Pier 21: Into Deeper Waters

[LucyXpher 1,433]

The VHLM Season 93 is in the books and the playoffs are just around the corner.  Coming into the campaign, the Halifax 21st hoped to position themselves well for a run at the Founder’s Cup, and a 2nd place overall finish accomplishes just that.  With 106 points and a 51-17-4 record, the 21st trailed Ottawa by 3 points in the race for the Prime Minister’s Trophy as the best team in the regular season, but they won’t mind missing out on that hardware if they can make good on the promise of their roster to contend for the league’s ultimate prize.   

 

The last time Halifax won 51 games in a season was back in Season 78 when they had 54 total wins. In the 31 season history of the team, Season 93 ranks as the 5th best in franchise history and for a team that has occupied the VHLM basement in recent history and has yet to win their first Founder’s Cup, the success of this regular season is an opportunity for hope. Of course, nothing can be taken for granted—it's hockey after all and anything can happen—but the 21st have good reason to be proud of their regular season effort and cause to hope for playoff success. 

 

Up and down the lineup, the 21st were one of the deepest teams in the VHLM this season. With 72 games played, the Halifax 21st had 9 players with over 50 points on the season, including all 4 of their regular defensemen and 5 of their top forwards. Leading the way, Maple Dogwood @dogwoodmaple, Pierre Marc Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito, and Alexandr Novotny @Patrik Tallinder were all over a point per game and ranked among the league leaders in important stat categories. Dogwood would finish the season ranked 7th overall in goals, 8th in assists, and 4th in the league in total points with 85. Novotny would finish with the 4th most assists with 58 and was the 3rd highest scoring defensman with 75 total points. Bouchard ranked 1st among all centers who had more than 30 faceoffs taken with a 58.84% win rate in the circle with 1990 faceoffs taken across the season. Add this invaluable utility to his 73 points in 72 games and you see his incredible value to this Halifax team.  

 

Heading into the playoffs, there is still headroom for the 21st to improve. To break the 4th wall for a moment, at the time of writing, 6 players have reached the 200 TPE limit for the VHLM while the team has 10 forwards, 4 defenders, and a goaltender at or over 110 TPE—most over the 130 mark. If the 21st can make a run deep into the playoffs, there is still opportunity for this team to improve significantly as every player on the roster has been taking big strides this season. If they remain dedicated, this could be a greatly improved team as they go deeper into the playoffs.  

 

Morale is high as the regular season draws to an end and this is a team that truly believes in itself. The road ahead will be difficult however as Ottawa, Saskatoon, Houston, and even Las Vegas all come into the playoffs as legitimate contenders. Mississauga and the defending champion Philadelphia Reapers are also teams that cannot be overlooked and underestimated. Once the playoffs begin, the regular season matters very little—anything can happen. It’s what makes this part of the season so exciting and sometimes heartbreaking. The 21st will be hoping that they’re on the right side of history this time around and that they can finally put it together as a franchise and win their first Founder’s Cup. As the only team left in the VHLM yet to win the coveted trophy, that victory would mean a great deal to these players and this franchise as it completes it’s 31st season of play.  

 

For first season general manager, Lexie Leitner, this is a great opportunity for the Halifax 21st, “It’s difficult to win in the VHLM and with player turnover every season, it’s difficult to stay competitve for multiple seasons in a row. Right now, we have an amazing team and I’m so proud of each and every one of our players. They’ve done an incredible job all season to get to where we are, but we all know the work isn’t over yet. I believe in our players and I know we’ll get their best once the playoffs begin”. 

 

The playoffs are set to begin on either Thursday or Friday this week and first round matchups should be announced later tonight.  It is expected that Halifax will be taking on the reigning champion Philadelphia Reapers in their first round matchup as the 3rd seed against the 6th seed, with the winner of this series taking on the winner of Saskatoon and Mississauga. The regular season has been enthralling, but the playoffs is what every team plays for and it’s going to be exciting to see how it all plays out!

 

༻❁༺ 

 

Claimed for week ending 5/5/2024

Edited April 28 by LucyXpher

[Gaikoku-hito 2,089]

I am Valuable!! 

[LucyXpher 1,433]

2 hours ago, Gaikoku-hito said:

I am Valuable!! 

I see Tom Hardy, I click like but yes, you absolutely are valuable!

[Phil 5,119]

Pumped up for these playoffs. Feeling good about my re-create. Looking forward to helping contribute to the Cup Run!!  

[LucyXpher 1,433]

19 minutes ago, Phil said:

Pumped up for these playoffs. Feeling good about my re-create. Looking forward to helping contribute to the Cup Run!!  

It should be an exciting run!  We're glad to have you!