MetalToday

Introduction The playoffs are well underway, and we have seen some crazy twists early in the first round. We have yet to see who wins the cup now that we are closing in the finals, we might get a brighter picture of what team is really exploding with talent this playoff. With only 3 a maximum of games left for each series; these playoffs are flying by. But let’s look at the surprises from the start… Wolves vs Bears Through some miracles, the Wolves and the Bears were fighting for a playoff spot, and although the 2 teams are good, many people were fighting on which teams would make it, on one hand Wolves were 3-time consecutive champions not too long ago, and on the other, the Bears have been one of the best teams since as long as I can remember. The fighting was real, but it seemed like some teams could not see Bears missing the playoffs, however they did and the Wolve squeezed through to show up their opponents. United vs Dynamo The United versus Dynamo seemed to have a lot of displeasure around the league, some saying Dynamo would be victorious, but as what seemed like most people, I talk to said London was bound to make it with their good players. Well needless to say, Dynamo won with ease. Although these 2 series were to see who would make the playoffs, most people seemed to have gotten it wrong. In fact, both the Wolves and Dynamo swept their opponents 3 – 0, crazy considering the stigma behind the losing teams. Playoff Introduction The round was finally underway, the 4 series started to play, but the shocks were only getting started. These were not best of 3 games just too see who makes it, this was now the real thing. With the best of 4 series for the playoff’s games were longer and tougher and teams were fighting much harder to stay in. Wranglers vs Wolves Wranglers versus the Wolves was a great series to watch, at first, the team in first place, Wranglers, versus the team that only just made to playoffs, the Wolves. This might have been the most interesting series that was played this playoff, with the close series of 1-1 after 2 games, fans were hungry for more, until it happened… 5 – 4 win for the Wolves, 4 – 3 win for the Wolves, 2 – 3 overtime win for the Wolves! Yes, and just like that the top team falls in only 5 games to a team just squeaking in. The series was close, and the games were only closer, but it was much too hard for the Wranglers, they were not prepared for the bloodthirsty Wolves. Dragons vs Phoenix The Dragons against Phoenix was going to be a close battle, with the 2 teams closer in the standings, this matchup should’ve been better, and Phoenix was still expected to win with their amazing regular season. The series seemed lopsided at first as we saw Phoenix go up 2 – 0 after 2 home games, but then the Dragon got a little upset and won their 2 home games to make it 2 – 2 in the series. This was a closer matchup than we thought, and the series only got closer as we saw 3 – 3 series after 6 games. The final game was going to be close, until Phoenix did not allow a single goal in to beat the Dragon 3 – 0 in the game, and 4 – 3 in the series. This matchup was very entertaining to watch, and the fans loved it. Menace vs Dynamo The European first place team in the Menace, was up against the Dynamo, the other team to have fought for their lives in the qualifier. The matchup seemed to be overwhelmingly on the Menaces side as they have been a power force every year in the playoffs, and they only seem to improve, but not win the cup. The series seemed to start quite evenly, more evenly than teams expected, the series went 1 – 1, than 2 – 2, and people were still sure Menace would take the series, even after that, but other plans were met… Dynamo shuts out Menace 3 – 0, Dynamo wins the game 4 – 2, and wins the series 4 – 2 as well. The force in the Menace was just a weak touch as we seen it in this series, the great team, was not so great of a team in all reality. Predators vs Phantom Lastly the Predators versus the Phantom was a rollercoaster of emotions. The Predators and Phantom were right next to each other on the season standings, some saying Predators would win, others saying the Phantom would win, it seemed like an even matchup overall. The series really did start close, but also started with high scoring games, 7 – 4 Predators, 5 – 1 Phantom, the series was tied 1 – 1 and was made interesting. The next 2 games saw the Predators take it in overtime, yes both games were that close making a made 3 – 1 series for the Predators. Once the 5th game in the series was played, we saw Phantom finally take one in overtime to get another win, but they were not done there, they took the next game in a close 5 – 4 bout. This would tie the series 3 – 3. The Predators were getting worried about this comeback, but the series would end with an 8 – 5 win for… The Phantom. After coming back from a 3-1 defecate, the team wins it 4 – 3 to move on the next round. (DeJa’Vu for any Leafs fans on the team…). Conclusion These were some crazy battles in the qualifiers and the first rounds, many upsets happened, where only 1 or 2 favorites moved on the next round. The playoffs are just getting started, and more games to be played, and more exciting series can come around, with a first round as exciting as this, the next 2 rounds must have a lot in store for us. If you asked me, who wins it all? I would not be able to answer as the teams have been surprising me with their plays left right and center. Also, here’s to a Happy New Year!

