Elmebeck

3. I think I could have contributed a lot more off the ice, but on the Ice i'm happy with what my player did. 
4. We better not.
5. I predict we will, at the very least, make it deep. What I expect, however, is to win it all. 
7. I may have got my Christmas present early. I got a mildly expensive but awesome portable Bluetooth speaker. Music is love, music is life. 
9. New years resolutions were never quite my thing. I just keep trying to do my best, regardless of a goal. 
10: 
 

S69 Draft November 17th, 2019
 
One month later in real time. It is currently December 17th, 2019. Let's revisit the players from the S69 1st round draft.  For fun I will rank players 1 though 12 based on TPE earned since the draft. Tpe numbers were taken at 7pm Eastern  Standard  time December 17th. I will also check to see how each players season is going. 
 
#1. Guy Saskamoose
@Cxsquared   
+141 TPE earned since draft
Pos: D  drafted  3rd overall by Riga
A @gorlab BUST
Saskamoose joined Riga for the s69 Season and has played all 65 games.  He has scored 1 goal ,13 assists,  14 points and is a whopping +34. Our top earner out of the pack and will be a top 5 D man in the VHL one day. If he stays with Riga he will be their quarterback and #1 D man at some point. You heard it here first. TPE total = 386
 
#2. RJ Jubis @Jubis 
+136 TPE earned since Draft
Pos: LW  drafted 5th overall by Calgary 
A Gorlab BUST
Jubis made a tough decision moving to the VHL due to his low TPE level. He passed up the chance to help lead Saskatoon to a championship. It is rumoured he is enjoying his first season in Calgary thanks to the great teammates he has there. 64 games played, 9 goals, 2 assists, 11 points, +2 and just 16 PIM. Scored 9 goals on just 58 shots good for a shooting percentage of 15.51%. Not a flashy player but his shot has elite potential.  TPE total = 348
 
#3. Kris Rice @Krice13
+134 TPE earned since draft 
Pos: RW  drafted 11th overall by Calgary
A Gorlab BUST
Rice decided to play his season with the Missauga Hounds in the VHLM. He is tearing it up. Breaking Hounds Franchise records and he still has 7 games left to play. 65 gp 54 goals, 70 assists, 124 points, +38. His playmaking ability is game changing. Could be one of the big steals of the draft. TPE total= 322
 
#4. Benny Graves @STZ
+126 TPE earned since draft
Pos: C. drafted by D.C. 2nd overall 
A Gorlab LICK
Graves was at the top of the draft in TPE at draft time and is still at the very top of the pack in TPE with 30 more than anyone else. 5th in rookie scoring. 65 games played, 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points , -14. Almost already at 500 TPE. Benny Grave's ceiling is sky high. 
TPE total= 473
 
#5. Guy Lesieur @KC15
+123 TPE earned since draft
Pos: RW  drafted by D.C. 6th overall 
A Gorlab BUST
Guy Lesieur is off to a decent rookie season. Playing in all 65 games so far he has 11 goals, 9 assists, 20 points, -24. For a player that still throws hits and plays physical, Lesieur has stayed put of the penalty box. Just 36 PIM in 65 games. Expect him to continue to climb the ranks on a young Dragons squad.
TPE total = 331
 
#6. Cinnamon Block @omgitshim
+119 TPE earned since draft
Pos: D drafted by Prague 1st overall 
A Gorlab LICK
The drafts 1st overall pick. Impressive 2nd in rookie scoring. 4th in the entire league in shots blocked. A D man with a style that is sought after by many teams. 65 games played, 2 goals, 34 assist, 36 points, -15. Will tear the league up for many seasons.  TPE total= 425
 
#7. Patrik Tallinder @Patrik Tallinder
+109 TPE earned since draft 
Pos: LW  drafted 10th overall by Riga
A Gorlab BUST
Patrik Tallinder is another great player that decided to play with the Mississauga Hounds. He is having a great season averaging almost a goal and an assist per game. 65 games played, 55 goals, 56 assists, 111 points,  +28. His 12 game winning goals is by far the league best. 2nd in game winners only has 9. Tallinder is a clutch player and he will hope to bring that to the VHL  next season. TPE total= 310
 
#8. Soren Jensen @Velevra
+106 TPE earned since draft
Pos: LW  drafted 4th overall by NYA
A Gorlab LICK
Rookie points scoring leader with 47 points. He has an 11 point lead for the rookie scoring race with only 7 games left in the season. 65 games played 13 goals, 34 assists, 47 points,  - 3.  Out producing all fellow rookies so far. Is Jensen a future HOF winger? Only time will tell. TPE total = 443 
 
#9. Erik Summers @Erik Summers
+103 TPE since draft
Pos: D  drafted 8th overall by Helsinki
A Gorlab BUST
Summers played for Mexico this season in the VHLM. A place where tacos and tequila are the daily diet. 64 games played, 12 goals 46 assists,  58 points, -3.  8 of his 12 goals have come on the powerplay. TPE total= 320
 
