The Crescent Knights Hockey Club

Official Team Site

Crescent Knights vs. Stars (Mon. July 4th, 2005)
Crescent Knights vs. Eagles (Mon. June 27th, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. Nordiques (Wed. June 22nd, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. The Danza's (Mon. June 20th, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. Mississauga Rangers (Mon. June 13th, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. Sauga Scream (Wed. June 8th, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. Mississauga Wildcats (Mon. June 6th, 2005)
Crescent Knights vs. Stars (Mon. May 30th, 2005)
Crescent Knights vs. Eagles (Wed. May 25th, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. Nordiques (Mon. May 16th, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. The Danza's (Wed. May 11th, 2005)

Crescent Knights vs. Mississauga Rangers (Mon. May 9th, 2005)

Game Report:

Stars 6, Crescent Knights 2

Game Played: Monday, July 4th, 2005 @ 9pm

The Crescent Knights fell to the defending champion Stars by a score of 6-2. The Stars shone in the first half of the game where they led 5-0 going into the half. The resilient Knights though outplayed the Stars in the second half of the game though the game was already out of reach by then.

Khalid Mufti was left out to dry yet again by the Crescent Knights. Mufti allowed all 6 goals and clearly looked fatigued with the constant pressure that the Stars applied. One of the goals scored by the Stars even bounced off of Mufti's back and into the net after it caromed off the glass behind the net. There wasn't much the defense could do about that unfortunately. The Knights, boasting a plethora of defensemen in the lineup moved assistant captain Nauman Abbasi to play as a forward due to the lack of forwards in the line-up. Abbasi later injured his left knee on a defensive assignment against an opposing Stars player and is day-to-day with a badly swollen knee.

Despite having the scoring prowess of Yousuf Sowdagar, the Crescent Knights looked confused offensively at times and managed both of their goals on the powerplay instead. Sowdagar had several glorious chances to score for the Crescent Knights but failed to capitalize after electing to pass to center Shuaib Hussein. Both played relatively well in terms of creating plays but were too unselfish to actually put the ball in the net when given the opportunity.

The Crescent Knights play the Mississauga Wildcats on Monday, July 11th, 2005 at 10pm. The Knights lost to the Wildcats 5-1 earlier in the season. The second meeting between the two teams is also the second last game of the regular season for both teams. The Crescent Knights desperately need a win to ensure a birth in the playoffs.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

Eagles 5, Crescent Knights 4

Game Played: Monday, June 27th, 2005 @ 9pm

The Crescent Knights, coming off a victory against the Nordiques last week, suffered a tough loss against the Eagles by a score of 5-4. The Eagles opened the scoring but the two teams traded goals for most of the game. In the final minutes in the game, the Eagles put it away with two quick goals. The Crescent Knights, resilient as always, came back with another goal to close the gap to one but it was too little too late against the tough Eagles.

Khalid Mufti was solid in net for the Crescent Knights yet again. Mufti stopped the Eagles on several chances which would normally have been goals for the Eagles. The Knights were led offensively by their top line of Yousuf Sowdagar, Shuaib Hussein and Waseem Bangash as the trio was on the ice for all 4 goals that the team scored. In the few games that Sowdagar has played, the Knights have played much better offensively. The rest of the forwards seemed to struggle however both in the offensive and defensive zones though the top line also had its defensive lapses. The Eagles were able to walk around freely in the Knights' zone and were able to get several good scoring chances. Luckily, Mufti was there to deny them and keep the game close.

The Crescent Knights have to be pleased though with the addition of Sowdagar. Originally expected to play the whole season for the team, Sowdagar had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts with work. He was able to rejoin the team however once the timings of the games fell more in line with his work schedule. Playing in only his 4th game of the season, Sowdagar racked up 4 points and his presence has lit a fire under center Shuaib Hussein. Both have played spectacular with each other yet seem to struggle immensely when forced to play with other linemates. "He's a completely different player with Yousuf in the line-up," says assistant captain Nauman Abbasi who feels that Hussein seems to lack confidence in his wingers when one of them isn't Sowdagar. Hussein has 8 points in his last 3 games.

