The VHL Playoffs Have Arrived. Who wins the Founder's Cup? (8/10)

[TopTiddee2 186]

After finishing a workout and eating a protein bar + smoothie bowl, I realized I haven't done my MS for this week. And as you know, I am the one you can count on to write my weekly rankings/playoff reviews and for it to be nothing but true. However, it seems like I totally missed the mark in the First Round. Upsets galore. It was just purely anti-analytical and I think the competition for the Founder's Cup has tightened. Here are the second round matchups and who I think moves on to the Founder's Cup Final. 

 

As I am writing this article, the round has already begun. The current Las Vegas Aces vs Mexico City Kings series is tied 1-1, while the Halifax 21st and Ottawa Lynx series is at 2-0, in favor of Halifax.

 

#1 Las Vegas Aces (58-9-5, 121 PTS) vs #4 Mexico City Kings (47-16-9, 103 PTS)

This round features the current cup favorite in the #1 Las Vegas Aces and the current favorite behind them, the #4 Mexico City Kings. In what was a somewhat scary 6 game series for the Aces, they managed to defeat the Saskatoon Wild. Larry Abass Jr currently leads the way in scoring, with 4 goals and 8 assists in 6 games played. This stat line also means that he currently holds the league lead in playoff points, the next player that is currently playing in the playoffs (Hugh G Johnson of the Aces), is only 3 points behind him. Meanwhile for Mexico City, they proved me wrong (I took Philly in this series, 4-3) and defeated Philadelphia 4-1. They somehow won the series convincingly despite their top scorer ending the series in 22nd in the league (Jason, 3-3-6). This will easily be the most competitive series this round, as I feel like whoever wins this will have the best chance at winning the Founder's Cup. Based off of goaltending, solid defense, and overall team success, I have Las Vegas winning in 6 games. 

 

#7 Ottawa Lynx (24-41-7, 55 PTS) vs #6 Halifax 21st (37-26-9, 83 PTS)

The opposite matchup includes the surprising #7 Ottawa Lynx and #6 Halifax 21st.  In my last post, I had the 21st being manhandled by Houston 4-1. However, I was incorrect, as Halifax took down Houston in 7, making it the most exciting series throughout the first round. The 21st have loads of players appearing in the top scorers in the league, with Sunglasses Joyo currently leading the charge (2-7-9). On the opposite side, Ottawa defied all odds and ended up upsetting my #2 pick for the Cup winner, Mississauga Hounds, winning the series 4-1. Their leading scorer throughout the playoffs so far is RW Kenny Williams, putting up 3 goals and 5 assists through 5 games. I think this matchup could be an exciting one, but dare I say it (sorry@JardyB10, I hope I don't upset you again), I think the winner of this series will be the runner-up for the Cup. For this series, I have Halifax winning in 5.

 

TEAMS WHO WERE ELIMINATED ROUND 1:

 

#3 Mississauga Hounds (48-17-7, 103 PTS)

What the hell, Mississauga. I had you as the #2 most likely team to win the Cup. And, of course, I was proven wrong. Not only did you get upset by the #7 seed, you were absolutely manhandled by Ottawa. It's quite depressing really. What's especially frustrating is that your top scorer in the playoffs was a D man (Big Bob), who didn't even score a single goal. Pathetic. Good regular season, poor postseason. This team's window could be closing soon. 

 

#2 Houston Bulls (49-18-5, 103 PTS)

Not only were you upset by Halifax, like Mississauga, you were manhandled by a team I predicted that you would nearly sweep. Great showings by Phil Strasmore and Jani Karppinen all mean nothing now. It's ruined. You were #3 on my chances of winning the Founder's Cup. Now you're at 0%. 

 

#5 Philadelphia Reapers (45-23-4, 94 PTS)

To be honest, after I finished my post for last week, I almost wanted to say that Philly was going to beat Mexico City in 5 games. I was that confident in this team. However, they went on to be defeated by a blood-thirsty Bulls team. The thing that held back the Reapers was that their top scorer was #30 in the league. Houston had 3 in the top 10. It was a recipe for disaster at that point. 

 

#8 Saskatoon Wild (22-48-2, 46 PTS)

I'm not surprised that Saskatoon was an early exit, but the fact that they forced 6 games against the best team in the league is quite impressive. They just unfortunately couldn't get the job done. As a member of the Aces, I was quite happy seeing competition out of the underdog like that. This team could have a bright future, considering they are loaded with young talent.

 

CURRENT FOUNDER'S CUP %

#1 Las Vegas Aces (58-9-5, 121 PTS) - 39%

#4 Mexico City Kings (47-16-9, 103 PTS) - 32%

#6 Halifax 21st (37-26-9, 83 PTS) - 16%

#7 Ottawa Lynx (24-41-7, 55 PTS) - 13%

 

 

Sorry if I offended you. I'm not trying to make people mad at me, I'm just expressing my opinion. Let me know how I'm wrong this time. I can't wait to post again next week

Edited August 10, 2022 by TopTiddee2

[JardyB10 4,865]

No worries, your prognosis worked in our favour last time, hopefully we’ll get some repeat success for the next round (or two!)