VHLM Playoff Preview | Philadelphia vs Minnesota

[Rayzor_7 741]

Well, it's that time of the year again. The playoffs are upon us, as eight teams will battle it out for the leagues 66th Founders Cup. Last year, we saw the Minnesota Storm win it all, but it certainly looks like we will have a new champion this year. Let’s take a look at the matchup between the Reapers and the Storm.

 

Philadelphia Reapers vs. Minnesota Storm

Season series: 7-0 Philadelphia

 

Offence

Despite being the best in the league, Philadelphia is not the top scoring offence in the league. They sit in third for GF beating Saskatoon by just 2 goals. While being a strong team, that strength is spread across the team. Philadelphia has one player in the top ten so no real star players, but they have four players in the top twenty-five and eight in the top fifty. John Frostbeard is their closest thing to a star player as he is the 2^nd leading scorer in the league with 48 goals and holds a 13.52 shooting percentage.

Minnesota has a very lacking offence, falling to 9^th in GF behind even the eliminated Las Vegas Aces. They have only two players in the top fifty points. Their top scorer Raphael Nazarians was picked up near the trade deadline and has been their leader ever since. Their next two leaders are both defenceman; Donat Szita and Khalabib Stiopic. Stiopic was picked up at the deadline while Szita is in his third year. Szita is Minnesota’s second-best scorer. Minnesota is lacking any offensive firepower after they move two of their best players to Philadelphia at the deadline.

I don’t expect much out of Minnesota’s offence, but Philadelphia is threatening to light up the scoreboard with the amount of depth they have.

 

Advantage: Philadelphia

 

Defence

As a side effect of having traded away their top defenceman and top forward, Minnesota’s defence has stepped up offensive production. Dona Szita has 19 goals and 56 points this season after managing just 20 last season. Khalabib Stiopic has 40 points this season and newcomer Ricky Johnson has picked up 9 points through 13 games. Minnesota still has regained the ability to lock teams down to a lower score during this time as well. Holding teams to 4 or less in 9/13 of those games.

Philadelphia has a familiar face on it in Boone Jenton, who has managed to bring his +/- back to positive since joining Philadelphia. Jenton is the defensive leader in points as well as the team leader in shots blocked. Philadelphia’s top four of Boone Jenton, Brandon LeBlanc, Edward Vigneault and Kevin Low is the best core in the league without hesitation and will be a tough matchup for even the best of offences. Which is made very clear as they have the least GA with 134 and the next closest is Mexico at 167.

I think its impossible to exaggerate Philadelphia’s dominance in the defensive game this season. Including the big 9 shutouts and numerous one goal allowed games. Philadelphia is the King (or should I say Queen?) of defence this season.

Advantage: Philadelphia

 

Goalies

Surprisingly enough, Minnesota actually has a strong goalie. Wendy Kandee Cain sits tied for 5^th in SV% with a .895 but sits 9^th in GAA with a 3.15. This GAA may be what led Cain to announce her retirement at the end of the season after just two full seasons.

On the other hand, Kolur Bjoernsson looks set to move into the VHL next season. Sitting 2^nd with a .912 SV% and 1^st with a 1.81 GAA, Bjoernsson is without a doubt the best performing goalie in the league right now. Two shutouts and just 10 goals against in the 9-game win streak proves just how hot Bjoernsson is headed into his first ever playoffs.

Advantage: Philadelphia

 

Overall

Philadelphia is coming in to the playoffs on a 9-game win streak. Minnesota is coming in on a 3-game win streak including a blanking of Mississauga. But this series is a no contest, Philadelphia has won all 7 of their games against Minnesota. The last four games have all been within 3 goals as well as a 2-1 finish. That being the case, I expect Philadelphia will be taking this series with haste.

 

 

Prediction: Philadelphia Sweep

 

 

Other series previews:

21st vs Marlins

Lynx vs Hounds

Wild vs Kings

 

Edited June 19, 2019 by Rayzor_7

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

Lack of 3rd line D love