Three Stars of the Week for February 8th:
1st Star: Sufyan Kazi (Ridha): 2 Goals, 2 Assists, GWG
2nd Star: Humza Ali (Haya): 1 Goal, 2 Assists
3rd Star: Aazar Zafar (Emaan): 1 Goal, 1 Assist, GTG
Here are the Divisional Standings after Week Five:
Mecca Division
| RANK | TEAM | GP | WINS | LOSSES | TIES | POINTS | GF | GA | GD |
| 1 | Ridha | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 8 | 7 |
| 2 | Haya | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 3 |
| 3 | Ikhlas | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 4 | Sabr | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 11 | -1 |
* 4th place in the Division does not make the playoffs
Medina Division
RANK
| TEAM |
GP
|
WINS
|
LOSSES
|
TIES
|
POINTS
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
| 1 | Shukr | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 14 | -2 |
| 2 | Ihsan | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
| 3 | Yaqeen | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 17 | -1 |
| 4 | Emaan | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 16 | -7 |
* 4th place in the Division does not make the playoffs
- Week Six sees the cross-Divisional games continue as teams try to get an edge on a team they may face in the Finals while watching teams in their division hoping to get a hold on a playoff spot.
- Emaan was hoping that their trade to acquire Arif Khan would spark their team but instead found themselves down 3-0 to Ikhlas at the half. Yet when they seemed certain to lose another game Khan helped to lead a rally that resulted in three straight goals and walking away with a tie.
- Haya went into their game with Shukr with unfortunate news as GMs Fahad Mohammad and Maaz Haq were involved in a car accident on the way to the game. Both players were okay but unable to leave the scene. To allow Haya to have a chance, Shukr agreed to allow Haya to use a goalie from an earlier game and selected Ahmad Mobin who graciously agreed to stay later and avoid an empty net game. Ironically Mobin had arguably his best game of the season with some big saves as Shukr dominated the game but only managed a tie.
- Another newly acquired player was in action in the next game as Idrees Deen suited up for Sabr and got off to a good start scoring his teams first goal. Unfortunately the offence dried up from there and Ihsan scored in the second half to end the game in a tie. Adeel Awan also made his debut for Ihsan in this game and while he didn't end up on the scoresheet against his old team, his defensive presence was key in shutting down Sabr's top line.
- Haya was without GMs Fahad Mohammad and Maaz Haq unexpectedly but they seemed to continue their approach of resting key players as Arssal Shahabuddin was rested for this game.
- The battle of Malton was featured last week as the old guard in Yaqeen took on the new guard in Ridha. Yaqeen's approach of being physical to set the tone was a failure from the start as Ridha roared out to a 3-0 lead after about 10 minutes of play. The young legs of Ridha had the step needed to expose the skilled but slower Yaqeen players. The teams will not have a chance to meet again unless they both make the finals so bragging rights will stay with the Youngbloods for now.
- Sulmaan Azmat's ankle injury appears to have healed as he was spotted at a volleyball tournament during the bye week.
- Shukr had a great game on special teams against Haya, scoring two early powerplay goals and a spectacular shorthanded goal from Osman Buttar who went end to end and picked the corner with his short to give Shukr a 3-2 lead. Their play in 5-on-5 left something to be desired as Haya was up 3-0 in that category.
- Many observers have questioned Ridha and their ability to win with a thin and inexperienced defence core but at the mid-point of the season they are in 1st place overall and have the lowest goals allowed this season. They have been pushing Huzaifah Panchbhaya and Sufyan Kazi back and both have excelled by generating offence coming out of their zone.
- Both Sabr and Emaan will be looking for their first win this season as they play each other this week. If either team has any hopes of the playoffs this game is critical to getting on the right path - although Emaan is in a more dire position of the two.
- Several I-Slam Hockey members took part in an annual Muslim Ice Hockey tournament (Crescent Classic) during the Family Day long weekend. Ahmad Mobin and Dawood Ciombar had solid tournaments. Zayd Agjee back-stopped his team to a runner up spot in the Competitive Division while Sufyan Shaikh rallied his team from being down 4-1 to a 5-4 win in the finals.
- While the Sabr vs Emaan game is expected to have all the big names, it may be missing some of the charisma as Emad Hussain of Sabr is away for "work" as he was spotted at a resort in the Seychelles.
- There continue to be rumours of more trades in play and as expected Sabr seems to be in the middle of it. Full credit to their leadership for being willing to try anything to get the team to perform to how they expected as pundits picked them to dominate the league after the draft. Samad Hamidi continues to pop up as the player they may move as he is valued as a steadying defensive presence and his great knowledge of players in the league and their tactics.
- The Ihsan vs Haya game next week will feature Khizer Lakhanpal playing against cousin Imran Lakhanpal with a friendly (or not so friendly) challenge between the two where the first to score a goal will have his family treated to an outing by the other. Imran Lakhanpal will be playing another family member the week after as Ihsan faces Ridha who feature Saqib Khokar. Khokar will surely be watching how this one plays out before making a challenge of his own.
- Both Shukr and Ihsan missed submitting their recap on time and will see their opponent start the game with a power-play.