Farhan Siddiqui, who wasn't expected to play due to his impending marriage, was in the line-up for the Crescent Knights. The hulking defenseman is unsure if he'll be able to play in the next game since he has yet to receive official permission from his wife-to-be. The team doesn't expect Siddiqui to be in the line-up considering that he will likely be dead-tired from the weekend festivities. In addition to all the biryani he will be eating, Siddiqui will likely be fed many Indian sweets like chum-chums and bharfi which may hinder his ability to play hockey. The same could be said about younger brother Kamran Siddiqui who may be fed quite a bit of the same sweets. The status of both is questionable for next week despite anything the two may say.

The Crescent Knights play the defending champion Stars on Monday, July 4th, 2005 at 9pm. The Knights lost to the Stars 6-0 earlier in the season. Ironically, the Stars will be playing on the American Independence Day which should give the Crescent Knights added fervor to defeat the Stars.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

Crescent Knights 3, Nordiques 2

Game Played: Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005 @ 9pm

The Crescent Knights rebounded from their loss against The Danza's to defeat the Nordiques by a score of 3-2. Led by their first line of Shuaib Hussein, Yousuf Sowdagar and Waseem Bangash, the Knights tallied 3 goals past the Nordiques goaltender and clung to the lead against a technically-sound-yet-talent-lacking Nordiques team. The victory was only the 4th victory of the season for the plucky Knights but was a well-earned one.

Kamran Alvi, the third-string goalie for Pakistan's recent entry for the World Ball Hockey Tournament, was phenomenal in net for the Crescent Knights and stopped a barrage of shots from the Nordiques. Some of these stops included point-blank shots from in close by the Nordiques' forwards which deeply frustrated the opposing team. Alvi, a pillar in net despite his small stature, helped prop up a shaky defense that missed its top two players - assistant captains Faraaz Alvi and Mustafa Alam. Both were unavailable to play but the defense and goalie managed to hold down the fort. Ihtisham Qureshi and Naeem Akhtar, two players regularly on the third line for the Crescent Knights, dropped back to defense to help out assistant captain Nauman Abbasi and defensive stalwarts Farhan Siddiqui and Kamran Siddiqui. It should be interesting to see how the team manages its defense from now on considering that Farhan Siddiqui may have played his last game of the season. The elder Siddiqui is due to get married next weekend and is looking forward to all the biryani that he can get aside from spending some time, in between operations and dissections of farm animals, with his new wife.

The Crescent Knights however did get their chances to score aside from the three goals they mustered. Munir Iqbal had a couple of glorious chances to score on a breakaway and rebound but was denied by the goaltender of the Nordiques. He later made up for his inability to score with some great defensive work in the closing minutes of the game. Iqbal blocked a few shots including one which hit him in the groin. He later acknowledged that it was a fair price to pay for missing the breakaway chances he had earlier in the game. Nauman Abbasi also had some solid chances to score on the powerplay but his anemic slapshot prevented that. Abbasi later complained that he needs to use another hockey stick though forward Waseem Bangash likened the assistant captain to Mahatma Gandhi and said that a lack of power was probably the reason for his inability to get good slapshots. Abbasi was apparently not pleased with the comparison but did agree that power may have been the issue.

The Crescent Knights look to build upon their tough victory with another one against the Eagles on Monday, June 27th, 2005 at 9pm. The Knights lost to the Eagles 4-0 earlier in the season and will be in for a tough game.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

The Danza's 4, Crescent Knights 2

Game Played: Monday, June 20th, 2005 @ 7pm

The Danza's defeated the Crescent Knights by a score of 4-2 in a close game. The Crescent Knights, led by World Ball Hockey Tournament returnee Faraaz Alvi, were tied with The Danza's at one goal apiece after the first half. However, The Danza's came out firing in the second half and eventually dispelled the plucky Knights.

