London United: Timing is Everything

[JCarson 604]

The London United experienced a reasonable season, they played well throughout and as a result earned a position in the play in round against Riga. Looking back on it all there were times when players excelled and times when players struggled. Of unique interest is that the constant back and forth of player performance happened at various times for everyone allowing for some players to excel while others fell back. This created a level of balance in the team. 

 

Then we came to the playoffs, and it has been an extremely different story. Early against Riga, the team exploded into full performance mode. Jesse Teno became a defensive wall, making saves that they maybe shouldn’t have. The defense stole pucks, blocked shots, and started the advance unlike anything they had done in the regular season. The forwards cycled the puck, got themselves open, and with the help of passing sensation Siyan Yasilievich bombarded the net with shots, powering an offensive onslaught on their opponents. The story of London United’s payoffs has been one of coming together at the same time. Timing is everything. 

 

Timing is everything, and London has used this to their full advantage. London stands United, Goaltender, Defense, Forwards, all moving in unison. That level of precision is hard to attain, but when it is achieved it is something to behold. I take nothing away from the teams that have fallen to the onslaught that has been London’s playoff push. Riga and Prague are both very exceptional teams who deserve a great amount of respect. But season 88 was London’s time to step forward, to shatter the curse that has haunted it. It is London’s time to prove who they are. 

 

Timing is everything, and now London sits waiting for their next opponent. Moscow and Davos continue to play, continue to push, to struggle for the goal of moving on. London sits. Rest is good but will the rest bring an end to the time that London has enjoyed? Will the rest be the end? The end of the increased performance, the hard-fought defense, the mastery of the net. Will this rest mark the end of the timing? Maybe, or maybe not, time will tell. 

 

Timing is everything, will the rest be just that, a rest, a rejuvenation, a new empowerment for further success. Will the rest be a time of reflection on the successes currently achieved a motivation for more, a lull in the physical aspect of the game to increase and ignite the mental aspect of the game even further.  

 

Timing is everything, a new GM, a cast of fresh players, a reinvigorated locker room, a new belief. Potentially it is less about breaking the curse and more about forgetting if it ever existed. Timing is everything, and it is London’s time to shine, it is time to write the names of the London United Player into the annals of VHL History. It is time for hockey heroes and legends to be born, it is time for the league to start taking notice. 

 

Timing is everything, and this time belongs to London United.