VSN Presents: Victory Sports Online Edition #1

[Pifferfish 512]

(Credit: @ace_five_)

 

Race to the Top
Written by @Pifferfish

Here we are at the all wonderful trade deadline in both leagues and now seems as good a time as any to peek at the points race and see who has the best odds to go home with the coveted Mike Szatkowski Trophy! The obvious name to shoutout first is Spanish Moon Moth @Renomitsu of the Chicago Phoenix who currently leads the VHL with 86 points so far on what has been a really good offensive team. Chicago sits at 6th league wide in Goals For and this 5th year player is a huge part of that success, following up their breakout 104 point campaign with another stellar season, having already tied their 33 goals from last season thus far. Much of this production comes alongside another 5th year star in Joshua Schwarzer @Velevra who has 75 points so far and is tied 7th on the overall points leaderboard. Both these players hope to continue their success heading towards the postseason and plan to keep Moon Moth on top from now until the season wraps up. Another player who is coming out of nowhere it seems like is Riley Martin @Smarch from the Vancouver Wolves. Martin enters year 4 as a pro and already have career highs in goals and assists at only 52 games in. Boasting the VHL's 3rd highest point total at 77 right now. The Wolves sit 4th in the North American Conference standings and this player is a major reason why they are holding strong. Being the lone Wolf in the top 10 of the points leaderboards must be a bit of an annoyance as you'd love to see a little more team wide production. Very curious to see if the coach tries to get the boys to spread the love a little more of keeps the boys feeding their hottest player. Either way, the Dustin Funk Trophy is calling this player for sure even if he can't crack the top of the points. The last couple players I want to look at are from the reigning Victory Cup winners in the Moscow Menace. Last season, this team was dominant on both ends of the ice and that seems to be continuing this season. Offensively, this team is led by Jarmo Ruutu @jRuutu and George Richmond @badcolethetitan. Ruutu currently sits 2nd overall in points with 79 and Richmond is tied for 4th with 76. The Menace lead the league in goals for with other key contributors helping boost these forwards in Maverick Goncalves' @leandrofg playmaking with 50 assists and David Rashford's @Knight wicked shot with 37 goals. Neither of them crack the top 10 but their support is a big factor in Ruutu race to the top against Spanish Moon Moth. Moscow is leading the league in the standings and I'm sure that's their top priority but a little individual hardware (again) wouldn't hurt the energy of their players. 

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VHLM MVP
Written by @Pifferfish

Now I have been vocal in the past on VHLM awards and my feelings on what deserves these honors and what doesn't. I'll start this piece with this, my criteria for winning MVP; if you don't meet these minimums, you don't deserve even a nomination in my opinion. First, you must be on a playoff team. 80! of the VHLM doesn't immediately break out their golfing bags at the end of the season, if you are the MVP, you shouldn't be in the 20% that is. Next, you have to be the best player on your team. How could a person be the 2nd best player on their team but the leaguewide MVP, it doesn't make sense and it shouldn't have to be said... but I'm here saying it... again. That's all I require, so without further ado, the best cases for MVP right now. This season has been a little crazy after the VHLE was disbanded and goalies have reaped the benefits as most of them are just brutally dominant. With that said, I'm going to try to keep that context in mind when making these selections. Chazz Michael Michaels @Xflexz from the Mexico City Kings while not the single most dominant goalie in the league has been the star of his team as they lead their conference. The Kings have a -16 goal differential right now mainly due to a lack of goal scoring boasting the 4th lowest total in the M. With the 5th best record in the league as a whole its a shock they even lead the West but this team's defensive identity is taking them a long way. 4 of their 5 highest point scoring players are defensemen and Chazz has benefitted a ton from that dominant blue line. An 1.80 GAA and .926 SV% both look like career marks for the young netminder and carry a strong case for MVP consideration. In Ottawa, Brandon Petan Jr. @sadie and River Harrington @kirbithan continue to be an amazing duo but only one is truly the MOST valuable. I'm giving it to Harrington with a 66 point campaign as a Dman. River led the VHLM in point until just about a week ago and the Lynx held the league's top record until about then as well. While the offensive production is awesome, we also have to see the defensive upside as well. +15 with 50 shots blocked are big parts of helping Vladimir Trunov's @qripll 1.57 GAA (something I tend to see as a team stat more than just a goalie one). Ottawa currently has the least goals against in the VHLM as a team. Next up we have to talk about Anthony SImmons II @Starchychaff in Miami. This is a really strong case where individual production compared to his teammates really sways my opinion. Only 53 points and a +3 this season but when lined up against the 40 points and +2 of Luc Moreau @minman (who is #2 in points on the team) you can see why I think this player deserves major consideration. Simmons has a 35 plus goal pace right now and has 7 game winners (tied for 2nd in the VHLM). Simply put, Miami is battling hard in a tough Eastern conference and have struggled defensively with the 2nd worst goals against mark in the VHLM but Simmons is the biggest reason they are managing the 2nd best goals for number. This is the player that I would be voting for if I had a say and the season ended right now. Now I do quickly want to mention the VHLM's top team in Philadelphia really fast. They have three players at or just above 70 points right now so shouting out one would seem silly but watch out as YNFR @twists has been very hot recently. Even a 5 point gap from his fellow Reapers could be enough with another top mark in points to convince me that this is a deserving run for back-to-back MVP wins. That said, even if a gap doesn't emerge and should Philly remain on top, at least one Reaper will be on the ballot and I'd expect it to be YNFR.
 

 

Edited Monday at 08:54 AM by Pifferfish

[Mysterious_Fish 379]

I take the graphic was made before I decided to go on a massive slump

[LucyXpher 1,409]

Great first entry @Pifferfish and I love the graphic @ace_five_!!!

Also, the Jon Webber III disrespect is real...  he's the true MVP, change my mind 

[Mysterious_Fish 379]

58 minutes ago, ucyXpher said:

Great first entry @Pifferfish and I love the graphic @ace_five_!!!

@ace_five_ it is a good graphic. I might use it now. thank you

[Pifferfish 512]

On 11/11/2024 at 7:02 AM, Mysterious_Fish said:

I take the graphic was made before I decided to go on a massive slump

You were probably 4th in points then hahaha.

[Pifferfish 512]

22 hours ago, ucyXpher said:

Great first entry @Pifferfish and I love the graphic @ace_five_!!!

Also, the Jon Webber III disrespect is real...  he's the true MVP, change my mind 

Sorry, had to stick mainly with the top teams and goalies are just tough because like there aren't bad ones so are the good ones really that good ya know?

[LucyXpher 1,409]

1 hour ago, Pifferfish said:

Sorry, had to stick mainly with the top teams and goalies are just tough because like there aren't bad ones so are the good ones really that good ya know?

But best statistical goalie on a below mid team that will still make the playoffs = Jon Webber III

How is this not MVP worthy?