CowboyinAmerica

Yeah I don't get the lack of production, other than maybe Oslo has at least decent defensemen? Might be worth a lines shakeup if we drop Game 2 too.

@The Trollfecta assuming the deadline for these before the start of Game 2? And the picks: Part I - Pick em' (Pick the correct winners of all three games for 1 TPE) Game 2 - Helsinki Titans vs. Quebec City Meute - Titans Game 3 - Quebec City Meute vs. Helsinki Titans - Titans Game 4 - Quebec City Meute vs. Helsinki Titans - Meute Part II - Predict the Score (Predict the correct score and winner of this game for 3 TPE) Game 4 - Quebec City Meute vs. Helsinki Titans 3-2 Quebec Part III - Player Predictions (Predict the correct player for each category, 1 TPE for each correct answer) Series leader in points: Axelsson Series leader in goals: Axelsson Series leader in assists: Velvet

Winner: Las Vegas Aces Number of games: 5 Total goals scored: 24 Who gets the Cup winning goal?: Rusty Trombone Series leader in points: Rusty Trombone Series leader in goals: Rusty Trombone Series leader in assists: Rusty Trombone I love my team, but I'm also a realist that needs TPE

That's what I'm scared about for the future of Minnesota, seems tough for expansion teams that don't have Atlanta or Toronto's money to catch up. Too bad there's not a soccer process to trust.

You're on a winning streak! Unless you're referring to having to go to games in Chester, in which case yes.

So is this where I bitch about Minnesota United's game today? No, because nobody cares about MLS? OK then.

Maybe over the inactive AK47? Please don't kick me off.

Made it as a youngin, let's do this

Here's to hoping we can at least send him out with a VHLM title

On to the finals! Bring on the Vegas machine.

Saskatoon -- Want to find a way to make your name known to VHL scouts? Try starting off your first three playoff games the way Wild winger Gabriel McAllister has managed to do it. Through the first three games of the series against the Storm, McAllister already had 10 points. In Game 2, he finished with a goal and 2 assists, good enough for the First Star in the game that evened the series 1-1, while in Game 3, he got the Second Star with a goal and 4 assists. His 10 points are second in the VHLM already, while his 7 assists are tied for first." "I put in some extra work right before the playoffs, and it seems to be paying off," McAllister said following Game 4. "Would you look at that? Almost no prep time, and already helping to lead Saskatoon to victory." The Wild are now up 3-1 on the Storm, only needing one more win in three games to advance to the VHLM finals. There, they would likely play Las Vegas and star goaltender Vernon von Axelberry, who are up 3-1 on the Ottawa Lynx. Still, McAllister isn't scared. "We're on top of our game right now, I don't think the result's set in stone if it's us against Las Vegas at all," McAllister said. "But that's still an 'if.' Let's get that final win against Oslo first."

Second line and Manley doing work!

Oh man, that Boeser-McAllister combination. I love it.

Let it be known that for approximately 12 minutes Ottawa was leading this series

But that's more like it. A first star and 5 points through 2 games!

Yeesh, the penalty kill was a killer here. Downside of only having two defensemen.

This was a fun opening round series, loving having (most of) the VHLM teams be evenly matched

Good thing Vegas ain't shit

Like the sentiment at least

It'll be fun when someone from this series has the most points in the entire VHLM playoffs.

Spent a good minute trying to read that small text, just giving up now

I do think it's a case of bad luck to an extent - three VHLM GMs, two of which were long-term (Street and TLO), had life stuff happen within a short span, which is a lot more noticeable with 5 teams than 10. But it is incumbent on the VHLM Commishes in that case to have either a quick trigger or a backup plan (like punkhippie in Vegas) though. I know my stuff was settled quick because I was pushy and tagged people in every thread to get stuff done, but I also know I wouldn't have done that as a new member.

Instant like for topic title

Inside Oslo/Saskatoon: The Other VHLM Semifinal Last week, I wrote on whether the Oslo Storm can break out of their 22 season funk and actually win a Founder’s Cup. I still think it’s possible—but it’s not only the Las Vegas Aces standing in their way. The semi-finals loom first, and there, the Oslo Storm will face the Saskatoon Wild. The Storm and the Wild are two teams with similar records, but that were built completely different ways. Many of Oslo’s top players were acquired via the draft - with Verner Reinholdt and Lyle Smallwood going fourth and sixth overall – and free agency, with Our Lady of Perpetual Motion giving the team a starting goalie. Saskatoon, meanwhile, leaned much more heavily on the waiver wire, with top performers Jake Scheel, Daring Do and Gabriel McAllister only joining fifth overall pick Bo Boeser midseason. The match-up promises to be a close one, particularly as it matches strength against strength: Saskatoon’s offense against Oslo’s defense. The Offensive Breakdown Advantage: Saskatoon In terms of pure talent, it would seem that Oslo should have the big edge here. After all, Verner Reinholdt is one of the most talented playmakers in the entire VHLM, and on a first line with two players right around the 100 TPE mark in Forsberg and Laflamme, it would seem that Oslo certainly has a first line that could compete with any other in the league. But herein lies the problem: Who’s actually going to put the puck in the net? Nobody on the team has above 70 Scoring; Reinholdt led the team with 32 goals in 72 games, but he’s much more adept at passing. Putting the puck in the net is not something that Saskatoon struggles with, though. Bo Boeser finished the regular season with 57 goals, tied for second in the entire VHLM, while second line forward Carlo Capitulo finished with 36 (seventh, and more than anyone on Oslo). Gabriel McAllister, with 13 goals in 17 games, adds another scoring threat from late in the season, and burgeoning defensive center Jake Scheel should be able to get them the puck with ease. It’s no wonder Saskatoon had 16 more goals over the course of the season. On the Defensive Side Advantage: Oslo It’s clear, though, that Saskatoon does not have nearly the defensive firepower that the Storm do. The Wild currently roster only two defensemen, neither of whom have put in any work in the practice facility: Ryan Hamilton and Trazan Apansson. Hamilton managed a measly 16 points in 55 games this year, and while Apansson finished third on the team in points with 63 (including 19 goals), the production seems to be luck as much as anything. Oslo, meanwhile, has real talent on the blue line, led by the aforementioned Smallwood leading the blue line. Smallwood’s 51 assists led Oslo this season and were good for seventh in the VHL, while his 74 points led all non-Vegas defensemen. He pairs with Christian McKenzie, a real bruiser who finished third in the VHLM in hits (237) and fifth in shots blocked (116). And unlike Saskatoon, Oslo has a second line, consisting of enigmatic new signees in Aackckqz Ky and Mr. Shakedown. Between the Pipes Advantage: Saskatoon This one is near a toss-up, but it ultimately depends what you want in your goalie: a well-rounded play style or a couple highly-specific sets of skills. Chet Manley of Saskatoon is the former; he’s not particularly good at any one thing, but over his time in the VHLM he’s worked at least a bit in every single skill you’d want in a VHLM goaltender. The stats reflect this overall balanced play, as his .900 save percentage is good for second in the VHLM, only behind Vegas’s von Axelberry. Oslo’s Our Lady of Perpetual Motion, meanwhile, finished dead last in the VHLM with an .880 save percentage, and that might be due to only having a particular set of skills. She’s the best in the entire league at rebound control, sitting at an 83 in that attribute, and she’s worked a bit on her agility and stick handling as well. But when it comes to every other attribute? Nada. And ultimately, what good is rebound control when you’re always letting in the first shot? Final Prediction: Saskatoon in 6

Oh hell yeah! The one we had to have to clinch second, and I get a hat trick with two assists. That's how to do it