VSN Presents: S92 Weekly Predictions (Wk 4)

[Gaikoku-hito 2,132]

 

Here we are trade deadline done, would be All-star games done and everyone one is now looking forward to the play-offs but before we can even really talk about the play-off we have to finish a week and half of the season sims. A lot can still change with Calgary Wranglers and Los Angeles Stars fighting over who is going to win the North American Conference. Moscow Menace can kill any chance that New York Americans have of making the play-offs as they chase down Malmo Nighthawks for the Europe Conference lead; not to mention most likely the Victory Cup. Lets not forget about Draft Lottery with a ton on the line as Vancouver Wolves, HC Davos Dynamo, Riga Reign, Warsaw Predators and Seattle Bears. New York Americans trying to stay a live and Chicago Phoenix sneaking into the Play-offs? We will talk about most of this as we try to predict another week in the VHL!!

 

 

Current Standings:

                    Standings                                        Record             Points                   Last Wk                          Prediction Last Wk                       

1.        Calgary Wranglers             35-13-4           74pts               (11-3-0)                       2nd North American Conference

2.        Los Angeles Stars             33-14-4           70pts                (4-7-2)                        1st North American Conference

3.        D.C. Dragons                       28-17-6            62pts               (6-5-3)                        3rd North American Conference

4.       Toronto Legion                    25-24-3           53pts               (8-6-0)                        5th North American Conference

5.       Chicago Phoenix                24-24-3            51pts               (8-5-1)                         6th North American Conference

6.        New York Americans       20-27-5            45pts               (2-11-1)                        4th North American Conference

7.        Vancouver Wolves            17-30-4            38pts               (3-9-2)                         7th North American Conference

8.        Seattle Bears                      12-36-4            28pts              (3-11-1)                         8th North American Conference

 

Reason: Calgary controlled their games against Los Angeles going 3-0 in the three-game set with another game set to start the week between both teams; this six-point swing in the standings is the different between Calgary claiming first in the conference rather than the predicated second. I wrote off Chicago last week; which as usually is the kiss of life as they destroyed New York this week 4-0 in the head-to-head series bring them right back into the play-off contention. New York fell apart this week thanks mainly to Chicago; with their only two wins coming in the final two days of sims. Luckily as we will get into soon New York has much easier schedule next week.

 

 

Next Weeks Predictions:

 

               1.    

Huge game at the start of the week might determine who actually finish first in the conference this week as Los Angeles and Calgary face off in a single game. D.C. Dragons and Chicago Phoenix will provide the biggest games of the week with two and three games respectively. I think Calgary should handle themselves against both of those teams so should be one of the hotter teams in the league; if I am wrong, they could easily find themselves with a five hundred record at the end of the week but should be enough to keep the Wranglers ahead in the standings. Calgary continues to get solid goaltending from Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123(2.29GA, 0.934sav% & 5 SO); which has them as one of the best defensive teams in the league. Add in a top five offense lead by Randy Bobandy @AJW(26G – 41A – 67pts(10th League)) and it not hard to see why Calgary is at the top of the North American Conference.

 

 

                2.    

Last week I was correct that the Stars would face their most challenging week of the season and had a losing record for the first time this season. Well, a mixed bag schedules a waits them this week with huge series against Moscow (3 games) mixed with a few back to backs with Toronto, Helsinki, London, Prague all coming to town. If they can avoid splitting these series and win the majority of them out right, they could climb back into first in the conference. The biggest game of the week might be the first game against Calgary, as it might actually determine the final standing of the week. Five players over a point per game led by the retiring group of Todd Cooke @KRZY (36G(t-2nd League) – 39A – 75pts(5th League)); Jon Webber Jr @Webberj(23G – 42A(t-10th League) – 65Pts) and Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher(20G – 37A – 57pts). Other two player above a point per game are Larry Abass Jr  @RileyL(21G – 38A -59pts) and Sunglasses Joyo @JetsGoalie101(26G – 32A – 58pts). Which all has Los Angeles as top five offensive team. While retiring Art Vandelay @Gustav remains a top five goaltender with 2.17GA(5th), 0.929sav%(3rd) and 4 Shut-outs(t-2nd). Again not hard to see why the Stars are one of the best teams in the North American conference.

 

 

             3.    

