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Tyler

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  1. Like
    Tyler reacted to Victor in S92 Hall of Fame Induction   
    A day earlier than scheduled as I'm at an event tomorrow. In any case this is quite a short one this season as we have no Builders to induct and just one player.
     
    D - Jake Thunder, S84-S91 
    RS: 576 GP, 121 G, 531 A, 652 P, +151, 1,317 PIM, 1,696 HIT, 1,276 SB, 19 GW
    PO: 98 GP, 25 G, 84 A, 109 P, -7, 259 PIM, 299 HIT, 246 SB, 4 GW
     
    S85 Dustin Funk Trophy (Most Improved)
    S88 Alexander Beketov Trophy (Most Assists)
    S89 Daisuke Kanou Trophy (Playoff MVP)
    S90 Sterling Labatte Trophy (Top Defenceman)
    S90 Jake Wylde Trophy (Top Defensive Defenceman)
    2x All-VHL First Team (S88, S90)
    4x All-VHL Second Team (S85, S86, S89, S91)
    One Continental Cup (S89)
     
    But what a player it is. One of the best players in the hybrid era, one of the best defencemen in the 16-team era, and we can probably start the debate on his place in the all-time list. Jake @Thunder flew under the radar at the S93 draft, only going 19th overall, but what a steal that proved to be for Davos, who got 7 straight 80-point seasons out of Thunder, 6 elections to the top four defencemen in the VHL, and most importantly several deep playoff runs, two finals, and a first Continental Cup in nearly 30 seasons. Thunder and goalie Lachlan Summers invoked Dynamo dynasties of the past like those of Jenskovic and Devereux, and Bergqvist and Kanou. But even aside from franchise importance, Thunder also lands in the top 30 all-time of the defencemen stats that matter (assists, points, hits, shot blocks) and top 5 when just considering the playoffs. An all-time great first-gen career for sure and I'm glad you're back from a brief hiatus to allow me to congratulate you on a well-deserved Hall of Fame induction!
     
    Voting results
    Jake Thunder - 11/11
    ----
    Voittu Jannula - 4/11
    Papa Emeritus - 3/11
    Bo Johansson - 2/11
    Nico Pearce - 1/11
    Kristof Welch, Paul Atreides, Oskar Lindbergh, Zach Kisslinger II, Hammar Voss - 0/11
  2. Fire
    Tyler got a reaction from Frank in Continental Cup Finals: Games 3 & 4   
    LFG! I'm pretty out of the loop with how good each team is these days, but I sure didn't expect this when I got traded lol. 
  3. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to diamond_ace in Continental Cup Finals: Games 3 & 4   
  4. Like
    Tyler got a reaction from Tetricide in Continental Cup Finals: Games 3 & 4   
    LFG! I'm pretty out of the loop with how good each team is these days, but I sure didn't expect this when I got traded lol. 
  5. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to Gaikoku-hito in Continental Cup Finals: Games 3 & 4   
    Congratulations Prague & @Acydburn!!
     
    Special moment scoring an Overtime winner to lift a cup and made even sweeter in your final game!! Going out on top, @KaleebtheMighty
  6. Like
    Tyler reacted to Gaikoku-hito in VSN Presents: VHL Road to the Finals   
    @leandrofg
     
    Play-off are an exciting time and made even more exciting with the Wildcard rounds having teams face each other in a best of five. Even better when you have rivals facing each other in these games as it heightens the atmosphere around the games.  These Playoff seen rivals Vancouver and Seattle; two of the stronger but underperforming teams facing off in the North American conference and Helsinki and London, two teams heading in different directions.
     
     
    North American Conference Wildcard:
     
    Seattle Bears (5) vs. Vancouver Wolves (4)  
     
     
    Game 1:        Vancouver Wolves   3-2
    Both teams seemed nervous and tight in the first game. In the end it was defense for Vancouver that won them the first game with Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito scoring two goals and assisting the third on the way to shutting down the Seattle Bears offense for most of the game. While out-shot 33-26; Vancouver never seemed to be threatened much by Seattle offense also evident in the final 30 seconds of the game when Seattle could even enter Vancouver zone after making the game close.
     
     
    Game 2:         Seattle Bears      5-3
    Seattle Bears came out firing as they tried to get to the Vancouver Wolves defense and managed to do so effectively in the first (or paid off the referees) as Vancouver would see a steady stream of defenders heading to the box with Brian Payne @Scurvy, Liv Slater @Subject056 and Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito combining for ten minutes of penalties placing Seattle on the power-play for about half of the first period. Vancouver must have been happy being down only 2-1 to the referees at this point but after the game was made 3-1 early in the second period did the whistle finally go away. The game from this point was also never in doubt.
     
     
    Game 3:      Vancouver Wolves    6-5
    If the referee were paid off in the second game by Seattle Bears than Vancouver Wolves learned their lesson and paid the referees off for game 3 as Seattle would be called for six penalties in the first period spotting Vancouver a 3-1 lead. Holly barn burner of a second period with the team combining for six goals (three apiece), a fight between Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple and Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan and short-handed goal by Babay Shrimp @Blazzer. In the end Seattle just could manage enough for a comeback.
     
     
    Game 4:        Vancouver Wolves       3-2
    Seattle Bears came out flying but in the end Brandt Fuhr @Tate and the Vancouver Wolves defense were able to shut down the Bears offense. Brandt Fuhr @Tate would make 39/41 saves for a 0.951sav%; best of game by far of his during the series. As the final game was a close hard-fought but, in the end, Vancouver Wolves were simple too much for the Seattle Bears.
     
     
    Vancouver Wolves win the series   3-1
    Very close series as expected with only one goal difference between the two teams. In the end it was shame that this series didn`t actually go the distance as the VHL hockey world was robbed of a possible epic battle in a do or die situation.
     
     
     
    European Conference Wildcard
     
          London United (5) vs. Helsinki Titans (4)   
     
     
    Game 1:       Helsinki Titans      6-3
    Jesse Teno @aimkin would be hammered by shots from Helsinki Titans right from the drop of the puck but he managed to keep the score close and gave his team a chance to win but in the end three unanswered goals in the third period would put the game away for Helsinki in a feisty first game with both teams combining for 30 mins in penalties. Both teams would look to clean up the PIM if they are going to be more successful as the round continues.
     
     
    Game 2:        London United     3-1
    Jesse Teno @aimkin is really all I need to say here for this game as he stood on his head throughout the game with 38/39hots stopped and 0.974sav% as London United would capitalize on the great goaltending to score three unassisted goals in tightly fought game. Helsinki Titans will need to find a way to solve Teno if they are going to win this series.  
     
     
    Game 3:       Helsinki Titans        5-2
    They broke Teno? Helsinki Titans seemed to either solve Jesse Teno @aimkin or he simple had a night to forget for the ages as he would allow four goals on the first nine shots he would face spotting Helsinki lead in the game and the series. Five different goal scorers for Helsinki as Fuukka Rask @Jubis would stand tall in the Helsinki net. Can Helsinki close out the series?
     
