GioSivo

graphic courtesy by Leandrofg
(stats for Janser, stats for Kagamine)
 
The regular season has come to an end and the Americans made it into the post-season. That is the good news, the bad news is, that they lost the third seed they held onto for most of the season. So they need to go through the purgatory of the Wild Card series, which they lead 2-0 at the moment of writing this article. We will review the last two regular season matches.
 

6-5 (OT)
The first game featured on this review was against the Swedish Uberteam, Malmö. The teams showed a very entertaining game, at least for the fans of highscoring hockey. Defense-afficionados were sorely disappointed. Lecavalier opened the score with the end of the first period already looming on the horizon. In the second frame, the Swedes tied the game on the power play, when Champagne got a minor for high sticking. This won't be the last time his stick was where it had no business being, but more on that later. New York then scored three consecutives markers. Jeannot, Davis and Mancini found the back of the net for their colours. But the Nighthawks put up a fight and with two back-to-back goals, they culled the lead to one goal. On the third period, Malmö equalized the score with only twenty-two seconds played. Midway through the period, Analfist reinstated the one goal league. At this point in time, Freddy was already taking a shower as he was expelled from the game for a spearing offence. Apparently he forgot for a moment what sport was being played here. With less than six minutes left in the game, the Swedish outfit evened the score again, and the teams had to go to overtime. Less than two minutes passed in same before Malmö secured the extra point. This was the Americans' eleventh OT loss in the season, which is the most league wide. A questionable record for sure. Jeannot (1g/2a), Stone (1g/2a) and Queefson (1g/1a) were awarded the tree stars of the night. 36W (.878) was considerably less awful than Sparks (.800) in Malmö's net. New York's power play was top notch (1/2) while their penalty killing was almost impeccable (7/8).
Janser left the ice with 0g, 1a, +0, 6 PIM (High Sticking, Interference and Cross Checking, none of which lead to a goal against), 1 hit and 3sb
Rin was credited with 0g, 0a, -1, 0 PIM, 3 hits and 1sb
 

1-7 
The last match of the season was even more of a defensive nightmare for Vince Wong than the previous one. We are sure that he was questioning what his erstwhile rock solid back row was doing out there. The Dragons came out breathing fire and scored five unanswered goals in the first period, two of which were on the man advantage. They took it down a notch in the second, where they only scored one more on the power play and in the final period they scored their seventh of the night. Alas, the Empire State franchise manage to save at least some of its dignity and managed a consolation goal by Kagamine with five minutes left for Tucker to secure his shut out. It should marvel absolutely no-one that with Grey (2g/2a), Calaway (1g/3a) and Frenchman (1g/2a) all three of the post-game honours went to DC players. In net, it was a no-contest between 36W (.706) and Tucker (.974). New York's power play (0/5) and their offence in general was atrocious, matching the box play teams' performance (2/5).
Callum was noted with 0g, 0a, -3, 2 PIM (Slashing, did not affect the score), 4 hits and 6sb
Kagamine had 1g, 0a, +0, 0 PIM, 1 hit and 2sb to her name
 
It is frustrating that the guaranteed playoff seed was given away what was arguably the worst defensive effort of a New York team, since Janser joined the roster. However, this is water under the bridge and the Americans need now to focus on the games ahead. We are certain that they prefer this collective defensive blackout to happen in the dying games of the regular season rather than the post-season.
 
Here are the final stats for our Dynamic Duo playing for the squad out of the Big Apple.
Rin: 72gp, 8g, 15a, 23pts, +10, 28 PIM, 64 hits, 111sb, 4ppg, 2gwg
CGY: 72gp, 12g, 51a, 63pts, +30, 182 PIM, 225 hits, 128sb, 6ppg, 1gwg, 1 First Star nomination
 
As a closing analysis, we can say that Janser has made progress in almost every aspect of his game. He doubled his goals, had more assists and therefore points, showed a significant improvement on the +/- rating, reduced his time riding the pine by a smidge and remained a physical player as well as a reliable shot blocker. Further and in addition, he could celebrate his 100th apple in the league. So all according to plan and there is no reason, why the management should not be happy with his development.
Sadly, Rin's progress is a different story. It looks like despite undeniable talent, the Japanese defender projects at the moment to become a depth player. In fact, whereas the Swiss Giant showed improvement in most of his stats, the opposite is true for Kagamine. She scored fewer goals as well as fewer assists than last season, despite a better team offence. The +/- rating improved, but not to the same extent as Janser's. She took more penalties on top of the aforementioned. Admittedly it is still a low two-digit number we are talking about and some of it has to do with an improved physical play. Just to be clear, Rin got a gig in a storied VHL franchise, which is more than most can claim for themselves. This is certainly something to be proud of. Alas, we cannot help but feel that with a 15th overall pick, the New York management were looking more in the direction of a franchise player than a bottom four defender. Let's see whether the 'Nagasaki Nightingale' can address the issues that cripple her development and become the star player she was always meant to be.
 
We will revert with more news in due course. In the interim, why not reading one of the below articles?  
 
