Scurvy

Well the S83 season is over and done for the Warsaw Predators after a first round loss to a very tough Riga team. The Preds played hard and despite a wonderful outing from goaltender Wumbo (.915 Save%) they just couldn’t hold up. Some costly penalties by team rookie Brian Payne had the team shorthanded a bunch in their final game. Special teams held the Riga PP off but still playing shorthanded all that time was not helpful. Some things for Payne to work on for next year. Still, there is excitement in the air for this club for next year. With some solid defenders and a talented front end the team has the makings of a championship club. A few key re-signings need to occur in the off season and team rookies Payne and Girts need to keep their development growing but things are definitely looking up for the Preds come S84.

DAMMIT!! forgot to ping people again.

As the season moves to the end, I’d like to look at the outstanding rookies in this VHL season. To start we need to look no further than the surprise team, the Chicago Phoenix. From last place a year ago to a potential playoff team is amazing. But if you look at the top ten scoring rookies Chicago has three amazing talents who certainly don’t play like rookies. So lets start with them: CHICAGO: The Board Game Clue on Skates (BGCOS)- BGCOS has 37G 45A 82PTS and a massive 497 shots on goal. Having played with this phenom in the M for the San Diego Marlins I know what a special player he is. Ignore the rumors of mythical performance enhancing substance called Glue Clue this 50-year-old center is all natural. Point leader for rookies and might just lead Chicago to a deep playoff run. Either way Chicago is a contender in a few short years. Bo Johansson- Defense- again another teammate of mine and I was so fortunate to benefit from his passion for the VHL SIM league. A pass first D-man he has soared to # 2 in rookie scoring with 10 goals 71 assists for 81. What makes BoJo so special is his ability to earn TPE at massive amounts but also his ability to mentor newer players to this league. Scotty Sundin- The first overall pick of the Phoenix has proved he is ready to make his mark on the league. Ranked #7 in rookie scoring he has a respectful 31G 32A for 63 points along with 127 hits. I hate to say this, but he even has a fight win against my player and fellow rookie Brian Payne. Payback is coming (hopefully). MALMO: Mason Jones (Malmo)- Another rookie with tremendous upside for the Nighthawks, Mason has put up 21G 53A-74pts and an AMAZING 2 penalty minutes. Lady Byng here we come!!! A small in stature left winger who thinks pass first but has the ability to finish. Great upside and I look for him to be a force with Malmo in the years to come. Igor Moltov- This whopping 608-foot-tall center has put up great number for the struggling Nighthawks with 29 goals 45 assist and 74 points. With Jones, Obi, and Molotov they have the beginnings of a real trio in the years to come. Obi Adesanya – Ok with 6 of the top 10 rookie scorers on two clubs I am truly scared for what is to come for Malmo and Chicago. Adasanya is another great scorer with 30G 36A 66 points and only 4 PIMS!!! How much are they paying the refs not to call penalties on this team!!!!!!!!!!!! Tremendous upside to this kid as well CALGARY/SEATTLE AirRig GoodBrandSun- DEFENSE-OK as a defensive player I need to shout out to the two defensemen on the top ten in rookie scoring. First the Big Rig for Calgary. At 605 and 220 he is imposing in front of the net and can have a nice touch as well. With 13G 45A- 58 points and 177 hits he is no stranger to proving points for Calgary and pain for opposing teams. Mikhail Kovalchuk- Seattle Defenseman- Ok maybe Kolvalchuk gets a little of a boost being on a team stacked with amazing talent but that by no means hides the talent this kid has. 11 G 55 A and 66 Points Kovachuk is a steady defensive talent and absolute sniper on the power play with 9 PP goals in 63 Games. There are many other great rookies to be mentioned in this but my 600+ words are done and its story time for my daughter. Great job rookie class and I wish you all success, except if you’re playing the Predators. 624 words for week ending June 5

1. I think we win in 5 games. We keep our mojo going and we make Riga pay for beating us in regular season 2. Hmmmm….I think Moscow is the team to beat. As for surprises, I think we are the surprise team nobody wants to play. 3. when the pressure is on we answer. 4. yes, I like it. something different for easy TPE is nice. 5. Purple 6. Edmonton vs Tampa

