Claimed:Pleasantly Surprised [Reviewed]

[Daniel 565]

Dadonov; rookie all star!

 

HELSINKI AT THE ALL STAR GAME

 

ASG doubles week media spot 

 

As is the case with pretty much all of the VHL's European Conference, the Helsinki Titans have not been having much fun this season. With their star prospects in Thor Odinsson and Shayne Gow being shielded from the sorry state of a rebuilding team and being allowed to play their game in the minors, the team largely consists of old and/or ineffective free agent signings to make up the roster numbers and help the team be cap compliant. There does remain however one familiar name from the dynasty built under previous GM William Shaw in Theo Matsikas. Matsikas is a true Titan and a mainstay of the Titans franchise, staying loyal to the team through their painful but hopefully brief rebuilding period and leading the team in points while doing it.

 

On the other end of the scale, young goaltender Dmitri Dadonov has emerged as a bright spark in the team's largely dark season. The rookie goalie finds himself among the league's top 3 goaltenders when it comes to save percentage, despite being in the top 2 for shots faced. Dadonov has quite simply played out of his skin, and although it's not been enough to get Helsinki any kind of winning record (which would kind of go against the point of tanking anyway), his efforts have not gone unnoticed, and a call up to the S49 VHL All Star Game has followed. A true honor for a player on a team going through such a tough season, Dadonov is the only rookie to be called up to the game, and the fact that he was part of the core group of 4 goalies chosen by the league before fan voting opened makes it even more humbling. The efforts that Dmitri has put forward so far this season are hopefully a real indication of the way things should go for the Titans as their young core advances and joins the team next season.

 

Matsikas; a true Titan!

 

On a related note, I believe it would also be incredibly fitting to see Matsikas called up to the All Star Game. Not considered in the initial crop of defensemen put forward to the game, the chance still remains for Theo to participate through the advent of the fan vote for the final two spots in the game. While he isn't the best statistically of the options available for defensemen in the fan vote, I think the fact that he leads the team in points, has put up solid numbers on a team that is quite frankly god awful, and shown great character by being so willing to stick things out during lean seasons is more than deserving of selection in the game. He and his agent may not be the most overly vocal members of the community but Matsikas always makes an effort to contribute to the team's locker room environment, which when we're so light on bodies is something that really goes a long way. I know everyone has a guy on their team they probably want to see get the nod but if you're undecided who to go with for your second option, consider giving a hand to a loyal and perennially underrated franchise stalwart. 

Edited June 15, 2016 by Daniel

[Phil 5,129]

Dado gonna be a definite Go-Go

[Kesler 1,514]

Claimed

[FacePuncher 1,343]

Review:

great work, Dadonov has definitely been incredible this year, and the frontrunner for rookie of the year! Matsikas is also a real cool guy, enjoyed having him on Team Mercs this year! Good luck moving forward.

 

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