AcousticKazoo

+4

You're a freaking legend!

Awesome article! One minor thing, though....it's MICHA Sage. lol. Great read, though! I appreciate the shout.

For Week Ending in 9/29: 1. After a relatively good start to the season we've been in a bit of a skid, what do you think we need to change to get out footing back? We're rebuilding, so there's no shame in experimenting with lines and seeing what works best, who works with who best, and what produces the better result. 2. What's one area of your game you think you need to improve? Scoring. Having 5 goals and 5 assists 21 games in seems disappointing, and I need to find that formula to get better results. 3. With 19 games under our belts, S68 2nd overall pick Lance Flowers has shown his ability to hang with the pros. How does it feel playing with one of the most prolific picks of the S68 draft? Great guy, solid player. Can't wait to see what the numbers he puts up look like at the end of the season. 4. Who do you think has been our season MVP so far? LeGrande. He's been solid on D, pushing those points and assist totals super high. 5. The D.C. Dragons and the Prague Phantoms have been scraping the bottom of the bowl all season, do you think they will break out of the bottom 2 spots by the end of the "year"? It's hard coming into a league as an expansion team with little to work on. If they break out of the bottom two, I think it would more have to do with the other teams that pushed them up moreso than it does with the expansion teams doing well. 6. The program recently tacked on a new AGM to upper management, is there anything the players want to see from him? Not really. I think as long as he is there helping out and making sure we're producing, he's solid. 7. If you could change one thing about the league, what would it be? Injuries. Make minor injuries hit your stats for a series of 3 or 5 games, in which you produce less. Or suspensions. I know it's a sim, and you can't control what happens, but adding some injuries or suspensions could be cool, and make teams scramble for lines. Also, TPE earning needs to be looked at a bit.

Review: Okay, as an old gamer, this is awesome. I miss the days of old hockey like this. Graphics were stupid simple, but the game was just amazing. I love how you put in the jersey colors, not even sure how you managed to do this, but you did an amazing job! I want one for me!

Review: I like this. It's pretty cool for what it is, I think I would have done maybe a cartoon effect on the dog, but seriously this is awesome. Great job, the logo for the dog tag on the collar is awesome.

Review: Awesome job. This is seriously super cool. I love the effects, everything ties in well. I think the only thing I could pick on is the font color, but it's minimal to me that it doesn't really take away from the whole thing. Awesome job, stellar graphic.

Review: Great graphic, really love the effect. Love that you used the vintage jersey for the Kings, I've always preferred that one over any of their others. I think the color on the last name could have been a bit brighter, something to make it pop more. I also would have added more space to the right, it almost looks like the 'r' on the last name is right on the edge. Great work!

Review: Ah, the LeGrande Train gets some love! Great graphic, I love the effect on this. Like @chillzone mentioned, I would have placed the text somewhere else, or perhaps done it in a different color that made it stand out a bit more against the player. Either way, still an awesome effort!

Review: Love this. The effect is wicked, and the logo addition is seamless. I wish I could get that sort of effect down without it being noticeable that the logo was placed. I cannot read cursive because I r stoopid, but the text effect is amazing. All around good job!

Review: I like the second one more than I do the first. There's nothing particularly wrong with the first one, however, I think the second one has more going on that makes it more appealing to the eye. I like the arrows, they flow with the direction of the player. Gives you that impression he just ripped a wicked wrister into the back of the net. I'm also a huge sucker for college style cage helmets, so good on you! Great job!

Review: Really love this. The player cut is nice, and I like the effects that you put on this. Straight and to the point, no fancy useless additions. This is seriously great work, keep it up!

