The Battle of Europe

[MetalToday 266]

With the VHLE season nearing the midpoint, it has been a very interesting and exciting scene. Each team is still very capable of making it to first as the point difference between first and last in the league is 10 points. If the teams stay this close nearing the end of the season, you know this will be the story to everyone following the VHL.

 

 

1.       Rome Gladiators

The Gladiators are that first place team with 43 points, they have 19 wins and 12 loses. Being the first-place team can be a very good feeling, however, it isn’t as satisfying for the Gladiators since the difference between first and second is 1 point, and between first and third is only 2 points. It is very interesting battle for first. Nonetheless, the Gladiators feel confident with their deep team and the leading scorers Otto Numminen with the most 60 points in the league and Baby Bob with the most goals 25 on the team. A crazy 0.928 and 0.922 for both goaltenders Tobias Reinhart and Luke Spinelli respectively. Overall, the great offensive power and amazing line of defense, I can see why they are first right now.

 

 

2.       Vasteras Iron Eagles

Iron Eagles are the team looking to squeeze past the Gladiators first position, however the Iron Eagles are currently second in the league, and with the depth on this team, I personally am surprised they have not jumped ahead quite yet. The forward, defensive and goaltending depth is much better, but it has yet to prove on the score sheet. Kyle Peace and Shaggy Tipton are the top 2 players on the team with 47 points each and Kyle with the teams most goals at 23. However, the best goalie with more than 10 games played is Xavier Booberry with a 0.939 in 20 games, that is one of the best goalies you will see in this league, simply amazing. Once again, I believe this team has a good chance to take the first place in the VHLE and more likely to happen sooner than later, but we will have to see.

 

 

3.       Stockholm Vikings

The Viking is the next team that can be on of the top 3 positions 2 points out of first, as the depth on this team is also amazing all the way down. With Omi Aberg as the top player at 56 points and the most goals to Zach Kisslinger II and Florida Man at 20 goals each. The offensive force on this team is already better than the Iron Eagles, but what most teams can’t compare is the goaltending, however the goaltending for the Vikings is a very good duo. Em Em Flex has a 0.913 save percentage and Bastian Griess has a 0.920 save percentage. It is already clear that the higher save percentages are related to the goaltending, and it continues with the Vikings. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the second spot, or just chill is the third spot.

 

 

4.       Istanbul Red Wolves

The Red Wolves is in fourth in the league and only 4 points out of first (yes, it is a VERY close league). The talent is pretty good, but I think has a defensive hole, and a surplus of good offense, and a great goalie. Raihan Heavems is the teams top point scorer with 52 points and is a force on this team, but I’m a little surprise at the lack of depth in the scoring. Raihan Heavems and Genghis Khan are also the top guys in the goal category in the league tied at 26 goals a piece. With a good Leroy Johnson in net at 0.918 save percentage, but unfortunately has the one goalie, so the poor guy is getting lit up every night. I think fourth place seems reasonable for the team until they add to the defense.

 

 

5.       Bratislava Watchmen

The Watchmen has a very good team, fifth place; however, the opposite of the Red Wolves as the Watchmen have great defence could add a couple though and 2 good goaltenders but lack of elite offensive player. With Jakub Brozik as the top guy with the most 59 points and with 24 goals on the team. Alex Parise and Orion D H Chiester IX are the goalies, and 2 good ones too, with Parise at 0.922 save percentage and Orions 0.907 save percentage, great duo. I think this team could challenge the Red Wolves for second, especially if they add to their team and improve a bit more.

 

 

6.       Cologne Express

The Express is at the bottom of the list at sixth and with 33 points but only 10 behind first, still a crazy to think about. This team is very surprising to me, they have good offensive depth, great defensive depth, and amazing elite offence and defense and goaltending is good too. Nathaniel Minion is the top guy on the Express with 53 points and the top goal scorer too with 22 goals. For a team of this caliber, I think many of the elite players should have more points in general, its disappointing to see where they are at this point. However, the surprise is in goal, with David Davis with 36 games played and only a 0.901 save percentage, but the backup, Anime Protagonist, has the best save percentage in the league at 0.954. I still think this team has a lot to offer, as I think they should overtake first with this team and wouldn’t that be a comeback story.

 

 

In the end, it is going to be difficult to predict where the final position for each team will be, it is likely that we my not even know until the last game gets played. This league is evenly divided but I would like to provide my final predictions anyways. I was all over in this article when giving a rough position for teams in my mind, however my final predictions are as followed: 1. Cologne Express 2. Vasteras Iron Eagles 3. Rome Gladiators 4. Stockholm Vikings 5. Istanbul Red Wolves 6. Bratislava Watchmen. I like this list; however, I understand it is so close that many people will likely disagree, and that’s okay, I would love to hear the conversations to come with this, and with that, I am excited to see the end of season positions.

[MetalToday 266]

claim

10/10

10/17

[FrostBeard 2,049]

@MetalToday I m hopeful that Bratislava after the most recent changes can make a way to the top! Amazing job on the article though! Awesome! 

[Tomat0 50]

REVIEW

 

Loved this article. As someone who hasn't paid attention to the VHLE yet, I appreciate this article as it let me catch up quick to how it's been going. I loved the formatting, looks very professional and easy to read. Only thing I'd add is maybe a picture or something. Could go even for just team logos over their respective paragraphs. 9/10

[Bigchuck01 7]

I’m really excited to see how this plays out I think the team from Rome has the biggest chance but we will see what the rest unfolds!