 
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146308-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xxii-an-inter-season-interview/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146571-vsn-presents-s93-vhl-preview/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146609-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xxiii-a-new-season-is-upon-us/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146757-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xxiv-a-quarter-done/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146863-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xxv-contender-or-pretender/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/147258-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xxvi-an-89th-interview/
GM 568: Malmo Nighthawks vs. New York Americans (vhlportal.com)
GM 575: New York Americans vs. D.C. Dragons (vhlportal.com)
 
1000+ words

graphic courtesy by Leandrofg
(stats for Janser, stats for Kagamine)
 
 
The New York Americans around their alternate captain Janser have played eight games and show a 4-2-2 record, good enough for fourth place in the North American Conference. The Swiss defender has had a somewhat inconsistent start, but is still par for the course to match last season's offensive numbers. We will now showcase two games the Americans played. A New York team who by the way is considered by pundits to be one of the contending teams in the league. It certainly helps to have the most recent Clegane Winner 36xW between the pipes who was FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY in the Stolzschweiger voting by the powers to be. The jury considered the cocky greenskin Grimgor Ironhide to be the better choice.
 

6-1
In our first featured match, the team out of the Big Apple took the squad from the City of Angels for a ride in a 6-1 landslide win. Especially Analfist had a field day with the Californian defence, which barely deserved that name in this encounter. The veteran forward scored a hattrick in the span of two minutes, with the first marker coming on the man advantage. That was all the goals for the first period. In the second frame, retiring center Lecavalier re-installed the three goal lead ten seconds after Swearingen scored a goal for the Stars. In the final twenty minutes, Jeannot and Analfist with his fourth of the night but the last nails into Los Angeles' coffin. The three Stars were awarded to Analfist (4g/2a), Yvel (0g/4a) and Jeannot(1g/2a). Sophomore netminder 36xW (.950) dominated McCagg (.891) in the duel in the crease, with the latter finally getting a chance as a starter for the West Coast outfit. The Americans' power play was decent (1/4), while their box play was immaculate (4/4). This is a good foundation for success.
Janser left the ice with a 0g, 0a, -1, 4 PIM (Interference, Holding, obviously no effect on the score), 2 hits and 1sb record
Kagamine logged 0g, 0a, +5, 0 PIM, 0 hits and 2sb
 

4-5 (SO)
The next game we feature was much closer with the bitter end for the Empire State team against their adversaries from Illinois. New York was off for a bad start when they allowed two goals in the first twenty minutes. In the second period, Davis with his first of the season cut the lead in half, before Chicago reinstated their advantage. Alas, the Americans came back with a vengeance and scored back to back goals with Mancini and again Davis finding the back of the net. In the third frame, both teams scored a goal each with Amish scoring for the red, white and blue. The game went into overtime and because neither goalie conceded a goal it was time to throw a dice in the penalty shoot out, which Chicago took home. Davis (2g/2a), Trunov (3g/0a) and Amish (1g/2a) were given the post-game honours. 36xW (.882) had to bow to Artyomov (.913) in a rather underwhelming netminder competition. New York's special teams contributed heavily to the defeat with 0/6 for the power play and 3/5 for the penalty killing.
Janser was noted with 0g, 3a, +1, 2 PIM (Roughing, no goal scored in the ensuing Chicago power play), 1 hit and 1sb
Rin had 0g, 0a, +1, 2 PIM (Holding, lead to a goal against), 1 hit and 0sb to her name.
 
And here are the stats for 'The Beauty and the Beast' for the season:
Kagamine: 8gp, 2g, 0a, 2pts, +4, 10 PIM, 7 hits, 15sb, 1ppg, 1gwg
Janser: 8gp, 1g, 6a, 7pts, +2, 18 PIM, 23 hits, 12sb, 0ppg, 0gwg
 
We will report from these two defenders in due course, meanwhile please find some related articles down below.
 
https://vhlforum.com/topic/145143-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xvii-a-seasons-review/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/145455-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xix-a-rookie-season-interview/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/145648-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xx-he-is-in-the-army-now/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146035-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xxi-a-busy-offseason/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146308-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xxii-an-inter-season-interview/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/146571-vsn-presents-s93-vhl-preview/
GM 28: New York Americans vs. Los Angeles Stars (vhlportal.com)
GM 40: New York Americans vs. Chicago Phoenix (vhlportal.com)
 
 

Francesco Mancini has accepted a Signing Offer from New York:

S94: $5,000,000

S95: $4,000,000

S96: $4,000,000

It's with great honour I present to you the season 92 team Western Europe gold medal team. 🥇 
 
S92 Team Western Europe Roster
Forwards:
The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath
John Jameson @Frank
Jasper Davis @Josh
Owen Lazaro @traphag
Francesco Mancini @GioSivo
Sjin @Sjin
 
Defense:
Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone
Phil Strasmore @Phil
Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage @Grape
Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser
 
Goalies:
Olober Syko @Spartan
Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty
 
Congratulations to all those selected! If you weren't selected, better luck next time. 
 

graphic courtesy by Leandrofg
(stats for Janser, stats for Kagamine)
 
The regular season is finished and the Americans are still in the game. Thanks to a successfull second half of the season, New York could punch the ticket for the offseason. They will face now another Original Eight franchise in a fight for the playoffs. The Legion had the better overall record, whereas the team from the Big Apple won four of the six games against the 6ix squad. So the stage is set for a hopefully exciting series. For the end of the season we will summarize the two last games for your reading pleasure.
 

