Demise of the Aces

[animal74 1,819]

Through the first half of the S96 VHLM season, the Las Vegas Aces appeared to be firmly in a playoff spot. With a 16-14-4 record in their first 34 games, they were playing good hockey behind a solid defense and brilliant goaltending from Deadpanda @Alex and Brian S @Bigb33 . The offense and special teams were lacking but they were producing enough to keep them going.

 

Fast forward to 52 games and that lacking offense has almost completely dried up and the Aces find themselves second-last in the league and three points out of a playoff spot. This is a major disappointment for the reigning Prime Minister’s Trophy winner and Founder’s Cup finalist. The last 18 games have seen the Aces go 5-10-3 while being outscored 39-21. They have been shutout five times and only scored more than one goal in a game five times. That means they have been held to one or no goals in 13 of the last 18 games.

 

Seemingly out of options, Las Vegas has started selling off marketable players while trying to hang on to a youthful core for next season. Whether the roster changes will make a difference remains to be seen. They can’t get much worse.  

Edited November 12 by animal74