As the end of Season 83 begins and the playoffs is about to start, I would like to spotlight a special defenseman tearing up the VHLE this year. This year was a tough year for the Oslo Storm. With one defenseman it made it tough for the team to compete, but that one defenseman TORE the league up. Jake Thunder @Thunderjoined the VHL (at my urging) and from the inception has been a steal for any team he’s played for. This year, the 603 205lb DMan played ridiculous minutes and brought it every night. He ended the season with 22 G. 67A 89PTS, 302 shots, 116 PIMS, 197 Hits, and a league leading 216 blocked shots. I believe that defensive defensemen don’t get the credit they deserve but this year Thunder really worked hard at earning TPE and I truly feel that Davos got the steal of last year’s draft class. Look for Thunder’s name to go down with the TPE earning greats of the VHL.

Sorry forgot to tag y'all.

As this is my first player, and first season in the VHL my theme week post is going to cover those members who have helped me navigate my time her as I climbed the ranks from the M to the E, and now the show. I know, or at least I suspect I know just how much goes into making this league run on the day to day and to those who do all the behind the scenes I would like to give a huge THANK YOU! I know a lot of times personalities (who have never met) can clash with ease over any online platform so to all the management, I sympathize. No that being said let’s break down my “those who have shaped Brian Payne’s career” theme. So, I hemmed and hawed after discovering the VHL on YouTube one night. I probably read every review, explored the site, and eventually hit the button to create a player. I was utterly confused about how to navigate the system and really didn’t know what to do next. Then came along my first free agent request offering me third pair defensive minutes and maybe some penalty kill time. JB123 was GM of the San Diego Marlins at the time and despite my total NOOBNess he took me under his wing and guided me to some max TPE earnings. He was always available for a chat on how to find certain things and what to put my TPE in to make me better. Huge thank you to JB123 for all the help and to really start my love for being a part of the VHL. Next, I was drafted by the Bratislava Watchman with rival Bo Johansson. BOJO became a quick friend and his passion for this SIM game is second to none. He really kept me motivated to stay on top of max TPE earnings and I truly would have missed some TPE earning options had I not constantly bugged him about how I could catch him in TPE. Again on the Watchman I was also blessed with a funny and helpful GM Frostbeard. Having great GMs that are patient with noobs is so helpful and FB never shied away from helping me grow and get to the VHL. Thank you BoJo and FB! Finally, my first year in the show as been amazing. Not only are we in the playoffs but I’ve continued to grow as a player and have career high numbers. I need to spend a special thanks to DLAMB for drafting me and I will continue to work my butt off to prove that Payne was a steal in the draft. Again, I have been blessed with a good locker room of players to keep the fun in the game and some good trash talk always helps. This is just a small sample of those who have been so great to me during my time here. Thank you to all who make this ship sail as smooth as possible, and I hope to be a part of this for a long time. 515

1. Helsinki 2. win the Cup!!!! 3. I am not in any other leagues. This one is perfect for me. Any more leagues and I’d really have no time avail. 4. Chicago. Three rookies in top 10 in rookie scoring and battling for playoff spot. Not too shabby. 5. oilers vs Flames. Good old battle for Alberta is exciting. 6. Sex

On Monday the Warsaw Predators and Seattle Bears faced off in one of the nastiest games of the VHL season. Fans in attendance were fortunate enough to see two gritty teams battle in a penalty filled game. Oddly enough we also got to see a young rookie fight one of his idols. Growing up in Washington State and playing his junior hockey in Everett WA, just north of Seattle. Brian Payne watched Seattle forward Vinny Detroit when he was signed in Seattle and tried to model his play as a gritty, nasty player who can perform his role and help the team win. In the second period the VHL’s two most penalized players, Seattle’s Vinny Detroit and Warsaw’s Brian Payne dropped the gloves. At the 8:43 mark of the period Detroit went right at Payne and the two dropped the gloves in an epic battle that rivals the 2-minute McSorley vs Bob Probert fight almost two decades ago. The two traded punch after punch, both bleeding, and refusing to let refs jump in. In the end the southpaw Payne got the decision, but it could have gone either way. Detroit picked up the instigator penalty and was ejected which probably stopped a third period rematch. After the game we caught up with Payne who was sporting several cuts and bruises. We asked what he thought about fighting a player he had once watched near his hometown just three years ago before his VHLM signing. “Well, it’s not every day you get to share the ice with such a good player and team. Vinny will do anything for his team and wants to win. We had a good tilt for sure and I am sure he will come looking for a rematch. He’s fearless.” Everyone mark your calendar for the next installment between these two.

