Player of the Game

Game 21 (Playoff Game 6): versus Screaming Eagles, Result 1-0 Loss

For the last player of the game award, we would like to actually pay tribute to a person who is very important to every Green Bird Ball Hockey success. This week’s player of the game goes out to the team’s Head Coach, Hassan Khan. Hassan has been with the Green Bird’s since their inaugural game, and he as always been the team’s number one fan. This year he provided the team with fresh water before every game and gave out & collected the warm-up balls. From every player on the Green Bird’s roster, THANK YOU HASSAN!

Game 20 (Playoff Game 5): versus Screaming Eagles, Result 4-2 Win

The playoffs are a platform for players stepping up and providing potential career changing performances. We might have witnessed one Tuesday night, when rookie Tier 2 F Usama Mahmoud had an amazing second half and almost single-handedly kept the Green Birds alive in the Championship finals. He provided two breakaway goals and had the entire arena recognize that he is probably the fastest player in the league hands down. This weeks Player of the Game goes out to F Usama Mahmoud. Honourable mention also goes out to F Ahmed Chaudhry who has been playing like a man possessed in his last 7 games accumulating 11 points, 7 of which are in the post season.

Game 19 (Playoff Game 4): versus Screaming Eagles, Result 2-1 Loss

He can be one of the most lethal finishers in the game when healthy, but F Osman Buttar is recognized as this week's Player of the Game, for sacrificing his scoring prowess, to go in net as a last minute replacement for G Yassar Razvi. Razvi was unable to play due to personal reasons, and his backup, G Ibad Khan was deemed ineligible due to league rules needing players to play in three games, instead of the usual two. Osman played under composure and even made a few key saves to keep the game close. His dedication to the ultimate team result and selfless demeanor in this respect, deserves great accolade.

Game 18 (Playoff Game 3): versus Blackhawks, Result 5-3 Win

It was an entire team effort that pushed the Green Bird's to their first playoff series win in Tier 2, but there is always one or two players that stand out in such a victory. The two players in question are D Dilawar Alvi, who was also named a Co-MVP of the semi-final round & F Emmad Khawaja. Emmad played a solid game, running around the Hawk's defence and crashing the net on more than one occasion. He finished the game with one goal. Alvi was a different menace, playing solid defensively, while being able to join the rush at perfect times. During this series he has been huge. In Game 1 he scored the game tying goal with seconds to play and now in Game 3, he scored the game winner. Both players will be looked on to continue their great play, and help others around them step up their game.

Game 17 (Playoff Game 2): versus Blackhawks, Result 3-1 Loss

His line was one of the more dangerous combinations on this night, but he was the forward that actually got the lone marker for the 'Birds. F Emmad Khawaja is the player of the game and played a hard two way game, causing problems in the Hawks' defence zone, and creating numerous scoring chances. Honorable mention go to his other two linemates, F Sajid Ayubi and F Farhan Raja.

Game 16 (Playoff Game 1): versus Blackhawks, Result 2-1 Win

As indicated from the last player of the game report, there WAS light at the end of the tunnel, no one was kidding around. Starting on the blue line to help strengthen the defence during the playoffs, Ahmed Chaudhry completed a thrilling Game 1 against the Blackhawks by not only assisting on the game tying goal, but also notching the game winner with 5 seconds left to play. This is what the team hoped for this season, but Ahmed missed most of the regular season with a separated shoulder, but is quickly getting back to game shape. He has 6 points in his last 3 games and will be looked upon during this Championship run.

Game 15: versus Magic Chiefs, Result 4-2 Loss

There was actually some light at the end of the tunnel, after finishing the season on a poor note. It seems that F Ahmed Chaudhry is beginning to round into from as he had another good game gaining player of the game honors against the Magic Chiefs. Ahmed had one goal and one assist creating a nice partnership with Nick Antony. Nick also put up another two points, that ended a great offensive regular season for the talented winger. This duo will be extremely important for the 'Birds, if they want to win their first round series and also make a run at the Championship.

Game 14: versus Thunderhawks, Result 3-2 Win

It was a great win for the team, as they were missing many key players, but a couple players stood out considerably. The co-players of the game this week are F Rizwan Kalair who had two goals and two assists for 4 points, and had his best offensive game of the season and G Ibad Khan who turned away 18 shots and play tremendously on odd man rushes and breakaways, giving him his first win as a Green Bird. Honorable mention also goes out to F Nick Antony who had another stellar performance nothing one goal and two assists for 3 points.