- Week Six sees the cross-Divisional games continue as teams try to get an edge on a team they may face in the Finals while watching teams in their division hoping to get a hold on a playoff spot.
- Emaan was hoping that their trade to acquire Arif Khan would spark their team but instead found themselves down 3-0 to Ikhlas at the half. Yet when they seemed certain to lose another game Khan helped to lead a rally that resulted in three straight goals and walking away with a tie.
- Haya went into their game with Shukr with unfortunate news as GMs Fahad Mohammad and Maaz Haq were involved in a car accident on the way to the game. Both players were okay but unable to leave the scene. To allow Haya to have a chance, Shukr agreed to allow Haya to use a goalie from an earlier game and selected Ahmad Mobin who graciously agreed to stay later and avoid an empty net game. Ironically Mobin had arguably his best game of the season with some big saves as Shukr dominated the game but only managed a tie.
- Another newly acquired player was in action in the next game as Idrees Deen suited up for Sabr and got off to a good start scoring his teams first goal. Unfortunately the offence dried up from there and Ihsan scored in the second half to end the game in a tie. Adeel Awan also made his debut for Ihsan in this game and while he didn't end up on the scoresheet against his old team, his defensive presence was key in shutting down Sabr's top line.
- Haya was without GMs Fahad Mohammad and Maaz Haq unexpectedly but they seemed to continue their approach of resting key players as Arssal Shahabuddin was rested for this game.
- The battle of Malton was featured last week as the old guard in Yaqeen took on the new guard in Ridha. Yaqeen's approach of being physical to set the tone was a failure from the start as Ridha roared out to a 3-0 lead after about 10 minutes of play. The young legs of Ridha had the step needed to expose the skilled but slower Yaqeen players. The teams will not have a chance to meet again unless they both make the finals so bragging rights will stay with the Youngbloods for now.
- Sulmaan Azmat's ankle injury appears to have healed as he was spotted at a volleyball tournament during the bye week.
- Shukr had a great game on special teams against Haya, scoring two early powerplay goals and a spectacular shorthanded goal from Osman Buttar who went end to end and picked the corner with his short to give Shukr a 3-2 lead. Their play in 5-on-5 left something to be desired as Haya was up 3-0 in that category.
- Many observers have questioned Ridha and their ability to win with a thin and inexperienced defence core but at the mid-point of the season they are in 1st place overall and have the lowest goals allowed this season. They have been pushing Huzaifah Panchbhaya and Sufyan Kazi back and both have excelled by generating offence coming out of their zone.
- Both Sabr and Emaan will be looking for their first win this season as they play each other this week. If either team has any hopes of the playoffs this game is critical to getting on the right path - although Emaan is in a more dire position of the two.
- Several I-Slam Hockey members took part in an annual Muslim Ice Hockey tournament (Crescent Classic) during the Family Day long weekend. Ahmad Mobin and Dawood Ciombar had solid tournaments. Zayd Agjee back-stopped his team to a runner up spot in the Competitive Division while Sufyan Shaikh rallied his team from being down 4-1 to a 5-4 win in the finals.
- While the Sabr vs Emaan game is expected to have all the big names, it may be missing some of the charisma as Emad Hussain of Sabr is away for "work" as he was spotted at a resort in the Seychelles.
- There continue to be rumours of more trades in play and as expected Sabr seems to be in the middle of it. Full credit to their leadership for being willing to try anything to get the team to perform to how they expected as pundits picked them to dominate the league after the draft. Samad Hamidi continues to pop up as the player they may move as he is valued as a steadying defensive presence and his great knowledge of players in the league and their tactics.
- The Ihsan vs Haya game next week will feature Khizer Lakhanpal playing against cousin Imran Lakhanpal with a friendly (or not so friendly) challenge between the two where the first to score a goal will have his family treated to an outing by the other. Imran Lakhanpal will be playing another family member the week after as Ihsan faces Ridha who feature Saqib Khokar. Khokar will surely be watching how this one plays out before making a challenge of his own.
- Both Shukr and Ihsan missed submitting their recap on time and will see their opponent start the game with a power-play.
Make sure to follow us and get your friends to follow us as well (this is another way you can help grow the league!):
- If you somehow missed it, here are some of the video clips the league has put up to start the season along with our Podcasts:
- Pre-Draft GM Interviews
- If you somehow missed it, here are some of the video clips the league has put up to start the season along with our Podcasts:
- Pre-Draft GM Interviews
- Listen in on our First League Podcast! Belal Hafeez of Shukr drops in with some health and fitness tips.
- Listen in on Podcast Two featuring Abdu Sharkawy and Ahmad "Black Panther" Ibrahim who weigh in on a number of topics
Make sure to follow us and get your friends to follow us as well (this is another way you can help grow the league!):
Facebook: I-Slam Hockey
Twitter: iSlamHockey
Instagram: IslamHockeyCanada
Youtube: IslamBallHockey
- Listen in on Podcast Two featuring Abdu Sharkawy and Ahmad "Black Panther" Ibrahim who weigh in on a number of topics
Make sure to follow us and get your friends to follow us as well (this is another way you can help grow the league!):
Facebook: I-Slam Hockey
Twitter: iSlamHockey
Instagram: IslamHockeyCanada
Youtube: IslamBallHockey
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