From Finland to Poland

[CowboyinAmerica 2,889]

 

Helsinki -- The VHL regular season is not yet over, but the playoff picture is starting to take shape. In Europe, nobody is catching the Moscow Menace, and barring an unprecedented tear in their final five games, Riga isn't likely to move up from fourth. That means, regardless of which finishes second and which finishes third, the Helsinki Titans and Warsaw Predators are likely to face off in the European semifinals.

 

The two teams faced off five times during the regular season, with Helsinki holding a slight 3-2 series lead. It was the last game that might give Titans fans pause though - after holding Warsaw to two goals or less in the first four matchups, the Predators exploded to a 6-4 victory.

 

Titans goaltender Xavier Booberry said he's watched tape of that game a few times in recent days, trying to figure out what went wrong. "Four goals in the final dozen minutes, three by Girts Galvins. We just can't collapse like that," Booberry said. "We have to play a full 60 minutes."

 

The series is slated to be tight, and whoever wins home ice advantage may get an edge that sets them apart. Although the two teams are tied in the standings right now, Helsinki has a game in hand, an easier schedule down the stretch, and the likely tiebreaker advantage.

 

Still, in these remaining games or the playoffs, Booberry isn't taking anything for granted. "This is a young team, and the first VHL playoff experience for a lot of us. Including me," Booberry said. "But I think there's an element of 'too brash to know any different,' too. We don't know how we play under these lights yet. Who knows, it may just be great."

[dlamb 1,326]

The matchup is mathematically confirmed now. 

 

See you Friday.

[BOOM 8,745]

Time to break out the Voodoo doll.