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Knight
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David Rashford Getting Real Taste of Playoff Hockey
It's been a long road to the most coveted time of year for a hockey player, but David Rashford is finally in the playoffs and loving life. His team, the upstart Moscow Menace, managed to get through the wildcard and into the quarterfinals on the back of a strong team performance. "Everyone seems to be contributing at a high level," said Rashford after morning skate. "We have worked so hard to put ourselves in the best position possible and peak at the right time. Everything seems to be coming together at the right time luckily. We made a couple of line tweaks throughout the season to see which guys are most comfortable playing with each other and it looks as though we have got it sorted out." When asked how he feels his personal performance is at, Rashford replied "I'm playing some of the best hockey of my career. It may not look like it on the stats but I think I'm positively contributing at a high level. It's been a couple of years to get to the point where I feel this comfortable but all the hard work has finally paid off."
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16 hours ago, Steve said:
Presser for the week ending 4/28
1. Are we having fun yet? Tight race in the EU.
2. What team have we played that has surprised you the most?
3. It's been a bit dead in the locker room lately, why?
4. How is your player doing compared to your expectations?
5. Do you think we need to shake lines up or just ride it out?
6. Who does Spartan listen to on Spotify?
1. It’s always fun playing meaningful games, but winning more of them would be a bit more fun.2. Toronto Legion: a lack of depth but just don’t seem to lose
3. I mean in fairness I haven’t been contributing much. A locker room full of me’s would be ever so quiet. I’m making more of an effort lately.
4. No complaints at all.
5. We’ve kind of settled on the line combos minus some small tweaks. Hard to say whether the early season or late season lines work better.6. I actually don’t know so I’ll have to look it up!
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Moscow Struggling to Finish Season
It has been a long season for everyone in the VHL, it is always a grind. However, for the Moscow Menace the grind has not been kind. In a season that started with so much promise, to many people’s surprise the Menace have finished the final stretches of the season poorly and are currently fighting for a playoff spot. Recently, having lost 5-3 to the Toronto Legion seems like they are still competitive against the best teams in the league. Looking closer at the game paints a bit of a different picture as they were down 5-0 before mounting a tame third period attempt at a comeback. Everything seems to be going wrong for them at this stage and it does beg the question whether they will be able to turn it around before it is too late. Word out of Moscow is that the coaching staff is using their recent struggles to liken the battle for points to how tough it will be in the playoffs. Who knows whether that holds any merit but we will find out before long.
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Reflecting on my season-long predictions. Spoiler: not great.
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1. The players seem to be inactive in the locker room, why?
Dog days of the season, just waiting for playoffs.
2. Our recent upgrade to defense hasn't panned yet. Any ideas what is going on?Spartan is just an awful GM and can't see team fit.
3. Although we were on top of the EU world, we have fallen lately. Where will we end up?Honestly it's totally up in the air, could be anywhere from 1st to 5th.
4. As a whole, the team looks strong and resilient. Are you looking for that big win streak that I am?As long as it comes in the playoffs!
5. Our tender is doing a good job when you consider this is season two for him. Can the team rally behind him and push us to glory?He'll be even better by playoff time so I'm looking forward to seeing him carry us to victory.
6. Overall, not counting this last week, are you happy with your player?No complaints at all - leading the team in +/- and still putting up the points. I'm honestly just happy to be on the team having fought for a roster spot. Hope it continues for many seasons.
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4. Have any ideas about any changes the team should look at?
A new GM would be great but that's a pipe dream
5. Syko has shown some elite skills in recent games. Can he lead us to the promised land?Absolutely, kid's got elite talent and is going to win many trophies starting this season.
6. If you could have one league related change, what would it be, if any?Different updating system (not realistic given SimonT's limited build model)
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Rashford Promoted to Top Line
That's right, you read that correctly. The unsigned draftee is now playing on the top line of the top team in the EU. In a move made to shake up the team and give the top line some mojo, Rashford was asked to provide that spark. The early results have been good as Axle Gunner and Jeff Lewis are starting to heat up and now look poised to overtake leading scorer Jarmo Ruutu within the next couple of games.
The team has seen pretty balanced scoring thus far to date, as evidenced by the above, but judging by how Gunner and Lewis have been playing the last couple of games we may not see the balanced act last. Nevertheless, Rashford is thrilled to have earned the trust of the organization in his role to bring out the best in his line mates. "It's early days but it's encouraging to see signs of success already," said Rashford after morning skate. "Ultimately, it's down to whether we are winning or losing which will determine the success. We need Gunnner and Lewis to be the best versions of themselves to have a chance at competing so it's great to see them more comfortable out there."
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1. Moscow looks to be in a potential 5 way race for the top of the conference, how will we do?