#10. Hiroshi Okada @enigmatic
+97 TPE since draft 
Pos: C  drafted 9th overall by Calgary 
A Gorlab LICK
Okada joined the Calgary Wranglers for the s69 season. Okada is just returning from winning a silver medal at the WJC tournament. Also he was selected for the allstar team for the tournament. 65 games played, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, -24.  He is key in the faceoff dot and is being used to kill penalties for the Wranglers. Okada is able to perform in any role thrown at him by his team. A player who had no lucky bounces go his way. I see a big up tick in production for him next season. Breakout year potential in s70. 
TPE total= 350
 
#11.  David O'Quinn @JohnOQuinn
+87 TPE Since draft
Pos: D  drafted 12th by NYA
A Gorlab BUST
O'Quinn is playing his S69 season for the juggernaut that is the Saskatoon Wild. They are breaking records and may just be the best VHLM team of all time. O'Quinn has tore up the VHLM the past 2 seasons and has established himself as one of the best passers in the league.  A crazy 147 assists in just 135 games played. This season he has played 63 games, 13 goals, 84 assists, 97 points, +65. He will be making the jump to the VHL next season where he will join the Americans.
 
#12. Ben Storm @BigBallerFromDownUnder
+37 TPE since the Draft 
Pos: RW drafted by Riga 7th overall
A Gorlab BUST
Storm has been inactive since Dec 3rd. Not a long time but a cause for concern possibly if you're Riga management. Some players have earned 100 TPE more since the draft. Maybe @gorlab is correct for once. Storm has played his s69 season for Halifax in the VHLM. 64 gp ,46g 50a , 97 points , +33. If he stays inactive forever, this will be the biggest bust of the draft. 
 
1125 words 
 
 
 

Rylan Peace's regular season career is officially over as the Toronto Legion slip and slide into their playoff birth on a streak their players would like to forget. Although the mid-season was kind to the Legion, their current record is less than desirable, and it seemed like nothing they did could correct the issues they were having despite some competitive statistics with both the advanced stats and scoring chances categories.

Today we'll recap his career from the initial entrance into the VHLM with Halifax to his inevitable exit with Toronto following the conclusion of the Legion's post-season, regardless of where they finish in the upcoming playoffs. It would be nice for Peace and team to go all-the-way... but it's unlikely to happen considering the more talented teams ahead of them. 

Rylan Peace entered the VHLM during the tail end of season sixty two when he signed an entry level introductory commitment contract that enabled him to play for the the Halifax 21st VHLM hockey club, and officially established the Peace Player Agency (TPPA) as a player talent registration for the Victory Hockey League. Their flagship player, which the agency was named after, wound up joining Halifax for twenty six games during their regular season and went on to cement a career tendency that followed him throughout his career. Peace recorded ten points in those twenty six games, splitting them evenly with five goals and assists each. 

During his debut season, Rylan Peace moved from the forth line to mixed duties between the second and first line with Halifax as he rapidly developed on a moderately deep club. By the time the playoffs hit, he was a certified second line player across the majority of the teams in the VHLM... although Peace's playoff performance fizzled out as Halifax was defeated in the second round of the VHLM playoffs. Peace never scored a goal, registering a sole assist as his lone point in the eight playoff games he dressed in. 

Following the conclusion of his first partial season, Rylan Peace entered the draft and was selected by the Saskatoon Wild in the second round. Additionally, Peace was also drafted twelve overall in the VHL Entry Draft, but more on that later. Back then the VHLM was a far more condensed league, so eight overall was actually 'early' in the second round of the Dispersal Draft. With Saskatoon Rylan would achieve much more personal success - although he was snuffed from any personal awards. During season sixty three, Rylan Peace would wind up serving as Saskatoon's assistant general manager... and eventually acting general manager as their captain went missing in action. 

Peace would score ninety one points for the Wild during the season, and was named team Captain by an internal leadership vote. Peace scored forty six goals, while contributing forty five assists for (almost again) a near split in point production. During the season Peace was named interim general manager, which in a press conference, mistakenly said 'intern' in a text-based interview he concluded with VSN. In the playoffs the Wild would win the championship, but Peace wasn't the most productive member of the team like he was during the regular season. Trades made brought in better players, and despite a stronger lineup sharing similar production, Peace wound up earning himself seven goals and three assists (for ten points) in eleven playoff games... finishing - surprisingly - with a negative one plus/minus rating. 

Moving up into the VHL - after expending a season of his eligible career in the minors - he joined the cup favorites in Riga after he was drafted twelve overall by them in the entry draft, while also being passed by the Helsinki Titans. Riga had just won the cup, and they were poised to do so again with perhaps the strongest roster in the VHL. After reporting in with the club, Riga GM Hedge would slot the rookie on the third line with Mikko Pajajari thinking the apparent shooting/passing chemistry between the two would blossom. They were projected to be the best third line in the league, but it just didn't happen the way the club thought they would. 

