Stick With The Process...

[dstevensonjr 462]

...and flip Simon off while doing it.

 

How do you reconcile the counting based stats with the results? The Legion have now played 32 games this season, and have outshot their opponents in 25 of those (78.1% of the time). Despite that strength on the shot clock, the Legion sit at 18-13-1 with the 9th best points percentage in the VHL.

 

Part of the struggle surely breaks down to schedule. Of the 32 games so far this season, the Legion have played 10 against the top 4 teams in the league (31.2% of the schedule). In those 10 games, the Legion are 5-4-1. They have been outscored 30-24 in those games, and been outshot 392-362. Another 11 of the games have come against the teams ranked 5th to 8th in points in the league (34.4%). In those 11, the Legion are 4-7-0.  They've been outscored 36-31 in those games, while outshooting the teams 435-371. That means that the Legion schedule has added up to 65.6% of it being played against the top half of the league. With that context, being decently above .500 and on the solidly positive side of the shot clock doesn't seem quite as bad. Unfortunately, that doesn't add up to more wins.

 

Looking at what the Legion have left on the schedule for the back half of the season, they're looking at this:

- 9 games against top 4 teams in points

- 8 games against teams that are 5th-8th in points

- 10 games against teams that are 9th-12th in points

- 13 games against teams that are 13th-16th in points

 

While the softer schedule will help in theory, it's clear that the Legion still have steps to take to get into the top group of contenders in the league. Outside help may be needed with the trade deadline coming, and there are always tweaks to make with the lineup and tactics.