SlapshotLegion

81. What are your thoughts on Seattle beating Toronto in 6 games? I'm glad we pulled the victory out in the end and finished the series strong with two straight wins! Can't be mad about making it to the finals at all. 82. What are your thoughts on Seattle going to the finals? We showed that we were one of the deepest teams and that we were the best all around throughout the season. We don't have to worry about a Meta. This Bears team continues to be resilient and is definitely one of the best comeback stories. This is validation of everything that happened since the beginning of "rebuild" started. 83. How do you think the series will go between Seattle and Moscow in the finals? Seattle on top, but I do think it will be quite the tough series to be honest. 84. Who are the Bears top candidates for playoff MVP? Zeedayno Chara is just so good all around and has really stepped it up in the playoffs. Like the regular season, AJ is close behind. 88. Are you happy with your players performance in the playoffs? I'll be happy when he lifts the cup. 89. How has this season been for you as a Bear? Have you enjoyed yourself? It's been fun. Win or lose, this team has one of my favourite locker rooms of all time in the VHL. We came together, collaborated to improve ourselves, and had fun along the way. It's been an honour to be a Bear.

SEATTLE - The Bears have done it. After a spectacular regular season, they have made it to their last stop in the playoffs. Hockey fans in Seattle have been waiting for their beloved Bears to finally make the finals once more. Sigard Petrenko has been to a cup final before, just not in the big leagues. Eightnine, Williams, Detroit, along with Petrenko know what it’s like to lose in a final (from their days in the VHLM as Hounds) and will surely use that to motivate their play. Bears goalie Em Em Flex knows what it is like to win a final, winning against those 4 players as a member of the VHLM’s Marauders. Now, all five as teammates along with the rest of the Bears are looking to secure a cup together. “All those guys in our locker room from the veteran Zeedayno Chara to our young duo of Torq and rookie Kovalchuk feel ready for this. We have been preparing the whole season for this moment and we want to claim this cup for ourselves. To be champions together with these guys would be the greatest honour in my life. This season we pushed to be better than before and we were. Now, we’re looking to cap this season off on top.”

https://imgur.com/a/Fzm6U34 Originally a piece I never planned on posting but I'm too tired to make something new haha

Game 42 (Playoffs) - Calgary Wranglers vs Toronto Legion Game 1 The action got started right away in the series with Paul Atreides scoring 48 seconds into the game, giving Toronto a quick 1-0 lead. Calgary would come back later in the frame, just over 12 minutes into the game, with a goal from Shane Lazseki. The game was tied 1-1 heading into the first intermission, with the Wranglers having a slight edge in shots on goal (15-13). When the second period started, it took a while to get some action going but in the latter half, goals from Kyle Peace and Matty Fire gave the Legion a 3-1 lead in the second. Saku Kotkakoivu scored for Calgary to bring them within one however, within the last minute of the period. It was still anyone's game and shots were still close in this frame as well, with Toronto having only one more shot than Calgary (15-14). In the last frame, the Wranglers battled to get the tying goal, having 18 shots on goal. Despite the Wranglers outshooting the Legion in the period 18-10 and in the game overall 47-38, a goal from Matty Fire with under 5 to go sealed the win for Toronto. Series: Toronto 1 - Calgary 0

Game 20 (Playoffs) - D.C. Dragons vs. Chicago Phoenix The Chicago Phoenix were looking to eliminate the D.C. Dragons. The D.C. Dragons were looking to begin a hopeful comeback. Desperate to keep themselves on the playoffs, the Dragons struck first on the power play just over 6 minutes in with a goal from Ronan Lavelle. However, the Phoenix were able to tie it up in the last minute in the first period thanks to a goal from The Board Game Clue On Skates. After first intermission, The Board Game Clue On Skates scored again 8 minutes into the second period to give the Phoenix the lead yet again. However, just under two minutes later, Taylor Mourning tied it up for the Dragons. The second frame ended and the third frame began. But there were no tallies in the third period. Tied 2-2, the game was going to overtime. It was an even game from both sides overall. Heck, after the game ended, the shots were tied at 34-34. But in overtime, the Dragons could not muster a single shot on goal. The Phoenix did, and it only took 4 shots before Sunrise van de Schubbekuteveen sent the Dragons packing, winning the series for Chicago.

