Claimed: Stockholm Vikings: Leading the Way

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STOCKHOLM VIKINGS: LEADING THE WAY

 

The Stockholm Vikings are the league's best team at the moment with a 32-2-2 record this season.  They are still unbeaten at home this season in regulation, with a 17-0-1 record and have also been tremendous on the road with a league's best 15-2-1 as visitors.  This isn't necessarily surprising, but they generally were not considered the favorites to win the Victory Cup this season.  They likely were the favorites in the European Conference with the Titans being a close second, but thus far Stockholm has really had little trouble pulling away from their Finnish counterpart.  So why have the Vikings had such a tremendous start? This article will look at the three reasons that have led to their excellent start to the season.

 

Top Line: Maximoff-Wolf-Kohler

The top line of the Stockholm Vikings has been terrific this season.  Pietro Maximoff, Sven Wolf and Tyson Kohler have combined for 71 goals, 92 assists and 163 points.  They have led the charge as the Vikings offense has been solid in their campaign to be the league's best team.  The second line, for comparison, have combined for just 33 goals, 42 assists and 75 points.  It is no question who has been driving the Vikings offense this year and if they can keep it up, they may be tough to stop come playoff time.  The line is well balanced with Sven Wolf bringing both the playmaking and the physicality, and both Maximoff and Kohler being the trigger men.  There is a chance they could see some time apart though with GM Miller recently saying: "We need more from our second line and perhaps we may shuffle things around to try and get guys like Xander and Brock going."  One suggestion: When your team is 32-2-2, be careful of what you change.

 

Powerplay - 25.66%

The Stockholm Vikings have the league's best powerplay with an incredible 25.66%.  There are currently only two teams in the twenties, with the Toronto Legion miraculously being the other squad.  This could be a game changer come playoff time with the Vikings being on another level when up a man.  The top line has definitely led the way with the man advantage, but as has Lee King Snatch and the rest of the supporting cast as they have six players with at least eight points with the man advantage.  One anonymous team official of a rival team had this to say on their dominance a man up: "We have certainly been frustrated as it seems they definitely get their share of calls at home, but sometimes you just need to learn to be more disciplined.  They are scary when up a man and you can't let them even come close to getting in that situation."

 

Rhett DeGrath

The Aidan Shaw Trophy race is absolutely ridiculous this season.  Apollo Skye, Astrid Moon, Jakab Holik, Marcus King, Jacob and Rhett DeGrath are all within five points of each other in save percentage, with DeGrath having an absolutely blistering .928 save percentage to go along with a league best 1.45 GAA.  He also leads the league in wins and is second in shutouts with ten, four back of Jakab Holik who had one of the hottest starts in Victory Hockey League history.  This has easily been the first breakout season for DeGrath and this could be an excellent sign for a team who was really only missing excellent play from their young, promising goaltender.  If DeGrath can keep it up, the Vikings are a team to watch out for and are a threat.  If he falters, I like the Titans, Meute and Americans chances against the Swedish superpower.  

 

** For last week.  Will approved this given my week I've had.

Edited April 28, 2017 by Advantage