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DWSHL Drunk Stats
by Matt Chinnick

At the top all is well, the top 3 teams in the league also are at or near the top in all the main categories. With rankings based on PP%, PK%, PIM/G, GF/G, GA/G, SF/G and SA/G the Skyleafs lead the way in 3 categories, and are top 6 in 3 others with only their PK% falling out of the top 10 to 12th. The Battalion also post an impressive stat of being in the top 5 in 6 of the categories with only GA/A being a disappointing 11th. The Falcons, the DWSHL's top team comes in 3rd in the stats but like the Skyleafs lead the way in 3 categories but hold 2 spots outside the top 10 with an 11th in PK% and a 16th in PIM/G.

Some of the biggest surprises or Drunk stats have the Blizzard holding down the 9th spot overall in the DWSHL but only posting the 16th best stats ranking while the Prowlers who are stats wise the 4th best team sit at 13th in the DWSHL.

Other noteworthy numbers:
-	 The Justice and Brahmas are both playing at a level 9 spots above where their stats put them, the Vikings and Chevaliers are 7 spots up.
-	 The Icebats and Wolves appear to be doing things right but it doesn't seem to be showing up in the W column, both 9 spots below their stat ranking.
-	 The Vikings, Crunch, Riptide, Blizzard, Brahmas, Justice and Cannons all may soon run into penalty issues (if they haven't already) as these teams are all ranked 20th or worse for PIM/G and PK%

At the Half A Case Point
by Mike Raspburg

All-Star Predictions
by Joel Copeland

Jim Beam Conference

Goalie: TOR Tomas Vokoun- It’s official, Vokoun is the best goalie in the DWSHL.  With the leagues best save percentage .912 and 3 shutouts, Vokoun and the Skyleafs are a serious contender to win the cup.

Defense-KNG Nicklas Lidstrom- This consistent veteran quietly controls games, playing superbly at both ends with 39pts in 37 games and a plus 17.

Defense- SEA Brad Stuart- Flies a little under the radar, but is tied for first among defense with 39 pts 37 games and is a plus 35.

Left Wing-KNG Daniel Alfredsson- A gifted goal-scorer, and a great two way player.  Alferdsson look to have another great year.

Right Wing- SEA Jaromir Jagr- It’s always the same thing with Jagr: When he’s on his game he is a dominant force and wildly entertaining.

Centre- AZ Mats Sundin- Has what it takes to be a top 10 player, with his 48 pts in 38 games, Sundin and the Phantoms look to rebound for the bad season last year.

Jack Daniels Conference

Goalie-MI Marc-Andre Fleury- Has had a great start to the season with the most wins (29) in 34 games and among the leaders in save percentage .906.  Fleury should make a second straight appearance.

Defense- NY Chris Pronger- The big defender may be the toughest defenseman in the DWSHL to play against.  Pronger’s ability to play 30 plus minutes and be effective at both ends of the ice makes him the league’s most-feared defenseman.

Defense-STK Kyle McLaren- The king’s defender is know for his great play in his own end, but is on his way to career number offensively.

Right Wing-STK Teemu Selanne- Continues to thrive as a consistent scorer.

Left Wing- JAX Paul Kariya- Could go down as one of the most overpaid player from the summer’s UFA class or, given the fact his numbers (52pts 31 games plus 21) the biggest bargain.
Centre-NSH Joe Thornton- The big centre is among the DWSHL’ers best players, with 64 pts in 39 games, Joe Thornton has what it takes to lead the Battalion to a 2nd straight Drunks Cup.

Top 10 Surprise Drunks

1. Jeff Carter of the Washington Justice has been simply amazing, accumulating 40 points in 34 games. Carter has put his team in position to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

2. Fredrik Norrena has posted some pretty incredible numbers with 9 wins, a 2.14 GAA and a sizzling save % of .917%, his success could mean the end of Ryan Miller in Winnipeg, as Gm Weir has recently been accepting offers for their disgruntled goalie.

3. Dan Cloutier - The Storm has got of to a great start, and largely for the play of their goaltender Dan Cloutier, Super Dan has posted super numbers a 2.66 GAA and a save % of .902. Although most hockey critics say it is Dan’s last hurrah, and many believe it is last season in Calgary, but it won’t stop Dan from playing the game he loves.

4. Willie Mitchell – The Vipers had visions big things with Willie Mitchell this year, but they didn’t think it would be this big. The Vipers defenseman has been an absolute beast on the blue line this year, leading the entire DWSHL with a plus-minus rating of 33 and pinching in with some offence with a steady 13 points.

