LHGCL D3 standings

Anyone look at the D3 standings posted today?

5 teams with a 4-1-2 record?!?

Comments or predictions?

This is a good example of parity.  5 different teams with varying styles all posting the same record.  The bottom 5 are not  as tightly grouped.

Within the top 5, there is  guaranteed movement over the last 2 games as each team plays at least one of the other competing top 5 teams.  Already, the 1st tiebreaker, head-to-head, is convoluted if you go beyond a simple two team comparison.

I have always heard defense wins championships, and that may prove true if Redstar finishes strong, but the offensive output of the top and bottom 5 is what truly stands out from the fall results.  Whereas, the defensive stats aren't that revealing.  Goal differential, as you would expect, is probably the best strength indicator available and even it doesn't take into account the intangibles of how a team matches up well against a given opponent regardless of the stats.

If you accept the team ranking as a measure of strength, than it appears that Ayses (1,6) has the toughest remaining schedule followed by Jazz (5,4), Redstar (8,2) and Aztecs (7,3), and then FCD (3,9).

No matter the stats, we are still talking about 13/14 year old girls.  They aren't exactly predictable in any facet.  I am not sure what to make of the Aztecs or FCD.  If you remove their H-t-H game from their respective efforts, both appear to be top offensive and defensive teams as well.  The Aztecs gave up 5 of their 8 GA to FCD.  That says that the Aztec defense is on par with Redstar while their offense is stronger.  FCD gave up 4 of their 9 GA to the Aztecs.  The same comparison to Redstar applies here.  The result of head to head competition don't bear out that comparison as Redstar tied Aztecs 2-2 and beat FCD 1-0.  

Bottomline, there is a value to consistency and discipline.  I think Redstar will finish the fall on top based on their disciplined defense.  Other teams probably have a higher top end and Redstar remains exposed to the impact of the fluke goal.  They don't generally show enough offense to recover from a deficit as these other teams have proven.  But then Redstar doesn't have to play catch up very often.

IMO not sure Jazz is going to stay near the top for much longer. If you take a look at there body of work as of late, they have gone 1-win, 1- loss and 2 ties(1 of which was a 2-2 tie to the last place team) They are having issues with players showing up to games and practices as this was overheard by the team manager stating that several "Scholarship-ed" players were not making it to practices and not traveling to games consistently.

IMO.. I think the top four teams in the long run will be FCD, Ayses, Aztecs and Fusion. Not enough offensive attack on Red Star to hold on to the top.