Moscow's Form

[Mr_Hatter 1,603]

1082 words

 

Moscow’s Form
By Beat Reporter-Mann

 

Of all the teams in the league so far, the performances of the Moscow Menace have been perhaps the most perplexing. After starting the season with five wins in six, they have since gone through patches of form. At times, they look on top of the world, winning four in a row, or six in seven games, but at other times, they have slumped, losing six in a row earlier in the season (including two losses to expansion teams DC Dragons and Prague Phantoms), or their current five game losing streak. In this highly competitive league, any slip in form can be disastrous, and sitting currently eight points out of a playoff spot in the very competitive European Conference, Moscow needs to make some moves with only 18 games remaining in the season if they want another shot at the playoffs.

 

Let’s take a look at their recent run of form to analyze what is going wrong for them (hint: they’ve allowed 21 goals in the last 5 games).

 

6-2 Loss vs. Malmö Nighthawks

 

In this away match to Malmö, the Menace went toe to toe with the Nighthawks through two periods, but slipped away in the 3rd, allowing 15 shots compared to a total of 14 allowed through the first 2 periods. Owen May ended with a save percentage of .793, something Moscow will need to improve on if they want to compete anytime soon. Unfortunately, it does not appear that they will; May has stagnated so far this season, despite having some really good games at times throughout, and rookie backup Raymond Bernard doesn’t yet look ready for the VHL, with a GAA of 3.65 through 9 games this season, mostly against the worst teams in the league. Furthermore, veteren goaltender Ismond Kingfisher has failed to make an impact, often left as a scratch in favor of giving Bernard some more experience. 

 

1-0 Loss vs. HC Davos Dynamo

 

In a nailbiter of a match, Davos shutout the visiting Menace via what must be said is a truly outstanding performance from Davos netminder Finn Davidson. There’s not much you can do when your opponent goes 41/41 for saves. Owen May performed as well, with a .950 save percentage. This came down to a power play goal from Katie Warren early on in the 3rd period, after defenseman Komarov was penalized for Holding. Not much to take from this one, other than Moscow’s penalty kill being a little lackluster and perhaps not being decisive enough with their finishing. 41 shots is great, but they need to look more dangerous. 

 

6-5 Loss vs. Helsinki Titans

 

This match was really just an exhibition of offense. Neither team played particularly well on the backfoot, with both goalies posting a save percentage in the .870-.880 range. The first period, both teams scored 4 goals each. Both teams went 0-6 on the power play. All it came down to was in the end, the Titans were more clinical, and their prowess shone through, coming from behind in the third period with two back to back goals only 30 seconds apart. If the Moscow are to take anything from this game, it’s that they are lacking in discipline, and perhaps the grit to see a game out. They even had a golden chance late in the final three minutes after bad-boy Orion Slade sat out with a double minor for Roughing, but were unable to convert on the power play. This game really was fantastic for the neutral fan though. A thrilling 11 goal match, complete with a fight from two star players. Podrick Cast and Kronos Bailey dropped the gloves early on in the third period and fought to a draw. 

 

5-2 Loss vs. Malmö Nighthawks

 

For the second time in this five game stretch, Malmö dismantled the Menace. Off a stellar performance from Michael Johnson, allowing only two goals on 41 shots, and a poor showing from Owen May, with five goals in 36 shots, the Nighthawks looked dangerous. Podrick Cast, perhaps still fiery from his tumble with Bailey in the past game, tried taking it to Malmö’s big man on the blue line only 30 seconds into the match. Bad move, as Cast was thoroughly beaten. The take away from this game was that Moscow’s penalty kill needs to improve, letting in two goals on only three power plays. Moscow went down early, and basically were unable to come back, the game being essentially over at 4-1 by the end of the second period. 

 

3-2 Loss vs. Prague Phantoms

 

Their latest game is perhaps the worst of the bunch. In a tight 3-2 loss to Prague, the Menace looked absolutely outplayed versus this expansion team. The biggest statistical difference? The shots. Moscow put only 18 shots on net, of which Grimaldi really did not do that great with, letting in 2. In fact, Owen May posted a respectable .919 SV % to Grimaldi’s .889. However, Moscow allowed 37 shots on goal, just over double what they put up. Surprisingly, Moscow did very well on the penalty kill, allowing no power play goals on seven opportunities; however, herein lies their problem this game. They allowed seven power plays! Even if they never conceded from one, they were shoved onto the back foot so often it makes sense why their offense was so lackluster. Undoubtedly this game was the result of good play from Prague combined with the recent bad form of Moscow, but if they want to close the gap with Davos, they are going to have to do better. 

 

So what now?

 

Moscow still has time to move into the playoffs. They play Davos four times, and if they win all four in regulation they will be behind them by only a point. At that point, it is conceivable that Davos will drop enough, and Moscow will win enough, to have them swap places. Unfortunately for Moscow, there are a lot of ifs in this situation, and I do not see them sweeping Davos to close out the season, having split the prior four games with the Dynamo 2-2. However, that being said, the chance remains, and I think I speak for the league when we say that we would love to have the chance to watch Podrick Cast in the playoffs for the last time; this is his last season in the league of course, and what better way to end it than a thrilling underdog comeback. 

 

EDIT: During the posting of this article, Davos and Moscow have played, with Moscow taking it in a shootout victory. Certainly a helpful swing, but not enough, as Moscow also lost 0-4 to New York. 
 

Edited October 10, 2019 by Mr_Hatter

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