73. We play Chicago. Predict the series outcome for who wins! Seattle wins in a number between 4 to 7 games. 74. Who ends up having the most goals in the series? I'm going to say AJ Williams though Zeedayno Chara will be close. 75. Who will have the most hits in the series? Who else but hockey god Vinny Detroit? 76. Will Em Em Flex shut out Chicago once during the series? Absolutely. Em Em Flex is insane and I have a feeling he'll be able to pul one out. 77. What is one way Seattle is advertising the series on TV commercials to get fans hyped? I have never seen someone dressed in a bear suit climb the Space Needle. Listen, it would be awesome if it wasn't but I hope that was CGI. 80. Seattle plays a prank on Chicago to break the ice. What do they do? We leave buckets of KFC at their locker room. Easy as that.

SEATTLE - The Bears including winger Sigard Petrenko are waiting for the playoffs to start. They were excellent in the regular season but are now waiting to show the league what they can do when it matters most. Looking to go for the Continental Cup, the Bears have past playoff experience in the past few years as well as pure determination to fuel their run. It seems like only yesterday that this Bears team was seen as rebuilding but they have slowly gone up the ranks and proved their mettle season after season. Now, after going 55-14-3 in the regular season, they are ready to prove that they are championship material. “It all changes in the playoffs. Anything can happen. I still remember when we were dark horses and when we made it further than people expected. I still remember back in the VHLM when we were so close to winning the Founder’s Cup. This time though, I think I speak for us all when I say we refuse to lose. Though, our words don’t matter. We have to back it up with action. It’s time. Time for us to do this.” Sigard Petrenko said after a practice in a press conference. “We have a team that can win. We just have to make sure we WILL win.

https://imgur.com/a/nBSLmwm @ROOKIE745apprecation post! For theme week, I just wanted to thank Rookie for being a chill and fun part of the community. Hextall and Lafontaine's rivalry/friendship is still one of my favourite memories in my time in the VHL. Plus, Ori and Petrenko are both looking good for their respective teams and I hope that can eventually become a rivalry as well. When I was deciding between making a player after Lafontaine or not, he convinced me to make a player like he did. One of my closest allies, lots of love to you, Rookie!

Game Recap: Vancouver Wolves vs. Warsaw Predators (Game 531) We follow the journey of the Warsaw Predators yet again today and this time they go against the defending champions, the Vancouver Wolves. Unfortunately for Vancouver, they haven't been doing well and are the second worst team in the North American conference. Meanwhile, Warsaw is still fending off it's second to last European playoff spot. To start off the game, the Predators had shots going on net but none were going in. Then with 2 minutes left in the first frame, Hari Singh Nalwa scored to give the Predators the early lead. In period 2, Brendan Marner scored his 30th goal of the season just 12 seconds into the frame. That would be the only goal scored in that period. However, in the third, three powerplay goals were scored with Warsaw's Robert Wilk and Hari Singh Nalwa with his second scoring for the Predators, and Robin Galante Nilsson scoring the first and only goal for Davos. This game ended 4-1, helping Warsaw's chances at keeping a playoff spot.

Game Recap: HC Davos Dynamo vs. Warsaw Predators (Game 521) It's the final stretch of the season, where teams who can jockey for a playoff spot. HC Davos Dynamo is having the worst season out of any European team and is not one of those teams fighting for the final spot. The Warsaw Predators definitely are a potential playoff team and finds itself with the London United and the Helsinki Titans hot on their tail. Should one team overtake them in the standings, it would be fine but letting both pass them would be detrimental to their playoff push. All three of these teams are looking for a hot streak and some opponent losses to give them some breathing room in this final stretch. So, Warsaw was looking for a decisive win tonight. To start the game off, Hari Singh Nalwa scored just over 2 minutes in for Warsaw. Girts Galvins added to Warsaw's lead about 3 minutes after the first goal. James Teekirque then cut the lead in half with a powerplay goal for Davos. However, the Predators regained a two goal lead with Bogdan Trunov scoring. They'd extend it to a three goal lead with Zach Kisslinger II scoring. The first period ended and eventually the second period started with Girts Galvins scoring his second goal of the game halfway through the period. 5-1 Warsaw. And in the closing minute of the second period, Kristof Welch scored for Warsaw as well to extend Warsaw's lead yet again. The second period closed and the third period started and the Dynamo did pot some goals. 5 minutes into the third, David Tavau scored for the Dynamo. Kyle Glass also potted one for the Dynamo just a minute after that. However, the Predators were able to shut down the Dynamo after that. With an overwhelming SOG total of 58-19 in favor of the Predators, they also took the win 6-3.

