FacebookFighter

Rough start to the season by freshman goaltender Owen May. The young Swiss goaltender never found his game like he had overseas. It's too early to tell but it looks like May may be a mid tier goaltender next year. He's put in tremendous work and has seen some growth. A recent interview with his goalie coach Rick Springer. "When he first came in he struggled to adapt. The game was just too fast for him and he was making mistakes that he didn't make at training camp. Sometimes it's just too much for a kid. I think he's shown perseverance to see the season through. Hopefully next season we can find some better results. He's been in the weight room every day and takes good care of himself." May produced decent stats while playing for the worst defensive team in the world. As we approach the draft we sat down with Owen and asked what his concerns may be. "We need to find a balance. We were one of the best offenses last year but just couldn't get it done in our own end. It was a little frustrating but we showed growth. We were able to steal games from teams who had written us off. But with the draft coming we have the ability to address those needs." When asked May said he hadn't paid attention to the draft class and has been more focused on what is going on in the locker room. " I'd love to be able to pay attention to what else is happening across the league but I've been struggling on the ice and that's more important. I can't be scouting when I have to focus on aspects of my game." But there's more to life than the game. May has been active outside the rink as he got engaged. The two met in high school over in Switzerland and had been living together in Buffalo while May was playing for the Houston Bulls. They had recently moved back to Switzerland to be closer to family. News also broke that they would be expecting their first child in the coming months. "Now that I have some financial security, I think it's time to settle down and start a family. We've been thinking about it for awhile but was never able to get the money to plan a wedding and have a kid." May believes his mental health with the recent engagement and financial security may result in better play this upcoming season. " I think a big problem last season was losing my work ethic because I was struggling with depression. My fiance was still in Buffalo and I was in Moscow and it was really difficult to get excited about working. I love hockey and the people of Moscow but when you're away from family it's hard to handle. I think being closer and being able to see each other will allow me to lose some of my stress and come to enjoy hockey again."

I'm sorry I've been taking longer and longer to put these out. 1. Sad News Everyone! Moscow has officially been eliminated from the playoffs today. Would you rather tank or play for pride? 2. We were the third team to be eliminated beating Seattle and rival Malmo. What are your feelings toward this accomplishment? 3. Some players have younger friends and often try to persuade the GM to draft their friends. Is there somebody you know that you have your eye on as draft day looms? 4. If you could take one player from rival Malmo who would you take? 5. What are your plans for the offseason? 6. There are six games remaining this season. What do you hope to accomplish in that time?

Earlier this season Vlad Putin voiced his displeasure with the Moscow Menace saying that they were an embarrassment of the proud Russian people. His tune may have changed just a little according to recent reports. "These past few weeks have been a revolution out of the Moscow. Our team has changed the morale of the Russian people. While we are not a great team they have shown what comes with hard work and dedication. We have shown immense growth and have shown our strength. Our high flying type of hockey is strong and powerful like the might of Russia. Last year we were the first team to fall to elimination. This year we get to look at the backs of a playoff team. It is my hope that within a few years we can find ourselves on top of the world. There will be hell to play if we take a step backwards next year."

SO you want to be a goalie?! I'm here to apologize to you personally as a young goalie in the league. No matter what you do, you will struggle in the VHL. But I'm here to try to make your VHL experience better! Without further ado my guide to building a better goalie. Before we dig in here are all the stats that are factored into your play: Skating Size Agility Rebound Style Control Hand Speed Reaction Time Penalty Shot Leadership Primary Stats The main four stats that you should address are Rebound, Style Control, Hand Speed and Reaction Time. Any good goalie is one that can make saves. Being able to read shots and deflections are what keeps you in a game. If you want to be successful get these stats high. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT SECONDARY STATS. Primary stats are exceptional but a balanced goalie is a good goalie. With the limited options there's not much "styles" you can use as there are for forwards and defensemen. So to play it safe make sure your primary stats are all well rounded. Secondary Stats Skating, Size and Agility are all secondary stats. These stats are more about your movement rather than making the saves. Hence why they are secondary stats. Make sure that these are balanced as well but they don't need to be as high as your Primary Stats. Not Worth Mentioning Penalty shot and Leadership mean nothing really. I've had a high penalty shot save percentage despite not having any points put into it. You can put these points in once you hit 99 in the other stats. To make a longer story short, A balanced goalie is a good goalie. Also, you'll never be good if your defense is poor! So don't beat yourself up. Look to see the shot volume you're facing. There will be games you have a save percentage under .900 and then have a near perfect day. So don't panic. My Plan of Attack To start off I would get your primary stats to 60. Once that's done bump up your secondaries to like 45. Then boost up your primaries until you've hit your cap limit for the VHLM. I would then get your primaries to 70 and secondaries to 60. Then primary to 75 and secondaries to 70. Then keep bumping them up by 5 at a time. Once you've reached 99, Do Not Spend Your TPE On Penalty Shot AND Leadership. You will begin to regress before you hit that point. Save up that TPE to prevent the loss of important stats. Like I said goalies are really all over the place so a bad result isn't the end of the world. For example, Clayton Park has allowed less goals despite being a lower overall. This is because of his defense being more stable. My team is a high flying team that favors our strong offense so we give up more opportunities. Take your team into play and decide whether you're doing a good job Good Luck!

