Rivalry brewing between Stockholm and Cologne

[scoop 3,293]

The Cologne Express and Stockholm Vikings share the distinction of being the only franchises ever removed from the VHL when contraction took place following Season 57. They remained defunct for 22 seasons before both being a part of the inaugural VHLE season.  This season, just part the mid-way point, they have already played each other eight times, including four matches in their first ten games of the season. The frequency with which they have faced off has provided ample fuel to ignite a rivalry. Both teams came into the season with high expectations, and with Cologne leading the VHLE and Stockholm in third, they have both lived up to the hype. The season series thus far has really been a tale of two halves: to begin, we saw Cologne win seven in a row, and since then Stockholm came out ahead in the last one game.

 

The season series kicked off in dominating fashion for the Vikings, with Jarnno Lappi scoring the first goal. The Express managed to put up a fight, however, scoring more goals than the Vikings in each of the first seven games. Both sides saw production from several players, but Stockholm's depth got the better of Cologne as they had eight players score at least once, as opposed to just seven for the Express. While the wins are nice, Cologne's reliance on one player to score the most goals could ultimately be their downfall if the two teams face off in the playoffs. Stockholm, meanwhile, has three players tied for the team lead in goals.

 

Arguably more important than all of the first seven games combined is the most recent game between these teams. After losing time and time again, it would have been easy for a weaker team to get dejected, but these Stockholm Vikings are not a weak team. They continued to fight, determined to take down Cologne. The Express, meanwhile, got complacent, and the Vikings immediately took advantage of it, scoring very quickly in the eighth meeting of the two teams. This game, more than any of the others, is indicative of what we can expect from the future match-ups between these two teams.

 

While Cologne are atop the standings in the VHLE at the moment, the Vikings are surging. The victory over their heated rival has clearly sparked something in them. They have not lost a game since, outscoring their opponents 10-2. The blow that the Vikings dealt to the Express has left them rattled. They are 1-1 since then, needing a shootout to even secure that one win. This demonstrates the importance of winning these games against your rival, especially when you have evidently weak mental fortitude like the Cologne Express. A downward spiral would likely serve to deepen the rivalry between the two teams. With Stockholm responsible for their plummet down the standings and into irrelevance, the ire that the Express and their fans feel toward the Vikings will grow. It may be too early to tell, but this has the makings of one of the greatest one-sided rivalries in sports history if things go as expected.

[leandrofg 1,052]

Very down to earth and close to the original story during the first three paragraphs chapters, but then the author supplemented the story with fictional elements. Only time will tell, but the story seems to end in a farfetched state.

 

Review: 3 out of 4 possible points.

[scoop 3,293]

3 hours ago, leandrofg said:

Very down to earth and close to the original story during the first three paragraphs chapters, but then the author supplemented the story with fictional elements. Only time will tell, but the story seems to end in a farfetched state.

 

Review: 3 out of 4 possible points.

I feel like you are a little biased here. As someone who is rushing to get out of the VHLE as soon as possible, I was able to separate myself from the rivalry in writing this. My take is completely objective, and the outlook I have on the future of the teams is entirely reasonable.

Edited February 15, 2023 by scoop