Rylan Peace's rookie season was 'good' for a rookie, but the player was disappointed with his production because he knew he could do better than how he did. Rylan Peace's twenty four goals and twenty two assists (again... nearly a split point production) weren't enough to give him the top rookie award. Riga did well that season, however, and easily made the playoffs on the effort of their top line. Peace started the playoffs alongside Riga's dynamic duo in Cast and Reencarnation. In the first four games of the playoffs, and despite Riga trailing the series, Rylan Peace had found success with his line mates. He scored two goals and two assists in those four games... and then he was benched for the remainder of the playoffs. Riga was down three-one in the series, fought back to tie it, and were eventually eliminated in game seven. 

Peace quietly implied he wanted to be traded from the club after being benched for games five, six and seven. 

He was then traded to the HC Davos Dynamo, where he was forced to play alongside VHLM rival Elias Dahlberg. 

As the season begun for Peace's first as a Dynamo - which would end up being his career high - he found immediate success alongside Elias as the clubs top center. Oh yeah, that's right... he switched from his natural position on the right wing to a center for the club. Rylan Peace would go onto scoring fifty one goals for the Dynamo, while earning fifty two assists for... once again... a nearly total split in point production. Unfortunately the Dynamo missed the playoffs that season, but the hype was building. 

Now Peace'll be the first to admit that his second and final season with the Dynamo was individually sub par as the club added talent and depth, although his eighty five points would help carry the Dynamo into the playoffs. Rylan Peace, alongside Elias Dahlberg and other members of the Dynamo, would publicly criticize an irrational decision made by Dynamo GM that send away talent close to the trade deadline - but more importantly the GM traded himself to a different team that was looking like they had a stronger chance at a championship. The team was doing alright, and while it wasn't as expected, the trade ultimately wounded both the confidence in the leadership and the on-ice product. 

Peace would score eleven points in the playoffs (five goals and six assists) and was traded as soon as possible following the conclusion of Dynamo's second round exit. This season marked the first (and only) season he'd end up being more of a 'playmaker'. Rylan Peace's goal production dropped with the likes of Svoboda and Dragomir flanking him along the wings on the top line. Rylan Peace's adventure with the Dynamo ended when he was traded to the Toronto Legion for a full set of draft picks. 

Rylan Peace would begin his career with the Legion as the teams top center despite facing natural depreciation in the upcoming seasons. A high cost to pay, but one the Legion GM was clearly okay paying, as not long after the trade the newly acquired Legion was announced as the replacement GM for Toronto when the current (and still present GM) retires. Rylan Peace returned to successful roots with the Legion, producing nearly ninety points (89) while also - like his classic self - nearly splitting the point production between goals and assists. He scored forty goals and registered forty nine assists for eighty nine points. 

The Legion, however, were defeated in first round of the playoffs in a heartbreaking five game series. Rylan Peace registered seven points in the five postseason matches, but it simply wasn't enough to get the team over the hump.

The following season saw Peace hit natural depreciation as his body aged, and the fast paced high energy game of the VHL started to wear his body down. Despite being less than he was before, Peace still managed to achieve a point-per-game pace and once again nearly split his point production. He scored thirty five goals and recorded thirty eight assists for seventy three points in seventy two games, but it was nothing special - so there's really nothing special to write home about consequentially. In the playoffs Peace seemed out of place, earning only four assists in a first round exit for the Legion.

Finally - in his final season - Rylan Peace lead his Toronto club in points with seventy one in a full seventy two game schedule. Like clockwork his point production was split almost evenly between goals and assists, as he finished the season with thirty six goals and thirty five assists. Over his career he reached the two hundred goal milestone, while also hitting two other significant milestones by reaching two hundred assists and four hundred points. 
 
Peace was rarely acknowledged as a skilled player by his peers, league fans and observers... but the stats speak for themselves, and he was arguably one of the best non-physical two-way players in the Victory Hockey League during his career. He never received recognition, however, partially because he was a non-physical player. This season he regressed into a more 'veteran' role as the amount of checks he threw this season went up by hundreds in comparison with the rest of his career. Sadly it was already too late, but would he have won an award in season sixty five had he had two hundred and forty five hits? Maybe, just maybe.  
 
 
1602 words, claiming for the next three weeks. 

Unsung Heroes – The Defensive Defensemen of the VHL
 
There is no doubt about it in my mind… defense may win championships but offense wins adoration. This is no more obvious in this sport than in the case of the defensive defenseman. While they aren’t going to get too much notice around the league because of their lack of scoring they are willing to put their bodies on the line game in and game out in order to keep the puck out of their own team’s net. In this article I will be highlighting some of these players to get them the recognition I believe they deserve.
 

