Playoff Time in Cologne

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After a bit of an up-and-down season, the Cologne Express finished the year on a hot streak to end up 43-25-4, good for second overall in the VHLE and finishing the season with the most wins in the league.

 

The Express ended up with the highest-scoring offense (231 goals for) and tightened up defensively as the year went on, with their 185 goals against finishing third and much closer to the top two teams than it was looking like at one point.

 

Anthony Simmons (31 goals, 79 points), Joshua Schwarzer (35 goals, 73 points), and Jordan Bennett (18 goals, 74 points - tops among VHLE defensemen) all finished within the top-9 in league scoring, though well back of Nick Sansoe who led the league with 94 points.

 

At one point, goaltender Clark was struggling along with a 0.910 SV% but he brought that up with a strong finish to the year. Clark ended the year with a 0.919 SV% which, while not spectacular, represents a big increase in level of play in the season's second half, and he has a reputation in the playoffs.

 

Cologne went 9-2-0 in the season's final 11 games and now turn their attention to the playoffs where they hope to continue recent success and win a third straight Renaissance Cup. They are certainly getting hot at the right time, so we'll see if that bodes well for their post-season chances as they prepare to take on Rome.