Claimed: Breaking Down the Saskatoon/Oslo Matchup

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Inside Oslo/Saskatoon: The Other VHLM Semifinal

 

Last week, I wrote on whether the Oslo Storm can break out of their 22 season funk and actually win a Founder’s Cup. I still think it’s possible—but it’s not only the Las Vegas Aces standing in their way. The semi-finals loom first, and there, the Oslo Storm will face the Saskatoon Wild.

 

The Storm and the Wild are two teams with similar records, but that were built completely different ways. Many of Oslo’s top players were acquired via the draft - with Verner Reinholdt and Lyle Smallwood going fourth and sixth overall – and free agency, with Our Lady of Perpetual Motion giving the team a starting goalie. Saskatoon, meanwhile, leaned much more heavily on the waiver wire, with top performers Jake Scheel, Daring Do and Gabriel McAllister only joining fifth overall pick Bo Boeser midseason.

 

The match-up promises to be a close one, particularly as it matches strength against strength: Saskatoon’s offense against Oslo’s defense.

 

The Offensive Breakdown

Advantage: Saskatoon

 

In terms of pure talent, it would seem that Oslo should have the big edge here. After all, Verner Reinholdt is one of the most talented playmakers in the entire VHLM, and on a first line with two players right around the 100 TPE mark in Forsberg and Laflamme, it would seem that Oslo certainly has a first line that could compete with any other in the league. But herein lies the problem: Who’s actually going to put the puck in the net? Nobody on the team has above 70 Scoring; Reinholdt led the team with 32 goals in 72 games, but he’s much more adept at passing.

 

Putting the puck in the net is not something that Saskatoon struggles with, though. Bo Boeser finished the regular season with 57 goals, tied for second in the entire VHLM, while second line forward Carlo Capitulo finished with 36 (seventh, and more than anyone on Oslo). Gabriel McAllister, with 13 goals in 17 games, adds another scoring threat from late in the season, and burgeoning defensive center Jake Scheel should be able to get them the puck with ease. It’s no wonder Saskatoon had 16 more goals over the course of the season.

 

On the Defensive Side

Advantage: Oslo

 

It’s clear, though, that Saskatoon does not have nearly the defensive firepower that the Storm do. The Wild currently roster only two defensemen, neither of whom have put in any work in the practice facility: Ryan Hamilton and Trazan Apansson. Hamilton managed a measly 16 points in 55 games this year, and while Apansson finished third on the team in points with 63 (including 19 goals), the production seems to be luck as much as anything.

 

Oslo, meanwhile, has real talent on the blue line, led by the aforementioned Smallwood leading the blue line. Smallwood’s 51 assists led Oslo this season and were good for seventh in the VHL, while his 74 points led all non-Vegas defensemen. He pairs with Christian McKenzie, a real bruiser who finished third in the VHLM in hits (237) and fifth in shots blocked (116). And unlike Saskatoon, Oslo has a second line, consisting of enigmatic new signees in Aackckqz Ky and Mr. Shakedown.

 

Between the Pipes

Advantage: Saskatoon

 

This one is near a toss-up, but it ultimately depends what you want in your goalie: a well-rounded play style or a couple highly-specific sets of skills. Chet Manley of Saskatoon is the former; he’s not particularly good at any one thing, but over his time in the VHLM he’s worked at least a bit in every single skill you’d want in a VHLM goaltender. The stats reflect this overall balanced play, as his .900 save percentage is good for second in the VHLM, only behind Vegas’s von Axelberry.

 

Oslo’s Our Lady of Perpetual Motion, meanwhile, finished dead last in the VHLM with an .880 save percentage, and that might be due to only having a particular set of skills. She’s the best in the entire league at rebound control, sitting at an 83 in that attribute, and she’s worked a bit on her agility and stick handling as well. But when it comes to every other attribute? Nada. And ultimately, what good is rebound control when you’re always letting in the first shot?

 

Final Prediction: Saskatoon in 6