The Crescent Knights played the game without some key players however. Though Alvi and assistant captain Mustafa Alam returned to the team, the Knights played without assistant captain Nauman Abbasi who was busy writing his third final exam of the day. Abbasi, missing his third game of the season, wouldn't have helped much considering how energy-depleted he's become from having to balance too many obligations for work and school. The team's management, which is spear-headed by Abbasi, is considering having Abbasi put on waivers to increase playing time for some of the more talented players on the team.

More importantly, the Knights played without center Zia Bangash who has a knack for scoring ONLY game-winning goals for the team. His presence around the net would have helped the offensively-challenged Knights. Bangash, 26, is currently battling flu-like symptoms though questions have arisen on whether his health issues are being caused by eating non-spicy food. Forward Waseem Bangash, the younger brother of Zia Bangash who's routinely mistaken for Boston Red Sox baseball player Johnny Damon, has said that his older brother is being severely deprived of essential spices. "Us Pushtun people need spices and since Zia married an Egyptian girl, he's not getting his daily requirement of spices which is really affecting him." The team also was without forwards Sadegh Rasoul and Yousuf Sowdagar which hampered the offensive prowess of the Crescent Knights even more.

Despite these unavailable players, the Crescent Knights received a big boost on defense with Alvi back in the line-up. The powerplay, for perhaps only the second time all season, was actually potent and resulted in two goals scored on the man-advantage. Center Shuaib Hussein, who has recently received a lot of flak for not being able to play at his usual dominant pace without wingman Sowdagar, contributed a goal and an assist as well. Hussein was also glad to have older brother Shakir Hussein return to the line-up after a one-week absence due to personal reasons. The older Hussein apparently failed to make the cut at this past weekend's U.S. Open which forced Hussein to reevaluate his options.

The Crescent Knights will play next against the Nordiques on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005 at 9pm. The Knights defeated the Nordiques earlier in the season by a score of 2-1.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

Mississauga Rangers 5, Crescent Knights 2

Game Played: Monday, June 13th, 2005 @ 8pm

The Crescent Knights, fielding a skeleton roster due to injuries, suspensions and unavailable players, came out on the wrong side of a 5-2 game against the Mississauga Rangers. With only 6 forwards present and 4 defenseman in addition to goaltender Khalid Mufti and his sharp-looking Hawaiian shirts, the team played hard to the end despite having little left in the tank. Forwards Sadegh Rasoul and Waseem Bangash both arrived late due to car troubles but were banned from the game since they arrived at the half. Bangash's car rolled down the road and sputtered to a stop which forced Bangash and Rasoul to make alternate plans (ie: camel). Due to league rules, players can't play in a game if they don't take a shift in the first half. Both Rasoul and Bangash were forced to watch the team lose a game that they ordinarily could have won.

Assistant Captain Nauman Abbasi, who was not expected to play due to a left quad strain, played defense in the game alongside defensemen Kamran Siddiqui, Saqib Ali and Fiaz Jatt. However, he struggled from fatigue as the game wore on as did the rest of the team. Abbasi was also left to play against several odd-man rushes including a 3-on-1 for the Rangers which resulted in a goal. Goaltender Khalid Mufti was solid in the game despite letting up 5 goals. Mufti kept the team in the game until the Rangers scored their backbreaking 4th goal of the game. His play with the puck was an asset on the powerplay when both Abbasi and Siddiqui were fatigued. Winger Ihtisham Qureshi yelled at Abbasi to get the ball after the Mississauga Rangers iced it away while penalty killing. Abbasi, knowing full well that Mufti would pass the ball back up, told Qureshi to relax before trying an ill-fated rush against the opposing team. "There wasn't much I could do on that since our forwards were waiting around as opposed to making themselves available to receive a pass," said Abbasi.

Winger Salman Alvi scored the team's first goal, which happened to be his first goal of the season, on a blistering slapshot from the blue line. Alvi, who has a reputation for his slapshot, crossed into the Rangers zone, pulled up and wired a shot past the Rangers goalie to bring the Knights within one goal of the Rangers. Winger Ibrahim Hindy scored his first of the season as well when he tipped in a shot by captain Abdul-Aziz Rasoul for the team's second goal. Rasoul, having obtained the puck after an Abbasi shoot-in, beat the Rangers goalie with a great shot with Hindy running excellent traffic in front of the net. Hindy deflected the shot enough to make the score 3-2 with nearly 5 minutes left in the game. That was as close as the Crescent Knights would get however. The Mississauga Rangers scored two goals to seal the game.

