What Could Have Been...

 

With the 2019-20 being suspended, one can only look and ask, "what could have been?" With 5 weeks remaining (not including the All Star Game), there were 10 more games per team to be played. We've seen some incredible performances this season and there was a lot of potential for some amazing things to happen. So with that in mind, let's dip into the bag of 'what could have been" and take a look at some of the things that we may have seen this season.

 

Couple rules: We'll be looking at things that were within reach. We won't be looking at all things possible. For example, with 10 games to go, it's possible that someone get's 10 shutouts and ends the season with the most in a season, but since there has only been one shutout all season the probability is <1%.

 

What could have been: Jared Henry becomes first goalie to play 100 career games.

 

What would have had to happened: Having played 91 career games and with 10 games remaining, all it would’ve taken would be to play in every game and the milestone is his. At that point he would have stood alone as the only goalie to play 100 career games in the SBHL.

 

Probably: 2/10. Although all it takes is being there, this milestone does involve performance as much, with the recent update on his lower-body injury the likelihood of him playing all of those games were up in the air. He may have pushed through just to get it, but what drops the probability is the unknown of whether his play would dip to a level that caused Rebels’ coach, Jamie Wilson to sit him to secure their playoff position/preserve him for the playoffs.

 

What could have been: Noah Fiks wins Damascus Div. Scoring Title and becomes the first player to win both the Damascus Div. & Samson Div. Scoring Titles in their career.

 

What would have to happen: There have been some absolutely outstanding players achieve the top statistical award in the Samson Division. However, until now, no one has been able to acheive that same level of achievement once they've moved up. Noah is currently three points behind Kobe Oskun for the scoring lead, and has missed few games. He would need to continue on the torrid pace he’s been on recently; he has 20 points in his last five games, including a 10 point game against the Herd a few weeks back. He would also have to hope that Oskun either slows up a bit or misses a couple weeks.

 

Probability: 5/10. It’s possible, but not all that likely. Oskun has had a few games where he’s been limited to 1 or 2 points a games, but he has yet to be shut out, while Fiks has been shut out a few times this season. Even though it would have been unlikely, Fiks still has three years left in Sr. High so the probably of this happening before his career is over goes up significantly.

 

What could have been: Jamie Wilson reaches 500 career points.

 

What would have had to happen: He would’ve needed to continue at the average pace he has shown this season. Needing only 15 points in 10 games, his current 2.55pts/G average is more than enough to ensure that milestone.

 

Probability: 7/10. 1.5 points per game is a lock if you look at Wilson’s career numbers. However, with the likelihood of the loss of Henry in goal, Wilson could be the one to fill in between the pipes. If that were to happen this milestone would have needed to wait until next season.

 

What could have been: Kobe Oskun sets a new SBHL single season points record.

 

What would have had to happen: Oskun was on one of the greatest points per game seasons in SBHL history. He currently sits at 4.10pts/game this season (2nd only to Justin Huntinghawk’s 4.23pts/game) and if he had been able to play to that average with 10 games to go, he would have beat Walker Hobbs’ current record of 120 pts by seven. 

 

Probability: 7.5/10. This is a high probability. But he would have needed 34 more points to set the record. Not to mention the pressure that comes with that feat. Still, a 75% chance would be well within reason to bet on this one.