New Guys Help Marauders Close Gap on Reapers

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The Miami Marauders have taken advantage of a softer portion of their schedule and the strong play of some new additions to make a serious run at a playoff berth.

 

11 points back of the Philadelphia Reapers at the halfway point of the season, the Marauders have taken a huge bite out of the deficit just a week later. They've gone 10-4-0 in their last 14 games, and even their four losses were close one-goal games that could have gone either way (including one against the powerhouse Halifax 21st). Unfortunately for Miami, it's been a tough loss in a key game against the Reapers themselves that currently holds the Marauders out of the post-season, but there's a long way to go.

 

The Marauders have seen a huge influx of new talent over the last couple of weeks, and a number of them - Nikolas DAndrea, Sheldon Juniper, Wooshi Cat, Vivek Weiner, Martin Master, Mie Dickinson - have been putting in the effort on and off the ice, having a noticeable effect on the team.

 

And of course, there's also a pair of hard working left wingers - Cabe McJake and Addison McLaren - signed just a couple of days apart who have made an impression early in their VHLM careers, rapidly ascending the Marauders' depth chart and putting in long hours in the training facilities. McJake has 5 goals and 12 points in 16 games, a good skater with a great shot, good hands and offensive instincts, yet still very reliable in his own end. McLaren, who has 9 goals and 15 points in 22 games, isn't quite as good in the offensive zone, but also has a great shot while bringing some grit to the table (83 hits) and is a good penalty killer.

 

"I've put in as much work as I've been able to since I got to Miami... I've been constantly working on my game and looking for ways to improve myself... and it seems like at every corner, Cabe's there putting in work too, which is awesome. I think we're both really motivated to be great players and to help this team down the stretch, and he's definitely a guy I've enjoyed playing with," says McLaren.

 

"Looking back on these first two weeks I think Miami was definitely the right choice for me. There's a lot of great guys in that locker room especially with the new signings we've made, and the playoff push is an exciting time for all of us. I'm happy to be here and excited to see what the rest of the season brings."