Claiming for 2 TPE 6/9 and 6/16

I'll throw my name in yet again

HELLO PARTY PEOPLE. 6 BRAND SPANKING NEW QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT! 1. We are currently two points from the new expansion team and rival Malmo, Would it be better to tank for a higher pick or fight for pride? 2. When our season started, the team goal was to win 10 games. Are you excited we've nearly doubled that total? 3. Would you rather win a game 6-5 or 2-0 and why? 4. How do you celebrate after a win? 5. What has been the most surprising win we've had this season in your eyes? 6. What are your expectations for next season?

295 Helsinki Titans @ Malmo Nighthawks 296 Toronto Legion @ Calgary Wranglers 297 New York Americans @ Helsinki Titans 298 Riga Reign @ Moscow Menace

Calgary 6-4

Not all miracles win championships. Not all miracles are fantastic goals or highway robbery saves. Sometimes miracles are an unexpected result for someone struggling to make their way in the league. Welcome, Owen May. The young goaltender has been a part of one of the worst defenses in the league. May has not appeared on any of the top ten's in any statistical catergory until today. May recorded his first career shut out versus the Vancouver Wolves. We talked with May as he relived that moment. " I really couldn't believe it. I've been struggling and struggling for so long. To be honest, I wasn't even paying attention to the scoreboard. The boys were playing well, I was making a save, here and there. They put four in the net in the first period and had their goalie out of the game. I was just kinda sitting there, in some sort of anxious state. My breathing was slow and I was sweating a little. Thinking back, I think I reached "the zone". I just felt great. At the end of the first, I go into the locker room and it wasn't like we had won. We've scored a lot of goals and still lost. In fact we've lost quite a few games we've scored four goals and still wound up losing the game. Coach gave a pep talk and we were back on the ice. Again the boys played extremely well and limited the key opportunities and second chances. We end up putting two in and we finally felt like "hey, we got this game under our belt.". Next thing I know we're back on the ice for the third and while the fans didn't get to see much action I was really thankful. Once my teammates came over and started to congratulate me, I realized what had happened. I feel like I may have turned a corner on this season." May seemed thankful on the ice after the game. He hugged teammates and came out to a roaring crowd as the third star of the game. After the post celebratory round up with their coach May met with media and fans. He spent what seemed to be hours signing autographs and answering all questions the media had of him before leaving once arena security asked for everyone to clear out. " I think I was being a little selfish. We've been very sparce when it comes to wins and there's quite a few times when we don't get to celebrate because we're so worried about standings and how the next game is going to pan out. I just wanted to enjoy my moment with the fans. This was a special night for me and I love being a part of the whole experience. The kids want to be you and want to believe you're superhuman. It tugs at the heart and I just can't turn down a young fan who thinks that a bunch of lines drawn from my hand are valuable. Then of course I always want to talk to the media because they can convey some big messages to a bunch of people. If there's a fan base that needs some encouragement that we're trying our hardest and we play night in and night out for them, it's Moscow and the country of Russia."

Honestly

Earlier last week the Moscow Menace announced a new AGM. The struggling club has continued to flounder none the less but there have been signs of life. Under new AGM Illya Kkhrushchev Moscow has been winning more and more games. Comments from his official introduction are posted below. " I'm glad to be a part of the Russian representation here in the VHL. We are a young team that has plenty of promise. Next year I think we'll be a team that can compete for a play off spot. We have one of the best offenses but one of the shakiest defensive cores. We need to address this come the off season and we'll be in place to be in the conversation. I hope to be here for awhile and make something special" Kkrushchev proceeded to walk away while picking up, what appeared to be a shot ski, where he drank from taking at minimum 7 shots as he walked through the press rooms doors. It appears that Moscow is in safe hands.