Brendan Marner confirmed his placement in Warsaw with a contract signing on the 30th of December. This contract is 2 years in length and gives Marner 5.5 mill per season. The team had many contracts to sign this season, but with this signing it takes off one of the big names from walking in free agency. Brendan Marner had only one demand, a no trade clause to be included for the 2-season contract. The GM had absolutely no problem locking up this player for the 5.5 million for the last 2 seasons of his career especially with the only ask being a no trade clause. Brendan Marner wanted to stay, after spending his whole VHL career in Warsaw he did not want to leave the place he calls home. Brendan Marner could have probably got a ton of money on the free agent market now since he has 2 consecutive seasons being in the top 3 in point in the league. Overall, he is still improving, and he most definitely wanted to stay. Warsaw is signing players like crazy right now and let me tell you the team will be amazing come next season again.

1. First Press Conference of the New Year! What is everyone's new year's resolution? It's not the New Year yet, are you still hungover from Christmas? 2. S86 playoffs, who will be our playoffs leading scorer? I woulda said Kiss at the start, he always gives his all in the playoffs 3. Who will be our toughest opponent in the playoffs? Phantom 4. HC Davos is scoring like crazy in the playoffs, yet they're in a 2 - 2 series, what's up with that? They suck defensively 5. How did your player celebrate Christmas? Got wasted 3 days straight 6. NHL Christmas roster freeze, how furious would the trade market be after the roster freeze is lifted and the NHL heads toward trade deadline? I think more moves will happen closer to the deadline as good teams are doing bad and bad teams are doing good lol

last day???

day what?

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give me

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Toronto vs Davos was a close battle between 2 good teams. The first period saw no scoring take place, but the second period saw a quick goal scored by Pete Mitchell to have Davos first on the board. The next goal came al the way in the third period where Davos scored quick again, but this time by James Teekirque. Finally, the legion was able to get on back while they were on the powerplay, which was scored by CDS Leb, but would be the last time either team scored. The end score was 2-1 Davos

Well as we move towards Christmas, we see the league very cheerful and collecting their free weeks from the charity donation drive. I am not too sure where we are at with it, but it seems like we are doing quite well, would love to see a number go up and up. As everyone collects their free weeks and theme weeks, I am stuck writing this week, why? Because I wrote theme week last week, but also used a free week from a normal VHL donation so I had to use the theme week points this week when I would’ve used the free week from the charity donation… Yeah. So, I need to write this, but its ok, I will treat myself for Christmas and use the other free week next week. Oh yes and I almost forgot, I also have another doubles week also from my donation drive, so I need to use that after the wee of Christmas and claim the 5 uncapped that’s owed to me from that donation as well… Yeah, I got a lot of TPE to collect the next couple of weeks. Well shit, I was going to talk more about the donation drive, but it turned into my own little rant of what my plans are. I'll pick this up again when we get our leagues total money raised and probably talk about it then. But yeah, since I am about to run on 250 words, I don’t want to make this into a points task so Ill leave it at reminding members to donate, I would love to see more money go into this charity, you don’t need to throw in a lot, but just what you can.

1. Trade deadline is upon us! We sit first in the conference. Albeit tied with 2 others. Do we need to make trade(s) for playoffs push? Looks like we exchanged goaltenders, so that's cool, gonna miss Wumbo tho 2. Tight race with Moscow and D.C. Who would be our biggest challenge for 1st in conference? Moscow beat us last season, so gotta say them. 3. What position is preferred for seating for playoffs? first place, rag on the bottom feeders 4. Once again, all our forwards are 20 goals scorers. What was the best offensive team you have played for and how good was that teams' offense? Only Warsaw is what I know, and yeah our offense is amazing 5. At what time should we start talking contracts? either beginning of the season to lock up a star, or the end of the season, don't stress the players out 6. How do you define a blockbuster trade? if elite players are involved, or a possible lottery pick is involved

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christmas.

DAY 4

AGAIN?!?! Day 3

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commented in the thread for 1 ticket

Collecting both 6 capped and doubles: 12/18/2022

It looks like I can write about my own experience as a first gen for theme week, so that is what I will do. I wanted to start off explaining that I am not a first gen, I have been in the VHL for a short time before this, but people thought I was brand spankin new when I came back… Funny how that works. How was my first VHL experience? Well, it wasn’t terrible, I had joined, knew nothing and that’s how I played for quite some time. I would take the obvious welfare, practice, and all the easy points that was possible to collect. It took be long into my VHLM experience to understand how this forum worked, what I could do for TPE and how to get it, but as a first gen, I was never really shown the ropes like I know them now. I didn’t get a forum help post of what TPE can be collected, and how, maybe it was just not team for newbies, but there was not much discord chatter either. When I compare this experience to the most recent player I made, this was not ideal for a first gen player, as my VHL return team showed me what I could do for TPE with an in-depth post with everything new players, and returning players need to know. This is exactly what we needed back then. Anyways, the VHLM in my first gen seasons were good, I didn’t start out too hot, but I quickly learned to stay on top of my low paying welfare. And just like that a couple seasons I was on the top leaders for points in the VHLM, I do not believe I won anything, but it was a cool feeling. I hope more first gens could feel that because I believe that is one of the things that made me come back like 10-20 seasons later. Now why did I leave? I think I have explained this many times before, but I do believe I had just forgotten about the league in general, after my breakout VHLM season. I saw myself go the VHL and I did not perform nearly as well, and for some reason I didn’t want to go through that again. I think since I was only collecting welfare, I knew it would take me a long time and I may never even reach the level of some of the max earners would get. So, I think that might have been one reason, but another was based around my VHL team not using discord. I love discord, I always have it open when I am on the computer, so all the team notifications would go to me to remind me to check my player, well with the VHL team I was on did not allow me to join their discord simply because they did not have one. It was a disappointment and it really made me forget the forum exists, I mean I am writing this now after seeing a reminder on the discord chat, this is how effective it is for me. Overall, I had a good experience in the VHLM in my first season, it feels good that I am back now and taking advantage of my free time to write for the forum, its much more entertaining seeing my player grow, and grow. If there is any first gen players reading this, try making some of these media spots and articles and such, it grows your player faster, and strengthens your writing ability. Yes, I still suck at writing, but you should have seen me 2 years ago.

