[Boromir88]

TTN's Stars (Round 2)
-Boro88

ONE STAR

Goalies
Denethor II (Minas Tirith)
Elrond (Eriador)
Carcharoth (Angband)
Finarfin (Tirion)
Grishnakh (Barad-Dur)

After agreeing Elrond, Carcharoth, and Finarfin's shutout efforts should be rewarded with at least one star, and Grishnakh saving 4/5 in a close 2-1 victory for Barad-dur, the last goalie slot was a battle between Tar Atanamir, Beorn, and Denethor II. Tar Atanamir and Beorn, both like Grishnakh saved 4/5...Beorn's side however had fallen in a 0-1 defeat to Eriador. It's not a shame to lose a close game to Eriador, but this was a big game for Erebor and they came up short. Tar-Atanamir's efforts were good enough for a solid draw against the strong Valimar side, but based on both teams winning in round 1, and the Havens-BDowns game ending a draw the hype for the game was larger than the true impact the results had on the group.

But why give the last spot to Denethor II, Minas Tirith was eliminated by an 0-2 defeat to Tirion? I'm sure many will say it is TTN showing home team favoritism, but Denethor is the only one who has apparently decided to show up for Minas Tirith. In two games he's saved 12/17 as his defense is leaking big time, his offense is doing nothing, Denethor is the only one who kept Minas Tirith from another humiliating loss against Tirion.

Defenders
NilpWolf (TIG)
Eonwe (FC Valinor)
Gil-Galad (Eriador)
Morgoth (Angband)
Uinen (The Sea)

This week we thought the defensive leaders, who had commanded their teams to shutout wins had a stronger case than the defenders who gave up at least one goal but aided the offense with an assist (Celebrimbor, Rochallor, Radagast). NilpWof, Eonwe, Gil Galad, and Morgoth all had a dominating presense that just shutdown the opposing offenses. The Sea surrendered two goals, but Uinen's goal was instrumental in The Sea's tie with Nargothrond, and to keep The Sea's playoff chances beating.

Mid-fielders
Nazgul #1 (Mordor)
Nienor (Nargothrond)
Beleg (Hithlum)
Hador (Hithlum)
Earwen (The Havens)

This was one of the tougher positions to deal out stars, since there were really only two great performances from midfielders (Aegnor and Argon) this round, the rest were just ok. Hithlum's mid-field dominated the game against Shire-Bree and also showed up on the scoreboard, so Beleg and Hador were both givens one star each. Nazgul #1 had kept Mordor ahead for most of their game, and only a late surge the Witch-King saved Arnor's playoff chances. Earwen and Nienor both scored in their matches that ended in 2-2 draws and kept their team's playoff hopes alive.

Forwards
Turin (Hithlum)
Eol (AC Beleriand)
Ancalagon (Angband)
Eorl (Anduin)
Witch-King (Arnor)

The forwards were pretty straightforward this week, several FWs contributed with 1 goal and 1 assist in their games. The final slot came down to arguments made for the Witch-King, Araphor, and Arien. Araphor and Arien both had late game heroics. Araphor's goal was a game-winner, Arien's just a game-tier. Also, Arnor winning Mordor was more crucial, picking up 3 points and their playoff chances alive, over Valimar. Even if Valimar lost 0-1, they could still make the playoffs by simply beating Havens in Round 3.

We went with the Witch-King over Araphor though, because it was evident the Witch-King inspired the late offensive surge and deflated the Mordor team which looked strong and commanding the previous 70 minutes.

TWO STAR

Goalies
Arvedui (Arnor)
Galadriel (Dwarves Utd)

If The Witch-King led Arnor's offense to a late victory, it was Arvedui who kept the game close enough making the late heroics possible. His 5/6 saves kept victory within reach. Galadriel also saved 5/6 and we judged this was a better performance over any of the goalies who commanded shutouts. Galadriel was against a deadly Gondolin offense, and Dwarves United shocked the Arda world again when everyone had written the team off.

Defenders
Ingwion (Real Valinor)
Caranthir (Tirion)

The two defenders who did more than contribute to their teams shutouts, by also scoring a goal (Ingwion) or an assist (Caranthir)

Mid-fielders
Aegnor (AC Beleriand)
Argon (FC Valinor)

This was a no-brainer, Aegnor and Argon were clearly the two top mid-field performers this round.

Forwards
Sauron (Barad-Dur)
Durin's Bane (Misty Mts)

The Forwards were a little harder because there were several 1goal + 1 assist FWs this round. Ultimately Sauron contributed to both of Barad-durs goals in a 2-1 victory. While Durin's Bane contributed to both of Misty Mts goals in a 2-2 draw. Both results were important to their respective teams.

THREE STAR

Legolas, FW for Dwarves United.

There was considerable debate for the three-star performer too, would it be Ingwion's shutout and goal against Doriath? Well, that result was even more expected than the case we had for NilpWolf's shutout and goal against Angband in Round 1. What about Aegnor's 2 goals...were they better than Legolas' two goals? Again it wasn't shocking anyone AC Beleriand would beat Inter Beleriand, so that 3-1 victory was anticipated.

What no one anticipated was a team that had serious goal scoring problems, would get 2 goals from their elven forward and beat Gondolin 2-1, in Gondolin's own stadium. This put a dagger in the heart of the Gondolin fans. Their team is still not eliminated, but have a tough climb, as they fall victim to the resilient dwarven side.

Stars after 2 Rounds

THREE STARS
DF NilpWolf (TIG)
FW Curufin (FC Valinor)
FW Legolas (Dwarves Utd)

TWO STARS
GK Turgon (Inter Beleriand)
GK Tar Atanamir (Armenelos)
GK Arvedui (Arnor)
GK Galadriel (Dwarves Utd)
DF Fram (Anduin)
DF Ingwion (Real Valinor)
DF Caranthir (Tirion)
MF Irmo (Valimar)
MF Haldir (Anduin)
MF Aegnor (AC Beleriand)
MF Argon (FC Valinor)
FW Scatha (Wilderland)
FW Glaurung (Nargothrond)
FW Sauron (Barad-Dur)
FW Durin's Bane (Misty Mts)