Legion Stay Hot, Can't Gain on Scorching Dragons

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The Toronto Legion have been scorching hot lately, going 8-2-0 in their last 10, and starting the season 18-6-0.

 

Despite that hot start, the Legion have not been able to make up any ground on the first place D.C. Dragons, remaining 4 points back of the division leaders. The Dragons own a 9-1-0 record in their last 10, and sit at 20-4-0 on the year. The Dragons also had a remarkable 14 game win streak prior to a loss to Warsaw, so it's been an extended run of great play.

 

The Legion have the second best goal differential in the VHL, carried by the sixth most goals for and third fewest goals against in the league. The offense has seen a bit of a changing of the guard, as third year forwards Diego Machado and Harry Callahan are first and second in team scoring. Machado leads the team in goals and Callahan leads in assists, while the veteran duo of Jimi Jaks and Mac Atlas are not far behind in both categories. The balanced attack from the Legion forward group has made for a difficult team to slow down because the contributions can come from everywhere. Fourth year VHL forward and second year Legion member Steve Lattimer has been a valuable member of the Lattimer/Machado/Callahan trio, currently holding a career best plus/minus, and is on pace for career highs in goals, assists, and points.

 

On the back end, the trio of Bobby Bob, Walter Fitzroy Jr., and Mason Rice have been extremely solid defensively, equally sharing the shot blocking burden in the defensive zone, and making life easier for goaltenders Joel Castle and Toddly Bobbly. Bob has seen a recent rebound on the offensive side, with Fitzroy Jr. enjoying a breakout year in the assists department. Off-season add and positional convert Rice is a plus player for the first time in his career, helping stabilize the beck end for Toronto. Veteran goaltender Joel Castle has been spectacular as always, posting the third best goals against average and the best save percentage among starting goaltenders in the league.

 

All of this for the Legion builds in the lead up to a crucial home and home series with the D.C. Dragons beginning today. In order for the Legion to make up ground, they'll need to do it head to head.