Peace alongside Crimson and Pajari. [1/2]

[Peace 1,562]

RIGA, LATVIA -- Rylan Peace's ability to be a lethal offensive threat hasn't come easily for him this season, in fact it took a demotion to the second line and removal from the top power-play unit for his offense to start chipping away into the lead Ylonen has developed for the Top Rookie award, an award Rylan Peace publicly stated he was 'gunning for' and that he had no reason 'not to be confident' he couldn't capture the one-time opportunity hardware for a trophy collection he hasn't build yet. Rylan Peace was one of the most offensively balanced players in the minors last season for the Saskatoon Wild during their championship victory, registering fourty six (46) goals and fourty five (45) assists for ninety one (91) points - but there was a problem between him and his linemates, they were all mostly 'shoot first' type of players. When you compare Dahlberg's triple digit campaign, one can wonder what would the Wild's top line production have been if Dabarno or Trepanier were playmakers and not goalscorers naturally like Matthews was for Dahlberg. Dabarno did an excellent job (in our opinions) adjusting his play to be the setup man Peace and Trepanier needed, and we're not saying another player would have been better, this is purely a 'what if' thought and how would the results have looked different.

 

Riga demoted Rylan Peace to the second line after a series of mediocre games by the hockey club, loosing to Seattle 6-3 and then Quebec City 5-4 in an overtime frame. During these specific games Rylan Peace recorded two assists (both in the loss to Quebec City, in which he was the only plus player) a consistent shooting pace, but it wasn't enough for the youngster to stay on the top offensive line for the Riga Reign. Truth be told Cast and Preencarnation were carrying Peace for the majority of his eight games on the top line, however Peace recovered playing alongside Crimson and Pajari. Although not exactly one for one right now, the comparison on who is a better fit for Peace - and Peace for Riga - is unquestionably both Crimson and Pajari over Cast and Preencarnation.

 

On the top line Peace suffers a similar story to the one he experienced with Saskatoon. Cast and Preencarnation are both offensive minded players who want to get the puck into the back of the net. Arguably, that is the ultimate goal for any hockey player, but both of these guys want those goals - the glory and sense of accomplishment behind them. They're not greedy, don't get me wrong, they're just better goalscorers than Peace. Rylan had his opportunities, in fact he took upwards to fourty five shots on the top line before being placed on the second unit. He had his chances, he had his opporunities, and the best he could do was a single goal.

 

By the time he was demoted to the second line, Peace's stat line read 1-4-5 in eight games. After those two defeats mentioned above, it was time to take a chance on some changes and and did those risks ever benefit Peace and the Riga hockey club. Since their adjustments, Riga is undefeated and Peace has scored five goals while adding an assist for an even number of points. Not only that, but the second line is improving as a whole. Higher plus/minus, more scoring opportunities and a chemistry is developing between the three.

 

Peace started - as we've stated - on the top line, and it killed his morale. He was holding the stick too hard, making mistakes he shouldn't have been making, forcing Cast and Preencarnation to pick up his slack in favor of a more talented player in Twinger. Being on the first line was certainly a learning experience, and one Peace needed, and he's happy and blessed to have served as Cast and Preencarnation's left winger for the begining of the season. The spotlight, however, may have been a bit too bright for the developing VHL'er to adapt too.

 

Typically, most would agree that the road less travelled usually reaps the best rewards. Peace was thrust into a situation where the expectations were sky high and made the world know he was confident in his abilities for Riga, but in reality he collapsed under the pressure and his excitement was snuffed out before he could really enjoy the moment of simply being a player in the VHL. He's rebuilding himself on the second line and with the help of all of his teammates, he's doing a pretty good job.

 

In eight games Peace had five points on the top line, or about 0.62 points per game.

In seven games since being relocated to the second line Peace has seven points, exactly a point per game.

 

He's not satisfied now either. His confidence is building once again and he's resumed his persuit of the Top Rookie honours.

[DollarAndADream 3,357]

Review:

Pretty damn good start to your career as a rookie! Not too bad to be able to play with the players you have as well!

You're even doing better than Leph Twinger, who at least in attributes should be doing better! Keep it up!

I hope you continue your great progress.