Ball

Damn good game Quebec. Lets get em next game boys

Naomi Young - Sidney Crosby They are both bitches, am I right?

Yea I forgot about Hodgson, that defintely hurt the leagues offensive output this season too

Can Ethan Osborne Make Another Run At The Continental Cup This Season? As he sits down in his locker after practice, Ethan Osborne looks around the Helsinki Titans' locker room. Some guys he has known for what seems like forever, some he just met this season. Everyone of them different in their own way, but they all share one thing in common. They all look up to and respect their long time captain. Who can blame them? Osborne is not only one of the most popular players in the VHL, but is arguably the best player in the game right now. He proved it after a monstrous S36 campaign, where the life long Titan showed why he was picked first overall in the S30 VHL Entry Draft. Will this be the season Osborne finally achieves the one thing that has alluded him his whole career, the Scotty Campbell Trophy? More importantly, does Osborne have enough magic left to lead his team to the Continental Cup? Osborne has lit the lamp more times than any other player in S36 It is no surprise that S36 was a great season for Osborne. A lot of people thought that there would be a serious lack of offense coming into the season. After losing names like Volodymyr Rybak, Michal Wozniak, and Miles Larsson to retirement, it looked as though it would be a down year on goal scoring in the league. Not to mention Rift, Tukio, and Lebeau were still around and better than ever in S35. But, Osborne quickly quieted the critics in S36. Even without his right hand man, Odin Tordahl, by his side, Osborne had a career season for the Titans. He led the VHL in goal scoring (65) and points (135) in S36. He also set a franchise record, as Osborne moved into first overall in points for Helsinki. Osborne quickly became the face of the VHL this season and filled the shoes of the greats that came before the seven year pro. But, even with all of the individual success Osborne had in S36, the Titans as a team took a step back in the European Conference. With HC Davos coming out of virtually nowhere, the Titans would have to settle for second place in the conference this season. The team was obviously hurt by the lose of both Tordahl and defenseman Ryan Sullivan. The Titans also struggled against the two powerhouses in the North American Conference, the Quebec City Meute and the Toronto Legion. But the playoffs are a whole other story. Superstars like Ethan Osborne and new right hand man Anatoli Zhumbayev can carry a team through the rough days of the playoffs. Especially a team with an elite goaltender like Tuomas Tukio, just look at the Calgary Wranglers of last season. Plus, the Titans have been to the Continental Cup, winning one and losing another in the previous two seasons, so they know how to get there. But can the Titans turn down a disappointing regular season to once again hoist the cup? Can Osborne lead the Titans to the promise land in S36? As he stands up to leave, Osborne takes one more look around the locker room. He knows that they are prepared for one more run at the Cup, hell maybe even two more depending on how things play out next season. But, all that mattered was this season, there is no tomorrow, because nothing is guaranteed in life. He heads for the door, smiling as he pushes it aside. He knows in the back of his mind that everything will work out. He still has a few tricks up his sleeve for the playoffs.

After a down to the wire, nail biting finish for the final playoff spot in the North American Conference, the Seattle Bears have come out on top. After putting away Vasteras and putting a nail in the coffin known as the New York Americans' S36 season, the Bears celebration was short lived, as the team found out they would face off against the powerhouse Quebec City Meute. "It was like we had a whole 10 minutes to celebrate and pop bottles before it really hit us," said Sebastian Ball Jr. after the win over the Iron Eagles. "We have to play the Meute in the first round. Arguably the best team in the league. I couldn't help but shake my head because we worked so hard to get in and this is how we are rewarded." Ball let out a laugh as reporters waited for him to continue. "But, in all honesty, I'm not that worried. Sure the Meute are a great team, one of the elite in the league. But, this is the VHL, crazy s**t happens all the time. We are a good team who really underachieved all season. We have yet to play at our full potential and that is scary. We know what we are up against and we know not one person has given us a shot at winning this. But don't think we are gonna just sit back and let Quebec waltz into the conference finals. I'm here to f**k s**t up and I know the boys on this roster have the same mindset as me. We aren't here to play games, we are here to get s**t done. Watch out Quebec, we are coming for you." With that, Ball walked off the podium and left the arena. It seems like the Bears can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? It is sure to be an exciting series in the North American Conference.

I think you love toast in a weird peering out from behind the curtians from afar kinda way

This except I score all three

Bears Titans Express Express

They lied

First time I've been happy to see this announcement in what seems like forever

I'll throw my name in the hat here. I wrote for the VHLM Mag in the past and would love to join the VHL Mag. I have religiously wrote Media Spots since returning to the league. I also have grading experience.

Jagr's mullet over all. Game over Jagr or Iginla

Hello playoffs

CAAAAAAAARRRRRRRLLLLLLLL

'Murica. That is all.