65. Who is the best worst team - LA or Davos? Who finishes last? How many points? Unfortunately, I think LA will take the title of best worst team with 51 points. 66. Will Helsinki make the playoffs? If not, which team from EU misses out instead of them? I think they'll make it. Warsaw will probably be out if they do, however. 69. Max Torq leads the team with 113 blocked shots. How do they heal the bruises after the game? Lots of ice. The dude probably actually has veins of ice considering how many ice packs he has on him at a time. 70. Vinny Detroit leads the team with an 11.19 shooting percentage. How does he practice his lethal shot/aim? Vinny is wild. I have no idea how he has such a lethal shot but my guess is that his aim when hitting people somehow transferred to his scoring ability. In terms of shot power, well, just look at the dude. He is built different. 71. AJ Williams and Zeedayno Chara are tied with 45 goals in 63 GP.... who reigns victorious at seasons end? Guess their amounts. Both of them tie at the end of the season with 69 each. 72. The Bears just got a new addition to their locker room to make things even better. What was it? I don't care if it's impractical, having hockey gloves designed as bear paws is one of the coolest things we have here in Seattle.

SEATTLE - Sigard Petrenko is having himself a fairly good season. 3 away from reaching 30 goals for the second time in his career, he is determined to get himself playoff ready entering the final stretch. Last playoffs, the Bears were the dark horse and were proving to be a formidable contender against the Wolves but were eventually defeated. This season, the Bears have blossomed into a top team with lots of talent and tough players. This team wants to be competitive and wants the cup. “I mean, back in the VHLM, losing the Founder’s Cup in the final was rough. Me, Vinny, and AJ have a chance to win a championship together and this time in the major leagues. This team has been excellent and we have come together to prove that the Bears are still on top in the regular season. Now we have to take that and transfer it to the playoffs. We refuse to be a regular season only team.” Sigard Petrenko after a practice when asked about the final stretch. “This final stretch is still pretty important, even if we do have a playoff spot. It’s our way of warming up and heating up before the playoffs come. Making sure we are firing on all cylinders and finding out any problems before the real deal. Regular seasons are great, yes, but playoffs are when we lay it all on the line. And I am excited.”

https://imgur.com/a/BmZrfsF

Game Recap: Calgary Wranglers vs Vancouver Wolves (Game 423) Calgary and Vancouver. A classic matchup no matter what sport or league it is in. While the Wranglers and Wolves may not have a true publicized rivalry, the cities certainly do. Both teams may have a W in their names but the Wranglers took the one that mattered. It started off with a first period that showed no goals. Then, the Vancouver Wolves drew first blood with a goal from Kakapo Bushtit, 14 minutes and 29 seconds into the second. Then after the remaining five minutes went by, the second period ended with the Wolves holding a 1-0 lead. Then, the third period came along. Saku Kotkakoivu scored 2 minutes and 6 seconds into the period with his 42nd of the year to tie the game up for Calgary. The Wolves had an answer 3 minutes later and regained the lead thanks to a goal from Robin Galante Nilsson. However, Saku's heroics helped tie the game up yet again as he scored his 43rd less than a minute after Nilsson's goal. The teams were tied and would remain like that until there were 3 minutes to go in the game. Shane Lazeski scored to give the Wranglers their first lead and eventually the win. Game Recap: Prague Phantoms vs Riga Reign (Funny Number Game) I chose this game solely on it's number. Is that weird? Yes. But it is funny to me so why not. The two European teams had a game as well. It was an good game for both team's goaltenders. Tobias Reinhart only let in one goal on 38 shots while David Davis picked up the loss but performed well, with 42 saves out of 45 shots. Alex Johnston started us off with a goal just over a minute into the period, giving the Reign a quick 1-0 lead in the first. That would be the only goal in that frame. Then when the second period came along, Brendan Talker scored just under 5 minutes in the period and Riga had a 2-0 lead. The rest of the frame would go on with neither team scoring a goal until there were 30 seconds left in the period. Darth Kaprizov scored to bring the Phantoms within one and to get Prague on the board. The final 30 seconds ran down and the second period was over. In the third period, there were 3 penalties. Two of them on Prague, one on Riga. Yun Chiang scored on the second power play with just over 3 minutes left in the game to ensure the Reign would reign supreme.

8. Moscow and Seattle are mostly neck and neck. If these two teams finish top 2 in the VHL, who gets the crown? The Bears will get the crown. In the playoffs. For the regular season, flip a coin for it and that's my prediction. 59. Helsinki has shown some promise. Will they be able to steal the last playoff spot in the EU? Why or why not? If it wasn't for them being in the European Conference they would definitely snatch a playoff spot. They have a solid lineup and depth. They have even scoring for the most part and have an excellent goaltender. It really is a mystery as to why they aren't in one already. 60. Predict a move come VHL Trade deadline day. Is it quiet? Is there a move? Who is moving? I think it'll be quiet for the most part as a lot of teams are in a position to get a playoff spot and they may play it safe in order to keep a majority of their core. There will be a few moves to try and bring in pieces for the playoffs but teams will also be less willing to give up pieces. 61. What are some good ideas for VHL Theme Week? Maybe which city should get a VHL team next, I would love to explain why I think Dildo in Newfoundland should have one. 62. Zeedayno Chara has 10 GWG. What's led to his clutch success? Unrelenting play, working his ass off, and a good pre-game meal. 63. What is the best nickname for a Seattle Bears player? I want to make Vinny the Pooh a nickname.

