European Domination

[Quik 4,113]

Europe dominating the standings

 

When the VHL announced at the S67 Trade Deadline that it would expand by two teams, and then later that it would return to two conferences, many predicted that the European Conference would easily be the stronger of the two. The Helsinki Titans and Riga Reign have been perennial contenders for at least the past 4 seasons, the Moscow Menace are a team on the rise, the HC Davos Dynamo have had strong underlying numbers for years, and the Malmo Nighthawks had signed the biggest Free Agent out there in Matt Thompson.

 

Nearing the mid-way point of the season, those predictions are bearing fruit, as European clubs hold 4 of the top 5 spots in the league's overall standing, and 5 of the top 7. This despite a schedule weighted towards facing clubs in your own continent, more frequently than those across the pond. In fact, Davos is just 1 point away from making it 5 of the top 6 teams in the league being European.

 

The Helsinki Titans have pushed their way to the top after a mediocre start to the season, coming out of the gates with a 3-3-1 record after 7 games. In the 26 games since, they have played to a 19-4-3 record, scoring 96 goals while giving up 65 over that span.