free week 5 uncapped doubles (claiming in a couple weeks)

Calgary has been the force for this season 86, the is rolling with 62 points right now, 8 points ahead of second. The team has been running with 27 wins only 5 losses and 8 overtime losses. The overtime losses are what’s really pushing Calgary to the top, but even with that, the team has the most wins in the league. With 143 goals for, they are the top team with the most goals for and it is quite clear the team has an insane scoring ability. The 106 goals against shows where the problem lies, as they are one of the bottom 7 teams in the league for goals against, but they have clearly shown they can outscore their problems. Will this defensive problem be the end of them when it matters most? We will need to see in about 32 games. I wanted to talk about some of the best players on Calgary, and I think it would not make sense if I didn’t talk about Daniel Janser. Janser is probably the franchise player most teams are looking for, and with 28 goals and 66 points, it makes sense why the team is doing so well with him centering the first line. Janser doesn’t only collect goals and points, he is one of the heaviest hitters in the league, intimating the opponent as he overwhelms them with goals. Landon Wolanin is the next top scorer on the team with 24 goals and 56 points. Wolanin is one of the best complementary pieces to Janser on that top line. Wolanin is top 3 in scoring on the team, but he has more than double the number of game winning goals than anyone else on the team. Although he is not one of the heavy hitters we see in other top players like Daniel Janser, he will also be good at staying discipline. AirRig GoodBrandSun is the clear best defenseman Calgary has, as he has the most blocked shots on the team with 86, but he almost never seen hitting. He is also one of the top scorers for defensemen, with 8 goals and a crazy 54 points, this defenseman is becoming one of the elite defensemen some teams are really missing. Well, there is one player not many people are talking about, but he might be the reason Calgary is where they are right now, and that is Ben Dahl. This goaltender is running with 26 wins, and only 4 losses and 1 overtime loss. This guy is entering the prime in his career and is proving to be one of the best goaltenders in the league with 0.926 save percentage, and 2.28 goals against average. Dahl also has 2 shutouts so far this season, and I will be looking forward to seeing what else this goaltender can do. Calgary is the best team right now and for a good reason, the team is looking good, and with their 3 game winning steak, it is quite possible the team moves up and gets to all new highs.

It has been a crazy good start to the season, and the top team has really locked themselves up in first. The Calgary Wranglers has 58 points this season, and 5 points ahead of second place. Calgary has become a real force in the VHL, beating out teams like Moscow and Warsaw for the first-place position. The top 5 teams have also locked up their lead, as Moscow in 5th position is 5 points ahead of Prague. These points lead really insures everyone in the top 5, really consider themselves a top 5 team. With Calgary at the top with 58 points, Chicago next with 53 points, then Davos with 52 points, Warsaw with 50, and Moscow, in the 5th spot with 49 points. Although the teams are too close, and too far to say these will be the standings at the end of the season, the teams have been taking off from the rest of the league, and it is very possible that these teams will make it in the playoffs in a few weeks.

1. We stumbled a bit this week, but we're still in a good position. How impressed are you of how well the team is playing given our lackluster defense (both offensively and rating-wise)? This past week did hurt a bit, but I know where we are supposed to be, I remember saying at the beginning of the season we would be top 5, and we are! 2. If we go out to target a defenseman, who do you wish to have join our blue line? All I know is that we need someone to complement Payne on that first line. 3. What is the worst thing you've done on the team bus or team plane? I took a massive dump as soon as the plane hit its peak and we could get up... sorry guys 4. Girts Galvins, how good is this guy? A temporary show of brilliance or a many things to come? many things to come! guys been an upcoming star, I could see it. 5. What is the worst thing you've forgotten to bring during a road trip? My passport smh. 6. If you can be a NHL GM for a day, what would you do and which team would you choose to GM? I would be the Seattle GM and destroy the team than go inactive.