Saturday night saw the Bifteck Avengers take the pole position in the rankings of the LFA for the first time this season. Having been tied for first place with the Czechers the past two weeks, they took the lead with a convincing victory of 4 to 1 against the Express that  had six subs including the goalie . The Express still managed to hang in there but with so many subs it's not an easy task to face off against an opposition that has almost all its players. Their reign at the top could be short as they play next weekend against the Czechers who will not want the Avengers to break away from the pack alone in first.

This weekend was the first after the trades and the arrival of four new players in the league. We will have to wait several weeks before we see the result of this movement of personnel because many players are on the " DL" and will not be back for a few weeks . Most teams seem happy with the changes made to the different formations by the league and especially to finally have full teams despite the absence, due to injuries, of some veterans . I mention most teams as one of them is not very happy with the overhaul of the LFA despite their team was the least affected by the changes needed to achieve parity in our league. Strangely, this frustration seemed to have made its way to the ice, as for the first time this season, we saw from the stands a lot of animosity between Czechers and Tom's during their game. As a result, the discipline committee was reached to make their decision concerning certains incidents . It seems that some players have difficulty playing nicely with their " little friends " and need a slap on the wrist to put them in their place . Hockey is an emotion-filled sport, but it seems to me, easy to practice at our level in a way that is pleasant for all. It's a game after all " , the name says it .

Next week will see the LFA greet its first international player , although we already have among us Europeans , this will be the first time we see a player cross the ocean to participate in one of our games. This meeting with a Quebec ex-pat now living in Geneva will allow us to discuss how the sport is played over there and will help us to forge the first steps of our international expansion to create a network of adult players everywhere on the face of the hockey planet. Our online shop being part of this expansion movement will finally open this week (if it's not already done at the time you read these lines ), allowing you to buy last minute gifts while encouraging a 100% local business, your league ! Speaking of gifts, please know that the LFA, with its partners Tremblay, the official beer of the league, will offer each participant a gift next Saturday . The LFA takes good care of you and like every month since the beginning of the season, you will receive a little something to better enjoy the season.

In another vein, but always with the aim to promote our league placing it well above the rest with its innovative ideas and approaches, we will attempt a first this weekend: Filming our games using a drone. The project was proposed by Vincent Iglesias, a friend of the LFA with whom I have worked for a long time for this idea to become a reality. At the time these pages are posted, some details still are unanswered but if all goes well, like the Wright brothers a century before , the LFA will witness the first hockey game filmed by a drone. Other ideas to make the experience more interesting for television/web viewers are quietly sleeping in my drawers until the day we have our own sports center :)

To end the year together in style , the Gala/ supper /party will be held at WINDSOR hyper Bar & Grill located at 3565 Saint- Laurent Blvd corner Prince-Arthur , not far from the offices of the league. Many details still need to be finalized as I'm trying to reach a sponsorship agreement with them so we can get deals on certain things. More details coming shortly .... The evening will begin at 9:00 PM but you can get there before the start of the Habs game if you want, we are already 30 some and certain places are still available so if you have not confirmed your attendance yet, please do so as soon as possible as places are limited .

Note that you have until December 31st to vote for the player of the month. A small gesture from your part, a big one for the LFA.

JFD