The Starting Line

By Scott Burnside

No Zrink champion ever complains about the short off season. However, with the Guppies off season. training program, there's not a lot to complain about. Guppies Defenseman Dan Pequita was recently spotted at the CCSU Alumni game and had this to say when asked about his winter training schedule. "This is the first physical activity I've done since the our (Guppies) victory in the Christmas Tournament. I think I'm going to hurt tomorrow".  To say that Pequita is the exception would just be an attempt to fool you and myself. However, despite the lack of preparation in the past the Guppies seem to keep swimming along. There should be no major changes to the Guppies roster. However, the Team has confirmed that defenseman Mike Halle and backup netminder Andy Pettola have not committed to the season at this point. The Guppies will again play in the ZRink B league and match up against some familiar teams, The Fire Ants and Ball Smashers, just to name a few.

OFFENSE
This has been the Guppies bread and butter over the years. It's always nice when you have one player that scores 31 goals in one season like Keith Millen (Spring-18, Summer-31; Total 49) did in the Summer 2007 season. However, Millen wasn't alone in the Guppies overwhelming offensive output. Tim Poulin (a two time 30 goal scorer) had a solid 2007 netting thirty goals for the year.  Rounding out the Guppies "Big Three" up front in 2008 is Jason Zito. Zito, netted twenty goals last year (spring 8, summer12). The surprise of 2007 had to be the offensive explosion of Marc Crayton during the Summer 2007 season. Crayton scored 13 goals last summer (totaling17 for 2007).   That's more goals than the prior 5 seasons combined. The question in Killingworth is can Marc match those numbers in 2008? Brian Mulcahy who had 5 goals for the Guppies in 2007, is better known for his playing making skills as he added 20assists last year.The Guppies eldest player and resident tough guy Dave Armenia will be back in 2008. The Guppies look to Armenia to add a physical presence, while he posted 13points in 2007.

DEFENSE
There is no disputing the Guppies' defensive depth and strong defensive system. Wait, "strong defensive system"? This isn't the John Carroll and Tim Gessner defensive corps. The Guppies defense is all about offense. With the exception of Mike Halle, the Guppies defense is an offense driven group. However, at times they can tighten up in the defensive zone, example: The Summer 2007 Championship game, which the Guppies won 3-2 in OT. Rob Murphy was the Gupps top blue liner in 2007. Murphy score only 15 goals but added 45 assists. His ability to quarterback the Guppies will determine how well the Fish swim in 2008. Brian Kelly's 26 goals and 49 assists in 2007 helped the Guppies offense carry the load. With Murphy backing him up in 08, we can expect Kelly jumping into the offensive rush again this year. Carbon Copy Kelly and you'll find Dan Pequita, however, Pequita is more stable in the defensive end. Danny scored 22 goals in 2007, while defensive partner Mike Halle held the fort in the defensive zone. The question is will Halle be back? If not, look for either Mulcahy  or Poulin to step back onto the Guppies blue line. Both spent time there in 2007.

GOALTENDING
Without a doubt this was the Guppies strongest position in 2007! Joe Linskey and Andy Pettola packed a solid one two bunch! Linskey posted an impressive 15-3-1 record in 2007. His  GAA in the Summer season was 3.89, very impressive over a stretch of nine starts. Linskey looked even better as he lead the Guppies to 2007 Xmas tourney Championship. The question is can Linskey, who turns 32 on March 17th, continue his impressive play in 2008? Andy Pettola, played great as the Guppies backup in 2007, posting a 4-0-0 record and a 2.75 GAA. The question on him is, can the Guppies resign him? Killingworth also has Jon Graney signed to a contract. Graney posted a 3-1-0 record for the fish in 2006, he missed 2007 after having knee surgery early in the year. What about Legolie? Legolie was last seen floating down Madison Ave. during last years Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. I don't expect to see him in a Guppies sweater in 2008.

• Guppies Home
• Spring 2007

• Summer 2007
• Roster

• 2007 Record: 20-3-1
• Division: First place in in the ZRink B League Puck Division in the Spring of 2007 and Summer 2007
• Playoffs: Won Back to Back B League Championships for the first time since 2004.

• Tournaments: Won the 2007 Z-Rink Xmas Day Tournament

Goalie: Joseph Linskey
Linskey is coming off a great performance in the Zrink Xmas Tournament in which he had a .500 GAA. The question is, can he play like that every week for the Guppies?

Defenseman: Rob Murphy

Murphy helps hold together a defensive corps that is made up of former Forwards and Goalies. No Defenseman! It will be up to #22 to keep the Guppies defense honest and not jump to often into the offensive rush again this season.

Forward: Keith Millen
For Millen its time to answer the bell. Was his 31 goal effort last season just a flash in the pan or Can he hit that number on a constant basis? Actually 30 something goals might be unfair, but Killingworth's front office would like him to hit at least 20 something!

Lets Face it the Guppies aren't spring chickens anymore. The fact that they won back to back Championships last season in a league in which the average age of the Guppies opponents was 7-10years younger is amazing. However, it makes me ask how much longer can they keep this up?

The answer? I'm not sure but I think the Fish will still be fresh for 2008.

The Guppies should finish in the top spot in the B League 2008 Spring season.  While I have them finishing in 2nd in the Summer 2008 Season. Expect to see the Fish in the Finals both seasons.