https://imgur.com/a/FHlVjfN

SEATTLE - The National Hockey League has had wild playoffs in NHL terms. We all know how Victory Hockey League playoffs can be and just how chaotic it gets. But the NHL experienced that chaos for the first time with the opening round showcasing five Game 7s. Sigard Petrenko has also been keeping tabs with the NHL playoffs as well as a bunch of other players. Whether it is the VHL or NHL, the playoffs are a magical time and captivate hockey fans no matter what town. And it is even more meaningful for the teams in it. A time of hope. A time to forget the regular season. A time to prove people wrong. Sigard does have a favourite and has made it clear that he will be cheering for the Calgary Flames during the Battle of Alberta in the second round. He was asked about the NHL playoffs and he revealed that he was cheering for Calgary. “It’s weird considering the Bears and Wranglers rivalry but I’m cheering for Calgary this season. Obviously, the Kraken is my normal favourite but out of the playoffs team in this one, I think I’m going to cheer for the Flames.” "Of course, I'm focusing and putting my heart into one team and one team only. The Seattle Bears."

Game Recap: Vancouver Wolves vs London United (Game 307) To be honest, this didn't seem completely fair in terms of scheduling. On one hand, the Wolves had finished a game at home in Vancouver and then had to fly all the way to London from VanCity in order to make this game. On the other hand, the United were already in the continent and had a short flight home from Moscow to London. Of course, the Wolves didn't care. The first period of the game boasted no goals from either side. It also didn't have any penalties. Then the Wolves opened up the scoring with Jivere Zolnek potting one about halfway through the second. β-VAN D4 definitely has one of the hardest names to pronounce but is also one of the most long-serving players in the VHL. β-VAN D4 scored on the power play to get their third of the year, extending the lead to 2-0 Wolves. Afterward, the third period had a sudden turn around from the United team, putting up 19 shots in the last frame while Vancouver put up 6. This allowed the London United to outshoot the Wolves but it didn't do anything else to the scoreboard as Brandt Fuhr made 19 of his 30 saves in that period to earn himself a shutout. Final score was 2-0 Wolves.

Game Recap: Prague Phantoms vs Toronto Legion (Game 304) The Phantoms and Legion clashed today and had a pretty good game- if you're a Phantoms fan. Both teams are right next to each other in the league overall standings, with the Legion 6 points ahead of the visiting Phantoms. However, in the game, the Phantoms came out on top with a 3-1 win. The game took a while to get going but around 14 minutes in, Perry Laperriere scored on the power play for the visitors. Then, less than a minute later, the Phantoms extended their lead from a goal courtesy of Baby Bob. (Can we agree that these first two goal scorers have excellent names?) Paul Atreides, who also has a pretty nifty name, scored 6 and a half minutes into the second to bring the Legion within one goal. But despite an excellent effort from Oskar Lindbergh, the Phantoms had 16 of their 42 shots in the third period and Luc Tessier (again, a really smooth name) scored to extend the Phantoms lead. Toronto simply couldn't return fire and the Phantoms took this one 3-1.

47. The Bears have whipped up a magic potion to help them win. What is in this potion? Vinny Detroit cloning potions. You throw it on the ground and poof, another Vinny Detroit. One day, this Seattle team will be nothing but Vinny Detroits. We are for a Detroit filled Seattle soon and I am not sure how to feel. 49. You are allowed to bring in one celebrity to pump up the team. Who do you bring and what do they do? Snoop Dog. He's Snoop Dog. 50. A beer company has approached you and lets you name their brand. What do you name it? I name it the Seattle Beers because it's low hanging fruit in terms of puns. Like cmon, it's right there! 52. How is VHL going for you? Feels great without worrying about a Meta team. 53. How is Seattle going for you? Love this team and it has been one of the most fun locker rooms no matter how well or not well we are doing in the season. Easily tied with the Wranglers with my favourite locker room. We've become a subcommunity in the community and I love it. 54. AJ Williams was caught drinking out at a club... he got into some trouble!! What did AJ Williams do?? I'd be mad if somebody called our season in Mississauga a fluke as well.

