Claimed:Americans Coming Back to Earth

[Baozi 1,658]

Americans Coming Back to Earth

www.VHLHockeyNews.com

 

 

You just knew it was bound to happen, it was just a matter of when. The Americans set franchise highs when they rattled off 20 wins in the first quarter of the season, suffering only one overtime loss before going on another streak of games. In the last 10 games they have won six and lost four, including being shut out in back to back games by the Seattle Bears and the Davos Dynamo. Entering into the final stretch of the season, the Americans are looking to rebound and get back on track.

 

“It happens to every team, there are so many good teams in this league that can beat you on any given night that you can’t let your guard down for even a moment. Those shut outs were pretty embarrassing though but it’s a wakeup call that nothing is given, we have to fight for every victory. We got pretty out worked in those two games.” – XXX, New York Americans

 

 

That top line of the Americans has slowed down a bit, back when the top five scorers in the VHL were Odin Tordahl, Xin Xie Xiao and Tom Slaughter, it has now flipped a little with Odin losing ground to Zhumbayev and XXX and Slaughter dropping a few spots to fifth and six from third and fourth. It isn’t inconceivable to think that coach may shake up the lines a little bit, but it still may be a bit premature. Tordahl is still leading the league with 48 goals and 101 points and XXX has still been very dangerous 5 on 5 and on the PK with 79 points in 53 games and tied for 2nd in the league with 8 game winning goals and is first in the league with 3 short handed goals. Slaughter is still winning faceoffs and holding at 61% to go with his 79 points as well.

 

On that note, are we likely to see this line broken up next season? With the salary cap and XXX going to UFA status, he will likely land big bucks if he makes it to the free agent market. But the Americans are up against the cap and even if veteran goaltender Tukio retires, one of the big five of Tordahl, Low, Kellinger, Slaughter and XXX won’t be able to stay on the team due to cap restrictions. XXX is widely considered a first line winger, but not so much as an elite superstar compared to Kellinger and Tordahl. Budding super star Slaughter is unlikely to be moved due to the nature of building down the middle plus still being on a rookie contract. With youngsters Laich and Linholm pushing for more ice time, this may just make XXX the most expendable trade asset the Americans have if they can get him to sign before a trade. Still GM Wahl has said he isn’t planning to make any decisions until the off season, the teams focus right now is to finish the season strong and go for the championship title.

[BOOM 8,745]

OT will be the first to go, sacrificed just like Boomchenko was in CGY.

[Molholt 2,185]

Content: 3/3 - Yup, good enough for me. An interesting look at the recent struggles and the possibility of your time in New York coming to an end. 

Grammar: 2/2 - Minor stuff

 

Entering into the final -> I think this could just be entering the final, but I'm not 100% sure it's wrong per say, but it definitely reads weird.

 

That top line of the Americans has slowed down a bit, back when the top five scorers in the VHL were Odin Tordahl, Xin Xie Xiao and Tom Slaughter, it has now flipped a little with Odin losing ground to Zhumbayev and XXX and Slaughter dropping a few spots to fifth and six from third and fourth. -> I think this would be a lot better if it were broken up into more than one sentence. 

 

teams focus -> team's

Appearance: 1/1 - Looks good!

Overall: 6/6

 

Claim: 6

[Kesler 1,514]

Claimed