5. Kristian Huselius – I know we talked to Gm Randy Steffer earlier in the year, and the word he used on Huselius was “depth”. Well I would think Gm Steffer would have another word describing Kristian now possibly “sniper” The crafty winger has been the beneficiary of a strong year from Federov, accumulating 33points in 33 games.

6. Chris Kunitz – The Racers have put together some wins here and there, and now only sit 5 points out of a playoff spot,  largely due to the success of Chris Kunitz who is having a career year, averaging over a point a game with 15 goals and 32 points in 30 games.

7. Radim Vrbata – Well I can simply say see Huselius above, Radim has been a pleasant surprise, this second line of Radim Vrbata, Federov and Huseluis have been simply a force to be reckoned with. Vrbata currently has 32 points in 34 games, and looks to add to that going into the 2nd half of the season.

8.  Zach Parise – For a team that has badly underachieved this gritty forward hasn’t been the fault for Jacksonville’s play, the speedy winger has put up impressive numbers as mainly a 3rd line player with 28 points in 34 games.

9. Mike Grier – For mainly a 4th line gig, this gritty forward, has done everything Gm Chinnick has wanted. Grier has posted great numbers 25 points in 37 games, which would have to make Grier one of the highest point getters among all 4th line players.

10. Richard Zednik – Well even though expectations have not been meant in Soel, it still hasn’t stopped Zednik in putting up some pretty impressive numbers. 42 points in 39 games and a plus minus rating of a plus 13, is nothing to be ashamed about.

DWSHL At the Half

by Alex Smith

As the season draws near the halfway point, there have been several underachievers, overachievers, and just plan baffling occurrences. Here they are, and how we think this crazy season will look like at the end of the season.

Biggest Overachiever (Team): Calgary Storm. The Storm are currently in third place (Jim Beam Conference) and has 50 points after 37 games played. This team wasn’t expected to make much noise this year, as the team lacks depth and the blueline has nothing beyond its top 4. However, Cloutier has been a wall in net, and has taken this team to new heights, and gives them a chance to win every night. Should he go down, the team will fall faster than you can say Dunham. 
Runner Up: Houston Hornets. With no scoring threat on the wing, this team has surprised the Jack Daniels Conference. With seven first round picks in the next two drafts, this team will only improve.

Biggest Underachiever (Team): Antwerp Icebats. The team was considered by many to be one of the top teams in the Jack Daniels Conference. However, the team is sitting in 12th place. The team spent big in free agency (around 30million) and has nothing to show for it. GM Ommen has put just about everyone on the block; a sign that things are not expected to improve in Antwerp.
Runner Up: Quebec City Crunch. The team has recently turned things around, but has for the most part been the Jim Beam version of the Icebats.

Biggest Overachiever (Player): Jeff Cater (WSH). He is averaging more than a point a game, and has greatly benefited from playing alongside Olli Jokinen. This young player is showing flashes of greatness, and will be a symbol of Justice for years to come.
Runner Up: Fredrik Norrena (WPG). He has unseated Ryan Miller as the starter in –enough said.

Biggest Underachiever (Player): Brian Gionta (ATH). The biggest off-season pickup for the most underachieving team is also the leagues biggest underachiever. He makes 7.9million a year, and is averaging less than a point per game. Injuries have contributed to his less than par play, but it’s no excuse when you are the highest paid player on your team. 
Runner Up: Joe Sakic (COP). The legend was traded after 15 games in Jacksonville. Wow.

Predictions!
The Jim Beam Conference:
The Storm will make the playoffs, but as a lower seed… Iginla will not be dealt… Expect the Chevaliers to miss the post season for the first time since ’06… The Bison will also drop out for the second year running… Rams, Crunch make the playoffs, the first back to back appearance for Quebec and first ever for Seoul… Jagr will hold on to the conference scoring title, and be conference MVP- ok that’s a given… The winner of the conference finals will take the cup home…

The Jack Daniels Conference:
The Icebats will make the playoffs… At Houston’s expense… Nashville will overtake Michigan in the standings… Prowlers will get upset in the first round… Michigan’s Federov will be the Conference MVP… Houston will deal a first rounder or two near the deadline in a futile attempt to make the playoffs… The Nighthawk’s Gagne will be dealt… Despite a bulletin saying he will not be making any deals, Prowlers will continue to  be trade happy… Nashville will go back to their old ways and take an early exit out of the playoffs…

Bandits Banter
by Jason MacKinnon

Thanks to all the writers, old and new, during this often busy time of school. It is great to see people take the time to write these special articles, but we all have lives. I apologize for throwing this site together. I did not have time to write my own article but next time I shall return.

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