Game 7 Prediction: Mexico City vs. Miami Marauders

[LucyXpher 1,576]

The closest series in the first round of the VHLM playoffs gets a thrilling Game 7 and it goes down tomorrow night!  

 

For the first time all season, we will finally be able to name a winner between these two teams, and let me explain.  As I detailed in a previous article, Mexico City and Miami played a dead even season series against each other with each team winning 4 contests. The two teams finished the season only separated in the standings by 6 points.  If we combine both their regular season and playoff records, we get the full picture of how close this matchup has been from the drop of the puck in Season 92.  Tied at 7 wins and 7 losses each, Mexico has the marginal scoring edge with 40 goals to Miami's 39. The shots on goal category also remains remarkably close with 395 shots for the Kings and 410 shots for the Marauders.  Frankly, it would have been a travesty if this thrilling first round series didn't get a winner-takes-all Game 7 and the hockey gods have smiled upon us tonight as the Marauders claimed Game 6 with a 6-4 win.  

 

The goaltending duel all year has been full of intrigue, and in these playoffs, there is very little to choose between Miami's Shaunca @shaun1979 and Mexico's Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu.  Shaunca comes into game 7 with a .906% and a 2.74 GAA while AKK holds a slightly lower .904% but a better GAA at 2.62.  On paper, as I've said before, I think Mexico has the better goalie, but as he's proved in this series, Shaunca cannot be counted out and is more than capable of stealing a game.  I'll get to my full prediction at the end of this article, but I will say that I don't believe Game 7 will be decided by one goalie or the other standing on his head.  Make no mistake, in a rivalry of fine margins, they will be called upon to play their part and will need to be razor sharp to give their team even the smallest edge. 

 

For the Marauders, it has been Pierre Ennis @DeciBell4 who has led the way in scoring throughout this series with 8 points in the 6 games.  Left winger Joe Shmo @matt sovick has also proven that he's no Joe Blo and has also pitched in on offense with 5 points after scoring 54 in the regular season.  Bilbo Teebaggins @SackButter remains the top shutdown option for the Marauders and has an inspiring 17 shot blocks so far these playoffs.  Crucially, the Marauders will need their top guns in Forum Content @frescoelmo, Vanuza Kolesinska @chikn, Matthew Highmore @NineIQ v2, and UghSike @UghSike to bring their A+ game if they are going to claim to be the victors of this head-to-head.  They have all the offensive firepower, talent, and potential necessary to make life a living hell for the Kings defenders and I would be shocked if they were all kept off the scoreboard in this crucial game.  

 

For Mexico City, as I've written about before, the pool of forwards is a little weaker than Miami's, but Loona Buckzo @WildfireMicro has been firing on all cylinders with 9 points in the series.  And while Mexico may not have the forward depth to match Miami, their top two defenders, Free Gorlab @eaglesfan036 and Chuck E Cheese @a_Ferk are shutdown monsters who have proven they are willing to bring the fight to the high flying Miami offense. For Mexico to win this final deciding game, they are going to need these three players at their very best and playing for keeps.  It's a tall order, but not one that is beyond their capabilities and that is precisely why this matchup has been so enthralling all season long.

 

Prediction: Okay, so this is what we all want to know-- who will finally be able to claim superiority between the Kings and the Marauders?  Let me first say, I would not bet a cent on this series because it's almost guaranteed to be a cent lost.  But you're here for a prediction so here it is: Miami ekes this one out with a 4-3 win in overtime.  Yes, overtime, how else should this series end? And for bonus points, I'm picking UghSike to score the series winner. 

 

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And there it is, for whatever it's worth.  I can't wait to see what actually happens tomorrow night.  What we can say with certainty is that the winner of this series will be in tough with a second round matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, but more on that later...

 

Lauren Lambert for VHL.com

02/19/24

Edited February 20 by LucyXpher

[Snussu 135]

This was good read, but i think your prediction is incorrect, respectfully

[UghSike 221]

Although I've clearly been struggling in the points department, I do have my nights. I enjoyed this article, and not from a biased standpoint. You have a knack for pumping out well-crafted and insightful articles that are admirable. Something I wish I possessed the aptitude for. A lot of your predictions have been pretty on point and I hope this is no different. From a review perspective, it's obviously a 10/10. Anyone with the ability to read can see that you invested a lot of time and thought into it. As always, I appreciate the shout-out and the vote of confidence.

[LucyXpher 1,576]

4 hours ago, Snussu said:

This was good read, but i think your prediction is incorrect, respectfully

Thanks! You’ve gotta back your team and your player, I respect that.  Best of luck tonight!

[LucyXpher 1,576]

2 hours ago, UghSike said:

Although I've clearly been struggling in the points department, I do have my nights. I enjoyed this article, and not from a biased standpoint. You have a knack for pumping out well-crafted and insightful articles that are admirable. Something I wish I possessed the aptitude for. A lot of your predictions have been pretty on point and I hope this is no different. From a review perspective, it's obviously a 10/10. Anyone with the ability to read can see that you invested a lot of time and thought into it. As always, I appreciate the shout-out and the vote of confidence.

Thank you, I appreciate your kind words!   It should be an exciting game tonight, good luck!