VSN Weekly Review - S73 Playoffs: Conference Finals Review/Continental Cup Finals Preview

[Laine 1,361]

 

 

Season 73 Playoff Preview - Conference Finals Review and Cup Final Preview

 

Welcome to the second playoff edition of the VSN Weekly Review. We’ll cover a host of the recaps of the events happening in the Continental Cup Playoffs and any other important events that the VSN covered this week. As always, thanks to my good friend @Hylands for being the other writer on the VHL Weekly Review team who helps bring the news of the the VHL to your screen on a weekly basis. A special congratulations goes out to @MattyIce @animal74 and @Plate who are the newest members of the VSN family. It is good to have you on board!

 

Speaking of other VSN content, make sure to check out the other great work from the VSN team! Here are a few handy links that can be used to access our other works such as weekly podcasts,  scouting reports, historical articles and more!

 

Under 250: VHLM Review | Ringless: S51 Calgary Wranglers | Deep Rewind: Century Men | The Next Generation: S74 | VSN Australia

 

Conference Finals Review

 

North American Conference

 

Seattle Bears (49-18-5) vs Calgary Wranglers (44-22-6)

The top-seeded Seattle Bears had a tough match-up against the second-seeded Calgary Wranglers. Even though Seattle had some rest prior to the series, it was Calgary, coming off of their grueling 7 game series against New York who would take control of the series early, winning games 1 and 2 with identical 3-2 overtime wins. Seattle would get a much needed win in Calgary in Game 3, beating the Wranglers by a slim 3-2 margin. Calgary would take Game 4 of the series by a score of 3-1 and would have a chance to close it out heading back to Seattle. Game 5 did not end quick, and would require extra minutes. Seattle would keep their season alive with a triple OT win in Game 5 and another OT win in Calgary in Game 6. Game 7 would be a thriller in Seattle. The Bears found just enough to pull off the comeback and beat the Wranglers 5-3 in Game 7, taking the series 4 games to 3. Seattle now has a chance to win their 4th Continental Cup in 6 seasons.

 

Game of the series: Game 5: Seattle Bears 3 to Calgary Wranglers 2 (3OT)

This game was the most important game in the series for both teams. After falling down 3-1 heading back home, Seattle had to play their best game to stay alive in the series. Seattle would start off strong and take a 1-0 lead late in the 1st Period on a goal from Berocka Sundqvist. Seattle would expand their lead midway through the second period on another power play goal. Late into the third, it looked like Seattle had the game out of reach. However, Calgary wasn’t done, receiving goals from Kris Rice and Mikko Lahtinen late in the 3rd to tie it up 2-2. We would need overtime to solve this game. The game dragged into a second overtime. That wasn’t enough, so we would need a third and wouldn’t you guess it, just 2:32 into the 3rd overtime, Randy Marsh would let an absolute bomb go to put Seattle back in the series with a 3-2 triple OT win.

 

Series MVP: Rayz Funk (SEA) (4-1-2, 0.940 Save Percentage, 2.43 GAA)

 

European Conference

 

Helsinki Titans (49-18-5) vs Riga Reign (35-30-7)

After beating Malmo in 7 in the first round, Helsinki would have a tougher test against the defending Continental Cup Champions in the Riga Reign. Helsinki would open the series with a 4-1 win at home in Game 1 and another 5-2 win in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead on the road to Riga. Despite Riga scoring 4 goals in Game 3, Helsinki would double them up and score 8 in an impressive 8-4 win to take a 3-0 series lead. Game 4 was one for the ages with Riga rallying in the third to send the game to OT. Despite their heroics, Helsinki would finish the sweep with a 6-5 OT Win in Game 4, advancing to the Continental Cup Finals.

 

Game of the series: Game 4, Helsinki Titans 6 to Riga Reign 5 (OT)

With Helsinki up in the series 3-0, Riga would need to come out firing in Game 4, and they did just that. Riga would get a pair of first period goals from Patrik Tallinder and DeFenz Mann and would take a 2-0 lead into the second period. The second period was all Helsinki. They would outshoot Riga 16-6 in the second frame and would score 4 goals to go up 4-2 heading into the third period with a chance to close the series. Surprisingly, Riga managed to battle back to even relatively quickly, receiving a pair of power play goals in a span of 2:00 near the middle of the frame to battle back into it. However, Helsinki wasn’t done as Erik Draven would strike with just 5:52 left on the clock to put Helsinki up 5-4. Riga once again wouldn’t back down and Guy Sasakamoose would score a beautiful breakaway goal to even the game at 5 apiece. Riga would pepper Helsinki with a lot of shots in the last three minutes, but Samuel Ross would hold strong and send the game to overtime. Riga would fall apart in overtime, taking a pair of minor penalties early in the frame, and Helsinki would make them pay. Spencer Elsby would record his second of the game just 3:52 into the extra frame as Helsinki would advance to the Continental Cup Finals.

