VSN Presents: Stockholm Vikings: Champions of the 'E

[JB123 722]

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Stockholm Vikings: Champions of the ‘E

     Following Season 80, the inaugural season in the VHLE, the Stockholm Vikings had a title to pursue. Despite leading the league in points during the regular season, the Vikings lost to the eventual Renaissance Cup Champion Vasteras Iron Eagles in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. They were set up well for Season 81 though with several core pieces returning. Left wingers Aldwin Craig, Lochlan Chisholm and Brian Schmigel, right wing Florida Man and defenders The Loch Ness Monster, Bob Beach and Mr Duk would all make their way back to Sweden, setting up the Vikings to mount a strong cup challenge.

 

Offseason

     Going into the draft, the Vikings held a pick in each of the eight rounds, their highest selection being eighth overall. With that pick they would make no mistake, drafting a center from the Houston Bulls by the name of Sirdsvaldis Miglaskems. An excellent two-way forward, Miglaskems would provide solid play at both ends of the ice, including 52 points in the regular season and 9 points in 9 games in the playoffs. At 18 Stockholm would pick up right wing Yun Chiang, who would later be dealt to the Oslo Storm in a trade for Nezuko. From then on they would focus on the future and add some great prospects to their pool.

 

     In addition to their retained roster and S81 draft selections, the Vikings had various players in the system to fall back on. Newcomers such as forwards James glove dropper and Matt Avens, as well as defenders Jyuunya Pureya Oneri Desu and Juice Box, made an immediate impact upon arriving in Sweden prior to this season.

 

Timely Acquisitions

     After starting off 11-6-5, and recovering from a 3-5-2 record at one point early, the team realized it could battle through adversity and compete with the rest of the league. However, management decided to make a few moves that would later pay dividends down the stretch and into the postseason. 

 

     On December 5th, Vikings' management pulled off a trade (their first ever) to acquire star winger and two-way forward Zaza Colors. In exchange, the Geneva Rush received Brent Skimmer, as well as Stockholm's S83 1st and 3rd round picks. Colors would post 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 50 regular season contests following the trade, and would add 14 more (7 goals, 7 assists) in 9 postseason tilts. Meanwhile, Skimmer scored 36 points (22 goals, 14 assists) in 50 games with Geneva. 

 

     Two days later, Stockholm would again look to do business with the Rush, dealing Oneri Desu and their S82 1st rounder for help on defense in the form of George Sanderson. Sanderson would have 15 points (2 goals, 13 assists) for the Blue and Yellow in regular season play, while also blocking 89 shot attempts. In the playoffs he would score 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) for the Vikings en route to a championship, and have 12 shot blocks. Oneri Desu scored 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) in the remaining 48 games for Geneva. In addition, they would make their mark in the defensive zone by blocking 113 shots. 

 

     Finally, on the 10th of December, the Oslo Storm would send standout sniper Nezuko to Stockholm for Chiang and a S82 4th round selection. Nezuko continued scoring at over a point per game once traded, tallying 48 points (22 goals, 26 assists) in 40 games before tying for the second-most goals league-wide in the playoffs (8), only behind linemate Florida Man. Chiang would absolutely break out in Oslo, totaling 49 goals (T-4th) and 46 assists for 95 points while playing just over half a season there. 

 

     Speaking on turning the season around and the trades that were made, Vikings general manager Thadius Sales had this to say: "After a disappointing loss in the S80 playoffs we knew we had to do something different for S81. At first the season wasn't really going in our favor, and we thought that maybe we wouldn't even make it to the playoffs. Kisslinger and I decided that we needed to make some big moves, some that many thought were questionable, if we were going to have a chance at winning the cup. And oh boy did those moves pay off. We were able to take a team that was looking at a rough season ahead and turn them into a team of champions. It took taking a risk, being confident in our decision making, and relying on each other to bring us all the way!" 

 

Playoffs

     The team finished 43-19-10, good for 96 points and third place in the standings. They would face off against the #2 Cologne Express, who earned two more points than them during the season. Losing Game 1 4-1, Stockholm would rip off four straight wins to take the series and advance to the final. Sanderson scored the lone goal in Game 1. In the second game of the semifinal, Beach had three points, and Florida Man and Chisholm each had two. Vikings goaltender Pekka Grubauer saved an incredible 57 of 60 shots in the 4-3 overtime win, with Chisholm scoring the game-winner. In game number 3, Avens had a hat trick, while Colors scored a pair of goals. The Vikings came out victors in the high-scoring, 8-5 contest. Game 4 saw Nezuko scoring twice, and The Loch Ness Monster and Florida Man both having two assists. They won, 4-3. Florida Man came through at the right time, scoring the game-winning goal 12 minutes into the second period of Game 5. Grubauer saved 45 of 49 shots in the 6-4 series-clinching victory. 

 

     The #4 Rome Gladiators defeated the #1 Istanbul Red Wolves, four games to three, to advance to their second final in as many seasons. In Game 1 of the Renaissance Cup Final, Nezuko had two goals and an assist. Colors had a goal and two assists. Grubauer shut the door on 27 of 29 shots as Stockholm prevailed, 6-2. Nezuko had a hat trick and an assist in Game 2, with The Loch Ness Monster and Florida Man assisting on all three goals. Stockholm ended up winning 5-3, now leading the series two games to zero. Game 3 saw Stockholm's versatility and depth on full display. Showing they could win close games with lots of scoring too, the Vikings put up seven, with Rome scoring six. Avens recorded three points, and Beach, Schmigel, Florida Man, Mr Duk, Miglaskems, The Loch Ness Monster and Colors all had two. With the Cup in the building, the club had perhaps their best win of the season to clinch the title. They had 78 shots on goal, but it didn't stop there. Cashing in eight times, Florida Man had 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists), Beach had 5 (1 goal, 4 assists), and Colors had 3 (2 goals, 1 assist), including the game-winning goal. Grubauer returned to form at the perfect time, saving nearly 94 percent of shots. With the triumph, Stockholm completed the sweep, going 8-1 in the postseason overall. 

 

Significance/Looking Ahead

     With the Cup championship, the team will be remembered; their names etched in history. They were the second team ever to win the VHLE, after the Vasteras Iron Eagles won last season. GM @thadthrasher and AGM @Kisslinger did a fantastic job of building this team, and it was a group effort on the ice; many playing pivotal roles. 

 

     Looking ahead, the Vikings have a considerable amount of their roster coming back for S82. Their goaltending tandem, potentially four defenders, and up to five forwards could be returning. Accomplishing what they set out to do, Stockholm may now seek to retool with their remaining picks and prospects. 

 

     In terms of the VHLE in general, up-and-coming teams for next season and beyond are the Oslo Storm, Geneva Rush, Vasteras Iron Eagles and Bratislava Watchmen. It will be interesting to see how Season 82 plays out, with these teams improving and the other four teams looking to go to the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and in the case of Stockholm and Rome, third straight season. 

 

Congrats to the Stockholm Vikings on a historic season and best of luck to all teams next season! 

 

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