CALGARY - After a solid career as a pro hockey player, former VHL and NHL goalie Jacques Lafontaine has hung the skates. Most known for his time as a Wrangler, Lafontaine announced the decision two days ago in a press conference. He most recently played for the Kraken last NHL season but with the Kraken out of the playoffs, Lafontaine has had an early off-season. After some thinking and reflecting, he finally made the decision. “It’s been an honour to represent Seattle and to play in a league as awesome as the NHL. And I still look back at my VHL days as a Wrangler proudly. But I won’t be returning to either league. In fact, I don’t think I’ll be returning to any league on the ice. This is it. I think it’s time to call it a career.” The goalie said. “I’d like to thank everyone from the fans here in Seattle to the fans in Calgary for my VHL days. Heck, let’s add in the fans from Saskatoon when I was pulled along during that amazing run. Saskatoon still is one of my favourite cities to visit. Even Gatineau, when I was 14 and 15, that town was awesome.” However, this won’t be the last time we see Lafontaine in the hockey world. He says he won’t be a player but he will get into coaching. “Some minor teams have already expressed interest in me coaching goalies. I got offers after the announcement and I went, hey, why not?” We’ll see what the future holds. But for now, this is goodbye Jacques.

Had this stashed away in my unreleased drafts from a while while back. I didn't make a graphic this week so I'm showing it now! Spanked some Wolves text today and poof, done. https://imgur.com/a/3SLh1rl

Game Recap: Prague Phantoms vs HC Davos Dynamo (Game 199) The battle of the purple VHL teams was a convincing victory from the Prague Phantoms. It started off very evenly. They started off by trading goals in the first, eventually ending the beginning frame with a tie. Tynan Sylvester opened the scoring for the Phantoms but David Tavau quickly tied it up on the power play about 3 minutes (game-wise) afterward. Darth Kaprizov then came in 52 seconds later and scored to give the Phantoms a lead. But Bob Beach would tie the game up, giving the Phantoms a power play goal of their own. The second period started and Arvid Johansson gave the Dynamo their first lead of the game. It would not last as eventually Luc Tessier scored on the power play to tie it up. Then, Tessier would score again in the second frame to give the Phantoms the lead yet again. Once the second intermission came and eventually ended, the third period began with a quick power play goal from Perry Laperriere, basically a minute in. Arvid Johansson would score again to try and bring the Dynamo back into the game but Luc Tessier scored with under a minute to go to add some insurance and also to give themselves the hat trick. Reylynn Reinhart also came in and scored with under a minute to go, putting yet another nail in the well-closed coffin. Final score, 7-4.

Game Recap: Riga Reign vs Warsaw Predators (Game 195) The battle of the European beasts was quite a match to behold, starting off with the league’s leading point scorer getting the first tally for Riga on the power play. Omi Aberg tied it up for the home town 5 minutes later. For the rest of the first period however, Riga was dominant and stunned the home crowd with 5 unanswered goals. Those goals were courtesy of Alexandre Leduc, Battre Sandstrom, Alex Johnson, and Biggie Cheese, who had two in a row. Not a great way to start the game. The Predators did not lay low after being down 6-1 in the first and scored 4 unanswered goals to rally back to being down by one. 3 goals from Robert Wilk, Bogdan Trunov, and Zach Kisslinger gave the Predators a solid chance to come back in the third. Bogdan Trunov would get another tally to make the score 6-5 but the final 24 seconds proved to be too little for the Predators to claw back. β-WAR G was brought in early and proved their backup ability by stopping all 24 shots they faced. The veteran goaltender has been with the team since the beginning of time and has shown that they still have what it takes to be in the league.

40. If you could combine any animals together to create one META animal, which would you combine? A pre-hybrid attribute wolf from Vancouver and a hybrid attribute era bear from Seattle. 41. Which VHL team do you think would be worth the most money if a real team and for sale? It would probably be the Toronto Legion simply because it is Toronto. Though, the New York Americans would also be a close second. 42. Elon Musk wants to bring green energy to hockey. What are some ideas you'd have for him? Bring back hockey pucks made out of animal dung just like the good old days when ice hockey was first invented. 43. The portal to me could add some personality. What are some things you'd add or change about the portal to potentially improve it? I would probably add a few more visuals. I mean, it is mostly text after all and there aren't any visual elements other than maybe a table and small team logos. 45. What keeps you coming back to the VHL? Mostly a lot of free time and the community within teams. It's great. 46. Which current VHL players hockey card would be worth the most money? Vinny Detroit. Dude's an absolute embodiment of hockey. He can score, he hits hard, he fights, he is the ultimate VHL tough guy yet is also great offensively. He can play defense; he can basically do it all.