Discussions

I am fortunate enough to play on a team full of great guys (and two other ladies) in a well-organized recreational hockey league. This is our second season together in the E division of our league (the lowest, for fun group with many folk not learning to play hockey until adulthood, just learned to skate last year, etc), and so far, so good! We're doing great and are sitting #1 in our division.  
 
Our only problem is with one particular opponent. They're pissed as parrots before every game, are overly aggressive and careless on the ice, spend more time arguing with the referees and sitting in the penalty box than they do playing the game, etc.  
 
The penalty minutes are alarming for this team.  
In 2009/2010 they had 292 penalty minutes, while the other teams in the division averaged 151.  
So far in 2010/2011 they have 72 minutes, and the other teams have averaged 25.  
 
In the six games they've played this season, they've managed to rack up the following penalties (Please note - there is NO body contact allowed in our league. Period.):  
 
Hooking Major - 1  
Interference Major- 4  
Boarding Major- 1  
Unsportsmanlike Conduct - 7  
Cross Checking Minor - 1  
Game Ejection for 3 Minor Penalties in One Game - 2  
Roughing - 7  
Unsportsmanlike Game Ejection - 1  
High Sticking Major - 1  
Body Checking Major- 5  
Tripping - 1  
 
Our last game against these guys, we had three injuries. Players were getting dumped into the boards, slewfooted, hit from behind, yelled and sworn at, you name it.  
 
Our team captain has brought this to the attention of the league manager as he legitimately fears for the safety of our players. We have yet to receive a response, and likely won't for quite some time.  
 
My question to my fellow eBrandoners is, what could we as a team do to deal with a team of inconsiderate, violent jerks such as these guys?  
 
Penalties do not seem to defer their attitude, we've tried the silent/"skate it off and leave it alone" approach as not to encourage their behavior. We are to the point where we simply may just have to forfeit our game against these people to avoid injury. We all have jobs to attend the next day, and families to come home to that night. Nobody needs to be very seriously injuried in a recreational hockey league that's meant solely for fun and exercise.  
 
(Yes, I realize this is HOCKEY and that it's generally a rough sport - but these guys are out to injure. They're not just playing the game.)