     
    Game 4:       London United       3-2 (Overtime)
    Goaltending battle is the only way to describe this game as Jesse Teno @aimkin bounced back in a big way and had Helsinki Titans frustrated through two periods as he had stopped 28/29 shots through two periods. While Fuukka Rask @Jubis was matching him with 21/23 shots stopped through the same two periods. Helsinki would finally tie the game early in the third when Lloyd Braun @Toast would finally break through the Teno armor and set up the inevitable Overtime. Holly!! Molly the cat @JCarson would only need one shot to force a game five; in a unfitting finish to such a battle between the goaltenders. 
     
     
    Game 5:        London United     5-3
    The table turned as London United came out firing lead by Leonard Triller @Triller and they quickly chased Fuukka Rask @Jubis from the net with four goals on eleven shots. London never let off the throttle as they would fire another 37 shots towards the Helsinki net over the final two periods. Helsinki Titans tried to mount a comeback aid by their power-play bring the score back within one heading into the final frame but Leonard Triller @Triller stopped out all hope when he scores his third of the game.
     
     
    London United win the series 3-2
    In a series where Jesse Teno @aimkin played a huge role in majority of the games it is slight ironic that he played no factor in the deciding game of the series as he played his worse game; actually, both goalies did. In the end it was timely goaltending and offense from Leonard Triller @Triller that led the United past Helsinki in the series.
     
     
     
    North American Semi – Finals
     
       Vancouver Wolves (4) vs. Toronto Legion (1)   
     
     
    Game 1:      Toronto Legion   5-3
    Back and forth like a heavy weight fight that majority came to watch but in the end Vancouver Wolves couldn`t shut down the top offense duel of Tomas Sogaard @Brandon (4G) and Ronan Lavelle; @Arce (4A). Vancouver will need a much better effort defensively to shut down these two all-star forwards if they are going to stay close with Toronto in the series.
     
     
    Game 2:     Vancouver Wolves     1-0
    Defense is all you need!! Vancouver Wolves managed to shut down Toronto Legion in the battles of the Goaltenders as Joel Castle @animal74 played well despite take the loss as Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito scored the lone goal. Brandt Fuhr @Tate had his best game of the playoff pitching the shutout!! Toronto Legion will need to find a way to break the defense and goaltending of Vancouver Wolves.
     
     
    Game 3:      Vancouver Wolves     2-1
    Complete lock down by Vancouver Wolves seen Toronto Legion only manage 17 shots during the game; while they couldn`t stop Tomas Sogaard @Brandon and Ronan Lavelle @Arce duel completely. It was enough to sneak past Toronto with timely goals from Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple and Girts Galvins @Girts. If the games stay close it should favor Vancouver; right?
     
     
    Game 4:       Toronto Legion      5-4 (Overtime)
    Back and forth, Punch for Punch!! Vancouver Wolves weren`t able to contain Ronan Lavelle @Arce so they decided to remove him from the game sending goon Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ over the boards to deal with him. Ronan Lavelle @Arce somehow ended up with a Game Misconduct; giving Vancouver Wolves the advantage but a strong game from Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan and Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer made up for the loss of Ronan Lavelle @Arce; with Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan scoring the winner in overtime to bring the series back to even. Now a best of three.
     
     
    Game 5:       Vancouver Wolves       4-3
    Tale of the series? Defensive struggle through the first two periods with Vancouver Wolves shutting down the Toronto Legion offense until a third period in which the team would trade punches with Vancouver power-play keeping them in the game. Final punch being thrown by Vancouver Wolves at 19:00 when Oreo McFleury @JB123 scored; finishing off two goals and three-point night for the Vancouver forward. Anyone series; but Vancouver Wolves needs to shut down Toronto Legion offense again.
     
     
    Game 6:        Toronto Legion     3-1
    Joel Castle @animal74 stole this game for Toronto Legion as they also got timely goals from Mac Atlas @v.2 ; two of the three goals as Vancouver managed to shut down Toronto offense but this was the first game where it didn`t matter. A hot tender heading to a game seven; the Vancouver Wolves are in trouble.
     
     
    Game 7 :       Toronto Legion      2-0
    Toronto Legion took a page out of the Vancouver Wolves play book as they shut down the Vancouver offense and got another really strong game from Joel Castle @animal74; in an almost complete repeat of game six as Toronto also got timely goal from Mac Atlas @v.2 .
     
     
    Toronto Legion win the series  4-3
    In the end Vancouver Wolves was able to shut down the offense of the Toronto Legion but Toronto showed ability to adjust turning the tables on Vancouver by shutting down Vancouver offense and making the series a goaltending duel; in which the younger Joel Castle @animal74 was able to out battle the veteran Brandt Fuhr @Tate.
     
     
     
      Los Angeles Stars (3) vs. D.C. Dragons (2)  
     
     
    Game 1:      Los Angeles Stars    4-3
    D.C Dragons took it to Los Angeles Stars in the first period but could only score two goals and Los Angeles played rope a dope with timely power-play goals in the second and early third accounting for Los Angeles stars coming out on top; with a strong game from Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher and even stronger game from Art Vandelay @Gustav (42/45 shots & 0.933sav%). Feels like Los Angeles stole this game.
     
     
    Game 2:      Los Angeles Stars      5-1
    Back and forth tilt until D.C. Dragons let frustration get the better of them as they couldn`t beat Art Vandelay @Gustav . Jason @Jason kranz; your best forward fighting is never a good thing and it would also seems like it back fired as it gave the momentum to Los Angeles Stars as they would score four unanswered to win the game. Hockey is also a mental game and right now D.C. is losing it!!
     
     
    Game 3:      Los Angeles Stars    2-0
    Goaltending battle between Bubbles Utonium @fishy and Art Vandelay @Gustav with Vandelay coming out on top with the shutout. Frustration still showing from the Dragons with even Bubbles Utonium @fishy collecting a penalty for slashing. If D.C. has any chance they need to stay out of the box and find a way to solve Art Vandelay @Gustav .
     
     
    Game 4:      Los Angeles     3-1
    Couldn`t solve Art Vandelay @Gustav and couldn`t stay out of the box as Los Angeles goes 2/8 (25%) on the powerplay to win not only the game but the series.
     
     
    Los Angeles stars win the series 4-0
    When you have a goalie that is playing as well as Art Vandelay @Gustav ; it isn`t a matter if you are going to win the series but rather how many games will it take. In this case it was rather quick and painless for Los Angeles as the rode the hot tender to four straight wins. D.C. Dragons became frustrated from the third period of the second game on-wards and really seemed to self-explode. Sad since I had hoped they would at least push Los Angeles Stars in this series as the best offense team in the regular season. No offense and No wins!!
     
