Still (Marl)in the Race

[Fradin99 93]

 

The San Diego Marlins now sit at ten games into their regular season. In these ten games they have a record of 6-4-0. Fortunately enough for them this sits them second in their conference, four points under the dynamite offense that is Mexico City. But why shouldn't San Diego panic yet with the team above them scoring nine more goals than them in the same amount of games? Well. The key to their success this season will be the same players as it has been each night on the ice. 

It starts at the net with Olivier Gauthier or "Goat" as some of his teammates endear him. Currently at this time of this article sitting at 2.21 GAA and a .925 save percentage, has only allowed 22 goals over these ten games and has even put up two shutouts so early in the season. He leads all goalies in the VHLM in all stats mentioned even with a fresh, young, unproven team in front of him. This show of poise and leadership between the pipes gives the rest of the team no excuses to not improve on their vice like defense so far.

 

Moving out to the blue line we find a thin core of defensemen who went in as possibly the biggest question mark for the team at the start of the season. The front runner of the two signed on the same day is none other than recently assigned Alternate Captain Fradin McGryer. Who's put up 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points in these first ten games. Although perhaps more impressive is his willingness to put his big frame to use. The physical presence racking up a singular fight, 45 hits (3rd in the VHLM) and 30 blocked shots (1st in the league). Whether he's trying to prove something to himself, his team, the front office, or the league, it's apparent this defenseman is willing to do whatever is necessary to keep his team in the game night in and night out.

 

Continuing with the leadership core showing the way, San Diego boasts a pair of top 5 point leaders. Alternate Captain Brad Marchand is in a seven way tie for third in goals scored at 6, and a four way tie for seventh in points at 13. He hasn't amounted in a single penalty minute yet this season, while boasting a spot on both the top powerplay and penalty killing lines. His reliability night in and night out sets a perfect example to the other forwards around him.

 

And perhaps the largest contributor to never count them out of a game is none other than their Captain, Sjin. An impressive offensive display to start the season to say the least. On a team that's been shut out twice in 10 games the star center has 9 goals (1st in the league), 8 assists (T-6th), and 17 points (3rd in the VHLM). On a younger Marlins team the Captain has been a showstopper most night out on the ice. If the team around him can keep up, or at least keep feeding the puck to this one-timer machine, Sjin should unsurprisingly sit at the top of the scoring sheet league wide come season's end. Between his and Fradin's post-game speeches and their on ice performance, the Marlins are in excellent hands in both their leadership, and their stars.

 

 

562 words for week ending 4/16/2023

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by Fradin99