sadie

DBC ©️2023
 
The Riga Reign have done it again! Although we hope that the event they have repeated is a key winstreak such as the one at the end of the season or a glorious seven-point game for The Frenchman making a strong start to their playoffs, the reality is that yet again, Riga has failed to make it work. 
 
Is it simply a case of encountering the wrong goalies at the wrong times, given that Lachlan Summers and Jesse Teno have terrorized their forwards come playoff time? Could it be that this Reign team is suffering a similar affliction to the well-known curse of the Toronto Maple Leafs (a fifth-tier North American side made famous for its choke artistry)? Or is it something else?
 
To try to get a look inside the hearts and minds that fill Riga’s locker room, Keita Mālina interviewed Sadie St-Louis, a player regarded as one of the leaders of this team’s core. Although younger than some of her counterparts and  often facing struggles with production, there’s no doubt that she cares about this Riga team and where they go deeply.
 
 
Keita Mālina: The Riga Reign have fallen again to HC Davos Dynamo, who seem to be a familiar foe. Do you think that your struggles to advance in the playoffs are just a result of Davos being always a little bit more of a contender?
 
Sadie St-Louis: I can’t really attribute it to Davos being better, because at the end of the day that’s not really true. When we’re clicking out there, no team can stop us and you all saw that in game one. Every time we have a chance to make a run, we crumble and I don’t know why.
 
KM: Do you think it’s a lack of effort on the part of the team or of certain players that’s impacting you guys negatively? Can you give any insight?
 
SSL: I don’t think its fair to place blame on players and series like this aren’t a place for that anyhow. It was really hard fought between both teams and everyone gave their all. We must have used up all our luck in game one, I guess. I don’t know I’m just really mystified.
 
KM: It always seems to come back to Lachlan Summers, Davos’ superstar goalie and your friend. How did his play affect the outcome of the series? 
 
SSL: Lachlan’s awesome and always has been an awesome goalie. I could barely believe it when I got one puck by him in this series, let alone 2 in a game and 3 in the series! I think if you watch the replay you’d see my jaw hit the ground. But in all honesty I find it easy to be super happy for him even though its really bitter to lose again. Lachlan is totally the reason for their win in my eyes and I think game 1 lit a fire under him. We talked after the game and you could see plainly in his eyes that he was reliving the trauma of an incident about a decade ago that involved potassium filled fruits. Well, allegedly but never mind that. He was definitely the key and is perennially I believe, to Davos success.
 
KM: Is Riga starting to lose hope after so many repeated failures? There’s some speculation about management being the problem- thoughts on that?
 
SSL: No, we always bounce back ready to win, and it’s going to happen. We will be back next year stronger than ever and it will only be helped by our amazing GM. They haven’t been the reason for being unsuccessful, and have helped us make many key additions which we wouldnt have made the postseason without. 

KM: On a lighter note, thoughts on Brian Kowalski and the amazing season they have had this year? 

SSL: I think it's just astonishing what they've been able to do as a defenseman especially. They have been playing big minutes and being a huge part of this team defensively, laying the body on opposing players as well as sacrificing it for us. The offensive pace is unreal. I will be incredibly surprised if they don't win a bunch of awards- it will be so deserved.
 
KM: What skills are you planning on training most in this offseason?

SSL: I really feel my shot still needs work, I'd like to see more goals versus the amount of pucks I put on net. Also strength, I really need to contribute more on the physical side of the game and definitely have some better hit totals haha.
 
KM: Any words you have for the fans before your offseason really begins?
 
SSL: Thank you Riga for showing up. We know we can count on you to show up and get loud at home and to follow us to away games. All of you have made me feel so welcome in this city and are the reason our team is so determined to get back out there and win. We’re going to get that Cup for you next year, Riga.
 
KM: Thanks so much for sitting down with me Sadie! Best of luck to you and the Reign next year!
 
 
Sadie’s production was at a personal best for her this year, with a whopping 77 points in 72 games. While she had certainly shown the talent to be able to put up more than that, it’s a significant jump from last years point total of 55 and her first time finishing above that point per game threshold. Her goal total increased by 50% as well this year, showing that last offseason’s commitment to shooting practice paid off. She is looking to take a step to the next level again next year, now having touched a point per game, her sights are set on 80 or even 90 points (that would be very cool!). Before we see what she does next year, however, we have a long offseason to go. Sadie will be in Switzerland, hopefully catching a Davos Continental Cup win while she's there. Here’s to a better next year for her and Riga!

