VSN Presents: S93 VHLM Playoff Preview

[McLovin 398]

(graphic pending again )

VSN Presents: S93 VHLM Playoff Preview

 

Better late than never! Today we're going to take a look at the VHLM Playoffs, see how each team is looking in their quest for the Cup and have the folks from VSN predict how the playoffs are going to go in our humble opinions! It was a fantastic season in the VHLM, so let's take a look at how these playoffs can and *already have* shaped up!

 

First Round:

 

Because I was late on getting this article out, the first round is already done by the writing of this article, so we'll cover each series in terms of how each team fared and if they met expectations!

 

 Halifax 21st (2nd) vs. Philadelphia Reapers (6th)

 

Coming into this series, Halifax had the best offense in the regular season by a pretty far margin. 234 goals for on the season for Halifax, compared to 178 goals for by the Reapers, it was clear from the get that one team would absolutely have the offensive edge. What wasn't expected however, was how shutdown Halifax's defense would be against the Reapers, only allowing 5 goals against the entire series. When your team is able to dominate on both ends of the ice, it was already decided how this series was going to go. Philadelphia put up a good fight, but a juggernaut like Halifax is a team that would be significant challenge to overcome, and Philadelphia just didn't have all the pieces they needed this time around for a deep push. 

 

Prediction: N/A

VSN Vote: 3 Halifax, 0 Philadelphia

 

 Saskatoon Wild (3rd) vs. Mississauga Hounds (7th) 

 

Another similar case to the Halifax and Philadelphia series, the Wild came into the playoffs with the second best defense statistically in the regular season. With all their defensemen nearly maxed out in earnings, they would be a remarkably difficult challenge for Mississauga to overcome. Mississauga wasn't going to shy away from it however, as the likes of Taylor Swift @lilchrist, Jack Dickins @Mystery_boy98, and Anthony Simmons II @Starchychaff were going to do everything they could to chip away at the defense, but it wasn't enough for them. While they managed to put up 9 goals in their 5 game series, the constant onslaught they faced from up and down the Wilds roster proved to be their match. Another strong effort, but going up against stacked elite teams like these two series thus far, it was going to take something significant to go right for these teams to have a fighting chance.

 

Prediction: N/A

VSN Vote: 3 Saskatoon, 0 Mississauga

 

 Houston Bulls (4th) vs. Las Vegas Aces (5th) 

 

Arguably the closest of the series played in the first round of the playoffs, next up we have the Bulls going up against the Aces. Very evenly matched teams, the Bulls only edge against the Aces in the regular season was their defense and goaltending. After a very rough start to the series, the Aces pulled their starter in favor of their backup THE MIGHTY ICE WIZARD @DaddyFizz. The Aces bolstered one of the best first lines in the league with the likes of Pombo @samx, Finneas Finnegan O Cleirigh @Gorth playing a key role in providing offensive firepower. The depth of Houston proved to be an issue, however, as the Aces couldn't get consistent scoring up against Houston, and were also dispatched in 5 games.

 

Prediction: N/A

VSN Vote: 3 Houston, 0 Las Vegas

 

Ottawa Lynx (1st) vs. Mexico City Kings (8th) 

 

In our final first round matchup, we had the epitome of an atom bomb vs a coughing baby. Ottawa came into the playoffs with the best defense in the regular season by a pretty large margin, and Mexico City sold assets at the deadline. It was pretty clear who was going to win this series, but the way they won it was rather interesting when taking a look at the rest of the playoffs. The fact Mexico City managed to squeak out a win against Ottawa was amazing, and they even managed to shut out Ottawa in the game they won. Let that go to show that anything could happen in the playoffs, but it was most definitely a fluke as Ottawa got it together and dispatched them in convincing fashion over the next two games. A great showing by Mexico City, the future is very bright for the Kings!

 

Prediction: N/A

VSN Vote: 3 Ottawa, 0 Mexico City

 

Second Round

 

Onto the second round of the playoffs, we finally enter a place to give proper predictions, and with how pretty straight forward the first round was, we enter completely uncharted territory now as the playoffs ramp up into a new level of competitiveness. Let's take a look at the matchups!

 

Ottawa Lynx (1st) vs. Houston Bulls (4th) 

 

Onto the first series of the second round, we have Ottawa vs. Houston. Bolstered by their top line of Kevin OConnor @Luke033, Ocean Codoller @FreshOceanCod, and Sammie Kiefer @Fno, the Lynx are a dangerous offensive team for the Bulls to face. The Bulls can match offensively however, with the likes of Filip Zinek @FiZi, Johnny Tsunami @Vice & defenseman Ray Stanton @horoscope. On top of that, having the best goalie in the playoffs in Herald Benson @Benson backing them up, this is going to be a remarkably close series, but VSN predicts the depth and offensive prowess of the Lynx will find cracks in the armor, and give them the series!

 

Prediction: Ottawa in 7

VSN Vote: Ottawa 4, Houston 1

 

 Halifax 21st (2nd) vs Saskatoon Wild (3rd)

 

Another incredibly even series, we have Halifax going up against Saskatoon! The Wild have been blessed with a good offensive showing, especially by players like Jacob Longstreet @Dynamicmlb_42 and Bollos de Trueno @Thunder in particular. The 21st, however, have a goalie that has already put up 3 shutouts in these playoffs in Jon Webber III @Webberj, and it is VSN's prediction that with Webber's shutdown ability, and Aanarsi Reingaard @Laine & Andrew Skilton's @ace_five_offensive ability, that they will prove too much for Saskatoon to overcome, and provide Halifax their first Founder's Cup Final appearance under new GM @LucyXpher!

 

Prediction: Halifax in 7

VSN Vote: Halifax 3, Saskatoon 2

 

Founder's Cup Final

 

Ottawa Lynx (1st) vs. Halifax 21st (2nd)

 

Onto the final series of the prediction, we have the grand finale, Ottawa vs. Halifax! When the best of the best in the league go up against each other for the Cup, you can expect a hard fought series no matter what, and this will be absolutely no exception. It will be Ottawa's defense up against Halifax's offense, but that's too linear of a path to put the series on. Every aspect of both teams will play major factors in who comes out on top, and the slightest slip up may cost either team the Cup. With the stellar play of Jon Webber III that would have gotten Halifax to this point however, it is VSN's prediction that Halifax will give it just a little bit more, and win the series and the cup for the Halifax 21st!

 

Prediction: Halifax in 7

VSN Vote: Halifax 3, Ottawa 1

 

 

Thank you for joining VSN in our VHLM Playoff Prediction! Best of luck to everybody still in the playoffs!

[Royski 26]

Rip the aces

[Thunder 796]

Ah man, I’m afraid you might be really close.  Just hope you’re wrong!!

[McLovin 398]

Claiming 2/2