VSN Presents: Final Four: Battle of the Tenders

[Gaikoku-hito 2,132]

 

 

I must admit that I actually wasn`t the first to notice this when the final teams punched their tickets to their respective Conference finals but as Los Angeles Star and Helsinki Titans won their respect game sixes over the rivals it has set up a very interesting story line of the final four teams. Goaltender Battle Supreme!!

 

 

Toronto Legion vs. Los Angeles Stars

 

Toronto Legion take on Los Angeles in the battle of Joel Castle @animal74 and Art Vandelay @Gustav ; forget about first versus second and the fact that these two teams meet last season as this will come down to very capable goaltenders in what should be a great duel. So, who has the edge heading into the first game of the series?

 

Joel Castle, (not the lump of coal) was simple amazing in the first round of the playoff as the Toronto Legion brought out the brooms in a complete sweeping of the Chicago Phoenix. Castle leads all catagories of goaltenders with the best GAA, SAV% and tied with SO but the question will be about rust after only playing four game and having a bit of an early layoff when hot. How will this affect his play?

 

Art Vandelay, was simple great in the first round against D.C. Dragons but for some reason didn`t get the start when the playoff started as Back-up Matthew McCagg @Jack kidd was given the opening game instead. Well, that didn`t bold well for the Dragons as Vandelay was back in for game two and simple was unbeatable with thirty save shut-out and that really would remain the case through first round as Los Angeles Star would over come D.C. Dragons in six games.

 

 

Verdict: With the offense that Los Angeles Star bring into the series I have no choice but to give the edge to Art Vandelay, who has already faced twice as many shots as Joel Castle. If last year’s playoff series is any indicator than this series should be going the distance and these two will play a huge role in who will be moving onto the finals. It will be a great battle to watch!!

 

 

 

Helsinki Titans vs. London United

 

In the second battle of the tender, we have Jesse Teno @aimkin and Fuukka Rask @Jubis or if you like London United versus Helsinki Titans in what should be a very similar battle as seen in the North American Conference with one team sporting a high-end offense versus a very defensive reliable team; I let you figure out who is who!! Again, let’s look at who has the edge?

 

Jesse Teno was great in the first round against Riga Reign stopping close to a hundred shots in the first two games and giving up a total of four games. His GAA would have been much better than the 2.40GAA if it wasn`t for an off game in game four of the series when Riga must have gotten excited as they finally solved Teno for five goals in Riga only win in the series and Teno only below average game.

 

Fuukka Rask, has clearly been the busiest of all goaltender remaining in the playoff having played twice as many games as the rest due to his team coming through the Wildcard round. Which in the end makes his numbers actually more impress at this point of the playoffs. Rask started the playoffs with twenty-four save shut-out of the high-flying Malmo Knighthawks and was the better of the two tenders in game two of the series spotting Helsinki Titans an early 2-0 series lead. Malmo would than sneak two 3-2 wins out against Helsinki forcing an all-important game five. Where Rask would give up an early goal just 1:45 into the game before locking it down as Helsinki Titans pulled off a remarkable 2-1 come from behind overtime victory on the back of Rask performance as he made forty-eight saves.

 

Against the highly rated and the highly favored HC Davos Dynamo it wasn`t pretty early for Rask in the series as he gave up eight goals through the first two games but somehow did enough to give his team a split series and a chance. Rask best game at this point of the series came in game three back home in Helsinki; where he would allow one goal on thirty-four shots swing the series in favor temporarily in Helsinki favor. Game four was rather ugly as Rask would rather choke allowing three goals in the third period all to one player David Jokinen @Ahma and allowing Davos back into the series. The final two games of the series Rask simple sad “no more shall pass” as he would only give up two goals per game allowing Helsinki the unlikely upset over the Victory Cup champion Davos.

 

 

 

Verdict: Both goalies have had bad games so far in the playoffs but have bounced back to provide the timely save or goaltendering when everything has been on the line. (When the going gets tough the tough get going!!) but I have to give the edge to Jesse Teno as he has been more consistent through the regular season and also these playoffs so far. Teno does have the bigger task during this series though as he faces a very strong offensive team in Helsinki. Again, this should be a great goaltending battle to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by Gaikoku-hito

[Victor 11,014]

All 4 now (or again in Teno and Vandelay's case) feature prominently in the best goaltending performances ever... https://vhlforum.com/topic/35246-greatest-goaltending-performances-in-single-playoff-series/

 

 

More to come in the conference finals and finals perhaps?

 

[Gaikoku-hito 2,132]

Yes, and Geoff Bezos @Quik also made the list with 160 -169 save and a 0.947% against Calgary Wranglers!!

 

Joel Castle = 16th all time single series save% at 0.957%

Fuukka Rask - 27th at 0.954%

Art Vandelay - 29th at 0.953%

Jesse Teno - 189th at 0.932%

 

It has been a great year for the Tenders!!