4-5 (OT)
In our first featured match, New York collected two points in a nail-biting contest against the Reign. The first period belonged to the Latvian Pride. It is noteworthy that with Justice, McGryer and Anand three former Wranglers netted for Riga. Italian Stallion 'French' Mancini was responsible for the sole New York marker. The second period came and went with no change on the score board. However, in the third frame, Mancini ignited the afterburner and scored a natural hattrick within ten and a half minutes. Kemp for the Reign managed to tie the game again. After less than three minutes into extra time, Swedish veteran Analfist scored the game winner. It should surprise absolutely no-one that Mancini (4g/0a) was declared first star of the game. He was joined by Anand (1g/2a) and Davis (0g/4a). It was not the best night for the netminders but 36xW (.897) kept the upper hand over Panda (.857). New York's powerplay was decent (1/4), their penalty kill adequate (4/5).
Rin left the ice with 0g, 0a, +0 and 4sb
CGY had a 0g, 0a, +0, 4 PIM (2x Hooking, no goals scored during his time riding the pine), 2 hits, 1sb record
 

1-3
In the last game of the regular season, the Americans met the Vancouver Wolves in a 1-3 defeat. The pups showed that despite a rebuilding season, their teeth are not pulled yet. Hoover and Sansoe scored in the first period, whereas New York stayed off the score sheet. During the second frame each team scored one goal. Analfist and Walker put the puck in the back of the net for their colours respectively. In the final lap, both teams neutralized the oppositions efforts and no further goals were scored. The three stars were awarded to Vidarsson (34 saves), Westwood (0g/2a) and Sansoe (1g/0a). In net, we witnessed a battle for the ages between the rookie goalkeepers 36xW (.923) and Vidarsson (.971), with the better end for the Greenlander. New York's powerplay was sub-par (1/6) whereas their box play was leaky (2/4). It is save to say that their weak special teams cost them the match.
Rin had 0g, 0a, and a -1 to her name
CGY ended the game with 0g, 0a, -1, 2 PIM (High Sticking, did not lead to a goal against), 3 hits and 4sb 
 
Here are the 'Beauty and the Beast's' final stats of their rookie season:
Kagamine: 72gp, 10g, 19a, 29pts, -6, 8 PIM, 12 hits, 115sb
Janser: 72gp, 6g, 49a, 55pts, -4, 191 PIM, 284 hits, 143sb, 2 First Star distinctions, 1-1-3 fighting record
 
We will revert with more news on our intrepid hockey export in due course.
 
https://vhlforum.com/topic/143134-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xiii-settling-in-in-new-york/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/143547-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xiv-another-title/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/144188-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xv-first-games-as-a-murican/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/144581-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xvi-one-third-in/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/145143-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xvii-a-seasons-review/
 
 

It is a sunny February day in New York, and the Americans have a R+R day. French (Francesco Mancini) has promised to take Rin and Cal to one of his favourite authentic Italian ristorante. He arrived with a stereotypical southern European delay of fifteen minutes. Kagamine and Janser were a little upset as in both cultures they grew up in emphasizes punctuality. Alas, one cannot be cross with charming and jovial Mancini and when he apologized for the delay in his flowery and wordy way, all was forgiven. It was interesting to observe that the trio was greeted by everyone in the street, but especially by small businessmen and -women, who often times offered a freebie from their stores.
Callum overheard that French was often addressed as 'padrino' with a certain level of devotion. So he asked his team mate: 'Francesco, are these friendly people relatives of yours?' Mancini responded enigmatically: 'In a manner of speaking, yes.' but refused to elaborate further.
They finally arrived at their destination 'Da nonno'. The owner was an elderly gentleman, who either never learned English or refused to speak it in his own ristorante. Cal ordered some bruschette for starters and spaghetti vongole as the main dish, followed by a home made tiramisu. Rin went for fritto misto as a the first course, but made the cardinal error to ask for a pizza Hawai'i as a main. The friendly landlord turned a deep purple, assuming the colour of beet root and started to yell obscenities at the Nagasaki native. It took all of Cal's and Francesco's patience and negotiation skills (including offering tickets to the next home ice game) that she was not thrown out of the restaurant. The Japanese defender was clearly embarassed and apologized profoundly to the insulted padrone. 'I did not mean no harm, sir. Of course I will change my order. Can I have the ossobucco con polenta, please?'. Apparently the revised order got the temperamental Sicilian's approval.
After the meal was finished and the gang took an espresso, Rin and Cal understood why French recommended this restaurant, as the food was exquisite. They will have a story to tell, though.
 
 

Note beforehand: I selected players for this based on appropriate ratings, not stats - so it's entirely possible some of the players here are not having all-star calibre seasons, or players who deserve to be at the all-star game were not selected. Also, I made sure every team had at least one player in the skills comp, and the results were determined relatively randomly with some consideration given to the appropriate ratings... I didn't use any kind of script or anything for this. It's all just made up.
 
---
 
DC: Welcome to Los Angeles for the VHL All-Star Skills Competition! I'm Dan Callaghan for VSN and with me today is Landon Fairhaven. With players from each of the VHL's 16 teams in attendance competing for the All-Star Cup, testing their skills in a variety of different competitions, let's get right into the fun times!
LF: First up, we have the Hardest Shot competition. Competitors will get two attempts each and only the best will count. One point will go to the team with the winning player and one point will go to the overall winning team.
 
