VHLM Playoffs: Round 2 Preview

[LucyXpher 1,578]

The first round of the VHLM playoffs is over and there weren't any major upsets, despite the fact that the top seeded team only won two out of the four series.  Philadelphia and Vegas, the number 1 and 2 seeds, knocked out Saskatoon and Ottawa respectively in 6 games.  The 5th seeded Houston Bulls took care of business against the San Diego Marlins in game 6 as well and punched their ticket to round 2.  And finally, the 6th seed Miami Marauders defeated the 3rd overall Mexico City Kings in a thrilling game 7 between two very evenly matched squads.  

 

And so, while the Marlins, Kings, Wild, and Lynx pack their bags and call their caddies, Philadelphia prepares for a second round battle against Houston, and Las Vegas gets set for a matchup with Miami.  Both of these series promise to be highly competitive with very little advantage for one side or the other, despite what the seeding might say.

 

(1) Philadelphia Reapers vs. (5) Houston Bulls

 

This is a series I've been wanting to see for a while now and that's because it's the battle of the league champions and the paper champions.  Allow me to explain.  The Philadelphia Reapers won the regular season in convincing fashion, proving that they were the class of Season 92.  The Houston Bulls, on the other hand, finished in only 5th place overall, despite rostering possibly the deepest team in the VHLM. There are a lot of pundits who believe that the Houston Bulls are currently the best team in the league on paper, and have rushed to declare them as Founder's Cup favorites, but we all know that paper doesn't matter once the puck is dropped.  Only one team can move on to the finals and we will find out whether paper triumphs over practice.  

 

To be fair to the Bulls, the team has been in a constant state of growth since the beginning of the season and is peaking at the right time.  Secondary scorers like Lawson @Nyx and Ecker @Nathan_8 have really come into their own and could very easily be top players on lesser teams.  Add to that the dominance of their top line featuring Artav @jake, Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica, and Reynolds Jr. @Crstats23, their forward group is as strong at the top as any.  The Bulls also boast one of the strongest defensive corps in the VHLM, led by Abenduct @Schnee on the top pairing alongside the physical menace, Cody Toland @ctoland102.  In goal, Vencko @Muttihas developed into a true number one goalie and compares favorably with anyone in the league.  Suffice it to say, it is probably true that the Bulls regular season record does not adequately capture the current state of the roster which has grown tremendously over 72 games. 

 

The Reapers on the other hand have surprised critics all season by extracting extraordinary performances out of unsuspecting players.  Players like Enn Jinn @jhatty8, Walter Jinn @Adrest245, Pinn Jinn @Eagle Eye, and Magni Jinn @DontCallMeCarson have punched well above their weight all season long.  The success of these players has baffled many critics of the team, but it's difficult to argue with results and consistency.  We'd also be remiss to neglect to mention the dominance of Nabokov @fonziGG, the Reapers' top scorer, and their goaltender, Lovstrom @Pifferfish, who has been a brick wall all season long.  Philly will hope to keep this collective run of form going as we enter round two and they face the Bulls at the height of their development.  

 

Prediction: While the Reapers have impressed all season long, it's difficult to imagine how they might overcome the advantage that the Bulls have on paper.  Maybe the Reapers conjure up some STHS black magic and continue to make us all look silly for doubting them, but I'm picking the Bulls to upset the in-season champions in 6 games (4-2).  

(2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Miami Marauders

 

This series, on paper, may be the closest we've seen yet.  Miami and Las Vegas have very similarly constructed rosters and both teams boast high octane offense that is at least two lines deep.  Vegas has their ace on the back end in Bric Sheithaus @Oldhead91 and the Marauders have the duo of Dukat @MSouthworth and Ennis @DeciBell4 who pitch in from the defense with regularity.  Both teams were also involved in high-profile trade deadline moves that saw them acquire even more offensive talent.  Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer joined the Aces, giving them one more lethal weapon on the wing, while Forum Content @frescoelmo and UghSike @UghSike joined the Marauders.  

 

Both teams also have goaltenders who have showed positive signs of taking a step to the next level, but have yet to do so with consistency. Hugo Boss @Dil for the Aces has been solid for his team, but has not proved that he can consistently be among the league's best. 200 feet away, Shaunca @shaun1979 will line up for Miami, coming off of a strong game 7 performance, but an inconsistent season.  Both goalies will be looking to find consistency and a higher level of play as their teams move deeper into the playoffs. 

 

Prediction: I genuinely like both of these teams and admire the moves they made at the trade deadline to challenge for a championship this season.  Unfortunately, one of these teams will have to go home. While I'd hate to see the Aces sent packing before the final, I think that Miami is going to find another level in this second round series. The incredible talent of their forward group will be just enough to overcome the impressive group Vegas has assembled to take the win in 7 games (4-3). 

 

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Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to let me know why I'm wrong, though I'll have you know that I've predicted the winner correctly in every series so far these playoffs.  Look at me hyping myself up... I'm so cringe. Stay tuned for more coverage of these VHLM playoffs!

 

Lauren Lambert for VHL.com
02/21/24  

 

Edited February 21 by LucyXpher

[Lemorse7 1,021]

15 minutes ago, LucyXpher said:

Maybe the Reapers conjure up some STHS black magic

[ctoland102 59]

[UghSike 221]

I'm really appreciating all of these mentions. Of course, I'm biased to Miami taking this round. I'll admit that Vegas has a solid lineup and most would consider us the underdog, but I'm undoubtedly rooting for us. I think it's anyone's series and I believe Miami is going to surprise a lot of people here. I see this one going all the way to game 7.

As always, awesome write up, and full of details and stats that are accurate.

10/10!

[LucyXpher 1,578]

13 minutes ago, UghSike said:

I'm really appreciating all of these mentions. Of course, I'm biased to Miami taking this round. I'll admit that Vegas has a solid lineup and most would consider us the underdog, but I'm undoubtedly rooting for us. I think it's anyone's series and I believe Miami is going to surprise a lot of people here. I see this one going all the way to game 7.

As always, awesome write up, and full of details and stats that are accurate.

10/10!

You’re a good player, definitely need to be mentioned!  Should be a fun series between y’all!  And thanks for the kind review! 

[Pifferfish 597]

@LucyXpher Ondrej took me out to celebrate us both having a great game 1. I think he spiked my drinks because I was off for game 2. Stupid Czechman.

[Nathan_8 231]

shouldve brought me (forgot to hit the quote button lol)

 

Edited February 22 by Nathan_8

[LucyXpher 1,578]

1 minute ago, Pifferfish said:

@LucyXpher Ondrej took me out to celebrate us both having a great game 1. I think he spiked my drinks because I was off for game 2. Stupid Czechman.

  He would never stoop so low!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...way to go vencko!

[Nathan_8 231]

2 minutes ago, LucyXpher said:

  He would never stoop so low!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...way to go vencko!

fr but he would drink pregame beers with the boys

[Pifferfish 597]

10 hours ago, Nathan_8 said:

fr but he would drink pregame beers with the boys

I'm my team's beer guy. The Jinns drink PBRs (ew) I bring Smirnoff Ice for Nabakov, and the rest of the squad gets whatever I'm feeling that day.

[JCarson 744]

Article Review:  Having ignored the VHLM for a number of seasons now I find myself intrigued by the goings on in the league I now find myself a part of again.  This is a great summary article of what can be the potential outcome of the 2nd round series.  Obviously we will need to wait for the actual results to evaluate this fully.  The article is reasonably well written, touches on all the expected points and provides a reasonable analysis.  As such I will give this article an 8/10.  Keep up the great work.

 

Looking forward to reading the analysis of the finals.