     
     
     European Conference  Semi – Finals
     
       London United (4) vs. HC Davos Dynamo (1)  
     
     
    Game 1:     HC Davos Dynamo     3-0
    HC Davos Dynamo jumped on London United early and often as they scored two goals before ice was even dry. HC Davos also showed one of the strengths of the defending champions by shutting down London offense for the rest of the game on the back of solid goaltending of Lachlan Summers @kirbithan. Was this a statement game?
     
     
    Game 2:       HC Davos Dynamo     5-4
    Chippy game with a lot of stick infractions and a combined 28PIM between the two teams. London United jumped on HC Davos Dynamo only 4 seconds into game. Three quick goals in the second period would put HC Davos ahead; only to have London fight back to tie the game showing that they can push the Champions but, in the end, a costly or timely powerplay goal by DB III @wcats would be the difference maker; in a very entertaining game.
     
     
    Game 3:    London United      5-3
    Back and forth game with Leonard Triller @Triller and Molly the Cat @JCarson finally breaking out offensively for the first time in the series and timely goaltending from Jesse Teno @aimkin combined for a strong victory for the United. London must still be concerned with the high scoring affairs and will look for strong defensive game?
     
     
    Game 4:     London United     4-3 (Overtime)
    Series tied as London United  out last HC Davos Dynamo with Jesse Teno @aimkin making timely saves again and Deron Nesbitt @AW13 having a nice little game scoring the winner in overtime as London now makes the it a best of three. Where is Lachlan Summers @kirbithan and Jake Thunder @Thunder as Davos really needs them to step to their All-star selves!!
     
     
    Game 5:      HC Davos Dynamo     5-4
    Jake Thunder @Thunder makes appearance assisting on four of the five goals scored by HC Davos Dynamo in another back and forth game as Leonard Triller @Triller and Molly the Cat @JCarson continue to shine for London United. DB III @AW13 scoring the winner again late in the third period to claim the victory for HC Davos. Can HC Davos final shut down London offense and claim the series?
     
     
    Game 6:      HC Davos Dynamo         5-3
    It wasn`t pretty but it is done!! James Teekirque was the difference maker with two goals and assist with B-DAV D3 sealing the deal with empty netter with twenty-four seconds left to play in the third. London simply couldn`t get the equalizer as Davos played a fairly defensive game only allowing 20 shots against.
     
     
    HC Davos Dynamo win the series 4-2
    In the end HC Davos Dynamo were simple just too strong for London United in what was a very entertaining series of high scoring games when most expected a low scoring series, a goaltending duel series or at least that is what I expected.
     
     
     
        Riga Reign (3) vs. Prague Phantoms (2)   
     
     
     
    Game 1:      Riga Reign     4-3 (Overtime)
    Riga Reign seemed to want to set tone for the series in game one as they took thirteen penalties for 31 PIM while Prague Phantoms answered back with seven penalties for 19 PIM; in by far the chippiest game of the playoff so far. With a fight between Perry Laperriere @KaleebtheMighty and Larry Abass Jr @RileyL only three minutes into the series. All the while Prague peppered Henry Tucker Jr @NSG for a total of 62 shots but in the end, Riga Reign would stand tall and win the game on the back of strong performance from The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath (2G – 1A) as he would score the Overtime winner. What a series we could be witnessing if this game is any indication?
     
     
    Game 2:       Prague Phantoms       5-2
    Three goals in under five minutes of play and majority of the chippiness from the game before was gone. Riga Reign couldn`t handle the duel of Perry Laperriere @KaleebtheMighty (3G) and Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone (4A) as Prague also received as strong goaltending performance from Matt Murdock @Acydburn (45/47 shots & 0.957sav%). Riga Reign needs to shut down Prague Phantoms offense!
     
     
    Game 3:       Riga Reign     4-1
    Henry Tucker Jr @NSG was fantastic as he out-dueled Matt Murdock @Acydburn early in the game until two quick goals in the third broke the game open and Riga Reign would add another as they would eventually cruise to victory. Offensively Riga Reign were led by AK Wit da Hoodie92 @hedgehog337 (1g & 3A) as they will look to take a strangle hold on the series. Prague Phantoms will look to have another offensive break through to try to even up the series.
     
     
    Game 4:       Prague Phantoms       2-1
    Well, not the offensive break through Prague  Phantoms were looking for but John Jameson @Frank seems to finding his footing in the playoffs with his second goal into two games. Another goalie duel that seen Matt Murdock @Acydburn get the better of Henry Tucker Jr @NSG this time; who really kept Riga in this contest making 47 saves on 49 shots. This game was really all Prague. Series now moves to best of three in what continue to be a chippy series.
     
     
    Game 5:       Prague Phantoms     3-1
    The goaltending battle continues in what has been a epic battle between the pipes with Prague Phantoms scoring quickly into the game forced Riga Reign to chase most of the game. Perry Laperriere @KaleebtheMighty two goal performance would be the difference as Admir Bala @Tyler would also have a nice game for himself with 3 helpers. Riga Reign are now the team looking for offense or they will be going home.
     
     
    Game 6:       Riga Reign      5-2
    Riga Reign finally broke Matt Murdock @Acydburn as they would score within the first minute of the game and force Prague Phantoms to chase. Brian Kowalski @Wheaties would have himself a game to remember with a hattrick and helper to lead Riga. Henry Tucker Jr @NSG was solid again in net but far less busier than previous games. Dabnad Shaw @Dabnad would fight John Jameson @Frank and be ejected from the game. Anyone series heading into game seven but I am expecting a goaltending duel so let’s hang onto our britches.
     
     
    Game 7:      Prague Phantoms     5-4
    Riga Reign hammered Prague Phantoms in the first period; that was very chippy with eight penalties. which led to the opening goal by Larry Abass Jr @RileyL for the Riga Reign. Penalties would play a huge role in this game; as Riga would be called for the next three to start the second period and while the teams trade goals all three goals from Prague Phantoms goals including the tying goal would come on the power-play. Deadlocked heading to the third with all on the line. Prague scored two quick goals around the sixteen-minute mark and seemed ready to cruise into the next round but Riga has other plans when Brian Kowalski @Wheaties scored just two minutes later to bring the game back within a goal but in the end, Prague was able to hang onto the Victory.
     
     
    Prague Phantoms win the series 4-3
    High scoring back and forth series was very entertain where either team could have actually won the series. Prague at the end of the day were simple too strong of a opponent for Riga Reign to handle but they gave it their all.
     
     
     
    North American Conference Finals
     
         Los Angeles Stars (3) vs. Toronto Legion (1)    
     
     
     
    Game 1:         Toronto Legion     3-2
    Toronto Legion quickly jumped to the lead with two goals in under the first five minutes of the game and series as Toronto fired everything at Art Vandelay @Gustav in the first. The game became a defensive struggle before B-LAS D3 would get Los Angeles on the board and within a goal. Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher would tie the game on the power-play early in the third before Jimi Jaks @kelvi would score the winner just before the eight minute mark of the third. Los Angeles Stars took too many penalties putting Toronto Legion on the power-play eight times so they will look to stay clear of the box in the next game.
     