 
Name: Seabass Perrin @Sebster03
Team:
Shots Blocked: 146 (2nd)
Hits Given: 157 (35th)
Points: 22 (115th)
 
Seabass Perrin of the Prague Phantoms may be the most evident case of a defensive defenseman in the Victory Hockey League. Drafted 17th overall by the Prague Phantoms in the VHL draft he has played a strong defensive role since day one with the team. Although he does have some skill on the offensive side of the puck he combines his great skating ability with his penchant for getting in passing and shooting lanes to make himself one of the better defensive players in the entire league. Some people do say that adding more of an offensive flair to his game would greatly increase his value to his team there is no sign that this is the way he is moving with his training as he continues to improve in his own end. Look for Perrin to be near the top of the shots blocked rankings for the duration of his career.
 

 
Name: Tony Bolonee @Tbeez99
Team:
Shots Blocked: 112 (21st)
Hits Given: 182 (27th)
Points: 24 (110th)
 
While his shots blocked numbers may not be quite as impressive as the aforementioned Seabass Perrin there is no doubt that Tony Bolonee is out on the ice every night putting his body on the line. He ranks a very respectable 21st in shots blocked and 27th in hits given among all players while playing for one of the worst VHL squads in recent memory. Despite the fact that the HC Davos Dynamo’s games haven’t had much meaning when it comes to the playoffs almost since day one Bolonee continues to go on the ice and throw himself around with no worry for his own health. If the Dynamo can improve going forward I have no doubt that someone like Bolonee could be a solid defensive piece for a contending team.
 

 
Name: Ricky Johnson @Midnite
Team:
Shots Blocked: 111 (23rd)
Hits Given: 154 (38th)
Points: 26 (107th)
 
Ricky Johnson has been a staple on the DC Dragons blue line this season. I have already seen him mentioned as an unsung hero elsewhere but that doesn’t change the impact he has had for that team. Ricky Johnson was drafted by the DC Dragons with the 18th, one pick after Seabass Perrin, and has proven to be a great pick in the second round for the Dragons. While, much like Perrin, some critics have said that they would like to see Johnson focus on the offensive side of the puck in his training there is no doubt that his defensive style is appreciated by his teammates. His selfless style of play has earned him respect around the league.
 
-560 Words-

SASKATOON - The regular season has come to the end for the Saskatoon Wild. It has been an amazing season, as the Wild finished the season with an amazing record of 68 wins and only 4 losses. They had a goal difference of 275 and were easily the most dominant team in the Victory Hockey League Minors this season. Now, I could tell you stories about Danny DeYeeto crushing opponents or slamming the puck home, or the silky smooth Edwin THE Encarnacion (who I swear is familiar for some reason) dominating the ice, or even about Ondrej Ohradka making goalies look like swiss cheese every night. I could tell you about Jacques Lafontaine and his cat-like reflexes (though he needs to stop taking naps during games) or David OQuinn showing that he is worthy of being the VHLM first overall pick, or just talk about the amazing season the Wild had (wait, already did that).
 
But today, I’ll talk about someone who I think is a very underrated player in the VHLM. Damien Wolfe. I was going to write about Killy Foilen because it seemed like not many people talked about him, however, I ruled him out because that same logic could be applied to Jesse Nyman, Dagmar Havlova, or Edu Stava. Honestly, Killy and the other players I just mentioned aren’t even unsung heroes. They have proven themselves to be some of the best forwards in the league.
 
So, Damien Wolfe. He is a solid player. While he might not be boasting huge numbers or anything like that, Wolfe is a player you can count on. He has had 16 goals and 30 assists this season (which add up to a total of 46 points), proving that he has offensive capabilities. Damien Wolfe had a plus-minus of 48 and was very disciplined with only 16 penalty minutes. Even though he might not have huge point totals or goal totals this season compared to other players for the Wild, he has shown that he has potential and that he is a good player. Keep in mind that he is also a rookie, fresh in the Victory Hockey League system. Other guys like DeYeeto, Stava, and Nyman have had some experience here in the VHLM but Wolfe is fresh out of...whatever league he came from. He, Edwin THE Encarnacion, and Mikko Lahtinen are probably the top 3 rookies for the Wild in terms of skaters.
 
While he may not have stats as grand as his teammates, Damien Wolfe definitely has the potential to do well in the big leagues. Even if he does end up playing in the Minors for one more season, he’ll probably continue to do well. He might not be the best or most talented player in your team but he works damn hard when he plays. If you ever need a solid player on your team, Damien is your guy. That’s my take on Saskatoon’s unsung hero, Damien Wolfe. Good luck to him and the Wild as they enter the playoffs in a couple of days.
 
@Laflamme

Or 21, depending on how you see it. (1260?(75600?))
 
