2012 CS

All of those posts from a Peoria parent or multiple parents are not from me. I have already instructed our parents to please stop the nonsense. I would never post stats etc about our team or other teams. It’s ridiculous nor do I have that type of hockey knowledge or background to even back something up like that. It’s unfortunate that this event has involved so many people. We are trying to find a solution to rescheduling the games and we will leave it at that. Also I’m not afraid to post my name. I wouldn’t post anonymously on here.

Leafs no show in Peoria.

Alright, let's kick off the season with some unfounded predictions for this weekend's games. Not much to go off of as far as comparisons, so let's see how this holds up.

Sat Sep 19th:

• Vikings @ Peoria (Game 1) - Vikes visit the beautiful OC for the opening game of the season. Based on their struggle to get through their games against Tulsa and Team Midwest last weekend in their home rink showcase, I imagine the Mustangs will lay down the hammer on Saturday, especially in the AM game when they catch the Vikings with early morning road legs. Peoria 4-0

• Sting @ Jets - I originally had the Jets finishing last in the league based on last season, and knowing they lost skaters and goalies. But they rolled the Vipers and Wilmette in practice games. Neither opponent is projected to be very good, but still they dominated the scoreboard, so that should at least count for something. I am thinking their 2 games this weekend against what was a mid-level STL team last season will be close. Sting 5-3.

• Vikings @ Peoria (Game 2) - Rematch for the second time of the day. The Vikes will be a bit more awake and Peoria's lone goalie will playing in game 2 for the day. The Mustangs will still be the much stronger team, and OP is missing their only significant weapon from last season. Peoria 4-1.

• Leafs @ Express - This may be the most interesting game of the weekend. Express is the hardest to get a read on as they lost key skaters and both goalies, but gained a quality goalie and a couple patchwork skaters. I'm assuming they will be a middle-pack team this season, however, they could be better or much worse than that. On the other side, the Leafs are coming in after laying beat-downs last weekend in the Vikings showcase. They played 2 games against the same Tulsa and Team MW teams that the Vikes split with, and outscored their opponents 22-0. Definitely expect the Leafs to get the win on Saturday, but not by as much as last weekend. Leafs 4-1.

Sun Sep 20th:

• Hawks @ Wilmette - Might be the most lopsided game of the weekend. The Hawks are coming off of an underwhelming showcase performance in Muskegon, but I am still bullish on them being a contender by the end of the season, based both on their finish from last year and their roster possibly being improved for this season. Wilmette on the other hand took massive hits to their line-up, and got rolled by the lowly Jets in a practice game last weekend. Hawks 6-1.

• Sting @ Jets - Rematch from Saturday's game, and I'm calling another close one. With the Jets' overconfidence from their practice game wins being humbled in their Saturday loss to the Sting, I'm looking for them to come back on Sunday with a more inspired performance against STL. I am thinking a 5-5 Tie.

That's what I'm predicting for Week 1. Looking forward to seeing how wrong it all is.

WdW😢😢😢

Apparently Central States has a new rule: Don’t like your scheduled opponent? Just don’t show up.

Let’s get this straight. The Dundee Leafs had games scheduled in Peoria since JULY. They decided not to make the trip, citing 4–5 injured players on a roster of 18 skaters.

Yet somehow they managed to play the Jets on Wednesday, reportedly with only two players out, and then head to Dallas for a tournament that same week. Interesting how quickly those injuries seemed to clear up.

Meanwhile, Wilmette traveled to St. Louis to play the Knights despite being severely shorthanded, even having to bring up a younger goalie. They showed up, competed, and took their losses. That’s what teams are supposed to do.

But apparently, if you’re the Leafs, you can skip your scheduled games against the #1 ranked 14U AA team in the country, avoid the potential losses, pay some ice costs, and get a do-over whenever it’s more convenient.

So here’s the real question: Are the Leafs afraid to play Peoria, or is Central States afraid to enforce its own rules?

Think about the message this sends to every team in the league. Why travel several hours to face a top-ranked opponent when you can apparently stay home, save the travel expenses, avoid a possible hit to your record, and simply reschedule?

