Analyzing the Wild vs Halifax semi-finals: Comebacks for everyone

[Eudaldkp 160]

Graphic by Thranduil

 

 

Anyone who is following the VHLM playoffs knows that this semi-finals were crazy and very entertaining. The Wild were the favourites coming into this one as the 2nd (almost 1st) seed against the Halifax that, while they were the 3rd seed didn't seem as strong as the Wild. But as the series started to play, things got interesting. Let's analyze the games one by one.

 

 

Game 1

The first of the home games for the Wild and probably the craziest one of the series.

The Wild come out very strong in the first period although it is the Halifax that get the upperhand first, but the period ends 5-1 in favour of the Wild benefiting twice from the PP, with two goals from each Trepanier and Gebauer and a goal from Gary.

In period 2, the Wild outshoot the 21^st by 12 to 5, but the Halifax manage to come out on top scoring 3 goals after 2 goals from Saskatoon. Score is now 7-4 in what has become a very rough games for both goalies and Saskatoon looks to hold on to that lead.

The third period comes and the 21^st take opportunity in the first two powerplays and score with 4 minutes to go to tie the game at 7-7. The Wild have seen their 7-1 lead banish in less than two periods.

OT comes and it doesn’t last very long as Zajaczkowski scores his 4^th of the game, robbing the Wild of their first win in the series.

 

Game 2

After a very first rough game Brick Wahl looks to be still in a good place mentally and with the help of his defense he lets in 0 goals in 5 shots. Saskatoon heavily outshoot the 21^st with 17 shots and score two goals.

In the second and third period the same tendency follows, the Wild hold the Halifax to less than 5 shots in each period and score a goal in each one too, securing game 2 at home and tying up the series after a very very rough start.

 

Game 3

The Wild are off to a good start again as they’ve been to in their first 3 games and manage to outscore the 21^st2-1 in the first period. The shots were pretty equal in what looks to be a very tough game offensively as the defense tightens up.

The second period goes similarly as the first one and the Wild outscore again the Halifax to put themselves up 4-2 in the scoreboard.

But in the third period the Halifax offense awakens and Saskatoon sees as the nightmare from game 1 repeats itself. The 21^st outscore the Wild 4 to 1 taking game 3 at home and putting themselves up ­3-1 in the series.

 

Game 4

It starts with both offenses heating up, the Wild put up 2 goals in 20 shots and the Halifax respond with 2 of their own in 11 shots, again outshot by Saskatoon in what seems to be a repeating tendency, but their goalie Wahl isn’t playing up to his standards.

Second period comes and it looks like both coaches told their teams to increase their effort in the defensive zone as both teams see their shots cut by half. However, Halifax still manages to put one past Brick in what looks to be a very tough game again for the Saskatoon goaltender.

The third period starts and the Wild are looking to at least tie up the game to send it to OT but the 21^st defense does a good job and holds Saskatoon at 11 shots again with no luck against Smith who is stopping everything that gets thrown at him. Finally the Halifax close out the game scoring an empty netter and securing a 3-1 lead in what looks like a done deal for them.

 

Game 5

The Wild head into the game knowing that they can’t afford to lose any more games or else they will be out and on holidays. Even though they get outshot by the 21^st, the Wild’s offense manages to put four past Smith while Brick only let’s two in, putting them up 4-2.

The second period starts badly for Saskatoon, getting scored 20 seconds in and three minutes later Madden snipes it past Brick tying up the game at 4-4.

The Wild, who gave up another lead yet again, are seeing their playoff chances compromised but the third period ends scoreless and the game heads to overtime.

Moose from the Halifax takes a minor and the Trepanier capitalizes on the opportunity. The Wild will head to Halifax down 3-2 for a game 6.

 

Game 6

Saskatoon knows that they have to win at the road to keep their playoff chances alive and less than 20 seconds in, Jerwa scores his first one in the playoffs and Edvin scores another one later in the period. Things are looking up for the Wild but we all know that against Halifax in this series no lead is safe.

In the second period it looks like the home team isn’t able to put anything together on the offensive end as they can’t take opportunity on three powerplays, meanwhile Saskatoon takes advantage of the 21^st lack of scoring and increases their lead to 3-0 with a Edvin’s second goal.

The Wild start off the period with a goal in the powerplay, but Davidson from the 21^st responds seconds later and puts some pressure on Saskatoon. The Wild play like they haven’t had any leads vaporize in the previous 5 games and close out the game scoring three more goals, crushing the Halifax at home in what are now a tied series at 3-3. The Wild though have the upper hand as they have won the last two games and play at home.

 

Game 7

Saskatoon’s stadium is raging and packed with fans who have gone from thinking they were out of the playoffs to fans who are now convinced that they are taking game 7 and are cheering like they are already in the finals.

Halifax on the other hand is looking deflated and the Wild take advantage of their momentum and score the first two of the game and later on in the second period they score three more.

Even though Saskatoon is up 5-0 fans are still pretty nervous and have game 1 in the back of their heads as Wilson scores the first one for the 21^st, but they end up falling short with 13 shots in the period and manage to score no other goals as Halifax sees their 3-1 series lead evaporate and are now out of the playoffs.

 

 

It was one of the best series in recent memory and the Halifax put up a hell of a fight being the underdogs but they fell short and the Saskatoon talent showed up and more importantly, Wahl showed up posting great games 6 at 7 coming in clutch for the Wild who had never lost their faith on him.

 

Saskatoon is now heading to the finals against the underdogs of the playoffs, the Lynx, as both teams come out of a 7game series they’re equally worn out and it is going to be for sure a fun series.

 

[Eudaldkp 160]

Fuck I forgot I had this article with 1k words and just did another for this week lmao. Anyways, claiming this one