     
    Game 2:      Toronto Legion      5-4
    Jimi Jaks @kelvi; the star killer as he scored four goals to led the offense for Toronto Legion. Once again jumping out to an early two goal lead before the game was ten minutes old before allowing Los Angeles Stars to storm back into the game in the second. The second started in a crazy good old playoff hockey fashion as Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher would score 23secs into the period before only 4sec later Jimi Jaks @kelvi would score his hattrick goal to restore a two-goal lead. Los Angeles would than score two more goals to tie the game heading to the third before taking the lead just before the seven-minute mark when Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher would beat Joel Castle @animal74. Jimi Jaks @kelvi would scorer his fourth to tie the game before Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer would score the winner on the power-play and seal the victory for Toronto. Goaltending has been rather average so far in this series; which has been rather shocking.
     
     
    Game 3:      Los Angeles Stars     2-1
    Well, I had to mention the average goaltending at the end of the second game and both teams seemed to lock down the offense as both goalies would have their best game of the series. Art Vandelay @Gustav in the end out dueled Joel Castle @animal74 as the early goals continue to be a thing in this series. Los Angeles Stars have life and will continue to try to shutdown Toronto Legion offense. Toronto Legion will look to bounce back offensively in the next game and try to claim a strangle hold on the series.
     
     
    Game 4:    Los Angeles Stars     5-4
    Offensive game from Los Angeles Stars when I expected them to shut things down? Actually, what happened was Los Angeles stars let up after scoring three goals in under ten minute and thought they would cruise to victory before Toronto Legion would answer for two of their own to make the game close after one. Los Angeles must have received a tongue lashing as they scored two quick goals in the first ten minute of the second to seal the victory. Toronto would add one late but ran out of time for a comeback. Joel Castle @animal74 will look to have a bounce back for Toronto Legion as he allowed five goals on sixteen shots; simple not good enough!! Oh, Series also tied so we are now a best of three and momentum in favoring Los Angeles Stars.
     
     
    Game 5:        Toronto Legion      3-2 (Overtime)
    Bounce back game expected from Joel Castle @animal74 and that is what we got as the goaltenders decided to duel again but this time Joel Castle @animal74 and Toronto Legion coming out as the victors. Mac Atlas @v.2 lead the attack for Toronto Legion with a goal and two assist; including the game winner in overtime. Jimi Jaks @kelvi would also make his first real appearance since game two scoring the tying goal in the third period to send the game to overtime.
     
     
    Game 6:       Los Angeles Stars      3-1
    Art Vandelay @Gustav had a subpar game five and made up for it in game six (28/29shots) as Los Angeles Stars would score three unanswered as they force a game seven winner takes all. Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer opened the scoring for Toronto Legion as once again early goals seems to the theme of the series at 46sec mark of the second only to be answered back by Los Angeles Stars  Todd Cooke @KRZY one minute later. Another Goaltending duel won by Art Vandelay @Gustav and Joel Castle @animal74 has to be better if Toronto Legion are going to win game seven.
     
     
    Game 7:        Los Angeles Stars     3-2
    Team traded punches through the first thirty minute of the game before Art Vandelay @Gustav shut it down for Los Angeles Stars. Los Angeles Stars Adam Rage @MrMom would open the scoring just before the ten minute mark of the first. Only to be answered by two goals by Toronto Legion would give them the lead heading into the second frame. Early goals are a thing and Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher wasted little time tying the game just 30sec into the second. Gregger McKeggegger @TheNeonShaman would finish out the scoring at eleven minute mark on the power-play as Los Angeles Stars head to the Continental Cup finals for the first time in their history.
     
     
    Los Angeles win the series 4-3
    Close, tight hockey in which the better teams defense or goaltending usually wins and this was the case in the series with Art Vandelay @Gustav out playing Joel Castle @animal74. This series really could have gone either way as all games were decided by a single goal except game 6. Los Angeles Stars will now look to bring home their first Continental Cup in their first ever finals appearance.
     
     
     
    European Conference Finals
     
         Prague Phantoms (2) vs. HC Davos Dynamo (1)  
     
     
    Game 1:       Prague Phantoms       3-2 (Overtime)
    Good strong defense is usually lead by a strong goaltender as the first game of the series seen a goaltending battle between Lachlan Summers @kirbithan and Matt Murdock @Acydburn. Summers kept HC Davos in the game face 49 shots of which he was able to stop 46 of them but it wasn`t enough as Jason Argos @Insypher would score the overtime winner to give Prague Phantoms the series lead. HC Davos Dynamo will be kicking themselves for being undisciplined taking eight penalties including one in the third that lead to the tying goals being scored by Fred Hampton @TownBizness; they will look to be more disciplined in the next game.
     
     
    Game 2:       HC Davos Dynamo      5-4 (Double Overtime)
    Offensive outbreak as Prague Phantoms were unable to control the trio of James Teekirque @Mongoose87 (3G & 1A), Pete Mitchell @Crstats23 (4A) and Skor McFleury @Alex (2G & 2A) in a game where Matt Murdock @Acydburn was able to keep Prague in the game despite giving up five goals as he would face a total of 67 shots making 62 saves. At the other end Lachlan Summers @kirbithan was solid and allowed Skor McFleury @Alex to score the overtime winner just 15 secs into the second overtime. Prague Phantoms will try to shut down the offense out burst of HC Davos Dynamo and hope the strong play from Matt Murdock @Acydburn continues.
     
     
    Game 3:     Prague Phantoms       4-1
    Early goal only 29 secs by Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide set the tone as Prague Phantoms would take the game to HC Davos Dynamo right from the moment the puck dropped. Prague offense was led by John Jameson @Frank (1G & 3A) and Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide (2G) as Prague offense continues to roll. HC Davos Dynamo will look to try to solve Matt Murdock @Acydburn as his strong play continues and try to shut down Prague Phantoms offense. Prague Phantoms on the other hand will try to claim a strangle hold on the series. 
     
     
    Game 4:         Prague Phantoms          4-3 (Overtime)      
    Much stronger start to the game by HC Davos Dynamo seen them leave the first period with a two-nothing lead and they would hold this lead for most of the second until a costly penalty would see Prague Phantoms bring the game within one as Velociraptor Greg @samx would score their first of the game on the power-play. Prague Phantoms would than score two quick goals in under six minutes to start the third period before Halvar Torbjorn @Rayzor_7 would tie the game just after the nine-minute mark and send the game to overtime for the third time in the series. Velociraptor Greg @samx would score their second of the game and the overtime winner on the power-play. Prague Phantoms now have a strangle hold on the series up three games to one. HC Davos Dynamo need all hands on deck if they are going to comeback in this series.
     
