Claimed:VHLM Founder's Cup Finals

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VHLM Founder’s Cup Finals                

 

(1)

(64-8-0 & 4-0 Series Win Versus Minot)

Vs.

(1)

(63-8-1 & 4-2 Series Win Versus Turku)

 

What separated these two combatants during the regular season was one single point, as Yukon finished with 128 compared to Bern’s 127. This series might be the single most exciting playoff round in the VHLM’s history based on the similarities between these two powerhouses. In fact, even through seven regular season match-ups, Bern finished with a 3-3-0-1 record, while Yukon was, to be specific, 4-3-0-0 scoring 20 goals and giving up only 16. That lone shootout loss was the one-point difference between these two closely contested clubs.

 

Yukon enters the Founder’s Cup Finals looking to avenge a championship loss from the season previous to the Bratislava Watchmen, who bowed out earlier in the playoffs to the uprising Turku Outlaws. Yukon is an extremely deep team that was primed for success after their successful Dispersal Draft in Season 37. Not only were the Rush able to address some key weaknesses, but they filled out their depth chart and added character players throughout the season for experience and motivational purposes. When looking up and down their line-up, each player has at least a point, which shows just how well each player is contributing and getting involved. Yukon recently eliminated Ashton Galbraith and the Minot Gladiators in four games, scoring 18 goals and surrendering 11. While the series sweep may seem impressive at first glance, Kimmo Salo was exposed in certain areas and only maintained a .883 save percentage and a relatively high 2.61 goals against average for a goaltender expected to be nominated for the Sawchuk Trophy. If Yukon wants to assert themselves and finish the job they set out to do, then Salo is going to have to perform at a level far greater than he has over the last little while.

 

Not to be outdone are the Bern Royals who disposed of the pesky Turku Outlaws in six games. As much as Ron World Peace led the charge for the Royals, the series win had to be because of the play of Blaine Olynick, who stole at least half of the games in their semi-final against the Outlaws. His .922 save percentage and 2.50 goals against average was the difference in their series, catapulting the Royals into the Founder’s Cup Finals for the first time since Season 34. Bern, too, has a plethora of depth at their disposal. As mentioned, they are led by World Peace, but they have a copious amount of offensive weapons including Matt Reilly, Earl Parker, Razzle Dazzle and Kristian Stormborn to name a few, who can all find the back of the net with relative ease. Bern’s specialty play is going to have to be the focus in order to be successful in this series.

 

Entering the Founder’s Cup Final, Yukon and Bern sit one and two in power play efficiency, while they also sit ranked second and third respectively on the penalty kill. Yukon’s defense is quite stagnant, so it will be important for Bern to be patient with the puck, and capitalizing on their chances when they arise. As for the physicality factor, Bern is the more physical of the two teams by a wide margin. In fact, Bern enters the series averaging 25.83 hits per game, while Yukon sits last out of all the playoff teams with an average of 16 hits per game. If Bern was to have a leg up on the Rush, it may have to be by imposing their will on the Rush physically and playing into the intimidation factor.

 

Players To Watch:

Yukon Rush

Bennett Wahl 4GP | 1G | 4A | 5P | +3 | 115MP

Kai Randal 4GP | 1G | 4A | 5P | 17PIM | 3H

Konstantin Azhischenkov 4GP | 3G | 5A | 8P | +5 | 21H | 71.70FO%

Kimmo Salo 4GP | 4W | 0L | 0OTL | .883SV% | 2.61GAA | 0SO | 252MP

 

Bern Royals

Ron World Peace 6GP | 4G | 9A | 13P | +3 | 30H | 4PPG

Matt Reilly 6GP | 2G | 4A | 6P | +2 | 15SB

Earl Parker 6GP | 5G | 2A | 7P | +2 | 10H | 23.81SH%

Blaine Olynick 6GP | 4W | 2L | 0OTL | .922SV% | 2.50GAA | 0SO | 359MP

 

Prognosis:

This series is going to be extremely heated and close. There really couldn’t be two closer teams primed to battle it out for VHLM supremacy. At opposite ends of the spectrum, both teams are deep up and down their respective line-ups. Both teams feature prime goaltenders poised for VHL stardom and both are equally hungry for the opportunity to dance for the cup. As extremely talented as both teams have shown us this season, sadly there is going to be a winner and a loser. As much as I’ve figured that Yukon would be the champion this season, my thought process continues to flip-flop on a decision. However, as much of a concern that Salo is at this point for the Rush, Olynick can only stand on his head for so long before the fort comes tumbling down. Yukon may just be too deep and may have that additional star power required to go the distance.The experience of last season's loss may also be a factor in how motivated the Rush are going to be. Yukon in 6 games.

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

[Tremblay 22]

GO GO!

[stevo 792]

GO GO!

!!!

[eaglesfan036 4,602]

Yukon 2 gud

[Will 4,660]

Content: 3/3

As always, very nice article. I know we all said this last week, but this is once again a mag-caliber article. It's certainly going to be a close series. After winning by such a narrow margin in game 1, I think all of us in Yukon are a little nervous. Going 0-10 on the powerplay was also a huge morale hit for the team. However, I do agree with you that Olynick can only stand on his head for so long. The Yukon offense is going to shit blast him every shift and, eventually, he will fall. 

Grammar: 2/2 

Didn't find a thing.

Appearance: 1/1

Looks good. I saw this before the photobucket links broke

Overall: 6/6

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