This is the area that everything can and most likely will go off the rails since D.C. Dragons have a tough schedule with very important series against Toronto Legion(3 games) and Calgary Wranglers(2 games). If they can split these series and not lose them outright then I think they should stay in Third but should they lose both series I expect Toronto will jump them in the standings. It feels like a treading water week for the Dragons but we will see if they decide to fly instead!! High flying offense is led by The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath (24G – 56A(1st League) – 80pts(2nd League)); Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007(30G(10th League) – 36A – 66pts) and the retiring Jason @Jason kranz(34G(5th league) – 32A – 66pts). Defensively the Dragons are led by Mark Calaway @Beketov(17G – 44A(6th league) – 61pts(1st defense)).

 

 

             4.    

Toronto Legion have a chance to at least close the gap to D.C. Dragons by the end of the week with a four game series against Vancouver Wolves; which they should win easily; two game series against LA Stars and three game series against D.C. Dragons. If they can win the games that they are supposed to and beat win the D.C. series; they might pull themselves out of the wildcard round by the end of the week. Toronto only has two players at a point per game with the team led in scoring by Jimi Jaks @ke1vi(26G – 28A – 54pts) and the other is defender Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer(9G – 44A(7th league) – 53pts(8th defense)), which really shows one of the team weakness; Goal scoring as they have the fifth worse goals for in the league tied with Seattle (junior cubs) Bears. Goals against are right in the middle of the pack, which would be a big reason the team is playing around five hundred hockey for most of the season.

 

 

              5.    

For some reason it looks like I cannot give up hope that the Americans will actually play good hockey and make the play-offs. I would actually be scared of this team if they do make the play-offs since they have been very inconsistent week in and week out. New York had a tough one last week going 2-11-1; likely the worse weekly record of all teams all season. So what do they need to get back into the play-off hunt? Yup, an easy schedule; which New York should have this week with a four-game set against the Seattle Bears but mix in a few tough games against Moscow, D.C. and Prague meaning the team hopefully plays around five hundred and maybe better if they can tread water against three teams just mentioned. It is a make-or-break week for New York either you win and you are in or you lose and the season is done. Not a single player is over a point per game with FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ(24G – 25A – 49pts) leading the team offense. 36W @rory(2.07GA(1st), 0.934sav%(2nd) & 2SO(8th)) remains impressive in net and should have done enough to keep the net after the team traded for Veteran Clueless Wallob @DMaximus (3.35GA, 0.888sav% & 0SO); who continues to struggle.

 

 

             6.    

Feels wrong to move this team backwards down the standing after the strong week that they just had and bashed the team last week saying that they would miss the play-offs. Fast forward a week and Chicago Phoenix have a tough task with series against Malmo(4 games) and Calgary(3 games); not to mention Moscow and Helsinki (2 games); it could be a very tough week if they cannot split so of these series. Chicago could easily be given a death blow here with 4-10-0 record if not worse if they aren`t careful. Luckily for them even if they are given the kiss of death this week; they should be within a point or two of New York entering the final week for last play-off spot. So, this week is about damage limitation for Chicago and keeping the play-off hopes alive.  Yaroslav Trunov @qripll(36G(t-2nd league) – 43A(8th league) – 79pts(3rd league))  will need to continue to led the way offensively for the Phoenix. Chicago will need a bit more from Rookies Joshua Schwarzer @Velevra(20G – 22A -42pts(4th Rookies))  and Lionel Collberg @Masu Chan( 6G – 32A – 38pts(5th Rookies)); if the team is going to make the play-offs; which is a bit unfair to ask.

 

 

             7.    

Nothing to look forward too? Not true the end of the season is a week and a half away so most in Vancouver will start to see where they standing the final rankings. Why? Draft lottery odds as Vancouver is locked in a battle with HC Davos; not for Championship this time; to improve their odds by finishing second worst team in the standings.  Seattle has locked up the best odds. Let also not forget the great season that Liv Slater @Subject056(28G – 30A -    58pts) might not get a ton of credit for as they lead all defender in goals, lead the league in power play goals and second in total shots blocked. Hopefully the award committee at least throws her a bone if not an award or two at the end of the season. Rookie Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty(3.15GA, 0.921sav% & 4 S0(t-3rd)) has been very stead in the crease for the Wolves. While offensively Nick Sansoe @Tipskid97(16G – 45A – 61pts) has been over a point per game player most of the season. These three players will be thankful of the help that should come next season.

