Blockbuster Trade Alert (Not so Much of a Blockbuster)

[KmaddFPS 27]

Trade Alert... The Rome Gladiators have made a trade with Cologne. This trade involved giving Cologne Ivan Ivanov, in exchange for  a prospect from Cologne. This was an expected trade, but at the same time unexpected. One might believe that the Rome Gladiators would have wanted a goalie out of this trade, especially a player at 400 TPA. After a few simulations with the Cologne Express, it is quite clear that Ivanov is scoring less points with Cologne then he was with Rome. This is quite a dilemma, scoring less goals with a better team. Maybe the match ups are harder, opposing defense is a lot stronger? Ivanov has already made 3rd star one or two times since starting his stint with Cologne. The times where Ivanov made a game star position, he only had like 1 point (0 goals and an assist.) Clearly the more competitve matchups are made up of less scoring, likely slower paced defensive based games. 
 

Ivanov has officially reached 400 TPE, and will be at about 410 at the time of writing this article. Ivanov finished his 24 game Stint on Rome with 40 points, that's almost 2 points per game! Now, 8 games into his stint with Cologne, he is struggling more with only 4 points. What could Ivanov and the rest of Cologne due to improve this performance? Maybe we need to play harder on offense? Pass the puck around more to avoid opposing defense? I think this could all be investigated. Cologne is currently sitting in second place, 32-14, looking strong. We have been sitting in second place for a chunk of the season now. 
 

Cologne is looking to maintain this position and go hard into the playoffs, especially coming out of a more rough season. We want to fight hard, get that good playoff seed and play a worse team. As we would likely be seeded against a worse team (Correct me if I am wrong here), #2 plays #4 etc, we would have a lot of luck in the playoffs. Especially if we maintain our current momentum. Cologne Express goes into the next sim, at the time of writing, on a streak of 2 wins. It would be awesome to come out with a streak of 4 wins. 
 

Cologne's next two games is indeed against Ivanov's old team, the Rome Gladiators. This will be a pretty easy game for Cologne, but an emotional game too. Ivanov will be competing against his old teammates, seeing his old coach that gave him the opportunity to perform and score many points. Ivanov went through a lot with Rome, playing with them in the S94 playoffs looking to win it. Maybe, being back in an Arena with the old fans will give him the encouragement he needs to maintain 1 point per game. Is it the atmosphere he misses? Or is it just very good opposing defense. I can't wait to see this in the next game. Plus, Ivanov has 400 TPE now and will be going up to the VHL at the end of the season.