Your competitors for the Hardest Shot are:
John Jameson (Prague) @Frank-- 97 ST, 89 SC, 6'3 215
Wann Kerr (London) @VattghernCZ -- 99 ST, 88 SC, 5'9 189
Todd Cooke (Los Angeles) @KRZY-- 99 ST, 89 SC, 6'6 190
Jimi Jaks (Toronto) @ke1vi -- 99 ST, 90 SC, 6'0 190
 
ATTEMPT 1:
John Jameson 96.4 MPH / Wann Kerr 97.2 MPH
Todd Cooke 99.7 MPH / Jimi Jaks 81.4 MPH
 
DC: Well, Landon, three pretty good efforts there and then it looked like Jimi Jaks didn't get much on their attempt, but fortunately, they will all get another crack at it.
LF: Todd Cooke is probably the favourite in this event and got a pretty good blast off there! They'll be tough to beat. They're so strong and that 6'6 frame can really get a lot of leverage to rip a puck. Let's see what happens.
 
ATTEMPT 2:
John Jameson 98.5 MPH / Wann Kerr 95.4 MPH
Todd Cooke 100.1 MPH / Jimi Jaks 99.2 MPH
FINAL RESULTS:
John Jameson 98.5 MPH / Wann Kerr 97.2 MPH / EU Total: 195.7 MPH
Todd Cooke 100.1 MPH / Jimi Jaks 99.2 MPH / NA Total: 199.3 MPH
 
DC: You called it Landon - Todd Cooke comes through and even gives us a triple-digit blast. And his teammate Jimi Jaks is going to come in second here after a much better shot! That puts the North American Conference up 2-0 after the first event.
 
Next up, we've got the Accuracy Shooting competition! Players will shoot until they hit all 4 targets. One point will go to the team with the winning player and one point to the overall winning team.
 
Your competitors for Accuracy Shooting are:
Molly the Cat (London) @JCarson -- 92 SC, 91 WS
Nikolas Kauppi (Prague) @Tetricide -- 88 SC, 90 WS
EU Conference Passer: Babay Shrimp (Riga) @Blazzer (91 PA)

Jason (DC) @Jason kranz -- 90 SC, 91 WS
Napoleon Dynamite (Los Angeles) @thadthrasher -- 88 SC, 93 WS)
NA Conference Passer: Randy Bobandy (Calgary) @AJW (89 PA)
 
RESULTS:
Molly the Cat: 4 for 4, 9.1 seconds
Nikolas Kauppi: 4 for 6, 15.5 seconds
EU Total: 8 for 10, 24.6 seconds
 
Jason: 4 for 5, 13.2 seconds
Napoleon Dynamite: 4 for 6, 14.2 seconds
NA Total: 8 for 11, 27.4 seconds
 
LF: Molly the Cat shows off the quick release on their wrist shot AND their deadly accuracy with a very impressive 4 for 4, and in just 9.1 seconds - a fantastic performance!
DC: The EU ties up the Skills Comp as they grab the team point for this one, too. It was a good performance by Jason here but this one shot here, their fourth attempt, just barely misses the target and rings the iron.
LF: It keeps things interesting though! 2-2 after two events. There are a lot of young fans in here right now having a great time, meeting the players and getting a competitive event. That's what it's all about!
DC: Well, now we shift our attention to the Fastest Skater competition! This one's a real fan favourite. Each player will get two attempts with only their best lap counting. As with the other events, one point goes to the team with the winning player and one to the overall winning team.
 
Let's meet the competitors for the Fastest Skater:
Jacob Stone (Malmo) @scoop-- 92 SK, 6'6 222
Daryl Dixon (Helsinki) @Ricer13 -- 90 SK, 5'10 170
Liv Slater (Vancouver) @Subject056 -- 88 SK, 5'9 148
The Frenchman (DC) @OrbitingDeath -- 90 SK, 5'11 170
 
ATTEMPT 1:
Jacob Stone: 17.206 seconds / Daryl Dixon: 14.069 seconds
Liv Slater: 14.401 seconds / The Frenchman: 15.209 seconds
 
DC: Jacob Stone might be the guy with the best top-end speed here but had some trouble with one of the corners and couldn't get it back together. Daryl Dixon had a lightning-quick lap with a real competitive time and it looked like The Frenchman just didn't get up to speed in time, they're capable of better, but let's see how this second run goes!
 
ATTEMPT 2:
Jacob Stone: 14.854 seconds / Daryl Dixon: 14.312 seconds
Liv Slater: 14.188 seconds / The Frenchman: 14.552 seconds
FINAL RESULTS:
Jacob Stone: 14.854 seconds / Daryl Dixon: 14.069 seconds / EU Total: 28.923 seconds
Liv Slater: 14.188 seconds / The Frenchman: 14.552 seconds / NA Total: 28.740 seconds
 
LF: Well, that was exciting! All four players really flew around the rink on that one. Three of them improved on their times.
DC: But ultimately nobody touches Daryl Dixon's first lap here! 14.069 is an excellent time. Liv Slater gave it a really good run, their acceleration and agility was clearly on display. The team score is very close here but it looks like the NA will take that point, countering the point Dixon gets for the EU.
LF: So we have a 3-3 tie! But now we get to the real good part...
DC: It's time for the Shootout competition! Each player will take two shootout attempts on the opposing netminder. One point is awarded for each goal scored!
 