 

 

             8.    

Locked into last as Seattle are ten points behind Vancouver and HC Davos so one would assume that they are set for a rebound next season, well, not so fast with a high draft pick helping to improve an already young team with Severus Targaryen @Banackock(28G – 37A -65pts) leading the way with Gustav Mattias @Berocka(9G -7A – 16pts) and Toby Kadachi @ROOKIE745(15G – 15A -30pts) making up a solid core at forward. Adding to this core will help but won`t completely turn the team around in a single season. Having two more picks in what looks like deep S94 draft will go a long way to aiding the rebuilding process. Seattle also needs to find a solution in net; which is likely Giorgiy Costanzov @Mongoose87 and build around Simons Worst Nightmare @zepheter on the blueline. Will they take a step next season? Only time will tell!!

 

 

 

 

Current Standings:

                    Standings                                        Record             Points                   Last Wk                          Prediction Last Wk                       

1.            Malmo Nighthawks        37-10-5           79pts                (10-2-2)                       1st European Conference

2.          Moscow Menace             35-13-4           74pts                (13-0-1)                      2nd European Conference

3.          Helsinki Titans                 29-17-6           64pts                (10-3-1)                       3rd European Conference

4.         Prague Phantoms           29-18-5           63pts                 (8-3-3)                       4th European Conference

5.          London United                 27-16-8           62pts                 (8-5-1)                        5th European Conference

6.         Warsaw Predators          24-24-4           52pts                (10-3-2)                      7th European Conference

7.         Riga Reign                           21-26-4           46pts                (4-10-1)                       6th European Conference

8.        HC Davos Dynamo           17-30-5           39pts                 (5-7-2)                         8th European Conference

 

Reason: Missed the fact that Warsaw had a very easy schedule last week as they beat up on teams near the bottom of the standings; Riga twice, Seattle four times, Vancouver and Davos. Add in a few surprise wins against Los Angeles and New York and you have a standing that is a bit bloated and looks more impressive than it really is. Otherwise, It was a near perfect week in the European conference for this writer.

 

Next Weeks Predictions:

 

 

           1.    

Mixed bag schedule with a series against Moscow(2 games) and visit from the top two teams in the North American conference means the Hawks will have some tough hockey to play entering the play-offs. I have the Hawks staying above five hundred and actually closer to 0.700 so should have no problem holding the lead of the European conference. Viktor Jensen @Advantage(26G – 40A – 66pts) continues to fly like a Hawk leading the offense as the Hawks have five players over a point per game. Other being Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik(24G – 35A – 59pts) and Ronald Johnson MacWallace III (23G – 31A – 55pts). While the team is lead defensively by Jacob Stone @scoop(16G – 43A(9th league) – 59pts(t-2nd defense))  and Reese McFleury @Spaz(14G – 41A – 55pts(7th defense)). Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro(2.31GA(5th), 0.926sav%(6th) & 5SO(t-1st)) continue to keep the Hawks defense in the top 3 in the league.   

 

 

           2.    

Coming of an 13-0-1 week and 16 straight wins means I have nothing bad to say about this time; right!! Moscow has two tough series this week with Malmo(2 games) and Los Angeles(2 games) otherwise they should really cruise this week. Moscow also hold New York chances at making the play-off with a three-game series; which New York must win two of the three. Moscow could catch Malmo but really comes down to the head-to-head series; which I feel they split; leaving Moscow a few points behind at the end of the week. Moscow offense has been completely unstoppable since trading for retiring veteran Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple(12G – 14A – 26pts in 14 games with the Menace) led by the duel of Left Alone @okochastar(32G(6th league) – 41A – 73pts(6th league))  and Axle Gunner @Steve(23G – 49A(t-2nd league)  – 72pts(7th league)). Rookies in Moscow have been solid from Leif Reingaard @Zetterberg(12G – 39A – 51pts(10th league & 2nd Rookies) and Olober Syko @Spartan (2.69GA(9th), 0.923sav%(9th) & 1SO(t-9th)). It will be interesting to see if the rookies and young team can hold it together under the pressure of play-off hockey.

 

 

           3.    