2. What team is our biggest threat in your opinion?
3. The lines have seemed to settle down a bit and sim more stable, do you agree? -
Presser for the week ending 4/7
1. We seem to be a consistent winner at the moment. Will we keep this pace?Absolutely, the team is only going to get better and better as the season progresses.
2. Do you think we are peaking too early or it really doesn't matter?Everything resets after you hit the playoffs and it's all about finding form then.
3. I like the lines and the balanced scoring, thoughts?I would've never thought Rashford would be so productive after his rookie season so personally, yeah these lines are great!
4. Do you have any thoughts on line changes you would like the team to try?Not a single one
5. How is your player playing? As expected or better/worse?Definitely did not expect him to be so productive. He's almost on the Leaders page!
6. Easter Sunday, you looking for eggs and eating chocolate rabbits?Nope, just looking after my dog who is recovering from surgery.
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[UPDATE] Rashford Surprising: Leading Moscow in Scoring
A week ago an article was written about the surprising performance of David Rashford who was, at the time, leading the Moscow Menace in scoring having completed roughly 20% of the season. It was an article written with the knowledge that it was a "cool" story for something that would soon be expected to change. Rashford had spent the off-season getting bested in the most improved player award, so it's not as if the expectations were high for them. Every player hits a bit of form during the season and Rashford just seemed to have his at the beginning of the season. Fast forward another handful of games, however, and the story may not be the cute little blip that people thought. No, in fact Rashford is once again tied for the league in scoring for Moscow (with Jarmo Rutuu) who both sit five points ahead of third place with 36 points. Rashford by virtue of having more goals (13 vs. 10) is technically the leader of the team again and while no one expects him (dare they at this point though?) to keep his current pace of 104 points in the season, one thing that's absolutely clear is that Rashford has proven to be a vital part of this team that is contending for a championship. Who would've thought that for an unsigned draftee just a few years ago eh?
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Rashford Surprising: Leading Moscow in Scoring
It's early days but David Rashford is surprising everyone by leading the Moscow Menace in scoring 20% of the way through the season. While rumours were that the rule changes would increase scoring league-wide, no one predicted that Rashford would be such a benefactor. His 6 goals pace the Menace (tied with two others) and his 14 points have him looking just outside the top 10 in scoring. Moscow have an extremely balanced scoring attack with 8 players flirting with a point per game pace, so it's unlikely that Rashford will continue to lead the charge. However, it's not fluke as he's fired 76 shots on net so far putting him 10th in the league in that category. When asked what's spurred his inspired play, Rashford replied "I think it's just getting more comfortable with the team and knowing that I've earned the trust of the front office. It's allowed me to just be myself and play instinctually and not worry about making a mistake or two. Plus, I feel like I should've won most improved last year so I'm going to show all the voters why they were mistaken. I think that's something that's helping me hit an extra gear even though I know it's largely meaningless. I use it as a good excuse to add a little spice to my game."
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4. Do you think we can make a push in the playoffs with our current roster?
Definitely, we proved that last year.
5. What player on the team has impressed you the most?Rashford obviously, no one thought he'd lead the team in scoring.
6. What happened to Davos? Only six players including their goalie?Pretty pathetic if you ask me.
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1. How do you feel about the start to our season?
2. Do you feel good about how your player is playing?
3. I feel that we will only get better as the season progresses, do you agree? -
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1. The season is about to start, how will we do in the first week?
We'll go undefeated sending a warning to the rest of the league.
2. It looks like most of the team has worked hard to improve. What is your biggest gain in skills?Kudos to the entire team. Rashford has been working hard to improve his skating and defence.
3. Too early to tell, but I think we have what it takes to go deep in the playoffs. Thoughts?No doubt in my mind or anyone else's on the team.
4. Do you relate season wins and losses to our chances in the playoffs?Not really as once you're in the playoffs anything can happen.
5. Do you think Syko will have a breakout season?What will be interesting is how the goalie sliders change affects goalies across the league.
6. What is your concerns about the team, if any.Defence is a little bit of a weak point but the team is working hard so I have faith.
Moscow Menace Press Conference
in Team Press Conferences
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1. Did you ever think we would be in a wild card series after having been at the top of the conference?
Honestly no, it was a bit of a rough stretch there but we seem to have come out a better team.
2. Many players have had career best seasons. Are you happy with your player's season?
Yes, absolutely. I know Rashford will never be an elite player but as long as he's contributing meaningfully on a winning team that's all I can ask for.
3. What are your plans for developing your player? Is there a skill or two you are working on?
That's a secret!
4. Our goalie seems to be playing very well for the most part. Can a 2nd year goalie take us to the cup finals?
I feel like this question has been asked a few times, but yes, yes he can and will.
5. Were you under the impression that this season was the one we were going to make our big push?
I think so, especially after last year. We already seemed so close and Spartan made some big moves.
6. What team should we be worried about assuming we finish off Warsaw?
Nobody. We play our best and we'll win.