Marlins / Rave Update

[tcookie 897]

A little less than 3/4 of the way into Phillip Rave's first VHLM season, things seem to have fallen into place well for the VHL's only Lichtensteiner.

 

Rave's San Diego Marlins squad has exceeded expectations from the get go, having gone on multiple long winning streaks and currently sitting 7 points ahead of Mississauga for 1st place in the VHLM with 2 games in hand. They sport a 41-8-1 record to Mississauga's 37-13-2 record.

 

Rave himself has put up 24 goals, 51 points, 228 shots, 102 hits and ranks 4th in VHLM with a 58.23% on face-offs. He has acclimated beautifully for a player with minimal competitive hockey experience. "It feels good out there right now," says Rave. "There is a great group around me and I have the confidence to make plays without playing scared and that's the key to making an impact."

 

Among Rave's teammates are Leif Reingaard (whose 54 points in 50 games ranks 3rd among VHLM defensemen), Tyrece the beast (whose 81 points in 50 games ranks 2nd among centres and 4th in the league), and Eric White Jr. (whose 75 points puts him 4th among all wingers and 6th in the league). Add in Olober Syko, who pretty much leads the VHLM in goalie stats across the board (41 wins, 1.65 GAA, 0.919 SV%, 8 SO) and it's easy to see why the Marlins have been dominant and helped make Rave's job easy.

 

The key for the team now will be to maintain this level of play heading into the playoffs and, assuming everything goes well once they get there, figure out a gameplan for the Mississauga Hounds. The Hounds have handed San Diego 3 of their 9 losses and would figure to be the biggest obstacle to a Founders Cup run - although the Saskatoon Wild, Las Vegas Aces, and Miami Marauders are all strong teams that could also have something to say about it.