REVIEW: Great article. First, Moscow has a frightening team for sure with arguably some of the best players in the league. I really liked the change in fonts and use of underlines to highlight the players. Great job giving a shout out to Sergey as well on the team of amazing players as well. What I truly loved most is the use of a picture in the article. Many times I find that these stories are much improved with just the simple use of a graphic or picture. Overall I have to 8/10 and I hope that Moscow struggles against Warsaw for the rest of the season

Review: Overall a great article. The amount of research you did to provide such detailed stats is great. I really like how you broke down the comparisons to other teams in the league and showed how team defense is so important to winning in this league. As a defender (and former Marlin) I like how you emphasized their importance with statistical data. The only thing I would have liked to see is maybe a photo or some type of graphic added to add to such a great article. Overall 8/10

1. I think chemistry took a bit to develop. With the offensive tent this team has I wasn’t too concerned. 2. Nalwa in my eyes. He does everything and I always root for defense. Lol 3. Moscow. Because I’d love to spank the best right away. 4. Car, TB, EDM. I can’t stand Boston or Toronto. 5. I just got back from Arizona and it was misery hot. Planning a few trips to Tennessee and Virginia. 6. Orange Crush

As I reluctantly sit at my computer to earn my much-needed TPE I want to discuss if the Warsaw Predators are a real contender. As a player for the team, I think we are for sure. But let’s look at the players that may or may not lead them to the promised land as well as the competition standing in their way. First, the competition. The European division is the toughest of the two for sure and standing in first place is the much-feared Moscow Menace. Led by Duncan Idaho, Hard Markinson on Defense, and a formidable goalie, Papa Emeritus its clear to see why the menace are the team to beat. Moscow Record-39-8 Riga Reign- 34W-9L. Led by VHL point leader Alex Johnston, superstar Brandon Telker, and stud defenseman Battre Sandstrom this team is just as scary as Moscow. London United- 33W-11L. With Nils Godlander, That Dude, Defenseman dynamo Tom Eagles, and Cole Pearce in net London had some serious talent to contend at the end of the year. Maybe a timely move or two puts this team at the top of the division. I don’t feel that this team’s scorers have taken off yet so if they do this London crew could surge to the top and be unstoppable. THE WARSAW PREDATORS- 29W-15L. Ok Ok…I am biased and think my team has the tools to make it to the end and here is why. So far, the Predators have only scored 158 goals. That is third in the Euro division. Moscow has 189, Riga 187, London 155. 31 goals behind the leader is not a good sign but if you breakdown Warsaw’s players a few tweaks gets some of the more quiet players moving in the right direction. Similarly, to London once the scorers take off it could be a scary prospect for VHL goalies to face as we move over the halfway part of the season. Some of the Warsaw players I would look to explode come the second half of the season. GIRTS GALVINS- the 6’6 foot 240lb monster was drafted 17th overall by the Predators last year. A gifted goal scorer he led the Las Vegas Aces in S81 with 43 G- 48A- 91 points. Last year in Bratislava in the E he led all rookies on the team with 32G-23A= 55 points with 149 hits. So far, the puck luck hasn’t been with him and he’s sitting at 1 G. 13 A-14 points in 48 games. We know Girts is frustrated but those on the team that know him and see his work ethic every day are confident that he will find his game and pucks will start snapping twine in no time. ROBERT WILK- At 6’5 inches tall and 200 lbs this dude’s offensive upside is insane. He is slightly below his last year’s point pace but is still scoring with 17G-19A 36 points. This is another player I would look to see take off in the last 30 or so games. Many forget this player once scored 68 goals in the VHLM for the Marlins. A 40-goal campaign last year in his rookie season is another reason to opposing teams to fear if he gets hot. So, to all VHL goalies and defense you have been warned. Warsaw is coming! HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE

The Warsaw Predators are enjoying a nice string of wins and the team is starting to play as advertised. In game 339 the Predators took on the first place Moscow team that his stacked with amazing players. Despite being outshot 66 to 44 the Preds stood tall and came out with a nice 4-2 win at home. As in every hockey game there is the game within the game. From the drop of the puck these two teams played like heated rivals who truly hate each other. In the first period we saw generational all-star Duncan Idaho take on Warsaw rookie defenseman, Brian Payne. Payne got the win (luckily) and the hatred continued on for the remainder of the game. After the game Mr. Idaho was interviewed and he made it very clear that Payne and him would dance again. Payne was told this and responded with a curt, “no comment.”