 
The World Juniors first of two round robin... rounds, are well underway, and the first round robin is almost finished. After seven, Canada is 3-4-0, tied for third place with Team World, however, team world has one less win (but two overtime losses), so have a lower regulation win%. Anyways, let us analyze the games, and along the way i'll try to mention some interesting (and at times, frankly insane) statistics.
 
 
Game 1: World @ Canada  
Final Score: 3-4 SO, Canada wins. 
 
Through 20 minutes, Team World was up 2-0. It wasn't looking good for Canada, and world was outshooting Canada 13-6. However, after World scored a 3rd goal to 'strengthen' their lead in the third period, Canada, a nation famous for being the 'Comeback kids', did its thing. After two goals fueled by the playmaking ability of winger Kris Rice to finish off the second, Nate Telker tied it with a minute and a half left in the 3rd.  Finally, in the shootout after a goalless overtime, Canada's... D1 scored the winning shootout goal. Oops. 
 
Game 2: Canada @ World
Final Score: 1-4, World wins. 
 
Although Canada took the early lead, three horribly timed penalties later Canada was down 3-1, and Worlds solid defense availed them as Canada went goalless after their first goal, in the first period. 
 
Game 3: United States @ Canada
Final Score: 2-4, Canada wins.  
 
After an early goal five minutes into the game by the United States' team, they managed to hold their single tally lead until the third period (Including an insane second period where a total of five shots were registered between the two teams). However, quickly into the third, just two minutes by, Canada had their own single goal lead, fueled by two assists from RJ Jubis. The United States' managed to tie it, but with 50 seconds left Daldo, and a later empty net goal, Canada came out on top. In the third period, Canada had a 50% shooting percentage.
 
Game 4: Asia @ Canada
Final Score: 3-1, Asia wins. 
 
This was a fast paced, high energy game with low goal totals to show for it. The shot total's tell an interesting story, however. Canada managed to outshoot Asia in every period, but their goaltender Jimmy Spyro, who Canada passed on, was a brick wall. So it was, despite Canada's noble effort, with high possession level's, Asia came out on top holding the lead throughout the game, thanks to superior goal tending. 
 
Game 5: Canada @ Asia
Final Score: 3-5, Asia wins. 
 
A somewhat similar story to the previous game in Canada, while Canada had a decent amount of shots, Asias superior goal-tending and ability to cache in more often on their (high quantity of) chances won them the game. At it's closest point, Canada had it tied 9 minutes into the second. It was not to be, however, as Jerry Wang scored two goals within the span of 8 seconds, both goals assisted by the same faceoff: man Hiroshi Okada. 
 
Game 6: Canada @ Europe 
Final Score: 3-2, Canada wins. 
 
Another game in which Canada boasts a higher shooting percentage than its opponent, Canada held the lead all game. Although almost letting go of their lead letting Europe score two goals in the last eight minutes, Flashback managed to hold on and the team. Canada won noticeably less faceoffs and was less physical than Europe in this game, but capitalized more often, which lead to the win.
 
Game 7: Canada @ United Sates
Final Score: 0-4, United States win. 
 
This was a downright ugly game for Team Canada, because the game was nowhere near 'close'. Obviously, Canada was shutout, and at the end of the day that loss is what matters the most, but it goes deeper than that. Canada was outclassed by the United States on the shot chart by a whopping (USA) 40-21 (CAN). This was felt particularly hard in the first period, where Canada was outshot nearly five to one. Flashbacks respectable-ish 900% save percentage was not enough to save Canada, though. The next area Canada was outclassed in was Faceoffs, as the United States won 13 more faceoffs than Canada. While this particular statistic can be hard to interpret, since you may 'lose' a faceoff and gain the puck immediately afterwords, it's still telling of Canada's shortcomings at center. Canada was also outhit 22-13, and out shotblocked 12-9, which is highly impressive on the United States part considering Canada's lower amount of shots attempted, or so it would seem. The only area where Canada succeeded was discipline, only registering two penalty minutes the whole game. The United States' 3 penalties were never capitalized upon, however. 
 
 
Canada needs to win their final game, but not to make it to the second round.
While Canada is almost certainly going to make the second round of the round robin, Canada still needs to win that last game. Proving the haters wrong, and keeping morale high within the team will be important for Canada, since the second round is looking scary. Secondly, if team world leapfrogs Canada by some miracle, Canada will be stuck facing team Asia, which is almost certainly a death sentence, where Canada won't win a medal. Of course, it's not elimination, but every win counts a helluvalot. Canada is slated to face team Europe when the second round starts, atleast for now. These final four games, one of which Canada play's in will be a determining factor for the medal round. 
 
 
 
Although not as important, I'll also quickly touch on individual stats within Team Canada. Unsurprisingly, though interestingly, RJ Jubis leads the team with 7 points, Daldo leading - but tied with Telker - with 3 goals. Secondarily is Guy Sasakamoose, who has 6 pts. What is a surprise, however, is first line center Nate Telker. He's tied for goal lead with Daldo, but hasn't registered a single assist throughout the tourney. Canada is playing well all things considered, so it will be seen as to whether or not Telker will be demoted in favor of Rice. 
 