     
    Game 5:       Prague Phantoms     4-1
    Prague Phantoms  dominated from the start scoring two goals on fifteen shots and adding another goal while firing twenty-nine shots at Lachlan Summers @kirbithan; who was doing everything he could to keep HC Davos Dynamo in the game and series. HC Davos Dynamo tried everything in the third period to save their season but couldn`t solve Matt Murdock @Acydburn until the final minute of the game on the power play.
     
     
    Prague Phantoms win the series 4-1
    Series was a lot closer than the five games length might actually suggest as three of the game went to overtime but in the end, it was the offensive strength that powered Prague past the defending Continental Cup Champions and Lachlan Summers @kirbithan. Prague Phantoms also showed how lethal they are on the power-play and made HC Davos Dynamo pay for any infractions. Prague Phantoms will look to claim their first Continental Cup as they make their second appearance in the finals.
     
     
    Continental Cup Finals Outlook
         Los Angeles Stars (3) vs. Prague Phantoms (2)     
     
    Los Angeles Stars; an expansion team in S73 will make their first trip to the finals against Prague Phantoms an expansion team from S68; who is making their second trip to the finals. Either way History will be made as Los Angeles or Prague will lift their first Continental Cup in franchise history. Two high powered offensive teams with two more than capable goaltenders could see an wildly unpredictable finals but a very entertaining one!!  
     
  7. Like
    Tyler reacted to Victor in S89 Hall of Fame Induction   
    Welcome all to the S89 Hall of Fame induction ceremony!
     
    G - Xavier Booberry, S81-S88 
     RS: 520 GP, 282 W, 177 L, 49 OTL, 2.64 GAA, .926 SV%, 34 SO 
     PO: 68 GP, 37 W, 23 L, 8 OTL, 2.61 GAA, .926 SV%, 2 SO
     
    S83 Brett Slobodzian Trophy (Most Oustanding)
    S83 Aidan Shaw Trophy (Top Goalie)
    S83 Greg Clegane Trophy (Lowest GAA)
    S85 Aidan Shaw Trophy (Top Goalie)
    S88 Scotty Campbell Trophy (Most Valuable)
    S88 Aidan Shaw Trophy (Top Goalie)
    3x All-VHL First Team (S83, S85, S88)
     
    Our first inductee today is the finest goalie of his generation, having his 3 crowning seasons with 3 different teams, proving he was no product of his teams as the VHL came out of the high scoring era into one likely to be dominated by goalies again following in the footsteps of Booberry. Booberry came agonisingly close to a Continental Cup with back-to-back finals losses in his final 2 seasons, but proved to be consistent enough to become just the 2nd goalie Hall of Famer in the 16-team era, securing his name among the league's all time greats.
     
     
    LW - Brendan Marner, S82-S88 
    RS: 504 GP, 289 G, 396 A, 685 P, +121, 721 PIM, 1,622 HIT, 324 SB, 46 GW
    PO: 45 GP, 23 G, 23 A, 46 P, -2, 40 PIM, 113 HIT, 35 SB, 4 GW
     
    S87 Brett Slobodzian Trophy (Most Oustanding)
    S87 Mike Szatkowski Trophy (Most Points)
    S88 Scott Boulet Trophy (Top Two-Way Forward)
    2x All-VHL First Team (S87, S88)
    2x All-VHL Second Team (S85, S86)
    One Continental Cup (S84)
     
    Our 2nd inductee is reasonably rare 7-season career, Brendan Marner working his way from a relative unknown on draft day to becoming arguably the face of the 2nd era of the Warsaw Predators, one of the league's dominant forces circa S84-S85. Marner kicked off his career with a 100-point season and fell below that mark just twice in his next 6 seasons, consistently finding himself among the league's top forwards in his prime, peaking as top scorer in S87.
     
    Voting results
    Xavier Booberry - 13/16
    Brendan Marner - 10/16
    --------
    Matty Socks - 4/16
    Papa Emeritus - 2/16
    Oskar Lindbergh - 1/16
    Jakab Holik, Kristof Welch, Zach Kisslinger II, Hari Singh Nalwa - 0/16
     
    Congratulations @CowboyinAmerica and @MetalToday
  8. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to Acydburn in DAV/PRG; S90   
    Thanks for the quick talks @Alex
     
    @Tyler Welcome to Prague!
  9. Like
    Tyler reacted to Ahma in Continental Cup Finals: Game 6   
    WE DID IT
     
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
     
    SHOCKED CRYING
     
    LETS GOOO DAVOS WE DID IT
     
     
     
    podcast recording happening while sim happened, listen to it next week
  10. Like
    Tyler reacted to scoop in Continental Cup Finals: Game 6   
    Thus ends the third longest cup drought of all time.
     
    Amazingly, Davos is now tied for the second most championships with 11 despite going 50 seasons (S39 to S88) only winning once. Really tells you how good the franchise was up to that point.
  11. Like
    Tyler reacted to Alex in Continental Cup Finals: Game 6   
    GG @Frank and Vancouver! It was a amazing series!
     
    David, we did the thing!!
  12. Like
    Tyler reacted to VHL Games in Continental Cup Finals: Games 3 & 4   
    Game 45:
    HC Davos Dynamo vs. Vancouver Wolves
     
    Game 46:
     
    HC Davos Dynamo vs. Vancouver Wolves
     
    Go to Playoff Tree
     
  13. Haha
    Tyler reacted to Beketov in Happy 16th Birthday VHL!   
    The league is older than I was when I joined. It’s fucking madness.
  14. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to Beketov in Happy 16th Birthday VHL!   
    Hey VHL @Members!
     
    Old hands of the league have surely been waiting for this but for any youngin’s out there that aren’t aware July 18th, 2007 is the day the VHL opened. That means today marks the league's official 16th birthday. Our little league can officially drive! Fucking wild. Anyway, it’s been an absolute wild time over the past 16 years but we know you all didn't click on this to read about how fucking ancient I am. You came in for the TPE and I intend on delivering it!
     
    To commemorate the league's 16th birthday, we are giving all members a Triples Week, which adds 12 Uncapped TPE to any 6-TPE Point Task (Welfare/Pension/Affiliate PT are not included but as usual if your pay covers your PT that counts), as well as 4 Uncapped TPE. To claim these perks, which naturally add up to 16 Uncapped TPE (aren’t we so clever) all you need to do is post in this thread and then link to that post in your update; that's it! No scavenger hunt, no clues, no catches! Do a PT, make one post, and the sweet TPE is all yours.
     
    That’s not all though! We’re gonna also put everyone who claims this birthday TPE into a draw for even more TPE, we know what you all like after all. At the end of this season we’ll draw for 16 prizes of 10 more uncapped TPE each.
     
    So, to summarize quickly, that's 16 uncapped TPE just for commenting and doing a PT with the possibility of even more later curtesy of the VHL. All you have to do is post in here and you're good to go!