1. The Moscow-Malmo rivalry has been fairly even lately, and I'd concede that it's gotten quite a bit more interesting than at the beginning of the season. Your thoughts? I think it'll be up to next years draft if Malmo and Moscow remain competitive. I believe Moscow are a defensive core away from being a contending team. Malmo has had a good start but it'll be up to what they do in the offseason that determines their fate next year. 2. Is there anything in particular that you feel has gotten Moscow out of its initial start-of-the-season funk? I think there was a change of attitude, a lot more guys being active and a more offensive approach to try to balance our weakness has been the main cause 3. Jet Jaguar has been particularly notable among rookies. Is this because he's simply gotten more chances in Moscow, or is he really that good? I think it's both. He's offensively talented and has some great support options and has been given a lot of chances to prove himself 4. You recently posted a shutout. Was the vodka flowing in the locker room? Definitely for me. It was a nice to feel like I did something for the team. A nice drink to celebrate never hurts. 5. The Minnesota Storm just hired their new GM. Were you FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY, or you feel that it was a fair decision? Yes and yes. I understand that I don't have the noteriety but it would be nice to be given a chance. I've thrown my name out there a lot and have been turned down every time 6. Assuming Moscow doesn't make the playoffs, who's your favorite for the cup? A buddy of mine plays for Helsinki so I'd like to see them raise the cup there.

Im AGM for Moscow and think I'd do well with Minny

Another week another batch of questions! 1. If you had the opportunity to change positions from/to F,D or G, Would you? 2. Moscow Menace want to create a mascot! How would you design our mascot? What would its name be? 3. Since Moscow will not sniff the playoffs, is there a team you're supporting on their quest for the cup? 4. We are 8 points from hated rival Malmo! DO YOU HATE MALMO ENOUGH TO WIN OUT OF SPITE?! In reality what are you doing to win and get motivated? 5. For those who have just been reading the box score, Moscow has taken a lot of penalties this season. What are some penalties you've seen the team taking and what do you like to do in the penalty box? 6. Why do you think Moscow is such a bi polar team, leading in both goals for and against? 7. Does Owen May suck?

235 Toronto Legion @ Helsinki Titans 236 Calgary Wranglers @ HC Davos Dynamo 237 Riga Reign @ Vancouver Wolves 238 Helsinki Titans @ New York Americans

Helsinki 5-3

2 in a row against Toronto. Do you believe in Miracles?

A couple weeks ago, Russian leader Vlad Putin pubically called out the Moscow Menace for disgracing the powerful country of Russia. Their lack luster play compounded by continuous losses, had the Russian population in a tizzy. But now have the Menace turned over a new leaf? Moscow is coming off back to back wins for the first time this season and quite possibly the first time in franchise history. The Menace are the highest scoring team in the VHL but also give up the most goals. The New high flying Menace have eclipsed the ten win mark, which they failed to accomplish last season. However the team still is 7 points away from even being considered a contender. A revamp of the defense could lead to more victories for the franchise in their sophomore season. With Goaltending and offense seemingly locked down for the next couple of years it's up to the defense to make or break this team.

1. Since he's originally from the states, he'd most likely represent the USA. For now I think he's content with being in Europe. 2. My favorite teammate is Beau, We had alot of time together in Houston and it's been an enjoyable time here in Moscow. Though he's been quiet in the locker room lately I'm sure he'll come back to himself. 3. I think we're coming into our own. We're young and we realise that this season is more about growth than victory. 4. I saw a man with nipple tassels that were made by adidas. I never thought that adidas would make something so racy. 5. I think I'd rather be on a good team as a back up. However, Ive enjoyed watching myself become a competitive man between the pipes. 6. I think we have a really good chance and I hope I can lead us to success.

61 shots eh?

HEY EVERYBODYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Answer these questions for a whopping 2 TPE!!!!! Isn't that GREAT! 1. As we pass the first third of the season we sit one win away from our team goal of double digit wins! How do you feel about possibly becoming the most successful team in Moscow history?! 2. Who do you credit the most to our victories? 3. Earlier this month Vlad Putin voiced his displeasure in the state of affairs of our team. Do you believe he's justified to be angry with the Menace? 4. What are some differences you've noticed between the VHLM and the VHL? 5. What's your pre-game meal? Does it change or is it always constant? 6. Are you superstitious? Is there a routine you must do prior to every game in order to feel like you have a chance to succeed?

That's rough