Let's meet the players:
AK92 Wit da Hoodie (Riga) @hedgehog337 -- 94 PH, 78 PS
Left Alone (Moscow) @okochastar -- 90 PH, 80 PS
Alfred Champagne (Warsaw) @Anthique -- 88 PH, 78 PS
EU Goaltender: Fuukka Rask (Helsinki) @Jubis -- 64 PS
 
Skor McFleury (Calgary) @Alex -- 94 PH, 78 PS
Severus Targaryen (Seattle) @Banackock -- 85 PH, 74 PS
Mac Atlas (Toronto) @v.2  -- 92 PH, 80 PS
NA Goaltender: Art Vandelay (Los Angeles) @Gustav  -- 55 PS
 
DC: Coming in for their first attempt it's the VHL's current leading scorer, AK92 Wit da Hoodie.
LF: 30 goals and 62 points in 39 games so far this year, those are stunning numbers. You know they can put the puck in the net.
DC: A lovely little forehand-backhand move there and Vandelay is caught out of position! Chalk up a goal for the EU there!
And trying to match that now will be Skor McFleury of the Calgary Wranglers. McFleury comes in with speed and a flurry of moves!
LF: I see what you did there.
DC: He puts it past Rask and our score is now 4-4! Back to the EU Conference's turn, it's Left Alone. He skates in, toe drag, a great little move but Vandelay stones him! An excellent blocker save from Vandelay!
LF: So the North American Conference will have a chance to take the lead here. Severus Targaryen, second-year pro from the Seattle Bears will take the shot.
DC: It looks like he bobbles the puck here a bit picking it up but makes a nice recovery, walks in, takes the puck to the backhand but puts it wide.
LF: Rask gave him no room there, he tracked the puck really well all the way across. Targaryen was looking for whatever little space was there but there wasn't any.
DC: Alfred Champagne, the Warsaw representative here, will get a chance now. He skates in, fires a quick shot but it looks like Vandelay was ready for that one all the way.
Now we have Mac Atlas to take the shot. He's got Rask on his heels as he comes in fast, takes a shot and oh my! He scores! That shot couldn't have been placed any better.
LF: No chance for the goalie there, that's why Atlas has back-to-back 40-goal seasons.
DC: North America has a 5-4 lead here. We'll go in reverse order for the second try, so it's right back to Atlas. He's got the moves this time! Takes it out wide, comes back in, backhand-forehand-backhand and a lovely finish - that's two magnificent goals from Atlas. That one's really got the crowd going.
LF: And North America has a 6-4 edge. Champagne is back out to try to narrow the gap.
DC: Ohhhh and he wires it off the crossbar! A more promising effort than the first one but Champagne can't quite bulge the twine. It's a chance for the North American team to take a stranglehold here and Targaryen comes back out.
Targaryen comes in quick and - oh! Would you look at that, he tries to go between the legs and that would've been something magical but Rask wasn't fooled.
LF: A good job by Rask of staying in position with the fancy move happening right in front of him.
DC: Left Alone, driving out wide to the left side of the ice and now he slows it down as he cuts back in, fires and scores!
LF: Alone catches Vandelay here by changing the angle and beats him low blocker with a well-placed wrister. The lead is back down to one, it's 6-5 for North America.
DC: Skor McFleury coming back in here. Flying out wide, now cutting all the way back across the circles and he slides the puck through Rask!
LF: McFleury is so smooth out there, not hard to tell why he's one of the best defensemen in the league. He probably would've had a chance in the Fastest Skater and he put that speed to good use there, really put Rask in a bad spot.
DC: AK92 Wit da Hoodie is hoping to keep the lead at one before we get into the Breakaway Relay. He pulls up at the dots and tries a slapshot! And it works! Oh, the fans love that. He caught Vandelay off guard by going for the slapper there.
LF: And it was a heck of a shot, too! What a rocket.
DC: So with that, we have a 7-6 score in the skills comp. And we've got one final event to decide it all! It's the 3-on-0 Breakaway Relay. Teams of 2 forwards and 1 defenseman will take three 3-on-0 attempts against the opposing netminder, with one point awarded for each goal scored.
 
Here are the Breakaway Relay lineups!
Yaroslav Bogatyrev (Malmo) @Bojovnik-- 85 SK, 87 PH, 69 PA, 89 SC
Leonard Triller (London) @Triller-- 91 SK, 94 PH, 94 PA, 83 SC
Pierre Emile Bouchard (Helsinki) @Gaikoku-hito -- 84 SK, 91 PH, 85 PA, 87 SC
EU Goaltender: Lachlan Summers (Davos) @kirbithan
 
Francesco Mancini (New York) @GioSivo -- 87 SK, 86 PH, 91 PA, 86 SC
Yaroslav Trunov (Chicago) @qripll -- 80 SK, 88 PH, 67 PA, 85 SC
Mark Calaway (DC) @Beketov -- 87 SK, 90 PH, 68 PA, 90 SC
NA Goaltender: Merome Dilson (Calgary) @MexicanCow123
 