Game 13: versus Thunderhawks, Result 3-2 Loss

The player of the game on this night was F Emmad Khawaja who never gave up and almost led the team back from an improbable deficit by scoring two goals in span of close to 30 secs. His never die attitude is always present on the bench and on the floor. This is exactly the spark the Green Birds to get out of their losing streak, and go into the playoffs with some type of momentum.

Game 10: versus Blackhawks, Result 3-1 Loss

Game 11: versus Young Guns, Result 7-2 Loss

Game 10: versus Screaming Eagles, Result 5-2 Loss

The best player on the floor during this game was F Farhan Raja. Farhan was aggressive, quick and had shots on net. Farhan has always been a key player to the Green Birds success, and they need him even better come playoff time to help the 'Birds go far down the stretch. On the year, Farhan has 3 points in 6 games for the Green Birds.

Game 9: versus Blackhawks, Result 5-2 Win

When a player has a night like the stats indicated, 2 goals, 3 assists and involved on all five scoring plays, it makes the job of picking player of the game that much easy. F Sajid Ayubi was playing in only his second game of the season, but it looked like he hadn't missed a beat all along. There are whispers that his new found inspiration is his wife, but those rumours could not be verified. Whatever it is, the playoffs are around the corner, and the 'Birds need Sajid firing on all cylinders to be successful and hopefully bring home a championship.

Game 8: versus Screaming Eagles, Result 4-1 Win

After notching a hat-trick against his former team and getting four-points, without a doubt the player of the game on this night was F Nick Antony. Nick, under his own impression, thought he was in a slump, but squashed that false theory after his offensive performance, scoring three goals and an assist. Captain Ijaz Chaudhry and the rest of the team, was more than happy with what Nick had brought to the Green Birds so far this season, among the top three scorers on the team and being a veteran presence in the dressing room. But Nick thought he could still be better, and showed everyone why he is a lethal goal scoring threat everytime he hits the floor. Honorable mention also goes to G Yassar Razvi, who had another great performance in goal, and F/D Ali Wadee who dropped back to play defence for the second time this season, and had one goal and one assist.

Game 7: versus Young Guns, Result 3-1 Win

After setting up the game winning goal, sealing the win with an empty-netter, and giving the defence endless fits, F Usama Mahoumd tallied another goal and assist to claim his fist solo player of the game award this year. Usama has been a great addition to the 'Birds fitting into their style of chipping and running past opposing defences. He is just hitting his mid-season groove, and the team hopes he continues his goal scoring ways.

Game 6: versus Bolton Hawks, Result 6-4 Win

Being one of the veterans, vocal leaders and offensive sparks on the team, F Osman Buttar finally broke out this season with 2 goals and 1 assist versus the Bolton Hawks. Osman has been plagued with a possible fractured finger, which occurred during the first game. Because of the injury, Osman has been unable to unleash his blistering slapshot. Things are finally beginning to turn around for the Green Birds, and any chance of success for the team will definitely rely on a successful season from Mr. Buttar.

Game 5: versus Thunderhawks, Result 3-3 Tie

Having both had two assists and playing their best games of the season, we are going to give both F Sajid Ayubi & F Usama Mahmoud co-players of the week. Most defences in the leagues do not have any answer for both these player's blistering speed and never-give-up attitude. There are more games to come like this, where simply their speed and determination will give opponents fits in their own defensive end.

Game 4: versus Bolton Hawks, Result 3-2 Loss

Scoring the opening goal and having a couple chances during the game, the player of game on this night was F Junaid Mohammad. F Nick Antony had another stellar performance and D Ijaz Chaudhry also played solid on defense. Honorable mention also goes out to G Yassar Razvi who turned away 40 shots in the loss.

Game 3: versus Young Guns, Result 5-2 Loss

On a tough night like this its difficult to pick a player of the game, but in this game the 'Birds best player was newcomer F Nick Antony, who's speed, accuracy and goal scoring ability will tremendously help the team. In his first game he had a few chances, and notched his first goal on a great individual effort. Look forward to more goals by this deceptive forward.

Game 2: versus Blackhawks, Result 2-2 Tie

Many players played well in this game, but after scoring the opening goal, and playing his typical defensive role, the player of the game nod goes to none other than the captain, Ijaz Chaudhry. The game was chippy, physical and the opponents intense, but Ijaz brought his 'A' game and played great defensively.

Game 1: versus Screaming Eagles, Result 2-0 Loss

Clearly the player of the game in this one was Yasser Razvi, who stood on his head all night and kept the Green Birds within reach of tying it at any moment. The Green Birds will need performances like this regularly by Yasser to stay competitive within the division, but hopefully they dont need it every game.