Claimed: Mid-Season Awards

[scoop 3,447]

Mid-Season Awards

We're just beyond the mid-way point in the season and races are heating up - well, at the top they are, anyway. Nine points separate first (Helsinki) and fourth (New York) place overall, and top spot in each conference is held by a lead five or fewer points. Davos and Calgary are pretty well set at third in their respective conference, and the battle for last place has three teams within a range of seven points.

 

That's how the team standings are shaping up, but how about the individuals? I'm going to be giving some recognition to those top players with some mid-season awards. Keep in mind these are not predictions or thoughts on who will end up winning; they are based solely on the games that have been played without taking too in depth of a look at everything.

 

Most Valuable Player

Jacob

@Higgins

 

By the same line of thinking that made Apollo Skye the MVP in S53, Jacob is arguably the mid-season winner this season. With a 0.930 save percentage, he's among the leading goalies in at least that statistic. He isn't completely without help, as Travis Gowecny and Marc-Alexander LeBlanc are both over a point-per-game, but Jacob is the clear stand-out on the team. The Wranglers are solidly in a playoff position, with more distance separating them from fourth place than first place in the conference. They aren't an awful team, thanks in large part to Jacob's performance this season.

 

Honorable mentions: Unassisted (NYA), Diana Maxwell (NYA)

 

Top Defenseman

Roman Sokolov

@Beketov

 

This is always one of the hardest decisions to make. I ultimately settled on Roman Sokolov, who had more goals, points, and shots blocked than the other top candidates (and just one fewer hit than Bobby Digital). Considering all that, it's more clear-cut than usual. Sokolov is one of the leaders on this young Toronto team that has won some games that you wouldn't expect them to. If he can prove this isn't just a fluke, the future of the Legion will be looking bright.

 

Honorable mentions: Bobby Digital (NYA), Fabio Jokinen (QUE)

 

Top Two-Way Forward

Fook Yu

@tfong

 

Noticing a trend? The young bucks are taking over; Jacob, Sokolov, and Fook Yu are all second year players. Yu leads the league in hits with 219, and his 47 points are certainly enough. We knew coming into the season that he had a good physical presence on the ice, but his offensive game was still in question. It would seem that he's proving himself, and I expect him to be a candidate for this award for years to come.

 

Honorable mentions: n/a

 

Top Goalie

Astrid Moon

@The Trollfecta

 

In recent seasons, we've seen the single-season GAA record climb down further and further, with Rhett DeGrath's 1.33 mark from last season setting the newest low. Currently, Astrid Moon is on pace to break at, sitting at 1.22 for now. In addition to his healthy lead in GAA, he is tied at the top with a 0.931 save percentage and leads the league with 13 shutouts. He is even a perfect 7/7 in penalty shots. By just about every measure, Astrid Moon has the best numbers thus far.

 

Honorable mentions: Rhett DeGrath (STO), Jacob (CGY)

[scoop 3,447]

for MAXWELL

[Da Trifecta 1,902]

Great write up @Strtlght

[Higgins 3,618]

Could you imagine!

[Da Trifecta 1,902]

4 hours ago, Higgins said:

Could you imagine!

 

Certainly would have my vote (if possible)

[eaglesfan036 4,605]

@Higgins is a beast, it's a shame the process is taking a while

[STZ 5,389]

lol didn't even know DeGrath set a record last season for GAA