Around the league in 500 words -part 2

[Scurvy 1,488]

It’s time for another around the league in 500 (or so) words.  Were about ¼ way through the season and there are some surprising and exciting milestones in the young VHL season.  So here we go…

 

CALGARY WRANGLER:

The Wranglers are on absolute FIRE!!  19-3-6 so far with a jaw dropping 94 goals for and only 68 goals against.  This team is about as perfect as it gets with a great goalie in Ben Dahl (@Ben), some rough and ready D with AirRig GoodBrandSun @Rhynex Entertainment  and Logain Ablar, and some beast forwards in Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877, Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser and Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg .  

After a stunning loss in last year’s playoffs I look for the Wranglers to come out this year with a chip on their shoulder.  They are proving to be the team to beat in the NA conference.

 

 

WARSAW PREDATORS’ OFFENSE PROWNESS ----AND DEFENSIVE WOES:

 

The Preds are off to a great start, battling it out with Davos and Prague for top spot in EU conference.  Their offense is absolutely buzzing and keeping them competitive.  They have tallied 97 goals for a league high but have allowed 73 goals.  Girts Galvin @Girtshas bursted out to help the Preds with some all star level offensive talent. With other forwards, team captain Kisslinger @Kisslinger, gritty Brendan Marner @MetalToday and Vasile Lamb @dlambthey are making other teams defenses cry when they see the schedule.  

 

However, on defense the Predators are struggling.  Season 85 Sterling Labatte Trophy and Jake Wylde Trophy winner Brian Payne has been less than spectacular, not getting to the form he played at last season.  The loss of two other high TPE defensive players this offseason has allowed teams to stop his offensive game.  Payne has 5 G 17 A 22pts in 26 games.  Not terrible by any stretch but not what he wants from his game.  He is grinding TPE like crazy and just trying not to grip the stick too tight and let his game come back.  On a positive note, he is shooting more, with 110 shots already and still playing a physical game.  Payne was quoted last week after a game where he had no points and little activity on the box score saying, “if we win, I don’t care about stats.  I came into this league as a defensive minded Dman and that is my focus.” 

 

BO JOHANSSON OFF TO INSANE START

Chicago Wolves 6-06 foot defenseman is off to an amazing start this season.  The pass first Dman has 4 goals 38 assists 42 points in just 27 games!  He is almost at half his points from last year and were just a quarter way through the season.  I am excited for Bo as we were teammates in the E together and he pours his heart and soul into this league.  Another crazy Bo stat is as a season 82 draftee (#9 overall) he is amassed a whopping 1263 TPE already, good enough for 14 overall in active TPE leaders and #1 overall for S82 draftees.  

Great job Shindigs!!  @Shindigs

 

Anyway that’s it for now. Enjoy the week and as always I hope your teams struggle against Warsaw!