Banackock

When he first joined the league, Blake Campbell was a name that quite a few people were familiar with. He entered like a summer storm, clanging and banging and coming on quickly. He carried on this way for multiple seasons, Completing a majority of his tasks, training like there's no tomorrow and showing the league that he could potentially be the next big thing. However, as of late, things have changed quite a lot. Blake Campbell has been seen slacking at team practices and hasn't been putting in the effort like he used to do. Of course, over the course of ones career it is normal to see one's motivation die down, but what is the story behind Campbell's die down? This morning, we spoke to the young guy at his beach house in Stockholm where he gave us the whole scoop. VHLN says: You started off hot. Likely as one of the top rookies from your class. What has caused you to slow down? BC Says: Everyone gets busy in life and I think that's the case for me As a player, you have a lot of things to focus on - especially as a goalie. First, there's you. You need to be the best you can be and that takes a lot. Then, you need to focus on your team and what their needs are and where they're at as a team. For me, I just got busy and I'm still in the process of figuring everything out. Will I return to what I was? It's extremely doubtful, for right now anyway. Would I like to? Who wouldn't. VHLN Says: This season, you've really brought a decent level of playing to Stockholm. With a record of 44-15-5, a save % of .917 and the only goalie to have a GAA below 2.00 - what do you think is the best reasoning for your great play? BC Says: My team. It always comes down to the team that plays in front of you. I mean, yes, it has a lot to do with me too because If I suck, they suck. That's not overly the case though. The boys I got in front of me play solid almost 100% of the time and throughout our locker room is a crazy amount of elite talent. I'm extremely fortunate to be apart of this organization and have a feeling if things keep going and we stay loyal, it will be our time shortly. VHLN Says: I do believe you're right. I suppose we got time for one last question before we let you continue on with your sun bathing and drinking of your jack and coke. For this season, who are your top 3 goalies based on play? BC Says: Hmm, good question. I guess I'll start with 3, go to 2 and then give you my #1. For 3rd, It's tough and between Sinclair and myself but I will give myself the benefit of the doubt. Reasoning behind this is due to the fact that I'm the only goalie in the league with a GAA below 2.00, have a .01 better Save % and have more minutes played as of now. For second place, I'll give it to Mikaelson. He's had a hell of a season and this may piss him off not being 1st, on a much weaker club than myself. Honestly, he's close for deserving first to some maybe but there's one guy who largely stands out and that's Winsgate. You look at his 1st, 2nd and 3rd star placing and it just goes to show that this guy is extremely important to his club. Not to mention his organization is fairly weak, yet he manages to post huge numbers. He's why his team is where they are. VHLN Says: Thanks Blake. BC Says: One love, brah. (August 3rd to 9th)

Bratislava will throw a claim on Lucas Villa

Went through multiple people to get the "okay" for this. Had been in the works for a while, however, due to me being busy with work/life, looking for a trade partner and tfong and myself playing cat and mouse - it had taken a while. Although the season is basically over, Lundy still will get to experience playoffs with Brampton and take the helms for a team. When I got him, he was a huge asset for us. Then we signed Cola and things changed. He was a great guy at one time in the LR and we hope that he is still kicking around the VHL and becomes a goalie to compete against for myself. To Brampton - Fillip Lundqvist (G) To Bratislava - Shipment of Doritos Yep.

I still love you Valmount. Unlucky game. Bratislava, go home - you drunk, girl.

Bratislava will FREE CLAIM Stumppell Aurinkoinen Jr. He will win with us. He will get points with us. Moscow drop your claim, brah. Be the good guy

VERY close game.

Blake Campbell (400+ TPE) Claim 3.

Bratislava will claim Shawn Muller.

Bratislava would like to sign Hudson for the remainder of the season pending any further priority claims from teams ahead of us. LW - Hudson Backbauer http://www.vhlforum.com/index.php?/topic/7422-s39-lw-hudson-backenbauer-tpe-99/

4-1 DAV

Wranglers Americans Meute Vikings

DOWN WITH DA STORM.