What happens to the integrity of the standings and national rankings if teams can decide which games they’re willing to play and when? Why should teams that honor their commitments be penalized while teams that don’t show up are rewarded with a second chance?

And let’s not pretend this is just about injuries. Every competitive hockey team deals with injuries throughout the season. That’s part of hockey. You don’t get to pick and choose your opponents based on when your roster is at full strength.

If this is how Central States intends to operate, coaches everywhere should be taking notes. Apparently the smartest strategy isn’t always to win your toughest games. It’s to figure out how to avoid playing them in the first place.

Apparently Central States already has a Peoria Rule, so it’s only fair that we officially introduce the new Leaf Rule.

The Leaf Rule: If you don’t like your scheduled opponent, don’t show up. Cite a few injuries, pay the ice costs, avoid a potential loss, and reschedule when it’s more convenient.

Will Central States publicly confirm that every team now has the same option to cancel scheduled games due to injuries without a forfeit, or is the Leaf Rule an exclusive benefit reserved for Dundee?

And while we’re at it, how many injured players does it take to qualify? Who verifies the injuries? How much notice is required? Where exactly is this exception written in the league rules? Or does it simply depend on which team is asking?

Because if the league doesn’t have clear answers, this isn’t a rule. It’s selective enforcement.

Imagine how much easier scheduling would be if every team could pick and choose when to face the toughest competition. Why risk a loss when you can just send an email and stay home?

The Leafs may have avoided a trip to Peoria, but Central States now has a much bigger problem: explaining why the rules apparently don’t apply equally to everyone.

The Peoria Rule apparently wasn’t enough. Now we’ve got the Leaf Rule.

Congratulations, Central States. You’ve managed to turn a mandatory league schedule into an optional RSVP.

The rest of the league deserves an explanation.

This 2012 CS thread was very quiet for the first couple of weeks, so I went on hiatus. But boy did things ever change these last 2 weeks. The games started getting a bit less predictable. We saw Eagles split with Express, the Sting run the clock on the Knights, the Knights then demolish Sabres one day and have a close game the next, and Wilmette got their first win.

What lit the thread on fire, however, has been the Leafs/Peoria saga. After talking to "sources" my understanding is this. Leafs requested a reschedule of their doubleheader, based on having a number of injuries and wanting to not make it worse before their tournament in Dallas. The league approved it 3 or 4 days before the scheduled games. Peoria didn't like that (don't blame them) but decided to make their players and refs show up for the games anyways in hopes to maybe then demand forfeits. A lot of drama, and a lot of blame to go around. The Leafs should have sucked it up and not requested the reschedule at all - at this age there will always be injuries or suspensions each week. The league should have not approved it in the first place - this could be a slippery slope. And Peoria should've not made their families drive in for games they knew weren't happening - that was very weird theater. Nonetheless, the league moves on and now this matchup gets extra spicy, whenever those do get rescheduled. Not sure where it will be more tense, on the ice or in the lobby...

Drama aside, we got games coming up! Here's this week's schedule and who is doing what.

Sat Oct 17th:

• Sting @ Eagles - We have an early morning STL showdown between 2 very unpredictable teams. The Sting are able to run the clock on the Knights, and somehow split games with the Jets. The Eagles were able to split with the Express. I'm gonna be lazy and based it of the standings, Sting 4-2

• Leafs @ Express- Probably the best matchup of the day. The Leafs ran the clock on the Express in their first game, but the Express seem to have a number on the Hawks who have beat the Leafs twice in multiple states. I still think based on their last matchup that the blue and white have the advantage. Leafs 3-1

• Sabres @ Vikings - Two lower tier teams face off at the Arctic, both coming off some recent poor performances, with the Sabres being fed their lunch by the Knights and the Vikes giving lowly Wilmette their first win of the season. I expect it to be sloppy but a tight game. Sabres 4-3

