I'm by no means the resident Div. 1 guru here, but here is my take on Division One at mid-season.
Aldergrove
This team had one goal at the start of the year. Get back to premier. They would have been there after last year, but faltered down the stretch. Their early results showed a team that was dominating. They are still winning games, but not as convincingly as at the start of the year. I see them maybe dropping some points in the second half.
Grade: A
Rangers
The Rangers are about where they wanted to be at the midway point. First would have been better, but second is nothing to shake a stick at. Considering the fact that they haven't played their best game yet(lots of ugly wins)look for them to make a charge for the top in second half. The Pak starts in January and this team, no matter who's on it, shines in that tourney.
Grade: A-
Raiders
The Raiders just sort of snuck up on everyone this year. No one should be surprised though. They don't practice, and they are good. The have owned the Rangers in the past two years, and have taken some big points off of them. They start the easy portion of their schedule this weekend so look for them to make a push for the top. Let's not forget, these guys played off for the 10th Premier spot two years ago.
Grade: A
Port Moody
Port Moody started the year off great. They beat up on all the lesser lights and entrenched themselves near the top of the standings. They have seen a dip in form over the last few weeks though and are starting to lose touch with the top two. They also start the second half with some easy games. Look for them to move up a little.
Grade: B-
NDFC
In my opinion, the surprise of the first half. No one thinks much of the Div. 2 teams coming up. You don't really give them much of a chance. These guys, like the BK's last year, are starting to prove that theory wrong. They have played well and will maybe upset a top team or two in the second half.
Grade: B+
Highlanders
I think the first half of the season can only be summed up as a disappointment for the Highlanders. They are a perenial favorite in Div. 1 but haven't lived up to that in the first half. Who knows, with a bounce here or there, they probably could be a lot higher in the standings. But they aren't. I think a league top two is out of the question, but look out for them in the second half.
Grade: C
GNSU
A lot of people expected this team to be good. Very good. They are far from it. They have a ton of induvidual skill, but as a team, they just don't rate. They are dangerously close to relegation. For a team that was in Premier a year ago, to a team that is fighting for it's life in Division 1. All and all, pretty sad.
Grade: D
Whalley
I haven't got much to say on these guys. I haven't seen them play at all. This team is sort of what you would expect from a Div. 2 promotion though. Judging by their record anyway.
Grade: ??
Sporting
How do these guys stay up? With the displays of domination getting further and further apart, Sporting looks like a good bet to be playing in Div. 2 next year. A new coach and a new philosiphy haven't worked for them this year at all. As with GNSU, a lot of talent, but no good as a team.
Grade: D
GEU
Contrary to popular belief, it does pain me to see them struggle so bad this year. There is no way you should be showing up to games with only 10 guys at this level. You won't win many games in Div. 3 doing that. None in Div. 1. Maybe they can suck it up and upset some teams in the hunt in the second half. Hopefully that will start next week vs. Aldergrove though.
Grade: F
There you have it. Again, just my thoughts, so let's hear yours.
Aldergrove
This team had one goal at the start of the year. Get back to premier. They would have been there after last year, but faltered down the stretch. Their early results showed a team that was dominating. They are still winning games, but not as convincingly as at the start of the year. I see them maybe dropping some points in the second half.
Grade: A
Rangers
The Rangers are about where they wanted to be at the midway point. First would have been better, but second is nothing to shake a stick at. Considering the fact that they haven't played their best game yet(lots of ugly wins)look for them to make a charge for the top in second half. The Pak starts in January and this team, no matter who's on it, shines in that tourney.
Grade: A-
Raiders
The Raiders just sort of snuck up on everyone this year. No one should be surprised though. They don't practice, and they are good. The have owned the Rangers in the past two years, and have taken some big points off of them. They start the easy portion of their schedule this weekend so look for them to make a push for the top. Let's not forget, these guys played off for the 10th Premier spot two years ago.
Grade: A
Port Moody
Port Moody started the year off great. They beat up on all the lesser lights and entrenched themselves near the top of the standings. They have seen a dip in form over the last few weeks though and are starting to lose touch with the top two. They also start the second half with some easy games. Look for them to move up a little.
Grade: B-
NDFC
In my opinion, the surprise of the first half. No one thinks much of the Div. 2 teams coming up. You don't really give them much of a chance. These guys, like the BK's last year, are starting to prove that theory wrong. They have played well and will maybe upset a top team or two in the second half.
Grade: B+
Highlanders
I think the first half of the season can only be summed up as a disappointment for the Highlanders. They are a perenial favorite in Div. 1 but haven't lived up to that in the first half. Who knows, with a bounce here or there, they probably could be a lot higher in the standings. But they aren't. I think a league top two is out of the question, but look out for them in the second half.
Grade: C
GNSU
A lot of people expected this team to be good. Very good. They are far from it. They have a ton of induvidual skill, but as a team, they just don't rate. They are dangerously close to relegation. For a team that was in Premier a year ago, to a team that is fighting for it's life in Division 1. All and all, pretty sad.
Grade: D
Whalley
I haven't got much to say on these guys. I haven't seen them play at all. This team is sort of what you would expect from a Div. 2 promotion though. Judging by their record anyway.
Grade: ??
Sporting
How do these guys stay up? With the displays of domination getting further and further apart, Sporting looks like a good bet to be playing in Div. 2 next year. A new coach and a new philosiphy haven't worked for them this year at all. As with GNSU, a lot of talent, but no good as a team.
Grade: D
GEU
Contrary to popular belief, it does pain me to see them struggle so bad this year. There is no way you should be showing up to games with only 10 guys at this level. You won't win many games in Div. 3 doing that. None in Div. 1. Maybe they can suck it up and upset some teams in the hunt in the second half. Hopefully that will start next week vs. Aldergrove though.
Grade: F
There you have it. Again, just my thoughts, so let's hear yours.
