns it up in the playoffs. They are a dangerous team that is another cornerstone of this league, their future is as bright as it can be.
Binghamton Black Bears
It hasn’t been much of a race to the top of the Empire Division, Binghamton has owned the top spot almost all season. I see no logical scenario where they don’t make the Conference Finals and are the hands down favorite to win the Division. Unless Bingo somehow manages to get another AHL franchise, the Black Bears are here to stay. Averaging almost 4,000 fans a game, to say they’re thriving would be an understatement.
Columbus River Dragons
Columbus is well on their way to clinching the best record in the league. They already did something no other team has done in Columbus’s storied hockey history, back to back 100 point seasons. Before last season, the 1997-98 Columbus Cottonmouths were the only other team with 100 points, the Dragons are 4 wins away from tying that Cottonmouths team for the most wins in Columbus history. It’s easy to say they’re the odds on favorite, but when it comes to playing Carolina in the division finals, nothing is certain. As for their future, the River Dragons are the final cornerstone of the FPHL. If they could just get the monkey off of their back and win that elusive Commissioner’s Cup though. Time will tell.
Time for my rant.
Recently a post was made on Facebook that appeared to show former Zydeco Head Coach and current player MJ Graham “fat shaming” and disparaging women on Instagram. Graham defended the videos as parody, while it could be seen as one, nothing stating as such appeared. The page has since added the “parody” label. In a league that has had more than their share of scandals this season, the optics of this are horrible when he is one of the faces of a growing franchise.
I reached out to MJ to explain the videos.
“My parody account has nothing to do with hockey or the club I play for That’s why there is no hockey content in it. Everything in the videos is intended as a joke and acting; anyone should be able to discern from the videos that it’s all satire. That’s why it’s labeled as ‘Parody’ in the page title. This content is completely unrelated to hockey.”
Photo by Tammy.Morosko@prohockeynews.comÂ
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