Playoff MVP - Ryuu

[SlapshotWrangler 864]

The Awards Ceremony just happened. And the unexpected just happened. When it was time for the Daisuke Kanou Trophy to be handed out, nobody knew who it was gonna be. There were so many nominees. Then it was announced that there were two people who won the Daisuke Kanou Trophy for Playoff MVP. The first was goalie Norris Stopko of the Calgary Wranglers, who lost the Continental Cup to the Riga Reign. Then, the second person's name was read aloud. The name that was announced surprised the Hockey World. Rookie Ryuu Crimson won the award alongside Stopko. Now, we checked, and other than the inaugural season, Ryuu is the first Rookie to ever win the Daisuke Kanou, or so we think. Crimson flew in to win the Kanou with 6 goals and 7 assists making 13 points. The Young Left Winger had a slow start to the Regular Season but ended up getting a 20 goal season. It was unsure if he was worth a 9th overall pick. The turning point happened during the Quebec vs Riga series in the playoffs. It was the 4th game, the Reign winning the season 2-1. Ryuu was average at that point. But then suddenly he exploded. He scored his first Hat Trick and his 3 goals were the only goals Riga got that game. Those 3 goals also won the game, the last being the Overtime Winner. The Reign won 3-2. That game will probably be the most important and special game of his Career. 

 

Then there was the Riga vs Calgary series for the cup. He wasn't as prominent but he still helped. Riga won 3 in a row, all 1 goal games, then Calgary won 2 in a row with scores of 2-1 and 6-1. Riga won the series though, with a close 4-3 win. Ryuu had finally won a championship after many close calls. Everyone thought he was a good candidate for the Kanou but there were so much other players that were just as successful, like his teammate Edwin Preencarnacion, as well as Stopko (who won alongside Ryuu), Keaton Louth, and Mats Johnsson who led in Playoff Points with 16 points.

Everyone would wait to find out. After a few weeks of waiting passed, it was finally time to find out. And of course, Ryuu's name was read out.

"It was just...I can't even describe it in words. When they gave me the trophy, it was amazing. Arguably the best moment of my career so far, other than lifting the Continental Cup. I'm so happy and proud that we won the cup. We all worked hard for it."

 

When asked about next season, he said, "I don't really know. Anything can happen. For example, 2 years ago, when I was with the Wild, we were the worst team in the VHLM, and in my last season with them, we were still bottom feeders. But in 1 season they went from one of the worst, to the Founder's Cup Champions. I don't think about next season though, I prefer to just gotta live in the moment."

 

Live in the moment, Ryuu, live in the moment.