Express Bears Stockholm Dynamo

4-2 Calgary

HBD. Claaaaaim.

Sigh. Better be special favors...

Ily Lundy.

So much Bratislava.

Willcox was a member of the team at the start of the year, however, it had been 3 years+ since he was drafted here, meaning he was released into the FA pool. Travis Willcox Player Page AND THE WATCHMEN GET STRONGER. WERE ALWAYS WATCHING YOU OSLO. Even when you're sleeping d_a. Especially when you're sleeping.

a 3rd is what.. 20-24 overall? etc How often do drafts go that deep? A 1st for a player that has 60 TPE in basically his first week - even if a rental. Yeah, it's overpayment but imo come game 7 and you're being sent home and I'm moving on, itll be worth it and make me wish I woulda paid more just to give you more false satisfaction now.

plz get a tombstone ready for yourself for round 2 of playoffs. TY

Sandro a beast. Sadly a rental player as he's undrafted, but nonetheless, a great asset to our blueline. Has quickly gained TPE, so pumped to see what he can do for us. Thanks tfong for helping me in the pursuit of taking down the mighty Storm! Welcome to the team Sandro.

It seems like it was just yesterday that Blake Campbell wa sa young face to the league trying to make a name for himself. Since then, he's won a Founders Cup championship and is now the starting goalie for the Stockholm Vikings. For a young guy in the league, he isn't quite developed to his full potential, however, is very much so on his way. With the pressure on for him to come up big for him teammates and management, we've come to wonder what he is thinking, how he is feeling and what's going on in the goalie's mind. Due to this curiosity, we managed to get Blake Campbell to come sit down and have a little questioning period with us. Without further delay, let's begin the interview. TSN: Firstly, congrats on a starting position at such a young age. How did it feeling transitioning from a junior championship winning guy, to a back up behind a potential Hall of famer, to a now starter for a very successful organization? BC: I think the best way to put it is that it feels proper. Meaning, I took the right way in order to get to where I am. In no way do I think I was fed from the golden spoon and handed a career of greatness. I've climbed up the ladder, like most, and have earned and put time into each spot in order to get to where I am. Winning the Founder's Cup was my first taste of success and truly made me crave a championship in the VHL. Being a back up behind Brick Wahl was a great learning experience for myself. He taught me the in's and out's and what I should focus on so that I can be stronger for my team once he retired. As for now being a starter, it feels great. It's a silly question to ask because the answers obvious. The pressure is there to perform big, but I'm just focusing on playing my game for now and we'll go from there. TSN: What are your thoughts on how you've played so far this season? BC: Honestly, a lot would say I've done well but there's always room for improvement. My numbers are strong, however, I've found it a little difficult to find consistency. It's not overly that I have poor games, but that I need to be willing to find a way to withstand the pressure and keep the games close without letting a soft one in. I'd prefer the pressure to be on me, not my teammates. If that's the case, it likely means we're winning. I think as the season goes on, we'll find great chemistry and have a good rest of the year. TSN: Yes, we believe this also. What's the best part about being a Viking? BC: There's a lot of great things about being in Stockholm. I'm playing right now with a lot of great friends that I've known from prior times or other leagues in the past. Our locker room is a great atmosphere and you're able to just kick back and enjoy life while in there. Likely the thing that keeps me here most though is our management. At the end of the day, it all leads back to the guy that runs the show. If you have poor roster, are losing or the lr isn't active, it's likely on the GM. Everything we have right now is really good and a lot of credit should be given to boub. TSN: And lastly Blake, do you plan on being a Viking for the rest of your career? BC: Only time will tell, to be honest. In a business like this, things can change quickly. If I had it my way, and so as long as everything runs smoothly and there's no changes to management, I don't plan on going anywhere. TSN: We'll, thanks for your time Blake. Feel free to come in any time and waste 10 minutes of peoples days by doing more quick articles for TPE. BC: Oh believe me, I will. Take care, man. (For the week of July 6th to July 12)

Bears 3-2