     
    Notes:
    • This thread will remain open until 11:59PM PST on Monday, July 24th.
    • All claims for the birthday bonus must be made by the end of the playoffs this season.
    • Birthday perks may only be claimed on one player per member (IE if you are re-creating you can't claim them on your current player, re-create, and claim them again, pick one or the other).
  15. Fire
    Tyler reacted to JB123 in S89 Oslo Storm Captains   
    C - Braeden Panarella @ThatCasual
    A - Alexander Stroheim @Stroheim
    A - Jack Jeckler @Uncommon
    A - Admir Bala @Tyler
    Let's Go Storm!
  16. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to Advantage in VHL Trade Wars: Edition 9 (Season 60 Off-Season)   
    VHL Trade Wars: Edition 9 (Season 60 Off-Season)

     
    Good evening and Happy Canada Day to any of my fellow Canadians.  I decided to be a little bit of a procrastinator and save my media spot writing until Saturday evening, but ultimately better late in the week rather than not doing it at all.  This Trade Wars will have a few more trades involved as the overall bulk of the moves isn’t as large as some of the last few trades we have looked at.  So this edition will see three transactions looked at as there are only three other moves to review in the Season 60 Off-Season, and once again we see some familiar faces that seemed to have dominated the Season 60 Off-Season’s transaction log.
     
    There are two themes that this edition has going for it with veteran players looking to win their first and only Continental Cups and a salary cap scramble, with the Calgary Wranglers looking to get under the cap ceiling and two teams looking to take advantage.  So buckle up as we look at three more moves that shaped the rest of the Season 60 off-season and gave the audience of our league more perspective on who may come out on top during the campaign.   
     
    --------------------
     
    S60 OFF-SEASON
     
    To DAV 
    D - Luca Volkov @Kyle
     
    To TOR
    S62 DAV 3rd Round Draft Pick (F - Kasper Loh @MrMaxx44)
     
    General Managers: @Tyler (Davos), @DollarAndADream  (Toronto)
     
    Date: June 14th, 2018
     
    This trade sees the Davos Dynamo, who are entering a season where they are looking to compete for the Continental Cup, adding a veteran defender in Luca Volkov who was entering the final season in his VHL career.  Volkov, whose player agency has a familiar history with the Dynamo franchise, had played the previous six seasons as a member of North American organizations, with time spent in Calgary, New York and then Toronto.  
     
    Over the course of his time in Davos, he would have a decent year as a solid accessory piece on the backend.  He finished the season with his worst offensive performance in six full seasons in the VHL, but still finished with a solid 46 points, 94 hits and 91 blocked shots in the most limited his minutes had been since entering the league.  In almost heroic fashion though, Volkov would step up for the S61 Playoffs, recording 8 points, 8 hits and an incredible 24 blocked shots over 14 games on route to the Continental Cup.  This was Volkov’s first and only Continental Cup in his VHL career, and the fact that he was able to step up and play a pretty important role during their run, just caps off his career in the best way possible.
     
    During his entire VHL career, Luca Volkov would record 330 points in 447 career games, and added on 1081 hits and 720 blocked shots over that seven season (S55 was just a 15 game campaign for Volkov) career.  He would play on some really solid teams that just couldn’t follow through in the playoffs, finishing with 57 career playoff games and a respectable 35 points.  He also even put some time in on an awful young team that relied on the veteran to be one of the only go-to players, as he finished with 53 points and a statistically horrendous -102 plus-minus.  He certainly had a noteworthy career and it’s nice to see that not only did Davos get what they wanted out of this deal, but so did the player.
     
    Toronto really shouldn’t receive much criticism or anything here.  They simply were doing right by the player in moving him off to a team that could compete for the Continental Cup, and basically were just giving him away for a cheap asset.  The pick they received was used on a forward by the name of Kasper Loh, who signed briefly with the Saskatoon Wild before showing a disinterest in playing professionally and moving on from the league.  There was no official word on why he chose not to continue on his hockey journey, but the only rumour I had heard was that his family business was a better fit due to the unlikelihood of making it to the pros.  
     
    Winner: Davos @Tyler - It kinda has to be doesn’t it?  The Dynamo were looking to bring in a veteran defender to give them some solid minutes and hoped to return a Continental Cup run in his final season in exchange.  The Dynamo went on to win the Continental Cup and Volkov not only had a near 50 point campaign in a more limited role, but he also stepped up in the playoffs to help win it all.  Toronto didn’t make a bad move but ultimately the pick they made just never ended up getting it going.  Tough break but at least they did right by the player and Volkov got his chance to get his name in the history books.
     
    --------------------
     
    To TOR
    F - Slava Aleksei @Tyler
    S62 CGY 3rd Round Draft Pick (F - Jack Stucky @stucky71)
     
    To CGY
    D - Boner @Corco
     
    General Managers: @DollarAndADream  (Toronto), @Bushito (Calgary)
     
    Date: June 15th, 2018
     
    This trade was one of two parts of the Calgary Wranglers trying to get under the league salary cap and this one even had a bit of controversy that I will briefly touch on first.  This trade saw Calgary move veteran defender Slava Aleksei, to the Toronto Legion along with a pick for Boner, a depth defender.  Aleksei, who is represented by the agency that runs the Davos Dynamo at the time, was pretty unhappy as they didn’t feel Calgary made any effort whatsoever to consider their player’s wishes in playing for Davos, and proceeded to move him to Toronto without communicating anything about a transaction.  This was in part due to the cap issue and Calgary scrambling to get under, but it is important to note that Aleksei would end up being moved to Davos during the regular season, in order to give him a chance at the Continental Cup (that they would win!) as opposed to being on the hopeless Legion who were in the midst of a rebuild.
     
    As already stated, the Toronto Legion acquired Aleksei, who was fresh off another impressive season with 22 goals and 68 points to go along with 141 blocked shots in 72 games.  This was an excellent accomplishment for a veteran defender in his fifth year in the league as it was his first time surpassing the twenty-goal-plateau as a defender during his career, only having more than that as a forward in his rookie campaign.  Aleksei went on to play six full seasons, ending it with his Cup in Davos, and finished his career with 415 points in 432 games to go along with 659 blocked shots, five of which he played on the backend. 
     
    The Legion also acquired a third round pick that they would use to select Jack Stucky, a Canadian winger who played 137 games over the span of two seasons in the VHLM, first with Yukon and then Oslo.  Over that span, he scored 32 goals and recorded 77 points, with all but 7 of those points coming in his second VHLM season, with the Oslo Storm.  Despite being drafted, his development just never got off the ground and while he showed some glimpses during the Season 62 campaign, some concerns were released about work ethic and overall talent, and Stucky would be let go and never seen in the VHL Professional System again.
     
    The Calgary Wranglers got some much needed cap relief out of this deal, but also acquired Boner, a defenseman who was in the prime of his career and was known as a depth defensive defenseman.  Boner went on to play an impressive 576 games in the VHL and would record 211 points, 1972 hits and 1058 blocked shots, reaching the 1000-1000 club.  Boner played for Stockholm, Calgary, Riga and Toronto over the course of his career, with him being mostly known for his time with the Wranglers and his one explosive offensive season that he had with the Riga Reign.  However, it was his final season with the Legion where he captured his first and only Continental Cup, contributing a goal, 26 hits and 24 blocked shots over the playoff run. 
     