• Hawks @ Jets - Hawks may be the Chicagoland team to beat for the time being, and I don't think the Jets have the skill or speed to keep it close. Hawks 5-2

• Vipers @ Wilmette - Another matchup of 2 struggling teams who might be battling for last place when by November. With the Trevians getting coming off a first win and the snakes having not played a league game for a couple of weeks, I'm going to bet the underdog on this one, in a messy finish. Wilmette 5-4

Sun Oct 18th:

• Wilmette @ Sabres - The Sabres will have put their tough STL weekend in the rearview mirror with a Sat win against the Vikes, and should be ready to put Wilmette back in their place. I expect another close game, but give the edge slightly to the team from the west. Sabres 4-3

• Hawks @ Express - This should be the most interesting game of the weekend. I still think the Hawks are the better team, but they for some reason haven't been able to perform against the choo-choo's this season. They lost their first league game to them last month, and then again in the CCM Dallas tourney during elimination. Going based off of recent history, Express 3-1

• Leafs @ Vikings - Possibly the biggest miss-match of the weekend. With the Leafs having just trounced similar-caliber teams to the Vikings at CCM Dallas, and then coming off a faster paced contest on Sat against Express, I expect them to overwhelm a struggling Vikings club. Leafs 6-0

There you have it. I am back, for now. Should be a fun weekend as things continue to shake out, teams begin to surprise us, and parents continue to get testy both online and in the stands. Enjoy!

Predictions for final standings based on how the rosters have shaped up:

1. Knights kept basically their same group together and will be a powerhouse again.

2. Hawks seem to have a pretty similar roster to their strong finish last season, but were able to get a second CSDHL-caliber goalie for the first time.

3. Leafs lost a couple to HS and also cut a few of their weakest. Replaced all with players from other AA and AAA programs. Should be a deeper squad.

4. Peoria rolling back the exact same group as last year, minus the goalie that would lose them games. Addition by subtraction so long as goalie doesn't wear out.

5. Express lost both goalies but gained the better one from Wilmette. Lost a couple of skaters but nothing to move the needle. Should be similar to last season so long as the single goalie system holds.

6. Vikings seem to have kept the same team as last season for the most part. Will be a playoff team again.

7. Sting are rolling back with basically the same team. Not a scary group, but consistently in games for the most part.

8. Eagles are close to the same as before. Will be up and down all year and when it's all said and done will lead the league in PIMs. Again.

9. Vipers were average at their best last season, and managed to lose a key forward and one of their goalies. Not sure it will make the biggest difference, but they are definitely in worse shape now than they were.

10. Sabres are back! Why? Not sure they have anything that requires them to be in CSDHL. Judging by the 6-1 scrimmage loss to the Express, they will be swimming in the basement with the next 2.

11. Wilmette saw the biggest exodus with a lot of skaters going to HS and the stronger goalie going to Express. Roster seems to have some HS JV cuts on it too - will be a long season for them.

12. The Jets weak squad from last season may have gotten worse. Added in the big 2013 skater they had in previous years, which helps, but also lost both of their goalies to HS. May be their last season in CSDHL.

Game was suppose to happen against the west Dundee Whiners obviously they were home whining watching football

It’s impressive how confidently some people comment on rules they clearly don’t understand.

That’s not how it works. Choosing not to show up for a scheduled game in Peoria doesn’t magically eliminate your obligation to play there. You still have to fulfill the schedule.

But I guess if driving to Peoria is too much of a hardship, reading and understanding the league rules might be an even bigger challenge.

Although, with the new precedent being set, maybe everyone can just start picking and choosing which away games they feel like attending. We can call it the “Leaf Rule.”

Imagine thinking you’ve found a brilliant loophole when you haven’t even understood the rule in the first place. 😂

Love the stones on display from Bex! Should be more of this on the forum.

@Anonymous wrote:

Tell the little guy that wears all the Michigan stuff that everything will be ok.

Wait, is she the goalie that used to be at TI?

@Team Becky wrote:

Love the stones on display from Bex! Should be more of this on the forum.

