Claimed: Ace's Up Their Sleeves

[Spade18 1,308]

The Las Vegas Aces have gotten off to a burning start is Season 56 of the VHLM.  This Article will look at the reasons for their 6-1-1 star, currently good for 2nd place with one less game played.

 

1. Sergei Komarov

 

It has become obvious only 8 games in, that as Komarov goes, the Aces go.  He is tied for the scoring lead in the VHL and is top 3 in every category for the Aces.  Las Vegas has 2 loses so far this season, and in those 2 game, Komorav failed to register a point.  Coincident? I think not.  The team obviously relies on the large Russian center to provide offense, and having already matched his point total from last year, we have no reason to believe Komarov is not up to the task.

 

2. Shawn Brodeur

The Quebec born goalie has had a strong rookie showing in his first 8 games.  The first round pick holds 2nd place in all major goalie stat lines, and despite one or two games with less than stellar GAA, he has been the strong foundation for the Ace's superb start.  Brodeur has been steadily increasing since he joined the Aces, and we can only expect bigger and better things from the goalie as the season progresses.

 

3. GM Tagger

 

The Las Vegas Aces boast the deepest roster in the VHLM.  They ice a team of 20 roster players, a whopping 4 more players than any other VHLM team.  This can be attributed to GM Tagger's aggressive moves,  he has snatched up many UFA players to fill out the roster and is not afraid to pull the trigger on a trade he thinks can improve the teams roster.  Being as active as he is, he is always there to guide and help his players develop their game, strengthening their roster and improving their locker room.  Don't be surprised to see his name in the rumor mill whether it be trade rumors, or end of the season award rumors.

 

 

4. Strong Defensive Core

 

Lead by star defenseman Casey Jones, members of the Las Vegas Aces  defensive core can be found scattered through out the leader board of the VHLM stats page.  Casey Jones, Colton Rayne and Mr. Shakedown make up 3 of the top 5 in shots bolocked.  Thomas Sankara ranks in the top 10 for hits. Jones and Rayne are in the top 10 for plus minus (though Komarov may help with that) and Jones and Mr. Shakedown are in the top 10 for points by defensemen.  The back end of the Aces both shut down and provide points and a well rounded defense is an important part of any championship team.

 

 

5. UFA Production

 

GM Tagger's moves would not look so good if they were not paying dividends.  Free agent pick ups Shelton Kenzie, Matthew Clyne and Kirk Lazarus have all stepped in and produced points in their limited time.  They have mixed in well  and provide an excellent compliment to top point producers like Calder O'Callahan, and Birkir Holm Gudnason.  High skill players are important, but these UFA signings are the guys who grind it out in the corners, and score the over time goals that become history.   

[Beaviss 4,958]

1 hour ago, Spade18 said:

The Las Vegas Aces have gotten off to a burning start is Season 56 of the VHLM.  This Article will look at the reasons for their 6-1-1 star, currently good for 2nd place with one less game played.

 

1. Sergei Komarov

 

It has become obvious only 8 games in, that as Komarov goes, the Aces go.  He is tied for the scoring lead in the VHL and is top 3 in every category for the Aces.  Las Vegas has 2 loses so far this season, and in those 2 game, Komorav failed to register a point.  Coincident? I think not.  The team obviously relies on the large Russian center to provide offense, and having already matched his point total from last year, we have no reason to believe Komarov is not up to the task.

 

2. Shawn Brodeur

The Quebec born goalie has had a strong rookie showing in his first 8 games.  The first round pick holds 2nd place in all major goalie stat lines, and despite one or two games with less than stellar GAA, he has been the strong foundation for the Ace's superb start.  Brodeur has been steadily increasing since he joined the Aces, and we can only expect bigger and better things from the goalie as the season progresses.

 

3. GM Tagger

 

The Las Vegas Aces boast the deepest roster in the VHLM.  They ice a team of 20 roster players, a whopping 4 more players than any other VHLM team.  This can be attributed to GM Tagger's aggressive moves,  he has snatched up many UFA players to fill out the roster and is not afraid to pull the trigger on a trade he thinks can improve the teams roster.  Being as active as he is, he is always there to guide and help his players develop their game, strengthening their roster and improving their locker room.  Don't be surprised to see his name in the rumor mill whether it be trade rumors, or end of the season award rumors.

 

 

4. Strong Defensive Core

 

Lead by star defenseman Casey Jones, members of the Las Vegas Aces  defensive core can be found scattered through out the leader board of the VHLM stats page.  Casey Jones, Colton Rayne and Mr. Shakedown make up 3 of the top 5 in shots bolocked.  Thomas Sankara ranks in the top 10 for hits. Jones and Rayne are in the top 10 for plus minus (though Komarov may help with that) and Jones and Mr. Shakedown are in the top 10 for points by defensemen.  The back end of the Aces both shut down and provide points and a well rounded defense is an important part of any championship team.

 

 

5. UFA Production

 

GM Tagger's moves would not look so good if they were not paying dividends.  Free agent pick ups Shelton Kenzie, Matthew Clyne and Kirk Lazarus have all stepped in and produced points in their limited time.  They have mixed in well  and provide an excellent compliment to top point producers like Calder O'Callahan, and Birkir Holm Gudnason.  High skill players are important, but these UFA signings are the guys who grind it out in the corners, and score the over time goals that become history.   

 

I was literally writing this for Ottawa..... time to start something new.

 

Edited August 15, 2017 by Beaviss

[Sullvino 289]

nice work Spade!

[Beaviss 4,958]

@Spade18

 

would you mind if I also did one of these for the Lynx? 

[Beaviss 4,958]

Review:

Well written with solid formatting and pictures presentation. You also have done a great bit of research looking into ever little stat relevant to this article.

 

Great article 10/10 would read again.

[Spade18 1,308]

8 minutes ago, Beaviss said:

@Spade18

 

would you mind if I also did one of these for the Lynx? 

 

be my guest, i take no issue

[Gudnason 607]

Review: Tagger sure is a reason Vegas is contending once again this year as he nurtured new talent and manages to get steals once again, like Komarov. Getting Gudnason for VHLM Forever is another stud piece of business as well. While we do have a few players heads and shoulders above everyone else, Vegas truly is a team with all its parts chipping in for success.