Welcome to the first edition of VHL Insight: Rookie Edition. Today we are sitting down with a familiar face who has recently moved his way up into the VHL after an impressive start in the VHLM, Micha Sage. Sage was drafted 16th overall by the New York Americans, and currently is playing third line minutes. We caught him after a team practice, and we were eager to once again poke the mind of the rookie and get his thoughts on life in the VHL. Micha, thank you for joining us again and having a chat with us. You've made it to the VHL! How different has the change been for you, and are you finding difficulty in settling in? MS: Hey, thanks again. It feels great to finally be in the VHL. Being here is a huge culture shock for me, I guess. The VHL is so different from being in the VHLM in just about everything you do. Practices are different, meetings are different, even team meals are different. And don't get me started on travelling...it's just a whole new world for me and I think it's sort of caught me off guard. On top of being in a new country, and sort of getting used to how people live here is a lot to take in. So, yeah, I'd say I am having a bit difficulty adjusting to life. You touched a lot of points, especially that the life in the VHL is hugely different than it is in the VHLM. Do you attribute the low scoring and assist totals on the troubles you're having adjusting to the new life, or are you having a slow start? MS: Yeah ten points in twenty-one games played is rough, at least by my standards. I think part of it has to do with my troubles to adjusting here, but I also think it's just the talent pool in the VHL is so deep, it's hard to keep afloat. That's not to say there wasn't huge talent in the VHLM, because there is, but it's just a whole new world of talent here. You have guys who have been here awhile, who know the ropes, are set on a routine and have passed that sort of 'Freshman Shock' period in their career. I'd like to say it's a slow start, and the best is yet to come, I know I am capable of it I just hope my team and the coaching staff see that, too. You're on a team that has been rebuilding, adding and removing players in hopes of being contenders in the near future. Do you feel the team is there, or are you guys a season or more out from hitting that full powerhouse potential? MS: I think we have a good team around us right now, and we're floating in the middle of the pack kind of. As far as being in a rebuild stage still or not, it's not for me to say. I don't mind being on a team that's trying to rebuild and gain new players; it gives me a chance to get used to life here, and progress my game a bit more at a relaxed pace. Although, at some point, I need to step up. I am aware of that. Has anyone taken you under their wing, so to speak, and showed you the ways of how to go about life in the VHL? I know you have been pretty active on social media mentioning Americans D-Man Guy LeGrande a few times. Is there sort of a bromance going on there? MS: Yeah, LeGrande is great. I guess he's taken me under his guidance and make sure I don't do anything silly to mess up what I have going for me. I think the biggest thing for me is just...getting used to it all. He's been pretty helpful, even inviting me for some dinner and a movie a few times. It definitely helps to have that person making sure you're playing to your full potential, and that no chance goes wasted. Bromance? Sure, I guess -laughing-. He's just been great, as a teammate and as a mentor. Sage (Left) and teammate, LeGrande (Right) during warm-ups Speaking of LeGrande, he's currently leading the team in assists and points. What are you thoughts on that? MS: He's stepping up as a D-Man and really laying it all out there. I think this year is going to be his breakout year, in all honesty. It's really cool to have someone of his talent and caliber make noise right out of the gate at the beginning of the season. I really see great things from him, and like I said, he's been a great mentor. Thanks for taking the time to sit and chat with us again, Micha. I hope you start to come around sooner rather than later and life gets a bit easier for you in the VHL. That wraps it up for this edition of VHL Insight. Tune in next time, thanks for reading, and until then, we'll see you. Word Count: 835 Submitting for week ending in 9/29

Count me in

Thanks for the mention! Awesome read, looking forward to the season ahead!