DC: And here we go! Triller picks the puck up at centre for Europe and he comes in fast! Pass to Bouchard, who one-touches it back to Triller, and oh my! He pulls Dilson out of position beautifully and sends a magnificant feed to Bogatyrev. That's a tap-in for Big Boga and our skills comp is tied.
LF: Triller led the league in assists last year and he's one of the most crafty players in a league where shooters get a lot of the attention. That right there is what a great playmaker can do!
DC: Mark Calaway moves the puck ahead to Trunov here and the NA team is in on Lachlan Summers. Trunov passes off to Mancini, he throws it back to Calaway who fakes a shot, passes back to Trunov, but the pass is a bit off and bounces away from Trunov, an unfortunate break there.
It looks like the EU is sticking with what's working as Triller picks the puck up with speed and flies over the line. Throws on the breaks and gives the puck to Bogatyrev, he sends it back to Bouchard and Bouchard rips the shot home! Suddenly, Europe has taken the lead!
LF: Nothing like a good back-and-forth competition!
DC: This time Mancini will run the play for North America. He fakes a shot and passes to Trunov who hesitates, drops it back for Calaway and he lets a rocket go! It's off the post and into the back of the net!
LF: Calaway is one of those guys with a great shot from the back end and he shows it off there. No defending that one!
DC: So, the teams are tied and we have one attempt each left.
LF: Oh, the drama! You know, it's just a skills competition but these guys are competitors. They don't want to lose, especially when it gets to the end and it's this close.
DC: Triller with a little razzle-dazzle as he puts on a spin move as he picks the puck up! He passes it to Bouchard, to Bogatyrev, back to Bouchard and back to Triller for the finish! Brilliant passing and the European Conference goes up 9-8!
LF: That right there is why a 3-on-0 is a goalie's worst nightmare. There's nothing Dilson can do about that. I talked about that Calaway shot earlier being impossible to defend, but this play here is just another level entirely.
DC: It's a must-score situation for the NA trio and Trunov picks the puck up. He runs a little give-and-go with Calaway, moves it over to Mancini. Mancini tries a move and OH NO! He lifts it just a shade over the net! Mancini had Summers beat but gets a bit too much on it.
LF: That was an excellent move and Summers here goes for the poke check, Mancini just gets around him, this probably should be a goal but he just got a little too excited there and skies it! What a finish.
DC: That's a tough one for Mancini, but at the end of the day, this event was for the fans and hey, they got their money's worth! A dazzling display of skills from the VHL's most talented players and a thrilling scoreline overall. Congrats to Team Europe for ultimately grabbing the 9-8 win - we hope you enjoyed the show!
 
---
 
2484 words so claiming for the next 4 weeks

graphic courtesy by Leandrofg
(stats for Janser, stats for Kagamine)
 
Since we last reported from the Swiss defence phenom Janser, he won a medal with Europe on the WJC, alas it had the wrong colour. After dominating the round robin in the tournament, Europe lost the one match that really mattered against Olober Sycko Team USA. They redeemed themselves against Rin's Team Asia and it was not even close in 6-1 match, though the shots on goal were pretty much on par.
Callum was more successful in the ProAm Tournament, where his dad and him won the competition with 'Santa's Naughty Elves' in a convincing manner. The younger Janser used this opportunity to learn from the best players of the present and the past and is now even more ready to support New York in the pursuit of this elusive Continental Cup happiness.
Speaking of which, Cal-Gary has already played six games for the team that drafted him first overall and we selected three milestone games to showcase in this edition.
 
 

4-2
The first match we present is Callum's premiere in the VHL, where New York took the W in a 4-2 game against the Riga Reign. It took the Swiss Giant all of 3:19 in the first period to appear on the score board. For all the wrong reasons, though as he was serving a minor for Interference. After all, he made his presence known early on and did not stop for the entire game. Riga' Anand scored the only goal in the starting frame to put his colours 1-0 ahead. Jeannot with an early equalizer and Davis with a deuce turned the tide for the Americans with three even strength goals. The Latvian team was not able to respond right away. Steele on a feed of Janser increased the lead to three goals, before Shrimp cut the lead down to two. Alas, it was too little, too late for the European Franchise and the team from the Big Apple kept the points. Davis (2g/1a), Steele (1g/0a) and 30xW (37 saves) were named the three stars of the match. The Americans' netminder (.949 save rate) showed Panda (.852) who's boss. New York's power play was lack luster (0/1), but their penalty killing (8/9) was a big factor in this game.
The Beauty left the ice with a 0g, 1a, +2, 10 PIM (Interference x 2, Hooking x 2 (one of which lead to a goal against) and Boarding), 7 hits and 1sb record
The Beast was credited with 0g, 0a, +2 and 3sb
 