Review: As per usual you are a very articulate and write very well written posts with proper grammar and attention to the details. I really like how you covered all the leagues you are involved in with thought out updates. The fonts are great to keep the players/teams separate and bolded. I wouldn't have minded a patented picture included in the post, preferably one of Brian Payne but nobody is perfect. As usual a fantastic post. 9/10

You’ll get hot bro!!!

The VHLM season is off and running and now that I am in the VHL I pay less attention than I did before. I decided to look at the standings and was excited to see my old club the San Diego Marlins were in a first place. It good to see the Fish at the top! A close second comes the Las Vegas Aces team led by my former VHLE teammate Shindigs. Its fun to see the old rivalry between the Marlins and Aces as when I was a Marlin they beat us in the semi-finals. I was shocked to see that the bottom half of that conference only had 6 wins a piece in 32 games. Looking over the marlin roster team GM Frank has done a great job at stocking talent and has two very capable goalies. Led by Tyler Busser with 17G-26A=43PTs and an impressive 75 hits and 5 game winners. In goal they have Clueless Wallob with a 19W-4L and an .091 save percentage, 1.71 GAA, and 3 shutouts. On the back end the Marlins are led by defenseman, Malum Maellard. He has 7 G-25A-32pts and 57 hits. As a Marlin Alum I will be keeping an eye on the VHLM as it nears the playoffs. There are some tough clubs, most notably the Aces which I hope the Marlins can beat come playoff time (Sorry Shindigs). I truly enjoyed my time in the VHLM as a Marlin and while the team management and players changed I wish them the best and will always be a Marlin.

As I sit in my hotel room in Arizona to complete some much necessary point tasks for my club (much to the chagrin of my wife), I ponder what exactly to speak about today. I know one thing for certain. Arizona is MISERABLY HOT. I can’t fathom how people can live here in the summer. On a cool note I went to the Arizona Coyotes arena yesterday and walked around. Pretty cool rink but a little far from Phoenix. Today I thought I’d talk about some of the bruising VHL players hitting, fighting, and banging away in this young S83 season. Many times, these players are overlooked and/or unnoticed completely. This is not always the case as there some mean, nasty players who are gritty and gifted in the scoring department. So, lets chat about a few. HITS Duncan Idaho- Is there anything this dude can’t do?? 54 points in 33 games with 165 hits. I mean DAMN. Impressive as hell. Typically, Idaho is first overall pick on all of the fantasy drafts. He’s 6th in scoring (54 points) and 3rd overall in goals (29 goals). A player like Idaho comes around once in a generation so it’s exciting to see this player compete. I just hope when he plays Warsaw, he takes the night off. Vasile Lamb- Ok Lamb had 402 hits last year with 82 points (as a rookie!). Lamb can fight, hit, and score. The former first overall pick just had a spirited fight with Warsaw Pred defenseman Brian Payne making the locker room awkward due to Lamb’s alter ego is the GM of the Preds. Word on the street was Lamb was sending a message to Payne to start producing more offense. Henri le Massif- This giant left winger next to Idaho makes playing against Moscow formidable. Another player who contributes on the score sheet but also physically. 155 hits already and 82 PIMS. Penalty Minutes: Vinny Detroit- 112 PIMS. Detroit reminds me of a young Keith Tkachuk. Hits, fights, and can score some goals. With 90 BC and 65 Grit I’m eager to see where he ends up stat wise by the end of the year. Brian Payne- 109 PIMs. 7 fights and 4 fight wins so far, this young Dman is making a name for himself early as a gritty and nasty player. He sometimes can cost his team with an idiotic penalty but look for him to improve his game and mature (hopefully). Or maybe not. A recent bar fight and smoothie bar fight along side teammate Tavish DeGroot, Payne has shown to have a little bit of an impulse control problem. Armani Calamari- 92 PIMS. A little bit of a surprise that Calamari in his third year has taken a different role. A talented goals scorer (32 goals last year) he has had 108 PIMS in his first two years and already has 92 in 34 games this year. A smaller forward at 508 170 he is playing a hard nose game banging up opposing players. 504

1. Lefty because I’m left handed. Also, Scurvy because I injured my eye once and had to wear an eye patch for 3 weeks. 2. I’d like to see Edmonton win it all. 3. Media spots I guess 4. I think Montreal will win lotto and draft Shane Wright. Dude is a stud. 5. I’d like Warsaw Warriors (WW). Might be tough with same logo 6. Supernatural

The goals will come for ya I am sure. The drought is probably because Payne is always in the penalty box and your exhausted from killing penalties!!

