Today would see a return of a deluge of players to Ambleside, allowing for 2 subs on each team. The quick on-off shifts would up the energy level and create a very intense session once again. As has become commonplace recently, Dom and Stu would man the pipes.

Three series were played today, with the middle series being more-or-less a domination, and the other two being close-fought contests.

Perhaps the most interesting element of the day was a new player named Nick, who arrived with the Voser crew. At first he seemed a little award on his skates, perhaps a little out of shape even, but before long it became apparent that he was an elite sniper if there ever was one. His shot was powerful, lightning fast and highly accurate, and he had an incredible knack for getting to the scoring areas. Although the goalkeeping was excellent all session, Nick seemed to pick both Dom and Stu apart with ease, whether on a breakaway or with a snap-shot from the slot. At the end of the day Nick would finish with an impressive 17 goals.

Today was another good solid fun day of VRH hockey in the books.

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Thanks, guys! It’s been a long time since a rookie skater led the session in scoring (you’d have to go back to the very beginning of the 2009 season when Scotty Edison and Pat Elischer each led their first times out), but Nick Jornitz did just that, pounding his way to 17 goals (the next closest sniper, Stefan, had eight) en route to the third-highest rookie point total of all time with 24, which is also the highest point total of the season. Andrew Smart factored in on a lot of those goals, and he would finish that session with 20 points including a season-leading 14 assists. Only two other players made it into double-digits, with Stefan finishing third at 15 and Darrel in fourth at 13. With Nick leading the session, this continues a crazy trend where nobody has been able to lead more than one session in 2012 (between VRH and Arena, there have been eleven different session scoring leaders in eight sessions, which is really making that three-star points battle a clusterfuck if there ever was one). In goal, both goalies had their moments of brilliance today. The last two series were a bit rougher on Stuart, however, allowing Dom to take the day in net with .836 and 2 shutouts compared to Stuart’s .809 and 1 shutout (a 33-save shutout at that!). Oliver's game on the bench means that only Bernie has played all 39 VRH games this year.

Game Scores:
Darrel Nick Eric Stefan Bernie Stuart def. Shaylin Andrew Oliver Jordan Ryan Dom 4-5 5-0 5-2
Darrel Nick Andrew Shaylin Dom Ryan* def. Stefan Eric Jordan Bernie Stuart Oliver* 5-0 5-0 (*no Game 4)
Darrel Shaylin Bernie Oliver Stefan Dom def. Ryan Nick Andrew Jordan Stuart 5-4 5-3

Elo Ratings

Andrew Smart 2253 (-2)
Stefan Klopp 1992 (+21)
Darrel Voser 1921 (+18)
Jordan Barlow 1880 (+9)
Eric Coutinho 1896 (-31)
Ryan Disterheft 1869 (-62)
Oliver Koth-Kappus 1823 (-13)
Shaylin Trotman 1746 (+2)
Bernie Koth-Kappus 1567 (-21)

Provisional Elo Ratings
Nick Jornitz 1882 (n/a)

This is being posted Tuesday, which is the same day as the weekly Arena League session, so look for the usual season and all-time stats wrap-up in the Arena boxscore. We can, however, give a little preview of the SDF and GDF. We know that Andrew will be giving up the top spot on the SDF after 13 rankings on top; the question is to whom. As it stands right now, Sam Lam will take over the number-one ranking for the first time ever. However, with the Arena players on the charge, there will be nothing short of upheaval on the SDF; it will be a very different ranking than what we’re used to once this is finished. In all likelihood, some combination of Kyle Grenier, Ryan Bateman, K.J. O’Connor or Andrew Likness will be at the top by the end of the night. At the very least, the GDF will see Dom reclaim the top spot from Bron.