 
 

DBC ©️2023
 
The Riga Reign have done it again! Although we hope that the event they have repeated is a key winstreak such as the one at the end of the season or a glorious seven-point game for The Frenchman making a strong start to their playoffs, the reality is that yet again, Riga has failed to make it work. 
 
Is it simply a case of encountering the wrong goalies at the wrong times, given that Lachlan Summers and Jesse Teno have terrorized their forwards come playoff time? Could it be that this Reign team is suffering a similar affliction to the well-known curse of the Toronto Maple Leafs (a fifth-tier North American side made famous for its choke artistry)? Or is it something else?
 
To try to get a look inside the hearts and minds that fill Riga’s locker room, Keita Mālina interviewed Sadie St-Louis, a player regarded as one of the leaders of this team’s core. Although younger than some of her counterparts and  often facing struggles with production, there’s no doubt that she cares about this Riga team and where they go deeply.
 
 
Keita Mālina: The Riga Reign have fallen again to HC Davos Dynamo, who seem to be a familiar foe. Do you think that your struggles to advance in the playoffs are just a result of Davos being always a little bit more of a contender?
 
Sadie St-Louis: I can’t really attribute it to Davos being better, because at the end of the day that’s not really true. When we’re clicking out there, no team can stop us and you all saw that in game one. Every time we have a chance to make a run, we crumble and I don’t know why.
 
KM: Do you think it’s a lack of effort on the part of the team or of certain players that’s impacting you guys negatively? Can you give any insight?
 
SSL: I don’t think its fair to place blame on players and series like this aren’t a place for that anyhow. It was really hard fought between both teams and everyone gave their all. We must have used up all our luck in game one, I guess. I don’t know I’m just really mystified.
 
KM: It always seems to come back to Lachlan Summers, Davos’ superstar goalie and your friend. How did his play affect the outcome of the series? 
 
SSL: Lachlan’s awesome and always has been an awesome goalie. I could barely believe it when I got one puck by him in this series, let alone 2 in a game and 3 in the series! I think if you watch the replay you’d see my jaw hit the ground. But in all honesty I find it easy to be super happy for him even though its really bitter to lose again. Lachlan is totally the reason for their win in my eyes and I think game 1 lit a fire under him. We talked after the game and you could see plainly in his eyes that he was reliving the trauma of an incident about a decade ago that involved potassium filled fruits. Well, allegedly but never mind that. He was definitely the key and is perennially I believe, to Davos success.
 
KM: Is Riga starting to lose hope after so many repeated failures? There’s some speculation about management being the problem- thoughts on that?
 
SSL: No, we always bounce back ready to win, and it’s going to happen. We will be back next year stronger than ever and it will only be helped by our amazing GM. They haven’t been the reason for being unsuccessful, and have helped us make many key additions which we wouldnt have made the postseason without. 

KM: On a lighter note, thoughts on Brian Kowalski and the amazing season they have had this year? 

SSL: I think it's just astonishing what they've been able to do as a defenseman especially. They have been playing big minutes and being a huge part of this team defensively, laying the body on opposing players as well as sacrificing it for us. The offensive pace is unreal. I will be incredibly surprised if they don't win a bunch of awards- it will be so deserved.
 
KM: What skills are you planning on training most in this offseason?

SSL: I really feel my shot still needs work, I'd like to see more goals versus the amount of pucks I put on net. Also strength, I really need to contribute more on the physical side of the game and definitely have some better hit totals haha.
 
KM: Any words you have for the fans before your offseason really begins?
 
SSL: Thank you Riga for showing up. We know we can count on you to show up and get loud at home and to follow us to away games. All of you have made me feel so welcome in this city and are the reason our team is so determined to get back out there and win. We’re going to get that Cup for you next year, Riga.
 
KM: Thanks so much for sitting down with me Sadie! Best of luck to you and the Reign next year!
 
 
Sadie’s production was at a personal best for her this year, with a whopping 77 points in 72 games. While she had certainly shown the talent to be able to put up more than that, it’s a significant jump from last years point total of 55 and her first time finishing above that point per game threshold. Her goal total increased by 50% as well this year, showing that last offseason’s commitment to shooting practice paid off. She is looking to take a step to the next level again next year, now having touched a point per game, her sights are set on 80 or even 90 points (that would be very cool!). Before we see what she does next year, however, we have a long offseason to go. Sadie will be in Switzerland, hopefully catching a Davos Continental Cup win while she's there. Here’s to a better next year for her and Riga!