 

Series MVP: Ben Hafkey (HSK) (2 G, 8 A, 58.9% Faceoff Percentage)

 

Continental Cup Finals Preview

 

Alright, it’s time for the preview. GIVE ME CONTESTANT NUMBER ONE!

 

North American Conference Champions:

 

Seattle Bears (49-18-5)

 

Beat D.C. in Round 1 (4-2)

Beat Calgary in Conference Finals (4-3)

 

Seattle has once again emerged as one of the premiere franchises of the league. They are led offensively by the trio of Scott Greene, Ambrose Stark and Ola Vikingstad up the middle. On the wings, they don’t slouch either with Uhtred and Timothy Brown playing there, plus a young gun in Aleelee Kiak. Defensively, they have one of the best top four defense corps in the league featuring household names like Berocka Sundqvist, Hulk Hogan, Randy Marsh and Odin Omdahl. In net, they have a solid duo featuring the aging but still effective Rayz Funk and the future of the crease in young Jacob Tonn. Seattle is trying to cement themselves all one of the greatest dynasties in VHL history, hoping to win their 4th title in 6 seasons. Having defeated D.C. and Calgary to claim their spot in the championship, Seattle has one last hurdle to climb to reach the top of the hockey mountain. SHOW ME CONTESTANT NUMBER TWO!

 

European Conference Champions

 

Helsinki Titans (49-18-5)

 

Beat Malmo in Round 1 (4-3)

Beat Riga in Conference Finals (4-0)

 

Helsinki on paper would’ve made it to the finals in easy fashion but they took a much different path. They struggled against Malmo but ultimately took them out in 7 games and then ended the hopes and dreams of Riga Reign fans everywhere by showing no mercy and taking them out in 4 straight games. Helsinki has a solid team which is the perfect mix of young players with potential, older players who are still great and a solid prospect pool. In terms of older talent, they have Ben Hafkey, Erik Draven, Hiroshi Okada and Jared Spaz as forwards and Tony Bolonee, Erik Summers and Daldo rounding the defensive front. On the young side, they have a solid forward group with Jim Bob, Bob Helminen and Valtteri Vaakanainen. Defensively, Spencer Elsby is a young defender with a lot of upside and is one of the most important pieces of the core moving forward. In net, they have the aging Samuel Ross but also a younger future goalie in Zamboni Driver to take the reins in the coming seasons. This year, they were mostly using the two as a goalie tandem but Ross has taken the starter job so far in these playoffs. They come into the finals with confidence and I am convinced this team can get the job done, but it will be tough.

 

Predictions

 

Helsinki vs Seattle

 

Hylands: We have quite the interesting matchup on our hands here. On one hand, the Seattle Bears are known for having one of the best goalies in the VHL of all time, and are defensively solid. Meanwhile, Helsinki has been scoring for fun in these playoffs, and their offensive prowess has been on show through each round. Something’s going to have to give in this round and I can’t wait to see these teams play against each other. This is honestly such a tough matchup to predict, and as we saw in the last round anything can happen. For me, the Seattle Bears are just built for a championship from top to bottom. A future hall of famer in net, some great defencemen in the prime of their career, and a potent offense that can get the job done. Seattle in 6 from me.

 

Laine: These two teams both took very different paths. Helsinki struggled to start the playoffs but has since won 6 games in a row, including a sweep over the defending champion Riga Reign in the Conference Finals. Seattle had a rough go against D.C. but managed to pull out of that series. They struggled early against Calgary but rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to steal the series. I think Helsinki is the hotter team coming into the finals, but Seattle has a lot of momentum. This series will go down to the wire and probably go 6-7 games, but I think Helsinki takes it based on the red hot play of their offense.

 

Hylands’ Pick: Seattle in 6

Laine’s Pick: Helsinki in 6

 

Spoiler

@Jbeezy76 @McLovin @jRuutu @Big Bob @enigmatic @Spaz @Jubo07 @Tbeez99 @Erik Summers @Spence King @Cusemode @Harpskii @Tape-to-Tape @Brrbisbrr @Ricer13 @Beketov @DoktorFunk @Grant @Banackock @Dil @a_Ferk @leafsman @Berocka @TXC @zepheter @oilmandan @Rayzor_7 @MexicanCow123 @Patrik Tallinder @Mike @Cxsquared

 

[Banackock 7,630]

Good write up.

[rory 1,759]

No graphic?

[DoktorFunk 810]

What a finals matchup. Two very deserving teams.