With a depleted and fatigued roster, the team was forced to play the younger brother of Nauman Abbasi - Shan Abbasi. The lanky forward, temporarily donning a #26 jersey, played well in his minutes and gave the team some hope for the future. The younger Abbasi may be added to the team for next season. Many players felt that he was worthy enough to make the team this season but with too many players as it is, he was not added to the team.

The Crescent Knights will play next against The Danza's on Monday, June 20th, 2005 at 7pm. The Knights lost to The Danza's by a score of 3-1 in the second game of the season and will be looking for some revenge against them in this pivotal game.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

Crescent Knights 5, Sauga Scream 1

Game Played: Wednesday, June 8th, 2005 @ 10pm

The Crescent Knights played their strongest game of the season and defeated the Sauga Scream 5-1 in what turned out to be a very physical affair. Yousuf Sowdagar, who is quickly turning into an offensive hero for the offensively-inept Knights, led the team with a hat-trick. Winger Shuaib Hussein contributed 3 assists and assistant captain Nauman Abbasi had 2 assists.. Assistant Captain Mustafa Alam, absent due to a recently sustained hamstring injury, was unable to play. Forward Sadegh Rasoul made a surprising return from his trip in Windsor to play on the top line with captain Abdul-Aziz Rasoul and winger Ihtisham Qureshi. With the rock-solid Alam out, this forced versatile leader Abbasi to play defense where he contributed both offensively and defensively.

In addition to the fine play on defense of Abbasi, much can be said about the biryani-loving defenseman Farhan Siddiqui and Kamran Siddiqui. Both played stellar defense along with lanky Saqib Ali. The four players especially played well when assistant captain Faraaz Alvi was assessed a 10-minute game misconduct. Alvi, given the choice by the referees to take a 2-minute minor penalty for roughing or a 10-minute game misconduct chose the latter so that the team would not be shorthanded. On the powerplay, the fine work of Sowdagar, Hussein and captain Rasoul created numerous chances with good passing to the point for solid shots from Abbasi. It was by far the best powerplay the Knights have run all season especially due to the fact that they've allowed a league-leading 3 shorthanded goals against them thus far.

A solid game all around was further buoyed especially by the contributions of the team's Pushtun brothers - Zia Bangash and Waseem Bangash. Using his solid slapshot, Waseem Bangash rifled a shot past the Scream's goaltender for the first goal of the game to make the score 1-0. Zia Bangash followed next by depositing the puck into the net during a scramble to make the score 2-0. It was the first time in known history that the two Bangash's scored a goal each in the same game. Both players were ecstatic for the elder Bangash since he's not usually relied upon to provide offense.

The game took a turn for the ugly however when the Sauga Scream players decided to go after defenseman Alvi in the closing minutes of the game. The two teams had to be restrained by referees and league officials as both teams cleared their benches in the physical confrontation. The Crescent Knights didn't back down however despite their mostly-small team stature. Farhan Siddiqui was dealt a one-game suspension for confronting the offending player immediately after Alvi was drilled to the ice. The management of the team immediately issued a statement to the press saying that they were fully prepared to pay the fine for Siddiqui's actions. Many were pleased by Siddiqui's support of his teammates. Goaltender Kamran Alvi, stellar in net and allowing only one goal, also confronted the opposing team but was restrained by teammates. In the end, Siddiqui and forward Munir Iqbal were the only players suspended though Iqbal's suspension came earlier in the game for a supposed boarding call. The team has also stated that they will pay the fine for Iqbal collectively as per team policies.

