Claimed:Calgary and the Post-Season

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

Wranglers' Season

 

The Calgary Wranglers had a good season all things considered. Although they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Seattle Bears, they made their mark. For the first time in a long time, they made the playoffs. That is something to be proud of for an organization looking to get back to where they think they belong. The GM has been working hard to make the right trades and improve the team. With all of their prospects in the system and great youth moving forward, there is nowhere to go but upwards.

 

In the first round of Season 39's playoffs, the Calgary Wranglers faced off against the Seattle Bears. Despite winning the first game against the Bears 2-1, they wound up losing the series 4-2. Not bad for a team who was never expected to make the post-season in the first place. One of the many reasons for the loss could be placed on star centerman Travis Boychuk. He went scoreless in the first 4 games of the series. It was only during Game 5 that he managed to put together 3 assists in their 2nd win. His 4th point being a goal, was scored in their playoff elimination.

 

If Calgary wants to go anywhere in the playoffs, one would believe that their best forward would need to be more reliable in these games. It is in the post-season that true stars show themselves for the better of their team. Any real captain needs to find goals for their squad if they fail to do so. The result lands on his shoulders, and Boychuk will need to step up his game the next time they make it into the playoffs. The best of the best score clutch goals and game winners. The very best have a superb two-way style that can be depended on in any area of the ice.

 

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Tony Stark celebrating a goal

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This season, Travis Boychuk capped off the season at 8th in league scoring. Being in the top 10 last year, it was his goal to repeat that the next season. Boychuk scored 91 points in 72 games, which is great for a a player who is only in his second year of VHL action. Last season, he had 103 points but on a less balanced squad. He was relied upon a ton more than what was expected of him this year. In Season 39, he scored 38 goals which topped his rookie campaign in which he had 35. It will be tough to keep on scoring as much as he has in these seasons, but with the Wranglers heading upwards one might expect him to do just that.

 

Next season, it is expected that Lukas Nykvist will make the Calgary team. Nykvist is a highly touted prospect of the Wranglers and last season he scored 188 points in 70 games, good for 2nd in the VHLM. Seriously good numbers for any kid in the minors and making the jump to the VHL is an easy decision. He split last year with Turku and Brampton, although only spending 6 games in Turku this year. He played for the Turku Outlaws just like Travis Boychuk did, so there should be some familiarity in Calgary for him. It is always a question whether any rookie will flourish in the VHL, and it will be a good story to watch heading into it.

 

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Travis Boychuk and Martin Brookside in disappointment after playoff elimination

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If Calgary can continue the uphill climb as they have for these past years, success will certainly come. They have a well-rounded squad right now and some key acquisitions to make it further in the post-season. They will be an interesting story for years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

[Victor 10,940]

Calgary seems to go through rough patches but it's generally worth it in the end. Wranglers Gonna Wrang.

[Da Trifecta 1,899]

Content: 3/3 Calgary had a nice run in the playoffs. This team could be something with a few more pieces. It's good to see someone who actually likes playing for the team and talking about them.

Grammar: 2/2 Nothing worth docking

Appearance: 1/1

 

FINAL: 6/6

[Kesler 1,514]

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