I'll go with Heatley because that was my dude back in the day Heatley in his prime or Martin St. Louis in his prime?

Corey Perry. Very dangerous player Perry or Bobby Ryan

Who Will Take The Final Spot In The North American Conference? The world may never know. Raise your hand if you thought that the North American Conference's third and final playoff spot would be up for grabs at this point in the season. At the beginning of the S36 campaign, it looked like everyone had a picture of how the NA would end up at the end of the season. The Quebec Meute were obviously going to take a playoff spot, they were the Continental Cup champions in S35. The Toronto Legion were in the same boat as the Legion, with Remy Lebeau leading an up and coming roster. The Calgary Wranglers had a whole three players on their active roster due to their ongoing rebuild. So, what we had left were the Seattle Bears and the New York Americans. Now, Seattle was looking to come out of a long rebuild and solidify themselves as a contender for the VHL playoffs, the first time in a long time. Meanwhile, the Americans were in the second year of their own rebulid, icing 3 rookies along side a group of inactive VHL journeymen. Most people were sure that Seattle would take the last spot in the playoffs and that New York would have to wait for their time to shine. But the only definite things in life are death and taxes. As of today, the Seattle Bears find themselves only up by one point on the New York Americans with 3 games remaining in S36. Exciting enough for you guys? I know that anything can happen, but come on now, the Bears were practically given the final spot in the playoffs this season. After a long rebuild they finally found themselves with a promising young team. Seattle had one of the best defenses in the league, headlined by veterans James Lefevre and Karsten Olsen. The offense that had struggled for so long finally had some hope with players like Sebastian Ball Jr., Zack Sound, and Mikey Blade leading the attack. Steven Smyl was looking to place himself amongst the likes of Lebeau, Tukio, and Chekhov as one of the best goalies in the league. If they could have just played up to their potential they had on paper, the playoffs would have been a lock. But, where is the fun in that? Now don't get me wrong, I'm not taking anything away from New York. Rookies Connor Low, Xin Xie Xiao, and Brick Wahl have been playing out of their minds this season. Simon Tremblay, the outcast from the rebuilding Calgary Wranglers, has seemed right at home in New York and is having a very solid season for the Americans. They are a very young team that has learned quickly what it takes to make a run for the playoffs. They are most likely going to become a powerhouse in the VHL if everything goes right for New York. Hell, they have three solid first round picks coming up in the S37 drafts, one of the most promising drafts in recent memory. But, no one really gave the young group a chance at the beginning of the season. But, alongside the Bears inability to put teams away this season, the Americans find themselves in the hunt for the Continental Cup through sheer will power. The season isn't over for either team as their playoff lives are on the line. With three games left in the season, both teams will have to give it their all if they want to make it to the post season in S36. This is what we all have been waiting for, the final stretch of the road. Playoffs are just around the corner and we will just have to wait and see which of these two teams will come out on top and claim their ticket to the playoffs. Get your popcorn ready VHL, because I know I got mine.

Joe Thornton (Gotta love Big Joe) Thornton or Pavel Datsyuk

Sebastian Ball Jr. was on pace to have a career year. 58 games into the season. Ball Jr. was sitting at 71 points on the season. He was on pace to break the 90 point plateau, with Seattle getting prepared to end the season with one of the easier schedules in the league. The kid was on fire after under performing for most of his VHL career. 100 points didn't look impossible for the fourth year winger out of Boston College, a mark no one thought he would reach at the beginning of the season. But how things change in the blink of an eye. In the past 8 games, Ball Jr. has put up 1 point, a huge dissapointment to Bears' fans. "You have to sit back and really wonder," said Paul Thurman, a life long Seattle Bears fan. "Is this kid really the future of our team? You star player can't go missing, especially when your playoff lives are on the line. A lot of fans were calling for his head last season, but if we miss the playoffs, these people are gonna run him out of town." At the moment, the Bears are on the outside looking in. With 6 games left in the season, the Bears sit behind the New York Americans by 1 point. "If we don't make the playoffs, this will be the lowest point in my career," said Ball after last nights shoot out loss to the Cologne Express. "We have a crucial game against the Americans tonight and if I don't play up to par, I wouldn't blame the fans if they want me out after S36. But, I'm gonna do everything in my power to make the playoffs this season. It's playoffs or bust for us right now, because this division is only getting better by the day." Will Seattle overcome their dismal play this season to make the playoffs? We'll just have to wait and see how the story plays out. Welcome to the VHL folks, where anything can and will happen.

Patrick Kane hands down Battle of the Patricks Patrick Kane or Patrick Sharp

Pavelski Pavelski or Joe Thorton