Games in hand and what looks to be a fairly easy schedule down the stretch with toughest games coming from series with Malmo and Los Angeles; two games each. London should win the majority of the games this week as Prague and Helsinki possible take points off each other. This should be enough for London to jump into third with half week remaining. Four players are currently at a point per game pace with Leonard Triller @Triller(26G – 39A – 65pts) leading the way while Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ(25G – 34A – 59pts) and Molly the Cat @JCarson(21G – 37A – 58pts); cat fight over second. Halvar Torbjorn @Rayzor_7(22G – 31A – 53pts) is the third player at a point per game pace.

 

 

          4.    

The next two teams are interlocked in the standings, point and in my predictions this week as they face off against each other for a three-game series that will determine who finish 4th and who finish 5th this week. I am a chicken so I have split the series mean status que!! Daryl Dixon @Ricer13(31G(8th League) – 39A – 70pts(9th league)) continue to lead the offense that sits just outside the top 5. While Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito(10G – 49A(t-2nd) – 59pts(t-2nd defense))  continue to be a huge factor in the blueline for the Titans. Rookie Grimgor Ironhide @FrostBeard(30G(t-9th league) – 27A – 57pts(1st Rookies))  continues to be impressive and most likely in any other season would be the front runner for Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy, formerly known as the Bossy Trophy.

 

 

            5.    

Prague has a slightly tougher schedule this week with a mix of different opponents from a three-game series against Helsinki, a two-game series against D.C. while also facing three of the top four teams in the league; so, one would think it could be a tough week, right? I don`t see it that way!! If Prague can at least split against Helsinki than the Phantoms should play right around five hundred hockey staying close to Helsinki and London; if not they will fall back but not out of the play-offs. Prague offense runs through two player in John Jameson @Frank(32G(7th League) – 46A(4th League) – 78pts(4th league)) and Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide(34G(4th League) – 37A – 71pts(8th league)). While Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone(8G – 40A – 48pts) continue to lead the backend. Matt Murdock  @Acydburn(2.15GA(2nd), 0.936%(1st) & 3SO(t-6th)) is have a strong second half to the season and has walked himself into conversation for a few awards at the end of the season.

 

 

           6.    

Crazy to think Warsaw went on a heater last week but that was really down a easy schedule so welcome back to reality. Traded away most of the older players and have a rest with a younger core made up of Maxim Anisimov @McLovin(17G – 34A -51pts), Thor Reingaard @N0HBDY(17G -26A – 43pts(3rd Rookies)) and King Kisslinger @Kisslinger(12G – 22A -34pts). Warsaw will need to find a prospect or two to help rebuild the back-end but having Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan(17G – 28A – 45pts) for another two seasons should buy them much needed time. Biggest concern moving forward has to be between the pipes but that could be filled by prospect Pipo Popa @npuBeT. Either way Warsaw should play around five hundred hockey this week as the look forward to the off-season.

 

 

           7.    

It could be back and forth between Riga and Warsaw over the next week as the two should match either with similar records. So, I am expecting no movement between these two teams. Riga future at the moment looks a lot brighter with Rookies Red Panda @Lemorse7(2.94GA, 0.915sav% & 0 SO), Mina @Baozi(5G – 18A – 23pts) and Eric White Jr  @Mysterious_Fish(12G -24A -36pts(7th Rookies)) adding to an already young core. Not to mention three more top prospect this off-season as they have three first round picks in the S93 draft.

 

 

          8.    

Does it matter? Yeah, as mentioned Davos is fighting Vancouver for better lottery odds to improve their chances of getting a better pick during the S93 draft. So, it might surprise you that I have them playing just under five hundred hockey and should jump a head of the Vancouver Wolves in the overall standings. Yeah!! I am mean no!! If this is the case it hurts their odds but should provide some interest in the race for last. Catchy name would have been better but yeah!! Not even sure who is on the team any more other than David Jokinen @Ahma and Lachlan Summers @kirbithan. Davos rebuild really starts this off season in the S93 Draft with three first round picks and should continue through the S94 draft where Davos hopes to be a huge factor the drafts floor holding multiple picks.

 

 

That it for the first week review and next week’s predictions. As always tell me below in the comment section how poor my predictions are and I will make sure to read them. Either way until next week Keep the sticks on the ice and your heads up!!

 

[Steve 1,951]

Very well done.

[Subject056 1,246]

 

Edited February 6 by Subject056