Founder's Cup Breakdown

[dogwoodmaple 380]

It's everyone's favorite time of year - the Founder's Cup!

 

While some people tend to focus on the "bigger" championship series across the league, there's nothing that tops the VHLM title for my money.

This year's edition is a face off between the Philadelphia Reapers and the Las Vegas Aces for minor league supremacy.

 

In game one,  Philadelphia got off to a hot start thanks to Walter Jinn's first period goal. This gave the Reapers a 1-0 lead and the early momentum.  The second period saw much more fireworks as both teams' offenses really got going in a major way.  Philadelphia stayed hot with a goal from Pinn Jinn to extend their lead to 2-0 before the aforementioned Walter Jinn completed his brace to give the Reapers a 3-0 lead.  Las Vegas wasn't just going to quit, though, as Commander Doom found the back of the net to cut the Philadelphia lead back to 3-1.  Entering the all-important third period, it was paramount that Las Vegas go all in on the offensive, which they certainly did.  They finally broke through the Philadelphia defense when Stinky scored on the power play, cutting the lead to 3-2, but that was as close as they got in this one.  Philadelphia's defense held strong and stymied the Las Vegas attacks as the final horn sounded, giving game one to the Reapers by a score of 3-2.

 

In game two, it was much more defense-oriented to start off, as neither team was able to score in the first period despite some really good chances.  Great defense and exceptional goal tending prevented any goals in the opening 20 minutes and the two teams entered the second period all tied at 0.  Las Vegas was first to strike in the second period and was able to get their first lead of the series, thanks to Elle Aura Ashe who fired an impressive goal roughly seven minutes into the second period.  Las Vegas' fans erupted in excitement, but their cheers were short lived.  Philadelphia answered just a few minutes later when Taylor Swift scored to level the game at 1-1.  This seemed to take the wind out of Las Vegas' sails somewhat and gave the Reapers all the momentum for the rest of the game.  In the third period, the Reapers again called on Taylor Swift for some offensive magic and again they answered with a goal, giving the Reapers a 2-1 lead late in the third period.  As Las Vegas went full offensive after that, it left them vulnerable to a counter attack where Erin Jinn scored another goal for Philadelphia to end the game with a 3-1 victory for the Reapers.

 

In the first two games, both teams have played well and have been evenly matched, but Philadelphia's knack at coming up with the big play at the right time has been the difference in both games. Las Vegas could have come out on top in either or both of these, which just shows how close of a series this has turned out to be.  Even though the Reapers appear to be in control of the series after two games, it's way too early to count out the Aces and their high flying attack.  This one may very well go the distance before a champion is crowned.

 

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Edited February 26 by dogwoodmaple