Welcome to the last edition of VHLM Insight for the season! We're going to take a different approach for this final edition and focus on a player in the VHLM who will most likely be moving up to the VHL. So without further ado, let's jump right into it. The Ottawa Lynx emerged victorious and was crowned Founder's Cup Champions by sweeping the Minnesota Storm in the Finals. We got a chance to sit down with Forward Micha Sage after the celebrations and get his thoughts on the season, winning the championshop, and whether or not his sights are set on moving to the VHL or staying behind in the VHLM one more year. Micha, thanks for joining us again. First let me say congratulations to you and the guys for winning the Founder's Cup, this has to be something special for you guys I'm sure. With that said, what are your thoughts on how your season went? Was there anything you wish you could go back and change, or wish you would have done more of? Micha Sage: Thank you so much, and wow, it's been quite a rookie season, for sure. I think our season went extremely well, the guys really did an amazing job. I couldn't have asked for better teammates honestly, we always were keeping each other in focus, and we never really gave up on fighting throughout the whole season. As for anything I'd go back and change; No, not really. I think overall for my rookie season this is as good as it could get, really. I may not have ended up with scoring as much as I wished I could have, or felt I should have, but I have to take the victories where they are and ending the season with 94 points is something to still be proud about. Any moment that stands out for you this season as a proud moment? MS: Man. I think just looking at our team is something to be proud of. We had a bunch of our guys in the top for goals, assists, scoring...you name it, we had at least three or four guys in the top 10 for those categories. Coming in second for goals scored in the Playoffs behind Thorny is an honor, he played absolutely amazing. Just to be mentioned in the same breath as this team is something to be proud of. You guys seemed to have the formula all season long. It was pretty close between you and Philadelphia all season, with it taking until the end of the season for you guys to make the jump to first. What was the rivalry with Philly like? MS: I think one of the highlights of my rookie year will always be the games between us and Philly, and just sitting there watching the standings so closely. We were always nipping at their heels, then they would pull away from us, we'd claw our way back, then they'd pull away again. I think even though we were rivals, and we fought neck and neck throughout the season, I feel like there's a ton of respect between both teams. They are a great group of players, they really gave us a run and we'd give them it right back. Honestly, I have nothing but respect for the players and staff over there, hell of a good team. I know I will be keeping an eye on the VHL draft to see where some of them end up. One final question before we wrap this up and let you go; Are you planning on staying in the VHLM or will we see you in the big leagues next season? MS: I am pretty sure I will be moving up to the VHL for next season. With two new teams being brought in, I am sure there will be plenty of chances to be called up. Either way, if I move up or stay down, I am ready for whatever is next for me honestly. It'd be sweet to stay down and try for another shot at the title, but moving up is the ultimate dream. Best of luck to you, Micha, it's been a pleasure as always. We can't wait to see what the future holds for you. That does it for the final installment of VHLM Insight. It has been an absolute blast and pleasure doing these articles throughout the season, and we hope to continue the tradition next season. Until then, thanks for reading! Word Count: 752

1. Rookie season in, and topping it off with a Founder's Cup win...can't get much sweeter than this, boys! 2. We killed it out there. Had some close games and series, but came out on top in the end. 3. Photobombing celebs. 4. I'd like to stay down in the M, but I have a feeling it's the VHL for me. 5. Six or seven games with a win would have been nice, but a sweep is just as sweet! 6. 60 - 6 - 6 It's been fun boys! One helluva ride, and couldn't have had more fun with a greater group of guys. You all rock.

Good series everyone. Great job getting that Founder's cup! You guys at Minnesota did awesome, don't let the sweep take that away. Hell of a team, top class. See you all in the VHL!

Micha Sage Forward Points: 94/10 = 9.4 +/-: 68/6 = 11.3 Total: 20.7 + 3 = 23.7 Capped at 20

Claiming Free Week ending in 9/1

Why the hell would you tank us??? Seriously, though, it's been an honor being on this team, especially being my first season in the league. It's been a blast and no matter where we place, it's been seriously fun you guys.

Yeah I was thinking that. I had turned the opacity down on the player layer a bit to fade him more into the background. Thanks for the tips! I will do this for my next one. Still just learning the ropes. I had made my background splatters and what not, merged them, plopped some text down, then added the player so instead of 10+ layers, I had three at end.

Trying my hand at doing sigs. This is my very first one, so, any tips or suggestions are very welcome! @ahawk2191

1. Move by Thousand Foot Krutch. Like the feel of the song. 2. With Arms Wide Open by Creed, and strictly because the fans would either belt it out or look confused. 3. I'd throw down with him, but he's a brother,brother. 4. Of course we can! 5. Something about that statement just sounds...anyways. NO. 6. Show me the brother pass, brother!