The Crescent Knights look to build on their successful game when they play their next game against the Mississauga Rangers on Monday, June 13th, 2005 at 8pm. The Knights defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-1 in the first game of the season though the Rangers will be looking for revenge this time around. A team practice has also been called for Saturday, June 11th at 10pm.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

Mississauga Wildcats 5, Crescent Knights 1

Game Played: Monday, June 6th, 2005 @ 10pm

The Crescent Knights, playing their first of two games this week, came out strong and finished strong against the second-place Mississauga Wildcats. The only problem was in between those strong stretches of play. Trailing 1-0, Yousuf Sowdagar, making his season debut for the Crescent Knights, evened up the score at 1-1 on some great work in the offensive zone with his linemates Shuaib Hussein and Shakir Hussein. However, this is where things started to get sloppy for the Knights and where they allowed the high-flying Wildcats to score three straight goals before the half was over to make the score 4-1. One of these goals was also a shorthanded goal which only made matters worse for the Crescent Knights and humiliated the struggling team in front of the announced crowd of 7 people.

However, the Knights picked up their play in the second half with some good defensive work. Though the line combinations were drastically different and some players, most notably forwards Nauman Abbasi and Munir Iqbal, were benched beyond reason for most of the second half, the Knights recommitted themselves to better defense and only allowed one goal to the Wildcats. This goal happened to be yet another shorthanded goal for the Wildcats with Iqbal getting some playing time alongside assistant captain Mustafa Alam. After the goal, Alam blasted the team for their selection of players on the powerplay and demanded that Abbasi be put on the floor instead. Assistant Captain Faraaz Alvi, who was running the bench and line combinations after only playing in the first half of the game, finally relented and allowed Abbasi some playing time for which Abbasi was grateful for. It was reported that Abbasi jumped up and clicked his heels in joy for being put back on the floor again.

The management of the Crescent Knights pondered after the game whether the team should accept powerplays or not. Instead of being a benefit to the team, the powerplay has become a liability instead where the Knights have allowed 3 shorthanded goals against themselves thus far in the season.

The final score, in favour of the Mississauga Wildcats 5-1, wasn't indicative though of the game played. The Crescent Knights created several good opportunities and even had one goal disallowed when it was ruled by the referees that the ball had not entered the net. This was disputed by the Crescent Knights to no avail though it became clear that the team had definitely improved its offensive prowess and work in the neutral zone. After being shut out the last two games, even disallowed goals were an accomplishment in itself.

Though the team struggled to implement the neutral-zone trap, the Crescent Knights showed some good coverage in the neutral zone throughout the game and limited the opportunities of the Wildcats' top guns. The Crescent Knights play their next game against the last-place Sauga Scream on Wednesday, June 8th, 2005 at 10pm.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

Stars 6, Crescent Knights 0

Game Played: Monday, May 30th, 2005 @ 9pm

Playing against the defending Tier-4 champions and current first-place team, the Crescent Knights spent more time stargazing than playing hockey. Weak play in their own zone and spending most of the evening penalty killing only compounded matters worse. Though there were some questionable penalties called in favour of the Stars, the biggest culprits were members of the Crescent Knights who gave the referees every opportunity to put them in the penalty box with their undisciplined play. The Stars, who lead the league in scoring, continued their torrid offensive ways by converting on most of their powerplay opportunities and getting plenty of shots on goaltender Kamran Alvi. The Stars also clamped down defensively denying the Crescent Knights from being able to generate much on offense.

Though the game was out of reach going into the second period, Kamran Alvi made some brilliant saves before the game was ended early by the referees when tempers started to flare. Sadegh Rasoul, angered by the repeated hack attempts by the opposing Stars forwards against goalie Kamran Alvi, delivered a punch to a Stars forward that further ignited matters. No penalty was called on the play for either player though it became clear that the game could take a turn for the ugly.

Captain Abdul-Aziz Rasoul, disappointed with the team's lack of discipline and overall attitude, delivered a tongue-lashing tirade in the dressing room after the game towards his teammates. The players, solemn in a disgraceful defeat, listened quietly before assistant captains Nauman Abbasi and Faraaz Alvi declared a private team practice to correct team issues. Assistant Captain Mustafa Alam also mentioned the need to correct the attitudes and intentions of the players if the team had any hopes to succeed. The Crescent Knights play their next game against the second-place Mississauga Wildcats on Monday, June 6th, 2005.

