a tale of two Brothers // on the final lap

[Daniel Janser 1,983]

Graphic courtesy of Leandrofg

(Marcel's stats/Daniel's stats)

 

The Wranglers have played 63 games with a 35-23-5 record. They are three points behind second-seeded Vancouver Wolves and 13 points ahead of LA. Both teams have a game in hand versus the Calgary team. It is save to assume that the Albertans will not have to run the gauntlet to reach the post season for the twelfth time in a row, with only the Bears (will be thirteenth consecutive playoffs for them this season) and Riga (S62-S74) being ahead in the alltime leader board. This means not only did Dan score at least a point per game during his entire career in the VHL, he also reached the post season every time. This is another proof of the Swiss' consistency if any was needed at this point. It is also worth mentioning that with the exception of the rebuilding S83 season the center always had a positive +/- sheet (bar any significant change to that stat for the remainder of this regular season). He really is the personified Swiss clockwork reliability.

 

Let's look at Prague and Marcel now. They show a 32-22-8 record and trail the Reign on third seed by six points. This is not an insurmountable deficit, however Riga is coming from six straight wins and it will be difficult for the Phantoms to avoid the Wild Card games, in all likelihood against last year's champion, London United. Marcel has set a new personal record in goals (not to a small degree thanks to two goals in one game against his brother's team, which we are sure has led to some awkward phone calls between the siblings). This is even more remarkable, considering he had only two markers and 24 points for all of last season. Marcel is more stable than some Swiss banks we could mention, as in all of his VHL seasons he has never had a negative +/- and his current +30 do not suggest that this will change for his final season.

 

So who is the favourite to win it all? Well, the four dominant teams of the 80's, Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary and Moscow are constant contender. Davos cannot be counted out as they had an amazing regular season (in a European Conference where Helsinki was once more treated like a points piñata, though). Also defending champion London is not out of the race either, they already won a cup from a WC spot last year, and we have no reason to believe this effort cannot be repeated. 

 

There are also interesting story lines in some of the potential winners: Will Davos end one of the longest cup draughts in the history of the league (only the defunct Vasteras/Stockholm Franchise with 31 seasons and New York with an embarassing 35 and counting dry spell are ahead of Davos in this race which no-one wants to participate, let alone lead)? Will Euron Leonidas ultimately win a final series after four consecutive losses against Vancouver and Seattle respectively from S80-S83 and an additional loss in S85 against DC? Can London repeat? Can Marcel Janser the only second ever player to win three consecutive cups with three different clubs? Or will maybe Daniel leave the VHL scene on a high note and lead Calgary to a second cup win during his tenure?

 

Only time will tell and we are excited for this time of the year... crunch time.

 

Here are the stats of the Rotkreuz natives for their final season:

Marcel: 62gp, 11g, 26a, 37pts, +30, 26 PIM, 37 hits, 123sb, 1gwg, 4ppg, 1shg, 1 First Star distinction

Daniel: 62gp, 30g, 49a, 79pts, +9, 60 PIM, 147 hits, 38sb, 7gwg, 5ppg, 61.39FO%, 6 First Star distinctions

 

We will revert with news in due course.

 

https://vhlforum.com/topic/137491-a-tale-of-two-brothers-34th-of-a-season-left/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/137578-is-he-selfish/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/137631-a-tale-of-two-brothers-the-leandro-defence/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/137720-a-tale-of-two-brothers-almost-half-time-22/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/138041-a-tale-of-two-brothers-a-shocking-announcement/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/138044-cgy-jansers-reflection/

 

Spoiler

@Spartan  @Morcar80