HearnNation67

+4

Happy birthday boss

The VHLM playoffs are in full swing and things aren't looking great for Woody McPine and the Minnesota Storm. The squad has won only 1 of the first 4 games against the San Diego Marlins, putting them on the brink of elimination early. While there's still time to turn it around, it's got to be a disappointing start for a team that finish the regular season winning 16 of their last 17 games. Much of the blame can be placed on McPine who seems to have cracked under the playoff pressure. While his numbers are better than his first round exit with Vegas last post season, they are still not up to par with what he showed he could do in the regular season on world juniors. McPine and the Storm look to rebound and save their season in game 5 tomorrow, and kick start their run to the cup.

Woody McPine and the Minnesota Storm finished the VHLM regular season on fire, winning 16 games in a row before losing their last game to Yukon in a battle for 2nd place. We managed to get the young goaltender to sit down for an interview before the playoffs. Question: You guys seemed unstoppable during that last stretch of the season, how will that help you in the playoffs? Woody: We gained a lot of confidence during those games. We know we can beat any team that we face. Q: You started the season a little rough, what turned it around for you? W: I wasn't playing great, that's for sure. But I put the axe to the oak as they say, and worked my ass off to get to where the team needed me to be. After that, we all clicked and it was smooth sailing. Q: Now that your first full regular season is in the books, what are you most proud of? W: That's a tough one but I'd have to say helping the team into the playoffs or representing my country at the world juniors. Q: Speaking of the juniors, can you tell us a bit about what that was like? W: Oh it was amazing. We had a great team. Didn't get the result we wanted, but still managed to silence the doubters and win a nice bronze. Q: You were also named the top goalie in the tournament. What does that mean to you? W: It's a huge honor, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates. Q: Tell us about the prize you gave the Americans. W: (Laughs) Well after we beat them, I remember looking over at them while we were celebrating and they all looked so sad and I wanted to do something to cheer them up. Q: Do you think it worked? W: My Storm teammates, Robin Winter and Gavin Harris, had a good laugh about it so I hope the rest of the team did as well. Q: Back to the VHLM. You finished with a record of 49-13-1, with 4 shutouts, a GAA of 2.9, and save % of 0.877. Those are much better numbers than your time with Vegas. What made the difference? W: A lot of things really. Lots of practice is the main thing, as well as upping my off season training. Another big thing was the Vegas was in a rebuilding year so that, combined with my inexperience meant that there would be a lot of tough games. Q: Both the Storm and Vegas made the playoffs, do you think you'll end up playing each other? W: I hope so, it'd be fun to have a go at them. Q: You guys have San Diego in the first round, any thoughts on that? W: It should be a good series, they're a tough team. Q: Woody, thanks for sitting down with us and best of luck in the post season. W: Thank you, it was my pleasure.

4-1 DC

17 Calgary Wranglers @ Vancouver Wolves 18 D.C. Dragons @ Seattle Bears 19 Malmo Nighthawks @ Moscow Menace 20 Riga Reign @ Prague Phantoms

1. Made the playoffs last year with Vegas, we got swept in the first round 2. Definitely the team coming together, no flukes on this team 3. Should be a tough series but we'll come out on top if we stick to the game plan 4. I'm assuming you meant 2nd, but I don't think it will matter too much 6. They're huge studs, incredibly important to our success especially down the stretch 7. Winning it allllll

Canadian all-star goalie Woody McPine and his team took home the bronze medal in this seasons world junior championship after beating their arch rivals, USA six to four. After several celebratory beverages, McPine called up his father with a truly Canadian requst. He asked his father to create a consolation prize for the Americans. Father McPine, who owns a tree farm, got to work right away. He created solid oak plaques shaped like a number 4 for each player and coach, inscribed with their names, number, position, as well as the word “loser” and the score of the game in tiny letters at the top. These rewards will be shipped out immediately, except for McPine's Minnesota Storm teammates, Robin Winter and Gavin Harris, which McPine will deliver personally. There is no word yet on wether or not McPine has any plans to give Team World a prize for last place or not, but he would like to congratulate Team Europe on their gold medal win over Team Asia. Word count: 168

4-1 Moscow

391 D.C. Dragons @ Helsinki Titans 392 New York Americans @ Riga Reign 393 Seattle Bears @ Moscow Menace 394 Toronto Legion @ Vancouver Wolves