Scoring Summary (for Crescent Knights)

none

Penalty Summary (for Crescent Knights)

Missing Players (for Crescent Knights)

Game Report:

Eagles 4, Crescent Knights 0

Game Played: Wednesday, May 25th, 2005 @ 9pm

Scoring Summary

none

Penalty Summary

Game Report:

Crescent Knights 2, Nordiques 1

Game Played: Monday, May 16th, 2005 @ 9pm

Game Report:

The Danza's 3, Crescent Knights 1

Game Played: Wednesday, May 11th, 2005 @ 7pm

Game Report:

Crescent Knights 4, Mississauga Rangers 1

Game Played: Monday, May 9th, 2005 @ 8pm

Missing Players

none

Opposing Team

Things to Work On

Team News

Goalie Alvi all

right after hit;

Siddiqui recovering

Kamran Alvi, playing on defense in last 2 games, leveled by tough hit from Stars forward. Alvi though is okay. Kamran Siddiqui injures knee on trip. Recovering slowly.

(posted Monday, July 4th, 2005)

Alvi heckles

Sauga Scream player

Faraaz Alvi watches Sauga Scream lose to Mississauga Wildcats. Alvi heckles Rayhan Malik of Sauga Scream. Malik stuggles due to heckling as Sauga Scream lose.

(posted Monday, July 4th, 2005)

Abbasi's hockey

sticks go missing

Nauman Abbasi's hockey sticks go missing after game against Eagles. Abbasi, 23, forced to purchase new sticks. New stick improves dismal slapshot.

(posted Monday, July 4th, 2005)

Locker-room left unlocked; theft occurs

Ihtisham Qureshi loses $50 after team's locker-room not locked during game against Nordiques. Each member of team decides to contribute $2 to help recover cost.

(posted Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005)

Hussein returns to team

Shakir Hussein, 22, returns to team after one-week hiatus due to personal reasons.

(posted Monday, June 20th, 2005)

Both Alvi's return

from Pittsburgh

Faraaz Alvi and Kamran Alvi return from World Ball Hockey Tournament. Faraaz Alvi played defense for Pakistan and had 0 points in 6 games. Kamran Alvi played goal for Pakistan and allowed 3 goals in 8 minutes of sparse play.

(posted Sunday, June 19th, 2005)

Leading Scorers
(Last Updated: July 4th, 2005)

Shuaib Hussein (C)
12GP: 5G, 9A, 14 points

Yousuf Sowdagar (LW)

5GP: 6G, 4A, 10 points

Faraaz Alvi (D)

10GP: 2G, 6A, 8 points

Waseem Bangash (RW)
11GP: 4G, 2A, 6 points

Abdul-Aziz Rasoul (LW)
11GP: 2G, 4A, 6 points

Nauman Abbasi (D)

9GP: 0G, 4A, 4 points

PLAYER InjuRIES
(Last Updated: June 27th, 2005)

Faheem Kotwal

Torn Right ACL

out for season

Nauman Abbasi

Swollen Left Knee

day-to-day

STANDINGS/RECORD

(Last Updated: June 27th, 2005)

Record: 4 - 8 - 0 [8 points]

Rank: 5th out of 8 teams

Streak: 2 Games Lost

Goals For: 26

(6th out of 8 teams)

Goals Allowed: 43

(6th out of 8 teams)

PREVIOUS RESULTS

(Last Updated: July 4th, 2005)

Stars 6, Knights 2

Eagles 5, Knights 4

Knights 3, Nordiques 2

The Danza's 4, Knights 2

Rangers 5, Knights 2

Knights 5, Scream 1

Wildcats, 5, Knights 1

Stars 6, Knights 0

Eagles 4, Knights 0

Knights 2, Nordiques 1

The Danza's 3, Knights 1

Knights 4, Rangers 1