 
Obligatory team Canada tags @Jubis @Telkster @Krice13 @Viperxhawks19 @jared @Laflamme @Adil @Harpskii @InciteHysteria @Cxsquared @Jayden Zelinsky @uphillmoss @SlapshotDragon
 
 
1,030 words. Claiming for the weeks ending on the 15th and 29th of December, 2019. 
 
 
 

Manhattan -- The VHL regular season ended yesterday, and with it was the capper on what has been a roller coaster ride for the New York Americans. In the first third of the season, the Americans were last in the conference, spitting distance from last in the league, and it seemed like the team's rebuild had sputtered. But then, it all came together, and after a miracle run that saw them shoot past D.C., Calgary and Toronto, New York somehow made its way to third in the conference.
 
Now, the Americans will face the Seattle Bears in the first round of the playoffs - a team that, as you may remember, bulldozed its way through the playoffs just last season. It's also the team that former Americans defenseman Guy LeGrande made his way towards in a trade, hoping for more immediate contending opportunities. Vegas lines have the Bears as the heavy favorite, for understandable reasons.
 
In the New York locker room, though, there remains hope. The team only has to look at its 4-3-1 record against these very same Bears during the regular season, with two of those wins coming on the road. Near the end of the season, the two teams split games in New York - the Americans won the first game of the back-to-back 5-2, while Seattle took the second one 4-0.
 
"I just want to make this a series, and I believe we can get there," said defenseman Lance Flowers. "Our goal for this year was playoffs, and now we're here. So anything on top is simply gravy. With that mindset, we're going to play loose - so why not go out and surprise a few people?"

Let's break it down! 

(1) SASKATOON WILD vs. (8) YUKON RUSH

FORWARDS:

When comparing only forwards between the two teams, it's clearly Saskatoon that has the advantage, but like the popular saying goes... "Were it so easy." 

We know that any team in the post-season has a moderate chance to win the championship, and if we look back to season sixty three when the dreadfully outclassed Ottawa Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces in the semi-final round, we can then begun to understand that anything can happen in the post season. Did you know that Ottawa won one of those games with less than ten shots? It's true, look it up. Just because Saskatoon's forwards are dominant in a direct comparison doesn't mean they're going to dominate... but it could. We have to remember history, because if we forget it, we are doomed to repeat it. 

Saskatoon is led by forwards like Mikko Lahtinen, Ondrej Ohradka, Killy Foilen, Edu Stava, Jesse Nyman, and Dagmar Havlova. Meanwhile on the other side of the rink is the Rush, who are in turn lead by forwards Magnum, Spaz and Rushmore. 

DEFENSE:

The Saskatoon defensive core is no longer the top in the league with the development of Mexico's top four being similar quality to others, however against the Yukon Rush, there really is no comparison to be made. Alex Armstrong will do his best in this series, but he's the only comparable defender to the likes of DeYeeto, Encarnation and OQuinn from the Wild. 

GOALIES: 

Well... there is no comparison. Unfortunately the Rush will be forced to use an inactive goaltender, and sadly this might be the reason they lose. 

While GM's may go respected behind the stage, in the wide open they are often not held as highly as they should be. Therefor - I would call them unsung Heroes. My unsung hero today is Peace - the GM of Saskatoon. Since November 1st, Peace has completed 6 trades (bringing in superstar Danny DeYeeto, along with important sidepieces Havolva and Nyman), 1 draft, and an unknown amount of signings because our dear GM hasn't kept the 'signings list' updated ?
 
While it's true that any idiot with a brain could have made a great team come of that draft - few idiots, if any could have put a team into that situation. Furthermore, with the situation he gifted to himself, Peace successfully made a number of trades that improved the team significantly and turned Saskatoon from a team to beat into the team to beat in S69. 
 
So it will go down in history that the Saskatoon team of S69 was one of the best the VHLM had ever seen, what I imagine will be talked about much less is how the crafty man named Peace, and his sidekick, managed to do it. 
 
194 words, claiming for unsung heroes week.
 
For the updater: 
 

Interviews with the man has become rare, has Saskatoon has been practicing consistently and often, despite their success. Tonight he spoke, and I got to question him in regards to his thoughts about his statistical success, an item of which he had seemed to not care about earlier in the season. 
 
R: "Earlier in the season, you claimed you didn't much care for your statistics or icetime. At that point in the season, however, your stats weren't out of the park insane. As we sit here today, however, you lead the entire league in assists. Any comments, now that you actually have something to talk about?"
 
O: "Whao!", said O'Quinn, smiling and giving me a slight nudge. "What's that supposed to mean, Buddy? Haha! Though you have a point, it's easier to talk about your stats when they're good. It's a pretty nice feeling, in a league with talent like this one, to be leading the league in assists. But that never would have happened if the guys didn't finish the plays out there. A pass is only as good as the shot that follows, or something like that?"
 
