The Legion are the Hottest Team in the VHL

[der meister 3,296]

The Toronto Legion, after half of a season of meandering in the middle of the pack, are suddenly the hottest team in the VHL. Riding a 9 game winning streak, Toronto has given themselves a 3 point cushion over the New York Americans and a 5 point lead over the Seattle Bears, with just 10 games left in the regular season. The offense has started to heat up and has put up 22 goals in their past 4 games, including hanging 7 on the Calgary Wranglers, who are 3 points ahead in the standings. Likewise, the defensive play has finally clicked, and the last time the Legion have surrendered more than 3 goals was the game before the winning streak started, against the Chicago Phoenix. Perhaps that loss to Chicago, who is 6th in the North American standings, acted as a wakeup call to the squad as they realized their postseason dreams were in jeopardy.

 

The fans are into the Legion right now

 

One player who hasn't really seen an improvement during the winning streak is winger Konstyantyn Shevchenko. Sporting the second-worst shooting percentage amongst forwards on the Legion, Shevchenko just recently eclipsed the 20 goal mark and is 8th in scoring among skaters, ahead of only defenseman Walter Fitzroy Jr and soon-to-be-retired center Mikko Borisyuk. Once again, and I feel like I mention this frequently, he doesn't seem particularly engaged this season. His physical play is way down, registering just 71 hits to this point compared to last season's 235 total. Defensively he's on pace to match his blocked shot total of 29 from last season with the D.C. Dragons, and his shots per game is only slightly down, from 5.41 to 5.19. Yet it just hasn't clicked for Shevchenko this year, and one has to wonder why.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, the team's veteran leadership in Harry Callahan and Diego Machado have been on fire, with Callahan on pace to set a new personal best for points. With 96 points and 176 hits, he is clearly the team's MVP. Callahan's 96 points are also the best in the VHL, two points ahead of Maverick Gonclaves of the Moscow Menace. Diego Machado is second on the team with 78 points and while being a step behind Callahan, has also been critical to the team's success this season. Looking at these players' draft pedigrees, it might be surprising to recall that Callahan was drafted 17th overall and Machado 34th overall. As a pair of lifelong Legion players, one can only imagine their desire to repeat their S91 success in winning a Continental Cup on their way out the door.

 

Old men celebrating on ice before they're brought to a farm up-state

 

The Legion's third-ranked scorer is defenseman Andrew Skilton, a 6'6" smooth-skating two-way playmaker. Skilton is having a career year with 67 points, setting highs in goals, plus/minus, and game-winning goals. He's almost guaranteed to set a new career high in assists, as well, as he is just 2 shy of matching his previous best. 

 

And I would be remiss to not mention the goaltending duo of Dalkr Vidarsson and Toddly Bobbly. Vidarsson's 32-18-4 record with a 0.927 save percentage and a 2.46 goals against average are keeping him right up there with the league's best, like Jorgen Lovestrom of Malmo and Soju in Vancouver, while Bobbly is 8-0-0 with a 0.925 save percentage and 1.65 goals against. The pair seem to have a good working relationship and encourage each other to be as best as they can be. Vidarsson, who was acquired from the Vancouver Wolves two seasons ago, has proven to be an effective and steady netminder for the Legion.

 

From a personal perspective, perhaps the best I can hope for this season is Shevchenko wakes up in the post season. Fingers crossed.