Wild-ly Inconsistent [1/2]

[Dangles13 373]

 

The Saskatoon Wild are not off to the best season. Currently, the Wild are doing all they can to stave off Ottawa as they try to avoid ending up in the basement. The Wild are actually not allowing too many goals to go in their own net considering how often they play without the puck. Sure, Saskatoon is allowing the second worst goals per game, allowing three goals to be scored each game but the fact of the matter is that they are top in terms of shot suppression. The Wild are allowing only 24.69 shots against and the Lynx, who they are chasing, are allowing 23.50. If the Wild are playing somewhat average defence then why are they so far back from the top teams in the league? Look no further than their paltry 17.69 shots per game; this mark is considerably lower than even the next place team, the Ottawa Lynx.

 

Why is it then that the Wild don't know how to generate offence? Is that the team is just lacking quality players? According to the latest roster download for 2K's VHL game, the Wild are the third best team overall while boasting the three best players in the league with McDragon, Axelsson and Dragomir. How does a team with the top three players manage to not score? I am going to throw out a term that is hated by stat nerds the world round; chemistry.

 

The Wild are a team that if fluctuating rather... wildly. Saskatoon loaded up recently for a big cup push and now are in the process of restocking the cupboards. Many players on the team have simply not played together for long and some are even learning new positions on the fly. Adversity such as this can certainly affect a players confidence and ease on the ice. I would like to take a look at the lines that Saskatoon currently sends over the boards.

 

Line 1
Otto Axelsson - Veran Dragomir - Patrick Triscuit 

 

 

The Wild's top line features the two best forwards in the league according to 2K's last roster release and should be driving offence. The smooth skating Swede, Axelsson, and the Romanian sniper, Dragomir should be making sweet magic on the ice but it hasn't been the case so far. Recently, Saskatoon's coach threw young winger, Patrick Triscuit, on the line to add some energy and early returns seem to be working. The line has recently seen itself climb into the positive side of the +/- stat while also helping the team to get some wins.

 

Line 2
Josh Stronk - Paul DiMirio Jr - Veikko Bjornberg 

 

 

Anchoring the second line is hulking centre Josh Stronk who is a much better skater than you might expect. Stronk creates a lot of space for his line-mates, especially Bjornberg who is leading the team in scoring. The Wild are very luck to have Josh fall into their lap and despite him only playing 5 games the returns have been huge. Bjornberg and DiMirio should develop into the top line for this team in short time.

 

Saskatoon hopes that recent additions will push this team in the right direction, if not now then certainly in the future. The Wild could become sellers which would see a lot of young players thrust into bigger roles but I think that they can handle the rigours of pro hockey. Next week we may look at the defensive side of Saskatoon and see if we can find any positives or room for improvements. 

 

NOTE: Stats are from the old index. 

Edited March 10, 2018 by Dangles13

[Banackock 8,143]

Etyyy baby! Gj gj. 

[Beerfridge 48]

2 hours ago, Dangles13 said:

Anchoring the second line is hulking centre Josh Stronk who is a much better skater than you might expect. Stronk creates a lot of space for his line-mates, especially Bjornberg who is leading the team in scoring. The Wild are very luck to have Josh fall into their lap and despite him only playing 5 games the returns have been huge.

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[HellBillyXIII 61]

Review: this is an awesome media spot! Love the formatting, pics and topic. Obviously spent some time on it. Well done!