VHL Notebook #3: Curses

[LucyXpher 1,653]

So here's the way I see it, no matter what happens in the regular season, Malmo should expect to be "cursed" in the playoffs.  Despite making the playoffs every season of his tenure, Malmo has failed to win a first round series since S87-- an incredibly unfortunate and unflattering stat for a team that deserved much better under @KaleebtheMighty as GM.  Despite a regular season record of 483-297-84 in 864 games as the team's GM, Kaleeb's playoff record of 17-32 was oddly mismatched.  In no way do I think this lack of playoff success says anything about his excellence as a GM.  As I'm learning first hand this season, Malmo has had an incredible group of players-- probably the best players the team has ever had-- and I've been lucky enough to inherit some of them for one last real shot at the Continental Cup before we lose a few to retirement this offseason and we begin to look to the future.  To call this season cup or bust is probably accurate, but if curses can't be broken, any dream of a cup is pure fantasy.

 

Thankfully, I'm not a superstitious person-- only a little stitious (I know, very original).  In my opinion, the "Kaleeb Curse", as some have called it, is nothing but bad luck and unfortunate matchups.  I don't think it has anything to do with Malmo as a franchise or Kaleeb as a GM.  It's possible that there is something about the collection of builds that Malmo's had that doesn't lend itself to the playoffs, but I can't imagine what it is and I've seen teams win with much worse.  No, it's pure Simon silliness-become-superstition and I don't buy it.  But whether or not I believe in it, the stat remains: Malmo hasn't won a playoff series in quite some time and will be called "cursed" until we do.  It should be noted, however, that during this run of first round exits, Malmo also won consecutive Victory Cups in S92 and S93. While I think the first round curse is nothing but fiction, there might be something behind the Victory Cup curse.

 

Whether it's Simon coding STHS to penalize the #1 seed with some President's Trophy type disadvantage, or it's a matter of the top team having to play the morale-boosted victors of the wildcard round as some have suggested, the curse seems a little more real.  But if we're cursed anyway, why not bring on another?

 

Safe to say, with 8 games left to play and trailing Moscow in 1st by only 1 point with a game in hand, Malmo is absolutely pushing for the Victory Cup this season-- curse be damned.  If we're cursed to fail in the first round anyway, we might as well claim some hardware for our regular season and take our chances.  In all seriousness, as much as the Victory Cup curse might have some explanation, self-sabotage is not something I'm fond of, and I'm more than confident that we have a team capable of going all the way.  Of course, anything can happen, but we currently have 7 of our 10 skaters who will finish the season over a point-per-game (5 forwards and 2 defenders), we have the highest goal differential in the VHL by a margin of +16 over the next best team, and we have the top performing goaltender in the VHL in Jorgen Lovstrom @Pifferfish.  Yep, I like our chances and I wouldn't swap our team for any other.  Maybe this is inviting fate, but if we can't win a playoff round this season, it won't be for lack of quality. I like our chances, but chances are just that-- chances, not guarantees.  I'm not a big fan of Monopoly-- draw a chance card: go straight to jail without collecting GO.  I feel like I draw this card disproportionately often. 

Dear Simon, if you can hear me, as much as I love to hate you and curse you for your sims, please know that deep down I'm a big fan.  I mean, STHS isn't perfect, but it's pretty cool... okay, it's alright, I guess... Look, the point is, you don't have to make Malmo choke in the first round this season-- even if we win the Victory Cup.  You don't have to curse us, it's okay to be vulnerable and love!  I hang onto your STHS Forum nuggets like gospel, Simon, I trust in you!  Please repay that trust with a sign of your beneficence.  And if it be your desire, please let Halifax finally win a Founder's Cup, I know the players there would be really happy about that.  Amen?  Do I say amen? I don't know honestly, the praying thing is kinda foreign to me.

 

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Edited yesterday at 07:47 PM by LucyXpher

[Gaikoku-hito 2,186]

I am scared to say this since I am superstitious person since STHS has made me this way but I am fore telling that who every finishes with the Victory Cup will be bounced in the first round and Vancouver since we are defending Champs and likely NA conference Champs will also be bounced in the first round as per our previous experiences so I too will pray to STHS gods with you and for Malmo; and Halifax as long as you return the favor!!

 

And I have the same experience with Monopoly as I just played a few nights before with my kids and I couldn`t get pass go to Jail as I landed on it every single time. The Kids loved it but I almost flipped the board but since I am suppose to be a role model I held my urge!! Dumb game!! LOL!!