 
 

@badcolethetitan

The blur on the background of the graphic really helps the player pop out and the shadow on the font allows the name to be read much more easily. I like that you chose to make it a signature and the number is nicely spaced away from the letters in the name. The logo warp is just super awesome and the color swap onto the jersey and onto the helmet works well too. If I were to change anything, I'd just make it further Helsinki-themed by making the background more blue-tinted or monochrome to fit into the color scheme. 8/10

Lachlan Summers was swarmed by reporters, microphones, and cameras after practice as his team, HC Davos Dynamo, headed into the playoffs on a first round bye. They will be facing the Riga Reign, a rivalry that has been heating up over the past few seasons due to many factors: Summers’ friendship with winger Sadie St-Louis as well as the rivalry between defensemen Brian Kowalski and Skor McFleury.
 
Interviewer: “Davos struggled near the end of the season and missed out on the Victory Cup after a dominant campaign. Has the team reflected on that at all?”
 
Lachlan: “We’re moving past that now. We’re in the playoffs and the last thing on our minds right now is what happened during the regular season. It was a close race. Didn't play as well as we should've. That’s all I have to say.”
 
I: “Since you are facing off against the Riga Reign again after besting them just a few seasons prior, are there any tensions between you and your friend Sadie St-Louis?”
 
L: “I wouldn’t say there’s tension but there’s definitely a rivalry and we drive each other to be our best. Sadie is one of my closest friends and we both know to keep things that happen on the ice, on the ice. No friendships are going to be ruined if that’s your concern. Nothing could tear us apart, especially after that banana attack that supposedly happened nine years ago.”
 
I: “Mason Jones and Alexandre Leduc are going to be retiring at the end of the season. How much will Davos be missing them?”
 
L: “A hell of a lot. Two very strong presences both on the ice and on the locker room. I hope they’ll stick around even after this season, maybe take up some coaching spots or something like that. I have really enjoyed playing alongside those two and now we want to win that Continental Cup to send them off properly.”
 
I: “Thank you for your time, Lachlan. Good luck.”
 
L: “Thanks.”
 

I really like the way you decided to go about this graphic- the numbers behind Liv make a massive difference and the city skyline tint changing is a huge plus. It's helpful to have the player name next to the signature to add interest but also better allow people to read it (even though the signature is nice and legible unlike many). The render pops out enough that the red background doesn't hurt at all and I love the font you used for Chicago. 9.2/10

the s90s will be BLUETIFUL ( yes we are already planning for the future ).

and nic petan
happy bday again vhl

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VHL!!
thanks for bringing joy, creativity, and great friends into my life 🥳

@Ricer13

I am more than ok with it, looks so awesome- thank you!

My predictions for S89's end of regular season standings in the European Conference are as follows- 
 
1. HC Davos Dynamo At this point, I think Davos should be able to hold on and secure the best record in the league. They have so many weapons and an absolute wall in net to make up for the rest. Save for a complete breakdown, I don't see Davos losing until the semifinals at least.
 
2. Moscow Menace The trio of Ronan Lavelle, Hammar Voss, and Tomas Sogaard have taken this team far, but I don't think they can overcome Davos, just a more deep team. I do think the race for the Victory Cup will tighten as we near 72 games played, and I predict a one-point away heartbreaker for Moscow. However, come playoffs, they will be an absolute force if their star players are on.
 
3. Riga Reign Riga hopes to avoid wildcard drama this time around with an even better team than they've put forward the last few years. They've got an awesome young core with The Frenchman having an outstanding season and Brian Kowalski leading them on defense, with every defenseman award in their sights. 6 points clear of Prague currently.
 
4. London United They are currently only four points behind Prague, and hope of catching Riga is fading fast given the Reign's good fortune lately. London seems to be set up for a battle for home ice advantage in the wild card playoff, and I can't see them dropping off below Warsaw or beating Riga. I always have London on my radar for a playoff run now.
 
5. Prague Phantoms It's essentially the same story as London, except they have a much better chance of catching Riga. Prague is on the latter end of their window and I think they just fall short to London.
 
6. Warsaw Predators It's not looking up for Warsaw this year, but with the loss of Brendan Marner, some saw this coming. The only battle standings-wise is with Malmo at this point, barring an extremely low chance run.
 