Stones??? You mean trying to hide her anonymous post above acting like it wasn’t her with all that inside knowledge. Stones my ass, more like trying to save face.

You guys all meet together at the barber shop to come post on the forum with eachother? Hey you post this, and I will come support you #TeamBecky

My Top 4 for this year.

1. Knights

2. Peoria

3. Hawks

4. Express

heard Vikes lost one of their best players to HS.

This is the year of mediocre hockey at BM with all the HS departures.

Knights lost 3 forwards and 1 defenseman. 2 of the forwards were top line kids as well as defenseman. Still a strong team but lost some scoring.

Express lost almost half of their 2025/2026 skaters. Dropping down to 15 skaters and 1 goalie is a bit light at BM. It does look like they got off to a respectable start up in MI. Hopefully, they will be a competitive team in CS this year.

Everyone enjoy your season!

Last week's predictions were pretty spot on. The only miss was the final game of the weekend which was a 3-0 game I had expected to be a tie. Running it back for week 2.

Fri Sep 25th:

• Wilmette @ Knights - Last year's regular season powerhouse makes their debut, hosting a diminished Trevians team who likely have some car legs going. After their 3-7 loss to the Hawks last week, I anticipate a more lopsided affair tonight unfortunately. Knights 7-0

Sat Sep 26th:

• Express @ Hawks - Hawks are coming off of a lopsided win over Wilmette last week, while the Express got shut out by the Leafs in their opening game. While I believe the Hawks will be one of the contenders this season, I don't think the Express were as bad as their 0-5 loss to the 'buds. Hawks 4-2.

• Wilmette @ Sting- Trevians get their first game not against a top team in the league. Still, based on their preseason performance against the Jets, who split with the Sting last weekend, I still anticipate they come up short. Sting 5-3.

• Wilmette @ Knights- Wilmette has to play the 2nd of the day and 3rd in 24 hours Against a team that likely ran through them the previous night. A really tough way to end the day unfortunately. Knights 9-0.

• Sabres @ Jets - Sabres are back, and starting off the season with some "like" competition. I expect this to be a somewhat close game, but with the battle-tested Jets getting the slight upper hand. Jets 5-4.

Sun Sep 27th:

• Wilmette @ Sting - Trevians get to wake up fresh at their hotels and hopefully forget what happened to them the past couple of days. Rejuvenated and motivated, I think they rally against the Sting. Tie 4-4.

• Leafs @ Hawks - This should be the game of the weekend. What I predict will be the 2 top Chicagoland teams. I predict a slow start for the Leafs in this game due to having only played running clock games so far, but depth will prevail over 3 periods. Leafs 5-4.

• Express @ Sabres - These two met in the preseason, and the Express ran them out 6-1. Not expecting that big of a differential, but betting on the Express regardless. Express 4-1.

• Vikings @ Vipers - South meets North in what will be 2 below average teams looking to get their first win of the season. Expect a sloppy but tight game between these teams. Vipers 3-2.

Wed Sep 30th:

• Knights @ Sting - Who plays games during the week? Apparently that's how they do it in the Show Me state. Knights definitely have the upper hand, and I expect them to cruise to a win, but not a complete blow out. Knights 5-2.

Should be a fun week as we get to see some more teams make their season debuts. By the end, everyone but the Eagles will have played games so far. Which means that for the only time this season, they won't be leading the league in PIM's. Good luck everyone!

I’d no-show Peoria also if the league allows this. Then it’s home games that we have to pay for. Still cheaper than driving all the way down there.

A 3 hour drive for one game? Pass.

It was 2 games, but conversations were had earlier in the week to reschedule them till later in the season.

Classic move

Bunch of cry babies in chicago.

Bunch of crybabies in Chicago this year huh

Well they have a Peoria rule in central states, so the leafs got jealous and now central states has “LEAFS rule” if you don’t feel like playing or have hurt kids you just use the LEAFS rule and your games will be adjusted accordingly just make sure you give 3 to 4 day notice it’s central states so they can make it happen. Enjoy the new rule should be awesome for hockey😢😢😢