    Winner: Draw – Yeah, I mean this is a tough one cause Aleksei ended up being moved on and he was only in his final season.  While Aleksei was definitely the best player in this deal, weighing what he could do in that one year versus Boner, who played for another four seasons in the Victory Hockey League and did so providing solid defense and physical play, is something to consider.  Ultimately I feel both teams got similar value in the end and given all that I can see, I ultimately would probably consider this is an overall draw.  I almost went with Calgary though, because their ability to clear cap space and not really lose too much on value was actually not a bad move, especially given the amount of criticism Bushito received for the transaction.  Not necessarily a defender of him not notifying a player of a potential move (cause I have been on that side of things and it can definitely be
    frustrating) but it was still an okay deal all-around I think.
     
    --------------------
     
    To CGY
    S62 QUE 4th Round Draft Pick (G - Matt Aloisi @twoplayable)
     
    To QUE
    F - Josh Stronk @Beerfridge
     
    General Managers: @Bushito (Calgary), @Beaviss (Quebec City)
     
    Date: June 15th, 2018
     
    This was the second and final trade to get Calgary under the cap and involved them trading young forward Josh Stronk for a S62 QUE 4th Round Draft Pick, which is pretty much as good as nothing.  In fact, some teams had passed on their pick before the selection was made.  Quebec City swooped on in and acquired the player who has a well-known agency in the sim league world.
     
    Calgary moved Stronk, a young Canadian forward entering his third season of professional play, for essentially nothing, a fourth round pick used on goaltender, Matt Aloisi, who played one season with the Saskatoon Wild in Season 61, before dropping out of the VHLM Farm System.  During that season, Aloisi would go 6-17-2 for a 4.54 GAA and .857 Save percentage, in what was a fairly inconsistent 25 games for the Wild.
     
    The Quebec City Meute swooped in and acquired Stronk, a young Canadian forward who had just finished his fifth season in the VHLM, three of which were with the Saskatoon Wild.  He was an incredible VHLM talent, who recorded a remarkable 430 points in 362 games over the course of his six seasons in the minors.  These tremendous statistical accomplishments were capped off by three consecutive Founder’s Cups, and with three different clubs (Yukon Rush, Saskatoon Wild and Oslo Storm).  Stronk finished his career by playing two seasons in the VHL; his first with New York and his second with Helsinki.  The two seasons he played were fairly similar statistically as he recorded 71 points and 114 hits over his 144 games in the VHL, where he played as a 2nd line center on two fairly mediocre squads.
     
    Winner: Quebec City….kinda? – I personally think I have to say Quebec City since Stronk had a solid VHLM career and played a couple seasons in the minors, while the player that was involved on the other side of things played 25 goals before being going released and going unsigned in the VHLM.  With that being said, this is barely a win since Stronk didn’t debut on the VHL side of things until Season 62 and played a minimal role on a rebuilding club.  With that being said, Stronk was known as a great teammate and a breath of fresh air at Training Camps, so I give the Meute the win since he’s someone that brings joy to people’s faces in the locker room.  Plus he is a 6”8 250 lb behemoth who had the nickname “The Iron Giant”, so obviously he is the best player in the deal.
     
    --------------------
     
    And with that the ninth edition the VHL Trade Wars is complete and we have completed the Season 60 Off-Season, which had a tremendous amount of trades made.  This one saw three interesting moves made involving later round picks and veterans looking to end their career with some glory, and thankfully they did indeed find this success.  Luca Volkov and Slava Aleksei went on to win the Continental Cup in their final season, as a member of the Davos Dynamo.  A tremendous finish for two solid veteran defenders, and one that makes that tremendous cup win a really precious memory for the Victory Hockey League.
     
    I hope you enjoyed this edition of the VHL Trade Wars and I look forward to bringing you the next edition, which will move on to Season 61 as I strive to continue breaking down the trades that shaped our incredible league history.  Once again, Happy Canada Day and I hope you all enjoy your day and continue to live life with your head up (if you can’t tell my stoner brain has taken over by the time I finished this article).
     
     
    - 2024 Words (Claiming Week 1 of 4)
     
     
  17. Like
    Tyler reacted to Ahma in VHL Trade Wars: Edition 8 (Season 60 Off-Season)   
    good stuff
     
    I had to go and read the comments now as well
    and damn was it a different time
  18. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to Advantage in VHL Trade Wars: Edition 8 (Season 60 Off-Season)   
    VHL Trade Wars: Edition 8 (Season 60 Off-Season)

     
    To QUE
    S62 DAV 2nd Round Draft Pick (Roctrion King) @Romaris
     
    To DAV 
    D - Alvara Jokinen @Ahma
     
    General Managers: @Beaviss (Quebec City), @Tyler (Davos)
     
    Date: June 11th, 2018
     
    After not feeling up to a trade reflection this past week, I am back to bring forth another episode of VHL Trade Wars.  This one will simply be looking at one trade that we saw part one of slightly featured in one of our previous editions.  I will probably try and start extending this out soon to include a few more trades in each addition but ultimately had a fairly busy week and didn’t finish this early enough.
     
    The first trade we will look at involves two teams that have found their way into a lot of the moves that I have looked at over these now eight additions.  This trade is interesting because we recently talked about the pick that Quebec traded for and how the player they selected, Alvara Jokinen, ended up in Davos has his agency usually does.  This was the trade that got him on the franchise that runs through his blood and veins.  The comments on this trade (this is why I like doing this stuff) also shed light on everything involving the deal.  It was clear Beaviss thought there was a chance he could convince Ahma of being on a different team, but as he put it, his “experiment failed……”. 
     
    It's hard to fault Quebec here given their leverage was pretty much next to nothing when there is only one team that the player would play for.  That being said, the second round pick that they acquired would sadly end up being the last in the round.  With the pick, the Quebec City Meute would select a Canadian forward named Roctrion King.  While he would never play on Quebec City, King would go on to have a pretty productive six season career, recording 196 goals and 379 total points in 432 career games.  He had three point-per-game seasons over the course of his career that stretched from New York, to Helsinki and then finally to Toronto for the last three seasons of his career. 
     
    Davos came way with another player from the loyal Ahma agency that has been a fixture in multiple decades of the teams history.  As usual, Jokinen was a solid number two defenseman for the majority of his career finishing with a very respectable 320 points and 914 blocked shots over 432 career games in the VHL (all of which were with Davos of course).  The only likely disappointing aspect of Jokinen’s career was his disappointing 16 career playoff games over the course of his career, where he finished with just 8 points and the team was fairly stagnant over his time on the squad.
     
