MapFreak

Game 160: Storm 3 vs Lynx 5

Game 156: Blades vs Red Wolves Game 157: Outlaws vs Rush Game 158: Watchmen vs Royals Game 159: Wild vs Gladiators

Soooooo in.

121 Bears 3 vs 1 Meute

120 Iron Eagles vs Americans 122 Reign vs Legion 123 Iron Eagles vs Express 129 Americans vs Reign

Game 95: Lynx 6 vs Red Wolves 4

Game 91: Gladiators vs Blades Game 92: Wild vs Rush Game 93: Outlaws vs Storm Game 94: Watchmen vs Royals

See? Such a class act, never missing an opportunity to praise his team. I went back to read what I had wrote and wanted to edit the line "Despite the Wild’s shallow bench and seemingly active desire to make the team lose" to be "... and the first line's seemingly active desire...", but considering the discussion it has sparked I thought better of it. Bad mistake there, I only hope the tone of discussion here remains productive!

And for the record: I think attitudes in the VHLM are healthy and mostly positive, especially from the GMs I've been with. Svobo, you're squeezing everything out of your team right now and you are a great leader in the locker room - I would never imply that you (of anyone) is tanking their team. I'm pretty bad at explaining myself, but I wrote this as the role of outsider hockey analyst. Simply presenting stats and numbers as a narration, a glorified blog post - not a review or indictment of teams and their management.

Wooooooah I've created way too much controversy. I was not accusing anybody of anything, I was just trying to give the article some creativity and flavorful imagination. The comment "actively trying to make the Wild lose" is in reference to the top line, not the management. Sorry for the confusion.

Grading VHLM Top Lines: North America We are far enough into season 38 that the kinks have been worked in the VHLM’s depth charts. The first lines for each team often feature the VHL’s top prospects, and how they play at the beginning of year can make or break their last few seasons in the ‘M. For some players the first line is the last chance to make a mark in the minors before heading off to the big leagues. Others are out to prove that they can play with the best and are willing to fight for every puck for their shot at being called up. Let’s see how the 5 top lines in North America are doing so far: Minot Gladiators – 4-4-3 - D Chris Raymond (3-5-8P, -7) – Rhys Heyward-Jones (3-1-4P, -4) – Ashton Galbraith (3-6-9P, -5) Minot’s top line is just not clicking, and it’s hurting the team immensely. The problems on offense might be symptomatic of their holes on defense, but with the second line performing like they want to be #1, the trio of Raymond, Jones, and Galbraith need to find a way to compete – especially Jones, who hampers the line with his 48% FO win rate. Their inexperience shows, look for Galbraith to demonstrate leadership or this line is in for a long, awful season. Brampton Blades – 6-5-0 - C Sasha Stepanov (3-4-7P, +0) - Tyson Stokes (4-9-13P, -5) – Sam Keeler (1-3-4P, -3) The highly touted Blades entered season 38 as favorites. So far, their top line has been average, and certainly not the best in the ‘M. Like Galbraith, the ‘M veteran Stepanov needs to lead this line out of its early-season funk. Stokes and Keeler may be experiencing some growing pains (this being their first season) in their role as top forwards. Stokes anchors the line and takes a massive amount of faceoffs (304 so far), but loses 56% of them. His point-per-game average is impressive but blemished by his -5. The entire line needs some work ethic adjustments, they’re just a defensive liability right now. Saskatoon Wild – 6-5-0 - F Rick Roll (5-1-6P, -5) – Devin Sundberg (2-5-7P, +1) – Noah Jackson (1-3-4P, -13) Through 11 games, Saskatoon’s top line has combined for 17 points. Sundberg is the only one who looks like he belongs there, even when, at times, he has looked like the rookie he is as he centers all four Wild lines. Jackson showed potential when he was drafted but has not progressed since. Roll, now in his sixth (SIXTH!) ‘M season should be shown the door – he averages over 29 minutes a night and has only produced 6 points. Despite the Wild’s shallow bench and seemingly active desire to make the team lose, they have managed to cling to third as Bramtpon finds their rhythm. Ottawa Lynx – 6-4-1 - A Leo Tesla (14-14-28P, +4) – Andrew Erikson (8-5-23P, +2) – Aelred Leskowski (9-17-26P, +3) Ottawa’s top trio is the one to beat in North America. They have been everything line 1 should be, due to equal parts experience, development, and coaching. They each receive a hefty heaping of ice time but they earn every minute – nobody else on the team, forwards or defensemen, come close to the point production and defensive play that these three exhibit. Without these three, the Lynx would be battling for fourth place, not second. Special mention for Erikson, who is a natural winger playing center for a shallow Lynx bench. Yukon Rush – 10-1-0 - B Kai Randal (4-11-15P, +3) – Bennett Wahl (6-8-14P, +3) – Vincenzo Valentini (4-3-7P, +6) The exciting duo of Randal and Wahl are at times held back by the underachieving Valentini (who is far past his professional expiration date), but still manage to perform like a top line should. On any other team, these players would have maybe five more points each. It is a testament to Yukon’s depth that the line has combined for only 36 points so far. Next week: the Euro top lines.

Good luck Outlaws, congrats captains.

Azi Ali Bern Royals +2 pls

Congrats Svobo! Way to go. And you too I guess STZ, though appointing your own guy XD

61 Meute 1 vs 4 Express

62 HC Dynamo vs Bears 63 Legion vs Iron Eagles 64 Titans vs Wranglers 65 Reign vs Americans

I'm just going to take this opportunity to bask in the Game 2 of 60-something winner's circle. Seeing my player's name at number two in points just tickles me pink. I've never been one to have a big ego or a strong desire to be the all-star, but if this is what it's going to be like all season I may just get a taste of the glory - see what it tastes like – and never look back. As a first-year player in the site I’ve struggled to find something to really be proud of so far. I’ve been of the disposition to just coast along into the bigs. Maybe I won’t now. If I am super successful, maybe I just won’t ever update my TPE again and reign supreme in the ‘M. Azi Ali, champion of the baby Dynamo, king of the Royals, 10-time VHLM champion. Maybe someday. Or I could wait to see what the end of the season looks like and just continue plugging along. There’s plenty of time to develop aspirations of glory when I’ve actually earned it. Just sayin’.

Game 55: Wild 2 vs 3 Red Wolves

Game 51: Royals vs Rush Game 52: Gladiators vs Outlaws Game 53: Lynx vs Blades Game 54: Watchmen vs Storm

EASTERN CONFERENCE Montreal vs. New York Winner: New York # of Games: 7 WESTERN CONFERENCE Chicago vs. Los Angeles Winner: Los Angeles # of Games: 7

Perhaps the option should be there. Currently, there is NO option to do so. It would be an interesting strategy to see who would slug out the twilight years against increased regression. Keeping things fresh is good, but it could add another dimension to things. But hey what do I know! Haven't even cracked the bigs yet.

Azmet "Azi" Ali - #45 - Bern Royals (HC Davos Dynamo)

I am interested in this position. I've been a weekly updater with my own player and have grown a lot over the two seasons I've been involved in this league, and I'd like a way to supplement my TPE income. I am also interested in learning the SimonT simulator in order to potentially one day step into a management position. This would be a good way for me to get more involved in the community and stay active as I bring my guy into the bigs.

Alriiiiiight, showing up when it counts! Sorta.

What have I done