2-3
In the second featured game, the Americans beat last season's cup winning team 3-2 in a pretty one sided contest. Analfist with his first goal for his new franchise opened the score. Around the mid-way mark of the first frame Janser's name was on the score board, but more due to a polysportive event than anything to do with the score. Toronto defence man John Doe and Janser had a disagreement about what constitutes a clean check and engaged in some good old fashioned pugilism. The Swiss enforcer with a left hook and an uppercut combo floored the uppity Legion player and was escorted to the sin bin under a frenetic standing ovation of the New York supporters. As his opponent also got a major for fighting, Janser's team was not off worse for his enthusiastic defence of his team mates. Toronto equalized the game with less than three minutes on the clock before the first intermission. Two consecutive goals in the middle frame by Captain 'Totally not a mob boss' Mancini and Davis brought the Americans 3-1 ahead. But the Legion cut this lead short with less than two minutes left to play in this second period. In the final round, no team was able to score and hence New York bagged another brace of points. The three stars were awarded to Analfist (1g/2a), Mancini (1g/2a) and Bob (0g/2a). Despite Castle's heroic performance in goal (.912) which was slightly better than 30xW's (.909), Toronto was not able to win. New Yorks box play was once more outstanding (1/1) and their power play was considerably improved (1/3).
Janser had 0g, 0a, -1, 5 PIM (no power play), 3 hits, one fight won
Kagamine noted 0g, 0a, -1, 1sb
 

1-5
In a match which saw New York take on the perennially competing (but now rebuilding) Bears out of Seattle in a 5-1 win. The Americans came out of the gate on fire as they scored on the power play after 3:22. Mancini put the puck in the back of the net for his team. Analfist and Roux with his first of the season put the East Coasters 3-0 in front. The middle frame brought no change to the score, despite frequent attempts to do so. Jeannot with an other marker on the man advantage and Steele on even strength made it 5-0 before Odinson spoiled the shutout for 30xW. Analfist (1g/0a), Steele (1g/1a) and Maellard (0g/2a) were given the post game merits and we strongly believe Janser was FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY on this occasion. 30xW (.960) with an almost perfect performance outshone Lion (.898) in Seattle's crease. The Americans' penalty killing was flawless (1/1) and their power play was almost perfect (2/3).
Janser was logged with 0g, 3a, +1, 2 PIM (Tripping, did not change the score), 2 hits and 3sb
Kagamine put up 0g, 1a, +1 and 2sb
 
 
After six games, New York is first in the NA conference in threeway tie with Calgary and Los Angeles, with one game in hand against the Albertan team.
 
Here are the stats of the 'Beauty and the Beast' after their first matches in the big show:
Janser: 6gp, 0g, 6a, 6pts, +2, 21 PIM, 21 hits, 6sb, 1/1 fights won, 1 First Star distinction
Kagamine: 6gp, 2g, 1a, 3pts, +2, 0 PIM, 1 hit, 10sb
 
Please read some of our related articles until we report from our intrepid hero again in our next issue:
 
 
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142307-the-cgy-janser-story-part-ix-one-third-of-a-season-played/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142493-the-cgy-janser-story-part-x-the-beauty-and-the-beast/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142737-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xi-regular-season-end/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142903-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xii-round-one-accomplished/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/143134-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xiii-settling-in-in-new-york/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/143547-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xiv-another-title/
 
 
1000+ words
claiming for weeks ending 14/01/24 and 21/01/24
 

S92 New York Americans Captains 
 
The New York Americans are proud to introduce the S92 Leadership Group. 
 

 
@Josh Jasper Davis - Alternate Captain
Davis returns for his fourth season with the Americans. After putting up over 100 points, Davis looks to lead the team offensively in a new, revamped first line. 
 
@Daniel Janser Callum Gary Yannick Janser - Alternate Captain
Selected First Overall in the S91 VHL Entry Draft, this defensive phenom has climbed the prospect ranks and made the team. The rookie looks to make his mark on the ice, but has already been one of the bigger voices in the locker room, and is proving why he might be the best player that has yet to play a VHL game.
 
@GioSivo Francesco Mancini - Captain
The New York Americans are proud to announce that Francesco Mancini will be returning as the Captain of this team. He is a heart and soul type player that leaves it all on the ice.
 
 

The Dustin Funk is awarded to that season's most improved player, this season we had a lot of players take a huge step forward. For this award each VHL GM can nominate 1 player from their own team, this ensures that no player is overlooked in any way. This can lead to a crowded field and with that it was narrowed down to two finalists, who stood out above the rest. These were:
 
S90: Legacy Gaming @Gaming Ringleader (HSK) - 13G, 24A, 37P, 13, 11PIM, 33HIT, 15SB
S91: Legacy Gaming (CHI) - 39G, 47A, 86P, 5, 62PIM, 192HIT, 40SB
 
S90: Francesco Mancini @GioSivo (NYA) - 20G, 19A, 39P, -30, 38PIM, 131HIT, 33SB
S91: Francesco Mancini (NYA) - 47G, 54A, 101P, 3, 47PIM, 112HIT, 70SB
 
And the winner is…

When the moon hits your eye
Like a big pizza pie, that's amore

Hello VHL,
 
This post serves as my announcement of my resignation from Recruitment, GM of the New York Americans, Board of Governors, and as one of the VHLE Commissioners. Allow me a moment to explain:
 
On October 8th, 2020, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I was working part-time and earning my Master's degree while living in a world that was dictated by COVID. I saw an advertisement on one of Thrash94's videos for the VHL and I quickly joined. I came in eager to learn, eager to earn, and eager to make Hall of Fame-worthy players. I dove headfirst into the VHL community and loved every minute of it. Eventually, I applied to be a GM for Team USA in the WJC and since then I've managed in one way or another. I became a GM for the San Diego Marlins, then the Stockholm Vikings, and finally the New York Americans. In all of that, I helped manage various off-season tournaments as well. That escalated to me taking a position on the Recruitment Team, and being asked to work as a Commissioner for the VHLE, which I happily accepted.
 
