Halifax 21st SuperSailor #6 (S93 Playoffs Round 1): Andrew Skilton

[LucyXpher 1,585]

Graphic by @ethanjaeda

In the first round of the S93 VHLM Playoffs the Halifax 21st matched up against the defending Founder's Cup Champion Philadelphia Reapers.  Though the Reapers were a shell of the team that took home the league's highest honor in S92, they still posed a threat with the likes of Soju @Frank between the pipes and the league's top point scorer Walter Jinn @Adrest245 leading the way up front.  The 21st came into this series as the 3rd seed after finishing 2nd overall in points with 106 and were favored against the 72 point Reapers in this series after going 9-2-1 against Philadelphia in regular season action.  

 

The series began with Halifax dominating play through the first 3 games, winning those games by a convincing total score of  10-0.  Last week's SuperSailor, Jon Webber III @Webberj, was outstanding for the 21st, setting the franchise postseason record for the most playoff shutouts (3) in the process.  While he needed to be sharp, especially in some low action games, the defense in front of him did an exceptional job at limiting dangerous scoring opportunities.  Halifax would drop game 4 to the Reapers by a score of 4-2, despite outshooting them 47-17 in that game.  After the one off night that kept Philadelphia's playoff hopes alive, the 21st returned to form and clinched the series on home ice by a score of 2-1.  By the end of the series, Halifax had outshot Philadelphia by a staggering 217-74 margin over the 5 games, outscoring them 14-5.  

 

With high hopes of contending for the Founder's Cup, it was a breath of fresh air to see the Halifax captain, Andrew Skilton @ace_five_, leading the way to a first round victory for the 21st. Heading into a second round matchup against the 2nd seed Saskatoon Wild, Skilton leads the team in points with 7, all of them assists.  Over the course of the season, Skilton has developed into a premier playmaking defender in the VHLM.  Beginning the season as a fresh faced rookie, through hard work on and off the ice he quickly rounded into not only one of the best defenders on a deep 21st blueline, but one of the best two-way defenders in the league.  Establishing himself quickly as a leader on the team, he was named the team's captain and has exhibited his value in this role with admirable consistency.  In the locker room, he's known for his high level of activity and enthusiasm, often motivating his teammates to push themselves to the next level.  His positivity has also been infectious, lifting teammates up in defeat and celebrating with them in success.  Skilton is a player who embodies what it means to be a SuperSailor day in and day out and it's long overdue that he is recognized officially with this weekly honor.  

As the Halifax 21st celebrate a series victory, congratulations to Andrew Skilton on being named the Halifax 21st SuperSailor of the S93 first round!  With a tough matchup against Saskatoon on the horizon for the second round, the 21st will rely on Skilton to continue to be a leader for the team as they push on towards the league's highest honor.  

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Claimed for week ending 5/5/2024

Edited April 29 by LucyXpher