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VSN Presents: S88 VHL Playoff Preview

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Alex

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Welcome to VSN’s VHL playoff preview and predictions, in this article we’ll break down each series and discuss what players could be key to turning the tide of the series and potentially pulling off an upset. This was truly an incredible season and we could be in for a few upsets in the playoffs. While you’re here be sure to check out some of the other recent VSN articles.

 

S88 VHLM Playoff Preview

 

Wildcard Series (Best of 5)

 

:ldn: London (4) vs. Riga (5) :rig:

 

This series could very well go either way, during the regular season Riga won the season series 4-1 outscoring London 15-8 in those 5 games, with every game being before the trade deadline when Riga was struggling. With that being said The edge here goes to London as in direct contrast to Riga, London has players who are established stars in the league and London will need both Igor Molotov @Dom and Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan to step up big in order to make it past a young Riga Reign team. Riga on the other hand is no stranger to being an underdog with last season's upset win over Warsaw, for Riga this series is huge as if they win it will prove that they are one of the top teams in the VHL. A majority of Riga’s play will go through MVP candidate The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath and Max Torq @Steve who will be looking to return to his previous form from last season. In this case we have London winning their first playoff series ever although it could very well be tighter than expected.

 

Prediction: London in 4

VSN vote: LDN 5 RIG 4

 

:la: Los Angeles (4) vs. Vancouver (5) :que:

 

Vancouver has taken a step back since last season, however with the quick growth of young players, Vancouver’s offense stepped up huge and finished the season with a solid 212 goals for. During the regular season Vancouver won 4 out of the 6 games. Los Angeles on the other hand had a very up and down season, but their offense led by Sirdvaldis Miglaskems @FrostBeard can be a real danger to Vancouver, especially when you consider that Art Vandelay @Gustav could very well steal this series. However, Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple and Henry Eagles @Greg_Di is a tall task for just about any team. This one could very well go either way, and could be just about the biggest ‘toss up’ of the playoffs, we have Vancouver edging out Los Angeles here.

 

Prediction: Vancouver in 4

VSN vote: VAN 9 LAS 2

 

Conference Semi-Finals

 

:chi: Chicago (2) vs. Calgary (3) :cal:

 

The reigning VHL Champions in Calgary have taken a slight step back this season, but we really can’t discount their offense and how it can very well hit a switch and just decimate a team. While Chicago has had the league’s best defense this season as a result we could be looking at a very interesting series and if the offense led by Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser, Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg, and Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 can elevate their play a bit in the playoffs they could very well propel Calgary passed Chicago. For Chicago they will be relying heavily on their defense to mitigate the shots that Calgary gets off, and specifically Bo Johansson @Shindigs. Chicago will also be needing Alexander Minion @UnknownMinion to continue their regular season play where they posted the best GAA out of all starting goaltenders with a 2.29. This series could be a close one, but we think the reigning champs squeak it out.

 

Prediction: Calgary in 7

VSN vote: CGY 7 CHI 3

 

:sea: Seattle (1) vs. Vancouver (5) :que:

 

Seattle came back in a big way this season in part due to the great play of their forward core Led by Hulk Hogan II @Hogan and Chip Stone @DoktorFunk, during the regular season these two teams split their 6 games with 3 wins each, during which Vancouver out-scored Seattle 20 to 15. In order for Vancouver to take this series they will need to stop Seattle’s offense in its tracks and that starts and ends with Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito and Brant Fuhr @Tate, both of which will play a massive role in this series. For Seattle it will all come down to the aforementioned forwards. This should be a good one, we have Seattle edging out Vancouver here.

 

Prediction: Seattle in 6

VSN vote: SEA 7 VAN 2

 

:dav: Davos (2) vs. Moscow (3) :mos:

 

On paper this series is going to be a battle as going into the season Davos and Moscow were projected to be some of the top teams in the league, this series should be a good one and could very well go either way. While on the surface both teams are just about dead even, the main difference comes when you look at Moscow’s stars as both Ronan Lavelle @Arce and Tomas Sogaard @Brandon will be needed to play a massive role in this series. For Davos their advantage in this series comes with their forward depth, with a second line built around Mason Jones @Masu Chan and James Teekirque @Mongoose87. This series will be a nailbiter for both teams, in this matchup we have Davos barely edging out Moscow.

 

Prediction: Davos in 6

VSN vote: DAV 6 MOS 3

 

:prg: Prague (1) vs. London (4) :ldn:

 

The Prague Phantoms had themselves a season and will be looking to continue that success in the playoffs. During the regular season Prague swept the season series 5-0, and just looked dominant. The main factor for London in this series will 100% be Jesse Teno @aimkin as they will be looking to completely shut down Prague’s offense led by Nico Pearce @Spartan and John Jameson @Frank. As mentioned, Prague’s offense will be key to them winning their first round matchup as they greatly outmatch London’s forwards on paper. While we don’t expect Prague to sweep this series, it could be a quick one given Prague’s regular season dominance against London.

 

Prediction: Prague in 5

VSN vote: PRG 9 RIG 0

 

Conference Finals

 

:sea: Seattle (1) vs. Calgary (3) :cal:

 

Having matched up last season in the playoffs these two teams are very familiar with each other, during the regular season Seattle took the season series, in part due to Booberry’s @CowboyinAmerica spectacular play. Booberry will be tested again by Calgary these playoffs, and he will need to stand on his head to shut down Calgary’s forwards and finally get the better of his fellow S80 goaltender in Oskar Lindbergh @Doomsday, who has been spectacular in the regular and postseason for Calgary. This series could very well be a goaltending battle. We have Calgary just barely getting past Seattle here and advancing to the finals for the second straight season.

 

Prediction: Calgary in 7

VSN vote: CGY 5 SEA 4

 

:prg: Prague (1) vs. Davos (2) :dav:

 

These two teams were going at each other all season and Prague took the first 3 of the 5 games, the major change for Davos came with the acquisition of Alexandre Leduc @Lemorse7 as he would put up an impressive 28 points in 21 games with the team and would play a major role in Davos winning the final 2 games by a combined score of 8-4. Both of these teams are extremely even on paper with Davos having a slight advantage on their blueline with Jake Thunder @Thunder and Prague having a slight advantage in goal with Clueless Wallob @DMaximus . The path out of the European Conference will be a tough one for just about any team and this series is no different, we have Davos squeaking out a narrow series win here.

 

Prediction: Davos in 7

VSN vote: DAV 5 PRG 4

 

Continental Cup Finals

 

:dav: Davos (2) vs. Calgary (3) :cal:

 

Round 2! Last season these two teams met in the finals and since then they have taken different routes. Calgary has essentially ran it back with their Continental Cup winning team, whereas Davos has made several massive moves including acquiring Brian Kowalski @Wheaties, and Alexandre Leduc. However the biggest change for Davos comes in goal with Lachlan Summers @kirbithan now the starting goalie, and they have lived up to the expectations with a league leading 0.932 SV% and a 2.30 GAA. Similarly to last season Calgary's offense will be integral to their success, and their defenses ability to shut down Davos's offense could also be integral to their success, look for AirRig GoodBrandSun to take a huge role for Calgary and he should punish the Davos team physically. This series will very well be Calgary’s offense vs. Davos’s defense. In round 2 of this classic matchup we have Davos taking the win and ending the curse.

 

Prediction: Davos in 6

VSN vote: DAV 5 CGY 3

 

Thank you to everyone for reading and best of luck to each and every team in the playoffs! If you have any predictions of your own feel free to post them in the comments.

Edited by Alex
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