VSN Presents: The Race for First Place - The Final Countdown

[animal74 1,610]

Credit: @v.2

 

The Race for First Place:

The Final Countdown

 

Shortly after the halfway point of the season, VSN delved into The Race for First Place outlining the six teams that were legitimate contenders to capture the Victory Cup having finished the season with the league’s best record. With only 2-3 games remaining for each team the race for the Victory Cup still hangs in the balance with those six teams (Los Angeles, Prague, Toronto, D.C., Davos, and Vancouver) within eight points of each other. Although the standings have changed dramatically during the second half of the season, at this stage the Cup can only now be potentially won by four teams. We outline the possible fates below:

 

 

Toronto Legion

Current: 44-12-13, 101 points, 1^st

Previous: 24-6-9, 57 points, 3^rd

Last 10: 5-2-3

Remaining: Riga, Seattle, Calgary

Last Victory Cup: S67

 

Once again, a lack of success in the shootout may cost Toronto a chance at the franchise’s first Victory Cup in over 20 seasons. They’ve gone 1-3 in four shootouts over the last 10 games, losing valuable points to Vancouver, Seattle and Prague. Couple that with regulation losses to Vancouver and Davos, the team one point behind them, and the Legion have to be pretty much perfect to end the season to guarantee first place.

 

 

HC Davos Dynamo

Current: 48-17-4, 100 points, 2^nd  

Previous: 24-12-2, 51 points, 5^th

Last 10: 8-1-1

Remaining: Moscow, London, D.C.

Last Victory Cup: S37

 

The defending Cup champs have been on fire, riding an earlier 12-game winning streak to streak ahead of three other teams and possibly pull the European Conference title right out from under Prague. The best defensive team in the VHL has held opponents to 2 or less goals in 8 of the last 11 games while the offense has come alive as well scoring 4 or more goals in 7 games in that same span. One of the few teams that seem to have Toronto’s number might have one more call to make – for first place.

 

 

Prague Phantoms

Current: 46-18-6, 98 points, 3^rd (on ROW)

Previous: 28-8-4, 60 points, 2^nd

Last 10: 3-6-1

Remaining: London, Malmo

Last Victory Cup: S88

 

Like their team’s namesake, the Phantoms have seemingly disappeared on the ice at the most crucial time allowing Davos to overtake them for European Conference lead. The only team on this list with a losing record over their last 10 games, and despite continued strong special teams, Prague has forgotten how to keep the puck out of their net allowing four goals per game in that stretch.

 

 

D.C. Dragons

Current: 46-18-6, 98 points, 4^th  

Previous: 27-10-2, 56 points, 4^th

Last 10: 6-3-1

Remaining: Davos, Moscow

Last Victory Cup: Never won

 

The Dragons have continued their reputation as the highest-scoring team in the league and that offensive prowess has kept them in an enviable position with a chance to not only take the North American Conference but also the Victory Cup. A lot will have to go right, of course, for that to happen but with recent wins over each of the three teams ahead of them, their destiny is almost fully in their control.

 

 

Vancouver Wolves

Current: 44-19-6, 94 points, 5^th  

Previous: 24-12-2, 50 points, 6^th

Last 10: 7-1-2

Remaining: Malmo, Riga, Seattle

Last Victory Cup: S87

 

One of the hottest teams in the second half of the season, the Wolves have momentum coming into the playoffs which should scare any team. A couple of key wins against Toronto boosted their chances to sneak higher in the standings but, alas, it was too little, too late. They still do have a shot to wrest 2^nd-place and home-ice advantage from D.C. though.

 

 

Los Angeles Stars

Current: 45-21-3, 93 points, 6^th  

Previous: 30-8-1, 61 points, 1^st

Last 10: 5-4-1

Remaining: Calgary, Malmo, Warsaw

Last Victory Cup: Never won

 

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. While the Stars have picked up their play as of late, a five-game losing streak recently saw them drop out of the Victory Cup race. While a playoff spot is guaranteed, LA will have to wait until next season to try and win the franchise’s first Victory Cup.

 

 

With so much at stake during this final stretch of the VHL’s 90^th season, the tension and excitement will only grow during each minute on the ice. Things will undoubtedly shift, the balance of power being so precarious. Who will find the will to win the Race for First Place and claim the Victory Cup?

Edited September 27, 2023 by animal74

[Lemorse7 900]

Its the final countdown dududududu

[Alex 2,876]

28 minutes ago, Lemorse7 said:

Its the final countdown dududududu

duuduhdundundundunduuun...

[Daniel Janser 1,983]

Calgary FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY

[Mongoose87 365]

This might be controversial, but I don't care:

 

David

[animal74 1,610]

2 minutes ago, Mongoose87 said:

This might be controversial, but I don't care:

 

David

That's ok. We accept folks of all beliefs in the VHL...

[qripll 433]

 

3 hours ago, animal74 said:

Last Victory Cup: Never won

broooo were you in coma when DC won the cup? 

[animal74 1,610]

1 hour ago, qripll said:

 

broooo were you in coma when DC won the cup? 

Victory Cup not Continental Cup

[qripll 433]

2 hours ago, animal74 said:

Victory Cup not Continental Cup

you are god dam right, my bad