WC S46 - Week One Review

[Tagger 2,722]

Best Game Of The Week

GAME TWO - TEAM WESTERN EUROPE (3) - TEAM SCANDINAVIA (4) - SO

 

These two teams started their World Cup campaigns both heavily favoured to have a shot at the World Cup Gold Medal and the first encounter between the two did not disappoint. It took just thirty one seconds for the deadlock to be broken, as Tim TebowGow converted following a missed shot by Oskars Harumpf after an early penalty committed by Christoph Klose gave Scandinavia a one man advantage. Helsinki Titans winger Wolfgang Strauss leveled the scoring four minutes later, but Team Scandinavia were once again able to take advantage of the power play, with Simon Valmount giving them the lead just one minute after losing it after Kurtis Hunter was sent to the penalty box for tripping. Team Scandinavia took a 2-1 lead going into the second period, and looked to quickly make that 3-1, giving Hans Wingate two shots to deal with in just the first ten seconds, however it was to be third time lucky for Team Scandinavia as Max Molholt was able to send the sirens off just 18 seconds into the second quarter to give his team the 3-1 lead. Western Europe were able to take advantage of the power play themselves this time, as Severin Von Karma deflected a Christoph Klose shot past Bernie Gow to bring his team within one after Simon Valmount was penalised for hooking. The third period started exactly how the previous two did, with a quick goal less than a minute in, but this time it was Bismarck Koenig for Team Western Europe slotting the puck home after having his first two shots of the period blocked by Aleksi Koponen and Golden Jedtsson. While Bernie Gow was unquestionably the more tested goalie in the third period, as Wingate only had to deal with one shot, but the scores remained level as we headed into OT. Scandinavian fans were fearing the worst after Golden Jedtsson committed a holding penalty early in the period, but luckily for them Team Western Europe were unable to get a shot off during that time. The game finally came to a penalty shoot-out; both of the first takers failed to score after Bismarck Koenig had his shot saved by Gow while Simon Valmount missed the net. Christoph Klose also missed the net but Molholt scored, leaving it up to E'Twaun Delicious to save the game, however his shot was also wide, giving Team Scandinavia a hard-fought victory. 

 

Team of the Week

CENTER - BISMARCK KOENIG

 

The first ever recipient of the World Cup Most Valuable Player Award started off his campaign in terrific fashion, scoring three goals and supplying his teammates with two assists. While his team were unable to beat Team Scandinavia in their opening game, he still received the first star for that game for his equalizing goal in the third period and an earlier assist, and picked up his second first star in just two games after a two goal/one assist performance against Team Canada. 

 

LEFT WING - WOLFGANG STRAUSS

 

While Koenig has undoubtedly been a key performer for Team Western Europe, he can't be on the ice all of the time, which is where Wolfgang Strauss comes in. Playing on the second line for his team, Strauss has been not only a good scorer in terms of the amount of goals he's scored, but in how efficiently he's shot the puck. Despite only having nine shots, he's scored three goals so far this tournament, 

 

RIGHT WING - MAX MOLHOLT

 

I was considering Jerrick Poole in this spot considering his terrific two-way performance to this point, but that would leave Team Scandinavia without a representative (despite the fact they beat the reigning champions) and we'll be rewarding Team USA later on in this article. Molholt scored the team's third and final goal in regulation against Team Western Europe before scoring the winning penalty shot. 

 

DEFENSE - MASON RICHARDSON

 

Many expect Richardson to take home the Labatte Award this season and these performances he's given to kick off the tournament will only validate why he deserves it. Richardson only contributed one assist in Team USA's 4-2 win over Canada, but he was a pivotal part of the 2-0 victory over Team Mercenaries, providing assists for both of the goals.

 

DEFENSE - THADDEUS HUMBERT

 

Where did that performance come from? After barely playing any part in his team's loss to Team Scandinavia, Humbert became a dominant creative force against Team Canada, providing four final assists on the way to a 6-1 drubbing. 

 

GOALIE - SANDRO CLEGANE

 

While Callum Sinclair gave the better performance statistically, I'm giving the nod to the less experienced of the Clegane family considering his performances against the talent he was up against. Despite being faced with three of the top six TPA forwards in the VHL, Clegane was able to limit Team World to just one goal (a power play goal at that) to lead Team Mercenaries to a surprise 2-1 victory.  

[Devise 4,475]

These are great features YEAH! If there ever was an argument to instate a permanent World Cup Commissioner, you make that argument very well with how you've run this thing.

 

And I'm not just saying this since your my GM, someone I consider a friend, and an awesome member. Everyone knows these features are very cool, and help keep the World Cup in focus during the off-season.  

 

 

Edited December 31, 2015 by Mr. Power

[BOOM 8,745]

I agree. A very strong case is presented for YEAH(if he so desires) to be permanent commish, after the quality and commitment shown so far. I'm far more interested in this WC and it's largely due to these updated/previews etc.

 

Great work.