7. Malmo Nighthawks Same story as Warsaw here, their playoff hopes are fading if they continue in their current form but with a bit better chances. I think Warsaw overcomes those three points though and wins that.
 
8. Helsinki Titans This is a disappointing season for Helsinki, with another disappointing finish looming but a good lottery pick! It looks like a last place finish, and Helsinki needs to turn this around soon and open a window.

My predictions for S89's end of regular season standings in the European Conference are as follows- 
 
1. HC Davos Dynamo At this point, I think Davos should be able to hold on and secure the best record in the league. They have so many weapons and an absolute wall in net to make up for the rest. Save for a complete breakdown, I don't see Davos losing until the semifinals at least.
 
2. Moscow Menace The trio of Ronan Lavelle, Hammar Voss, and Tomas Sogaard have taken this team far, but I don't think they can overcome Davos, just a more deep team. I do think the race for the Victory Cup will tighten as we near 72 games played, and I predict a one-point away heartbreaker for Moscow. However, come playoffs, they will be an absolute force if their star players are on.
 
3. Riga Reign Riga hopes to avoid wildcard drama this time around with an even better team than they've put forward the last few years. They've got an awesome young core with The Frenchman having an outstanding season and Brian Kowalski leading them on defense, with every defenseman award in their sights. 6 points clear of Prague currently.
 
4. London United They are currently only four points behind Prague, and hope of catching Riga is fading fast given the Reign's good fortune lately. London seems to be set up for a battle for home ice advantage in the wild card playoff, and I can't see them dropping off below Warsaw or beating Riga. I always have London on my radar for a playoff run now.
 
5. Prague Phantoms It's essentially the same story as London, except they have a much better chance of catching Riga. Prague is on the latter end of their window and I think they just fall short to London.
 
6. Warsaw Predators It's not looking up for Warsaw this year, but with the loss of Brendan Marner, some saw this coming. The only battle standings-wise is with Malmo at this point, barring an extremely low chance run.
 
7. Malmo Nighthawks Same story as Warsaw here, their playoff hopes are fading if they continue in their current form but with a bit better chances. I think Warsaw overcomes those three points though and wins that.
 
8. Helsinki Titans This is a disappointing season for Helsinki, with another disappointing finish looming but a good lottery pick! It looks like a last place finish, and Helsinki needs to turn this around soon and open a window.

@Ricer13

My predictions for S89's end of regular season standings in the European Conference are as follows- 
 
1. HC Davos Dynamo At this point, I think Davos should be able to hold on and secure the best record in the league. They have so many weapons and an absolute wall in net to make up for the rest. Save for a complete breakdown, I don't see Davos losing until the semifinals at least.
 
2. Moscow Menace The trio of Ronan Lavelle, Hammar Voss, and Tomas Sogaard have taken this team far, but I don't think they can overcome Davos, just a more deep team. I do think the race for the Victory Cup will tighten as we near 72 games played, and I predict a one-point away heartbreaker for Moscow. However, come playoffs, they will be an absolute force if their star players are on.
 
3. Riga Reign Riga hopes to avoid wildcard drama this time around with an even better team than they've put forward the last few years. They've got an awesome young core with The Frenchman having an outstanding season and Brian Kowalski leading them on defense, with every defenseman award in their sights. 6 points clear of Prague currently.
 
4. London United They are currently only four points behind Prague, and hope of catching Riga is fading fast given the Reign's good fortune lately. London seems to be set up for a battle for home ice advantage in the wild card playoff, and I can't see them dropping off below Warsaw or beating Riga. I always have London on my radar for a playoff run now.
 
5. Prague Phantoms It's essentially the same story as London, except they have a much better chance of catching Riga. Prague is on the latter end of their window and I think they just fall short to London.
 
6. Warsaw Predators It's not looking up for Warsaw this year, but with the loss of Brendan Marner, some saw this coming. The only battle standings-wise is with Malmo at this point, barring an extremely low chance run.
 
7. Malmo Nighthawks Same story as Warsaw here, their playoff hopes are fading if they continue in their current form but with a bit better chances. I think Warsaw overcomes those three points though and wins that.
 
8. Helsinki Titans This is a disappointing season for Helsinki, with another disappointing finish looming but a good lottery pick! It looks like a last place finish, and Helsinki needs to turn this around soon and open a window.

Thank you 😊 

@Ricer13

@Ricer13

@Ricer13