I love it when Dmen get some praise. Especially the Defensive gritty Dmen. Great article.

Well, were officially 20 games into the season and there are some surprising events and accomplishments. After a lengthy off season, I had many thoughts as to where teams would be and how some players would adjust after the attribute changes. The biggest surprise for me was how quickly the Chicago Phoenix launched into contention after a last place finish the year before. Led by three amazing rookies, The Board Game Clue on Skates, Bo “the playmaker” Johansson, and #1 overall pick Scotty Sundin the Phoenix have an impressive 11 wins. Even more impressive is that all three are in the top ten in rookie scoring and amazingly both BoJo and BGCOS are in the top ten in points in the league. I am not quite sure what they have in the water in Chicago, but I want it. The new attributes are a game changer for sure and this team seems to have figured it out. Best of luck Chicago!!

1. I think the kinks will work out and we will find our groove. 2. not good! I’m taking too many penalties and not producing. 3. Brian Payne and Tavish DeGroot! 4. yep. I’m confident the scoring will pick up and we will be contenders. 5 I love it. Another solid to dman we needed. 6. Season 1

The year just hasn’t started out like the Warsaw Predator’s believed it would. Lack of scoring and some costly defensive errors have the team struggling from the back half of the division. Now, to add to their misery several players were involved in an off-ice brawl that has team GM Dlamb scratching his head but also praising the team’s closeness. After a tough loss to Moscow, Dlamb @dlambhad ordered a team curfew only to be rebuked by team goalie Wumbo @Fire Fletcher and defensemen Tavish Degroot @Rory and Brian Payne. After a team investigation they learned that the trio had snuck out and attended a Warsaw night club known to be frequented by a “rough” crowd. Reports are still coming in from police, but we’ve learned that several patrons were mocking team rookie Brian Payne for his struggling play recently. This is when all hell broke loose. It is rumored that Wumbo and DeGroot (already known for off-ice antics) came flying in, punching the mouthy patron. The bleeding patron’s friends quickly came to his aid and Payne, DeGroot, and Wumbo made short work of the drunken group. Ambulances and Police arrived and found the three Predator’s players laughing and drinking in the corner of the bar with the bloodied patrons’ girlfriends. All three were arrested but released after bail was posted. The only injury suffered on the Predators was a tooth had to be removed from DeGroot’s right hand. He told the hospital that he wanted to keep the tooth as a good luck charm for the season. Team GM was contacted and said, “well, I’m not thrilled with their behavior tonight, but I am thrilled they stood up for each other and fought as a team. Now we just need to do that on the ice. I will deal with them internally and won’t comment on it further.” But that’s not all that happened. Just two days later after a team practice Wumbo, DeGroot, and Payne were involved in another altercation at a smoothie bar in town when they ran into some visiting Helsinki Titan players in town for the next game. Words were exchanged and then fists with Titan players, Nico Pearce, Flynn Remy, and Milan Dvorak. Police were called and the two groups (both bleeding) were escorted away. Team GM Dlamb again was contacted and said he was at a loss for words. “It stands to reason why DeGroot and Payne are so high on the PIMS board and they seem to carry that aggressiveness wherever they go. However, I am not upset they stood together and that is what I want from my two Dmen. I do not want Wumbo hurt though so I will be having a talk with him.” Later that night the hatred spilled over on the ice when the visiting Titans played the Preds. At 1:56 of the first period Nico Pearce and Payne dropped the gloves and had a spirited brawl at center ice. This was the spark the team needed as they edged out the Titans 4-1 Wumbo only allowed 1 goal on 28 shots and the team played great on both ends of the ice. We look forward to the next game between these two rivals as the hatred is there for some exciting games.

D-Bo Johansson @BOOM