VSN Presents: Under 250 - S79 VHLM Playoff Preview

[Alex 2,876]

 

Greetings, VHL, and welcome back to VSN Under 250, where we cover everything VHLM. Today, we'll be looking at the VHLM playoffs and specifically taking a look at how each series may end up. While you’re here please make sure to check out some other awesome VSN content!

 

VSN Presents: S79 Trade Deadline Recap | VSN Presents VHLE Coverage: Team Logos and Changes, Pre-Draft Tournament/Draft Formats| VSN Presents: Trading Toronto

 

Quarter Finals

 

(1) vs. (8)

Mississauga dominated San Diego in the regular season, going 5-0 against the eighth seed. Mississauga’s offense has been too much for San Diego in the past matchups, lead by Nathaniel Minion @Minion and Otto Numminen @Otto Numminen both of whom scored over 110 points in the regular season will look to continue their offensive output into the playoffs. Standing in Mississauga’s way is goalie Xavier Booberry @CowboyinAmerica, who could very well steal a game or two and possibly with a little bit of puck luck the entire series. San Diego’s offense hasn’t had a problem scoring against Mississauga, averaging just shy of 3 goals in each of the games, so if San Diego can shut down the high powered Mississauga offense this is anyone’s series. One thing to keep in mind is that at the 30 game mark of the season San Diego was in last place and has seen an impressive turn around, so much so that if they performed at this pace for the entire season they likely would have been in the conversation for the second through fifth seeds. If Mississauga takes this series lightly they could be in for a rude awakening.

 

Mississauga wins the series 4-1 

 

(2) vs. (7)

Another playoff series that could come down to a few key players. Although Saskatoon won the season series three games to two, Saskatoon only out scored them by one goal and most games were very close. Furthermore, Saskatoon’s lack of depth could play a role in this series as they only have 6 forwards and four defensemen could put them at a significant disadvantage if any games go to overtime. Expect to see Saskatoon’s offense try to get to Halifax netminder David Davis @Josh early in the series and each game as if they are going to control the series Duncan Montana @124715 and Kyle Peace @Peace will need to continue their dominance in each and every game. Expect to see Halifax steal at least one game and should Halifax push the series to game seven it could be anyone’s for the taking especially with Halifax’s new defensive additions in Markus Krowley @Raven, Braden Doucette @bradendoucette88, and Marttins Stepka @DUSS7Y allowing David Davis to finally have some substantial support in front of him.

 

Saskatoon wins series 4-1

 

 (3) vs.  (6)

The first of two series that could go either way, and the only series where the lower seed won the season series as Las Vegas took three of the five games played between these two teams. Of note is the momentum that Miami brings into this first round matchup that could carry them straight through Las Vegas. Unlike Miami, Las Vegas does not have a single capped player, and the difference in high end skill could be the difference maker here as Miami’s offence will look to run over Las Vegas with Mikey Markov @JetsFan81 and defensemen Hari Singh Nalwa @Dil both coming off of over 100 point seasons. For Las Vegas they’ll need their top 2 defensemen Zdeno Chara @Agito and Pistol Pete @PistolP to continue their dominance at both ends of the ice as they have proved to be possibly the best defense pairing in the league. This series will more than likely go the distance and whoever comes out of it could emerge as potential favourites for the Founder’s Cup.

 

Miami wins series 4-2

 

(4) vs. (5)

The second series that could very well come down to a game seven sees the Reapers and the Kings going head to head. Mexico City won the season series three games to two while being heavily out shot in four of the five games. Needless to say this entire series comes down to one player and one player only for Mexico in Bastian Greiss @ThatsGreissy as he will need to be playing his best for Mexico to have a chance. Recent addition Ben Aky @Lilmar will surely be of assistance to Greiss in this endeavour. Furthermore, each team’s top offensive option in Darth Kaprizov @Darth Kaprizov and Deke Rike @JCV were traded for each other last season as Kaprizov was sent to Philadelphia in exchange for a second, third and Rike, making this a storyline to keep an eye on. Expect to see Philadelphia goaltender Tobias Reinhart @Spaz also play a substantial role in this series as he has emerged as a true starting goalie in the VHLM and will look to make a statement in the playoffs. 

 

Philadelphia wins series 4-3

 

The rest of the way!

Semi-Finals

Should the quarter finals go as predicted that would set us up for a bloodbath in the second round as Mississauga would be taking on Philadelphia in the second round, and Saskatoon would be set to face Miami. 

 

 (1) vs.  (5)

In the regular season the hard fought series between Philadelphia and Mississauga seemed rather one sided as Mississauga would take seven of the eight games and if Philadelphia is to put up a fight here they would need to get their offense going and their defense will have to step up in a bug way to stop Mississauga’s offense. Notably this series would feature a pair of goalies in Luke Spinelli @Lspinelli and Tobias Reinhart who served as co-starting goalies in Philadelphia last season with Reinhart having better stats in an identical playing situation.

 

Mississauga wins series 4-2

 

 (2) vs.  (3)

The other semi final would feature the close matchup between Miami and Saskatoon who went back and forth over the regular season with Miami winning the latest game by a score of 5-3. Once again this series could come down to one of two things, either whichever team’s offense can perform better, or whichever team’s goalie steps up to the plate and limits the opponents scoring more. Needless to say this could prove to be an instant classic of a series.

 

Miami wins series 4-3

 

FINALS

 (1) vs.  (3)

Lasly, the finals would feature the two beasts of the east in Mississauga and Miami, these two teams nearly split the season series and will look to prove their superiority in this series. Realistically, the best way to look at this series is to break it down positionally, Mississauga has the better offensive group with Minion, Baby Bob @Baby Boomer, and Numminen, Miami features a slightly better defensive group and goaltender with Em Em Flex @oilmandan. This series could come down to special teams and the Hounds just take way too many penalties for it not to hurt them in the long run, for this reason the Marauders get the nod here and will leave the Hounds wondering what happened in the finals yet again.

 

Miami wins series 4-3

 

This entire season has lead to a chance at the Founder's cup for these eight teams and each one of them has the ability to prove these predictions horribly wrong, best of luck to everyone!

Edited August 29, 2021 by Alex_J32

[JB123 722]

Same as S77 coincidentally

[samx 1,097]

you have no faith in Halifax huh

[UnknownMinion 726]

Mine and yours are really close

[Otto Numminen 60]

If only you had the Hounds win the cup... that would've been a perfect article

Edited August 29, 2021 by Otto Numminen

[Agito 212]

Good luck to all and well done for your dedication that brought you here! 

- Signed Zdeno Chara

[oilmandan 686]

Go Miami 

[mattyIceman 1,052]

2 hours ago, Alex_J32 said:

 

Miami wins series 4-3

Uh huh

[UnknownMinion 726]

On 8/29/2021 at 6:48 PM, Brewins15 said:

you have no faith in Halifax huh

And he was right