O'Quinn wasn't around for long after, and this was the only interesting item of information I managed to procure from him.
 
Roger Pennies, Reporting.
 
212 Words

Ooof, I was enjoying a lovely time after my last exam on Friday and understood that I have completely missed the opportunity to talk about my Unsung hero. 

To be fair, I could not choose a single person in this case, so I went with 2. 
 
Firstly,  there is no 1 and 2, they both are completely equal in my eyes and they have helped me and many others in having the motivation to stay in the league and be active and around. 
 
I am talking about my 2 real GM's I have spent time with in VHL. Philadelphia Reapers previous GM @BladeMaiden and my brother-in-arms in VSN and GM of Seattle Bears @Banackock. You both have played a truly significant role in my willingness to stay around and still contribute in every way I can. It is that your way of helping others and being supportive was completely unparalleled. I have been blessed with having an opportunity to be around you both and learn from you ways how to survive in a sim league as VHL is my first and only. 
 
It is truly remarkable to think that in February it will be a year that I have been around VHL and without your guidance at the start of my journey Blade, and by your support Bana every step of the way afterwards I wouldn't be here, I am sure of it. Huge thanks to both of you and I raise a glass of Cognac in name of you both!
 
Truly, thanks.

"Location: Tampa Bay", trying to jinx us? 

Nice write-up, I was marveling myself at the stats last evening. Nice work by the team and @Peace.

This team unified much of the league in their blind sheepish hatred of it. They are so unsung that their logo no longer exists in the VHL logos section as far as I could find so I had to pull this one from google. Also twitch font.
 

 

Season 69 ended today
 
Season 69 has come to a close today. The playoffs are around the corner but not starting until December 27th. For me my rookie season is now over. My Calgary Wranglers missed the playoffs by 6 points and finished in the dreaded 9th spot. One team in the league has to be the playoff bubble team and it just so happens it is us. I think our future is bright tho as we currently hold 2 of the top 4 picks in the upcoming s70 draft. 
 
My rookie season was not as great as I hoped but I managed to put up a few points. I enjoyed myself in the process and have become very comfortable in Calgary. Drafted by Calgary @ 212 TPE Finished game 72 of the season @ 360 TPE. A gain of 148 TPE. Is that good I'm not sure I know it's not bad. By those numbers I know I'll be playing s70 at 500TPE at some point. Fingers crossed for a better sophomore season. RJ Jubis's rookie season by the numbers: 
 
GP: 72  Goals: 9 Assists: 2  Points: 11  +/- 0 , PIM 20 , Hits 41, Shots: 63 
Shot %14.29 , TOI 14.87 mins , GW: 1  Points per 20 mins: 0.21 , 1st☆: 1, 2nd☆:0, 3rd☆:2
 
I guess if I got to be proud of something its scoring 9 goals on only 63 shots. I wanted RJ Jubis to be a sniper. Maybe we got a glimpse of that and RJ has sniper potential in him. We shall see during season 70. 
 
Merry Christmas VHL,
Enjoy time with family & friends or just time away from work relaxing 
Cheers ! 
PS: goodluck to all teams in the playoffs 

1. Most goals in one season - 408, 2nd all-time 
2. Most assists in one game - 19, 9th & 10th 
3. Most assists in one season - 753, 2nd 
4. Most points in one season - 1,161, 2nd 
5. Most shots in one season - 2,878, 6th 
6. Best power play in one season - 30%, 8th 
7. Best penalty kill in one season - 89.5%, 4th 
8. Most wins in one season - 68(god damn it could've f***ing been 69 in season 69), 1st
9. Least losses in one season - 4, 1st 
10. Most team points in one season - 136, 1st 
11. Most home wins in one season - 31, tied for 1st 
12. Most visitor wins in one season - 32, 1st 
13. Most plus-minus by one player in a season - 117 (Danny DeYeeto) & 91 (Edwin THE Encarnacion), tied for 1st & 10th 
14. Most penalty minutes in one season - 176 (Danny DeYeeto), 7th 
15. Wins by a goalie in one season - 68 (Jacques Lafontaine), 1st 
 
Obviously Saskatoon was literally brilliant in every sense of the word, and deserve everything they got. Great work by the Saskatoon GM, AGM, and players. You're the best VHLM team of all time according to the records. Celebrate it while you can before the playoffs, where you have the chance to make even more history. 

Merry Christmas!

The Saskatoon Wild as a team is very good. Great? Entirely dominant and no other team should try good, according to some. This isn't far from the truth. This is often said to be fueled by the top: DeYeeto, Encarnacion, O'Quinn, Ohrdaka, Lafontaine, Nyman, Folien, Havolva, Stava and Lahtinen. The people who say this are not exactly wrong. If you removed half - or all - of these stars, Saskatoon would be much more down to earth, the absolute dominance apart. Some of these top players have put up insane numbers though - Danny DeYeeto, as of typing this, has 50 goals, 95 pts and 145 pts. But believe it or not, all of Saskatoons depth players below the aforementioned have collectively put up a significant amount of more points than DeYeeto himself.
 
