S72 In Review: Gregg Stallion

[SweatyBeaver 132]

 

Season in Review: Gregg Stallion S72

 

 

 

Just as quickly as it began season 72 has already come to an end. For Gregg Stallion this season can be considered a great success as he made many solid improvements in his game. But do not take my obviously bias word for it! Let’s dive in and take a closer look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offensive Stats: Comparing S71 with S72.

 

Looking at Stallion’s offensive stats reveals a couple of fascinating things. For one it shows just how strong his rookie campaign on the dismal Houston Bulls was. He was able to get 95 points in 68 games on a team that could do nothing offensively. So while his season with the Aces may not have been a huge leap forwards like many other players that is because he raised the bar so high in his initial season. Stallion did manage to improve in every primary offensive statistic going from 44 goals (.64gpg) and 51assists (.75apg) to 49goals (.68gpg.) and 58assists (.80apg.) In the end Stallion improved by 12 points this season, in comparisons to his excellent rookie season this shows a fantastic consistency that Stallion is able to display as he has already passed 200 career points.

 

 

Offensive Stats on the Aces.

 

For being the 20^th overall pick in the VHLM dispersal draft Gregg Stallion definitely had a chip on his shoulder going from the 6^th ranked player all the way into a middle of the second round selection. He joined an Aces team that started off the season with an incredible hot streak and though the team slid in the standings Stallion still produced for the team. He finished second in scoring to team captain and all around beast Alex Letang. Looking over the stats of the rest of the team it is clear that Stallion was one of the major offensive forces on the team and formed a dynamic threat alongside players like Letang and line mate Jeff Blaze. Stallion tied with Blaze for the most goals on the team with 49 and was second on the team in total assists, but that is nothing to be ashamed of considering that the player ahead of him (Letang) got an astounding 94 assists. In the end Stallion had a great season that improved his offensive game and put him as the one of the key contributors on a strong Las Vegas Aces, but that is only one aspect of what makes a player truly great in the worlds top leagues.

 

 

Secondary Offensive Stats: +/-

 

While the main offensive stats only showcased a slight yet still impressive improvement between the two seasons. Taking one look at Stallion’s secondary offensive statistics it is clear that there are astronomical night and day differences between the two seasons. Obviously +/- is the improvement that sticks out like a sore thumb. It could be easy to chalk that up to the difference of teams. (Las Vegas had a +77 goal differential in S72 while Houston had a -134 goal differential in S71.) But really the Aces did not have a great goal differential considering there place in the standings and the fact that Stallion got +57 on a team with only a +77 goal differential showcases how dominant Stallion was on the ice for the Aces. He was a difference maker and would almost always end a game in the positive One Stallion’s main goals entering the S72 campaign was to drastically improve his +/- and it is clear that he achieved that goal, to the benefit of the team around him.

 

 

Secondary Offensive Stats: Shots

 

Saying that Gregg Stallion likes to shoot the puck is like saying that the sky is blue; it is a clear and obvious fact. This season was more of the same as Stallion shot the puck a whopping 385 times (Good for 5.34 shots per game translating into .68 goals per game. 12.73% chance to score on each shot he takes.) Obviously Stallion is a shoot first think later kind of player and that is perhaps his biggest weakness as a player. Growing in accuracy and realizing that sometimes a pass is more effective than a shot will go a long way in Stallion’s development into the VHL.

 

 

Secondary Offensive Stats: Additional Goals

 

Another area of noticeable improvement in Stallion’s game is his additional goals (I am sure there is a fancier name for them, but oh well here we are.) This season he got 7 game winning goals (The Aces won 48 games meaning that 14.5% of those wins were achieved through a goal of Stallion’s.) Stallion also had 11ppg (22% of goals scored were on the powerplay, 78% were even strength) and 1 shortie (I am not doing advanced percentages for this one.) All in all this was yet another area where Stallion took a step forwards and helped to turn Vegas into a competitive team throughout this entire season.

 

 

Physical Game

 

On paper this last area we will look at is a peculiar one. At first glance it is clear to see that Stallion took a serious regression on these more physical stats in comparison to last season, why is that? Honestly, the answer I believe is fairly straight forward. Houston did not really have a defense meaning that Stallion had to step up and play a far more physical game on a team lacking in physical players. Whereas in Vegas the team boasted an amazing core of defense including Letang, Micah Adrienne and Matty Socks (Gm’s should really consider drafting Socks.) Stallion was able to focus much more on a finesse first offensive game while and push the more physical game to the side and allow those who actually were physical to hit and block shots to allow Stallion better chances with the puck. It is definitely an area Stallion needs to watch and hopefully he kind find a mix between his first two seasons.

 

 

 

 

Season 72 was a great success for Gregg Stallion. After raising the bar so high last season it was unclear what would happen. Stallion silenced any doubters with his performance this season. All that remains to be seen is how he will transition into the far more difficult VHL.

 

 

1050 Words.

Claiming PT Week Jn. 21-27, Jn.28-Jul. 4

Edited June 26, 2020 by SweatyBeaver

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