While all of that was going on, my personal life and career were taking off. My wife became pregnant, we moved back to our home state, and our family grew. I finished my Master's, and started working full-time, and the time that I had to devote to the league dwindled more and more over time. This year though has been a tipping point. As some of you know, my mother struggled with addiction my whole life, and in April that struggle caught up to her and she passed. Then, my wife and I endured the hardship of losing two children through miscarriage. Those events led us to grow much closer, and it made me realize just how precious the time I have with my family is. It's only here temporarily, and it can vanish in the blink of an eye.
 
Those hard moments were, well, hard. But, there have been so many good things to happen in my life this year, most of them revolving around increased work responsibilities. While I love my work, I don't have the luxury of a job that runs 9-5 and is off on the weekends, so the free time I do get is rather limited and decreases more and more. 
 
All of that being said, I want you to know that I am not making this decision because I'm burnt out, nor because I've lost interest in the VHL. It comes down to the fact that I just don't have the time I used to when I first started, and I can't devote the way I want to the thing that I seem to be lacking. 
 
My goal, at this time, is to finish out my career with Dynamite and then...well, who knows? Maybe I'll take a season or two off completely and lurk every once in a while, or maybe I'll make another player and ride the pension/welfare train for a while. I don't know. What I do know is that I'm thankful for the time I've had here, and for the friends I've made. 
 

graphic courtesy by Leandrofg
 
Vasteras has conquered the first step on their way to the first Renaissance Cup since the inaugural season of the VHLE back in S80. There were some household names in that squad: Booberry, Lindbergh, Vidot, Nano, Peace and Sakukoivu. Time to bring the cup back to Vasteras.
 
It was the expected hard fought battle between the two Swedish teams, with the better end for the Iron Eagles.
 
Now they will have to face a very convincing Cologne squad who seem to play their best hockey when it counts. Most remarkable of all is that in their sweep against the Gladiators, Clark only allowed one goal per match. Janser's team will have to get creative to score enough goals to defeat the German outfit. In the last four seasons, the Rhine dwellers were champions three times and look at a threepeat this season.
 
We hear, that Kagamine is killing their time in New York with performing on Broadway as a leading lady in the musical 'The Beauty and the Beast', this time starring as the Beauty though. The shows are largely sold out, as no New York Americans fan worth their salt, would miss such an opportunity to see (and listen to) their future player live.
 
Callum on the other hand, has plans to join the ProAm Tournament and rumours have it, that his HOF dad may attend as well. Maybe even Marcel can be lured out of his cozy home in the Hamptons or his fishing hut in the Catskills to participate in this fun meet up with legends of old as well as stars to be.
 
Our correspondent in Sweden, Gretta Hjalmarsdotter met up with the Swiss defender and asked him some question regarding his imminent future.
GH: 'Hi Callum, thanks for making time in this busy time of the year.'
CGY: 'Hi Gretta. Of course. No rest for the wicked, right?'
GH: 'Vasteras meets now Cologne in the final for the Renaissance Cup. How do you see the chances to break their winning streak?'
CGY: 'Well, I think we have our work cut out for us. They have a very good team and the management knows how to win playoff series. On the other hand we are not here to fuck spiders and have a good squad as well. There are no easy wins anymore, once you reach the post season. This is especially true for a final. To me it looks like a 50/50 situation.'
GH: 'We hear that you are going to play in the ProAm Tournament this off season. What is the appeal to play even more hockey? Haven't you had enough of that?'
CGY: 'There is no such thing as 'enough' or even 'too much' icehockey. But to the special appeal of this event: I enjoy to meet some of the players I have watch and admired when I was a kid. These veterans, while often a little pudgy in the body center, have forgotten more about hockey than most of us rookies have ever known. It is a privilege to share a locker room with these legends and it pays out to pay attention. One might learn one thing or two.'
GH: 'We also hear rumours, that Rin Kagamine will share a flat with you in Little Italy, Mulberry Street in New York. Is that true?'
CGY: 'As of now, this is indeed correct. The flat our future team mate Mancini arranged for me, is big enough for the two of us. And we can ride the subway together to practice or home matches. I am sure the New Yorkers will be excited to meet 'The Beauty and the Beast' on the public transport.'
GH: 'Okay that were all the questions I had for today. Thanks for your time.'
CGY: 'Thanks for having me.'
 
Callum's playoff stats read as follows:
6gp, 0g, 4a, +4, 13 PIM, 18 hits, 6sb, 1/1 fight won, 1 First Star nomination
 
We will revert with more news in due course.
 
 
https://vhlforum.com/topic/141334-the-cgy-janser-story-part-vi-between-two-seasons/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/141723-the-cgy-janser-story-part-vii-stars-spreading-the-news/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142049-the-cgy-janser-story-part-viii-arrival-in-sweden/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142307-the-cgy-janser-story-part-ix-one-third-of-a-season-played/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142493-the-cgy-janser-story-part-x-the-beauty-and-the-beast/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/142737-the-cgy-janser-story-part-xi-regular-season-end/
 
664 words
 
 

Don't worry I'll go get @GioSivo