This super player - who I have lovingly named bob - has inhabited 11 roster spots over the season (some of the players have since left) - has registered 174 points, and 64 goals at the time of research and writing. . Bob has effectively been the most productive player on Saskatoon, though with a ridiculous amount of icetime to boot. Along with these raw offensive statistics, Bob has also successfully blocked 84 shots, registered a huge 437 hits, and an 231 penalty minutes. Maybe Bob is carrying the rest of the team, and not the other way around?
 
Now don't get me wrong, I am not trying to discredit - or overcredit - anyone here. Many of the components of this super player are gone from the team only 4 of the 11 have played full seasons this year. But the others, now gone, contributed to wins: For without them, Saskatoon would "only" have 336 goals (rather, they would lose 64 goals directly, aswell as an unattainable, though likely large number through lost playmaking and assists), making Saskatoon great - but nowhere near as great as they curently are. 67 wins may have been relegated to 60 - and then you are only a measly 10 pts ahead of the next team. Where would Saskatoon be without our dear Superbob? (No relation to the odd, low budget 2015 comedy)
 
Bob, if he were one player, would also have downsides. You would be playing him, and just him, no one else, every time one of the aforementioned players was off the ice. So take this as a metaphor - the depth players in Saskatoon, be they still here, or long gone, have been absolutely and unquestionably crucial to the success of the team. So let's give some credit to the 'lower' players, both here in Saskatoon, the most domineering team in the league, and in teams across the league with functional 'Superbobs' of their own, whose success would be different, lesser, and possibly missing completely without the advent of these beloved bobs. Credit to the locker room jokers, the guys who just can't seem to keep consistent with the player growth, the newbies who leave after a few weeks. Those who may never be VHLM stars - or VHL depth players. They might not keep the league moving and some may even consider them irrelevant, but without the Superbobs the landscapes of the VHL and VHLM would be entirely different to what we know today.
 
This has been Roger Pennies, reporting for theme week.
 
 
 
 
544 Words, claiming 8 tpe for themeweek aswell.

KnightTime #1033

 
 Welcome back to  another edition of KnightTime Podcast! I'm your host, Phil Knight.    On This Episode: - CHRISTMAS - Unsung Hero: Matty "O Christmas Tree" Materazo @Matt_O - Christmas Watching - -  Questions from @Banackock   Enjoy this edition!    KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread   Songs: Gonna have to listen to find out! - Worth It   This is a division of KnightTime Radio.    Run Time:  31 minutes

Another unsung hero of NY

@ColeMrtz

Hey everyone. It's getting close to that time of the season yet again. Both the VHL and VHLM will be concluding their regular seasons tomorrow Sunday the 22nd of December. We normally take a day off, and then the playoffs begin. However because this season is concluding around the time of the Holidays and @Beketov will be out of town to the 26th anyways, we are making the following announcement;
 
The S69 VHL and VHLM Playoffs will both be starting on Friday December 27th. Also note that the VHL playoffs will also be live simmed this season, as that is something we have tried to establish as a more regular occurrence for the VHL playoffs.
Thanks for your time! Have a great holidays everyone.  

Unsung Hero of New York
 
@Elmebeck

1. I don't even pay attention to it, lol.
2. Yea I am in it, I didn't play the best I could, and I don't really know as of now.
3. I have no idea, but I think a lot of people on saskatoon and other contending teams are qualifying. 
4. 100%, I'm the assist guy on the team, so I'll make sure he gets it!
5. Sim Leagues, Madden haha.
6. I'm really excited, and yes I will. 

1) Yes, I’ve posted in a few threads.
2) I played for Team USA. Unfortunately I didn’t have any points but I’m glad the team was able to turn it around after a rough start.
3) Danny DeYeeto for sure. He’s a beast.
4) I would love to see him score.
5) I’ve been able to play a lot more video games after a busy semester. One of my favorite ways to unwind.
6) I have tickets for Star Wars for Monday. Extremely excited.

There has been many changes and improvement to the VHL Portal since its initial creation but there is one thing that has hardly changed at all, and that is the general look and feel. 
 
Fortunately, that changes today with the release of first alternate Portal theme:
 

 
A simple dark theme to start, I think people that prefer darker colors will find it quite comfortable. Of course, you can always stick with the default. This process has created a bit of a framework that will make it much easier to create additional themes later on, so I do hope to have a few other options at some point. However, I am quite happy with how this came out. 
 
You can try out the new theme using the theme changer at the bottom of the page:
 

 
Note that you must be logged in to change your theme.
 
 

View full release