    Verdict: Davos wins mainly due to the impact of this move being so lasting for the squad, with Ahma being a fixture on them for his entire career.  Pretty hard for anyone else to win this trade to be entirely fair to Quebec, but I guess that’s why they probably shouldn’t have drafted him in the first place.  At the very least, the player in value that was received wasn’t far off of Jokinen but nevertheless a little more underwhelming.
  19. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to AJW in Finals: Game 6   
    3 in 4 seasons, proud to be storm alumni 🔥
  20. Like
    Tyler reacted to AJW in Finals: Game 1   
  21. Fire
    Tyler got a reaction from AJW in Semi Finals: Game 6   
    storms a brewing 
  22. Fire
    Tyler got a reaction from JB123 in Semi Finals: Game 6   
    storms a brewing 
  23. Fire
    Tyler reacted to AJW in Semi Finals: Game 6   
    KEEP IT ROLLING STORM 🔥
  24. Cheers
    Tyler got a reaction from Advantage in VHL Trade Wars: Edition 5 (Season 60 Off-Season)   
    Good stuff @Advantage, for sure felt like I took advantage of the lack of leverage that @Banackock had at that point, but it still worked out for both teams in the end. Win win. 
  25. Cheers
    Tyler reacted to Advantage in VHL Trade Wars: Edition 5 (Season 60 Off-Season)   
    VHL Trade Wars: Edition 5 (Season 60 Off-Season)

     
     
    SEASON 60 OFF-SEASON
    To SEA
    S61 DAV 1st Round Pick (G - Roger Sterling) @Will
     
    To DAV 
    F - Gabriel McAllister @CowboyinAmerica
    F - Otto Axelsson @Dangles13
    Rights to D - Mats Johnsson @Quik
     
    General Managers: Seattle @Banackock, Davos @Tyler
     
    Date: June 4th, 2018
     
     
    This is the fifth edition of the VHL Trade Wars, and I am your host Advantage, here to bring you another trade breakdown.  This one (and yes it is just one) is one of the biggest trades of the 60s with multiple Hall of Fame players involved and features two teams that we have looked at a lot already, Davos and of course, as seemingly always, Seattle.  
     
    I decided to present this as a single trade given the legendary status this deal holds and the impact it would have over the next few seasons in the VHL.  At the time that this trade happened, most seemed to see it as an easy win for the Davos Dynamo, who looked primed for a dominant Continental Cup run after these acquisitions.  Even the Seattle Bears GM acknowledged that he felt he lost the deal stating, “For starters, quite the trade talks. For seconds, yeah, that's some heavy duty **** isn't it? Gabriel Mcallister alone could have grabbed the 4th overall pick and then som up until lately in this league and with how trading has been. This is what was offered and this is what the only team buying was willing to pay. They were very aware and took advantage, seizing the moment. Unfortunately, we're in a position where a rebuild should happen and it will.”
     
    This quote pretty much sums up the consideration made by the Bears at the time of this move and it’s certainly a reasonable take.  As someone who GM’ed for quite some time in the league myself, there is a lot to the notion that your entire run can be stalled or accelerated depending on your timing of your rebuild.  My first run with the New York Americans was completely excelled when I traded into multiple incredible drafts landing future Hall of Fame players like Tom Slaughter, Xin Xie Xiao and Conner Low.  That being said, my time with the Vikings fell short of expectations, mainly due to my first major deal involving me trading for picks in what ended up being a bit of a dud draft.  Given that we only had 8 seasons with a player, timing is everything and the Bears felt they needed to make the move now.
     
    This trade saw the Bears really begin their rebuild in style, moving impending Free Agent Mats Johnsson, a prime legendary veteran in Gabriel McAllister and a young center who was looking for a big jump after a respectable rookie season, all for a fourth overall pick in the upcoming VHL Entry Draft.  That pick would end up being Roger Sterling, a goalie who had a long and solid career as a starter in the Victory Hockey League, finishing his career with a 239-162-31 record over 439 games, spanning seven seasons (including five with Seattle).  He was never really a spectacular goaltender but was considered more a reliable regular season goaltender that unfortunately struggled at times in the playoffs.  While Seattle were certainly not playoff stalwarts during a lot of his time with the Bears, Roger Sterling’s lacklustre playoff statistics certainly did not help.  The goaltender finished his VHL career with 49 playoff starts and a 19-27-3 record, to be paired with a 3.19 GAA and a .910 Save Percentage, all far worse than the career averages of the Canadian netminder.  
     
    With all that being said, this was actually a really solid trade for Seattle.  Did they overpay a bit? That could definitely be argued.  Johnsson ultimately was not signing back with the Bears though and Axelsson never really panned out like expected, meaning that the main value being exchanged for that fourth overall pick, was the prime years of Gabriel McAllister.  And it is important to note that McAllister would return to the Bears for his final season, after two campaigns spent with Davos.  The real value of this move was that it allowed the Bears to use their first overall pick to get the player they wanted in future Hall of Fame player and 100% generational talent, Matt Thompson.  A player that would go on to play 360 games with the Bears and scored 268 goals and tallied 519 points over that span.  And they could then use this extra pick to secure the goaltender they so desperately needed to kick the rebuild off right with some security in such a pivotal position.
     
    The Dynamo side of things is also fairly obvious as they were looking to compete and wanted to add a couple major pieces to a team that needed someone to lead them.  That player was Gabriel McAllister and he certainly did that recording 198 points over two seasons with Davos and even winning the League MVP back in Season 61.  He wasn’t even close to finished that year though, as he would cruise to Playoff MVP with a dazzling 12 goals, 23 points and 87 hits over the course of 14 games, on route to a Continental Cup and making this trade all the more worth it for the Dynamo.
     
    With that being said, while McAllister definitely made this deal one not to regret, Mats Johnsson and Otto Axelsson’s involvement don’t necessarily make it a definitive win either.  Mats Johnsson went on to sign with Calgary and enjoyed four more incredibly productive seasons in the VHL before retiring and later being inducted into the Hall of Fame.  While Axelsson was a solid player that proved to be pretty productive offensively (averaging 57 points a season over his 360 game career) but lacked the other necessary elements to take him past being just a solid second liner on a good team.  He ultimately would play just two seasons in Davos before also ending up back with Seattle, just like McAllister did.
     
    Verdict: Winner – Draw: It has to be for me.  Davos definitely doesn’t regret this move as they would acquire the best player in the deal and he would lead them to two incredible years including a Continental Cup victory in Season 61.  While they swung for the fences in hoping to acquire Johnsson, the value of a McAllister for fourth overall deal was honestly fairly reasonable in the first place, so I certainly think Davos did pretty well here adding Axelsson (again, a decent complimentary piece on a cup winning team) in addition.  That being said, Seattle did well too adding a goaltender that would be able to carve out a really good and long career and allowed them to get their rebuild started right by adding one of the most hyped prospects in years at first overall and then adding the significant position of need at fourth.  Solid trade for both teams where the results met the team’s focus when they originally made this move.
     
    1100+ Words (Claiming Week 1 of 2)
     
     
     
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