Have you dreamed about being an NHL superstar but maybe an injury cut your career short? Or you were too lazy like me and had very little athletic ability? Maybe you grew up playing street hockey with your friends, recreating iconic moments and creating your own. Maybe you played all the video games and wanted to see your face on the cover of the newest EA Sports game or the greater hockey series, NHL Hitz. Perhaps you dreamed of shining in one of Don Cherry's Rock 'em Sock 'em videos or be featured on his next techno single*. Or maybe you prefer to be the mastermind behind a dynasty, the next Lou Lamoriello, Ken Holland, or Peter Chiarelli. If you've ever imagined any of these scenarios, then the Victory Hockey League is the league for you. The VHL is a simulation based hockey league, where you control how your skills grow through various types of “point tasks”. Point tasks range from short, 150 word articles to 500 word media spots, team or individual press conferences, a quick podcast, or creating a graphic card for players or teams. You can use these point tasks to review the VHL and the world around you, or to grow the legend of your player. You can also get points by doing different jobs around the league, including being a General or Assistant General Manager. The GMs and AGMs are in charge of the 12 VHL teams and 11 VHLM (the minor league) teams. Controlling lines, signing free agents, trading, and asking press conference questions are just some of their duties. The are also a great help if you need something explained, or need some tips in building your star. Creating a player is easy as pie, and you're in control of their history, skills, position, and physical attributes. Pick the right country, and you could see yourself wearing the flag in the World Juniors or World Championships someday. You can name your player after yourself, someone famous, someone you know, a fictional character, or just make up a name. I myself am what they call a “first gen” player, which just means that I've created one player. I chose to create a goalie, who I named Woody McPine. Woody is named after a wooden goaltender my dad made me when I was a kid to shoot on, and my friends and I named him as appropriately as we could. Now, the original Woody McPine didn't have great movement but he was still a solid goalie, especially because I had no aim. His career ended tragically after his arm was broken by a soccer ball. The new McPine has a different backstory than that (and better movement), which has been a lot of fun to create, and is on his way to becoming a legend in the league. You can check it out on the VHL's website if you so choose. Once your character is made, you'll either get signed or drafted into the VHLM, depending on when in the season you create. And then, your journey to superstardom begins. * You're welcome Word Count: 518

1. Based on the performances of the other teams as well as our own, I think we'll finish the season in 3rd. 2. I'd love to get 13 more shutouts. 4. I'm confident that our team can take any team, so not scared of anyone. 5. I think it would be fun to play my former team, the Las Vegas Aces. 6. Gonna have to stick with Winter, he's been on a tear all season. 7. Donald Duck was banned from Finland for not wearing pants.

3-1 DC

Kevin Weekes & Johannes Benoit. Brick Wahl & Kevin Weekes. Woody McPine & Carter Fetterley? Can this new goaltending duo lead Canada back to World Junior glory since Wahl and Weekes went back to back (to back in Weekes' case, who also won in season 62) in seasons 63 and 64? McPine and Fetterley look to avenge Canada's heartbreaking loss in double overtime to the United States and returning goalie Stone Wolski in last season's tournament. Fetterely, picked 55th overall by Saskatoon in the season 70 draft, has a 4-1-1 record in 8 games this season while sporting a 0.879 save percentage and 3.87 goals against average and McPine, who was picked by Minnesota at 7th overall in the season 71 draft and is rocking a record of 33-10-1 in 49 games with a 0.875 save percentage and a 2.94 GAA. The two young goalies are poised to lead a strong Canadian team back to their rightful place at the top of the hockey world. Word Count:165

1. Great choices for both teams! Should be interesting to see what they can do. 2. Maybe in a future season when I'm not so new. 3. Love the juniors! It would be an honor to be picked to represent my country ? 5. Yes, it's absolutely worth it. It's a wild ride from start to finish of episode 7. 6. 5 wins in 5 games, so I'll give us a 5/5 rating. 7. Something with a bit of a kick, not too picky on the flavour

3-1 for DC

259 New York Americans @ Calgary Wranglers 260 HC Davos Dynamo @ Vancouver Wolves 261 Malmo Nighthawks @ Riga Reign 262 Toronto Legion @ D.C. Dragons

Woody McPine RB +3 (67-70) SC +4 (65-69)

Woody McPine Claim Cody McLeod

Week 3 claim Apr 13

Hoppy Easter sports fans, hope everyone is staying safe this long weekend and has a good egg hunt, much like the Minnesota Storm are hunting for first place in the VHLM. They've been on a roll lately, winning 11 of their last 15 games (including their last 4) and are right in the mix. It's a tight race (for 2nd place, goddammit Ottawa), with Yukon, Philly, and the Storm all within 1 point of each other. With each team having played 34 games, its anyone's guess who will eventually overtake the Lynx for first in the league. However, this being a mildly Easter themed article, it seems obvious that, with the return of Jesus Christ, comes the return of the true kings of the league, and Minnesota should be retaking their 1st place throne. With the first half of the season drawing to a close, we can only hope that the second half will be filled with as much, if not more, excitement and tight battles between each team. Have a blessed zombie Jesus weekend everyone, Woody Word count:177

1. That's a tough one, but I'd have to go with Grapenut 2. Mark Wahlberg has a new movie out called "Spenser Confidential". Shockingly, it's about corrupt cops in Boston. Way out of character for him. 3. 7-3 at the worst. 4. It's exciting! Keeps everyone competitive and on their toes. 5. I've always wanted to go to Norway, but Minnesota is a great hockey city. 6. The Prague Phantoms got this in the bag.

Week 2 claim Apr 6

Woody McPine Updating: PH +5 (50 - 55) SZ +5 (50 - 55) RB +2 (65 - 67)