European Wildcard Showdown Preview: Phantoms vs Titans

[Seabass 593]

 

European Wildcard Showdown Preview

The Prague Phantoms vs The Helsinki Titans

 

It's playoff time ladies and gentlemen! The playoffs are always an exciting time, it's where you usually see everyone firing at all cylinders and just givin' her 100% out there. The overall emotion on the ice  also peaks and you can see the beginning of great rivalries being built. That just may be what we're about to see with the European Conference wildcard showdown between the Prague Phantoms and the Helsinki Titans. Both teams have been rather close to each other in the standings all season long as they both had to battle hard just to make it to the playoffs as the European Conference was just stacked this year with the Prague Phantoms taking the last wildcard position over H.C. Davos by tiebreaker as they both finished the season with 80 points. Helsinki, was just a point ahead at 81 points. For comparison in the North American Conference there wasn't much of a competition for the wildcard spots as the Calgary Wranglers(78pts) and the D.C. Dragons (79pts) made it into the round with at least 13 points to spare over the next team, the Chicago Phoenix (65pts).  

 

The Prague Phantoms

 

The Phantoms entered the last wildcard round by winning 3 of their last 4 games and narrowly squeezing by Davos who was also playing some great hockey in the last push for a playoff spot. In their last ten games of the season the Phantoms are a mediocre 5-5 winning also half their games, however in those ten games there were 3 games against the Titans of which the Phantoms won 2 of them. Those three games are going to be a point of reference throughout this article as it gave us a little preview on how these two teams were going to matchup. 

 

Phantoms Forward Group

@animal74 @Doomsday @diamond_ace  @wcats @Jayrad28 @cartoes @Garrett @flyersfan1453

 

LW Ondrej Ohradka ----- C Thomas Landry II ----- RW Gary Tarantino

LW John Leclair II ------- C Dagmar Havlova ----- RW Dan Baillie Jr.

LW Ben McGirr ----- C Alex Pearson ----- RW Andre LeBastard

 

The Phantom's forward group has been changing recently as some of the prexisting core in Prague are growing near retirement and are having to step aside in order for some fresh faces to transition in. Veterans like Alex Pearson and Ben McGirr have been big parts of the Phantoms forward group in past years. They've aged and depreciated and they're at the point where they're now being used as complimentary scorers for the Phantoms and they're doing a damn good job in their new roles, Pearson almost broke the 50 point mark falling one shy at 49 points, McGirr got 38 points but has adapted to be more of a energy guy trying to play with a physical edge which gives room and compliments Pearson really well. LeBastard however has been struggling only posting 11 points and doesn't even look like the same player that was drafted by the team in 15th overall in S73, the young lad just looks disinterested and just plain out of shape. 

 

Havlova and Ohradka has lead the team in offense this season with both players being able to break the 80 point mark, which was a milestone that was never hit by a Phantom before this season. Havlova lead the team in scoring with 84 points but doesn't get enough credit for her defensive game. I see her as a great two way center, she lead her team in plus/minus being +17 this season and she's currently the franchise leader in plus/minus having been +46 during her entire career as a member of the Phantoms. The coach to me is aware of her two way play as she's being used to center two rookie wingers, Dan Baillie Jr. and John Leclair II on the 2nd line rather then the 1st line. The team is looking at guys like Baillie Jr. and Leclair II to lead the new generation of Phantoms forward and is hoping that Havlova can teach them the ropes and provide leadership. The top line is consisted of veterans, Ohradka and Tarantino with winger turned 1st line center, Thomas Landry II. Although Landry isn't the most experienced centerman, this line has been hard to shut down and has been hot down the stretch. Ohradka has been espeically hot having 12 points in his last ten games and has had two first star selections in his past 3 games by scoring 6 points. Ohradka lead the team in goals with 35 goals and is a guy the Titans will have to focus on specifically because he looks ready and determined to hurt the Titans on the scoresheet. It will definitely help the Phantoms odds if Tarantino can also return to his old form and come out strong.

 

Phantoms Defense Corps

@omgitshim @Cornholio @Liberty_Cabbage @KnightRiley

Cinnamon Block ---- Wolf Stansson Jr.

Jacob Perry ---- Riley Knight Gee

 

The Phantoms will obviously use their go to defensemen Cinnamon Block and WSJ on their first pairing. The two have been leading the team for several years on the backend and this year was no different as both players managed to top the 50 point mark and have showed that age isn't going to slow them down. Block has had himself a good enough season to earn himself a spot on the VHL's all star game voting list after scoring yet another point per game season by ending the year with 74 point and 2 shy of missing the 60 assist mark. WSJ earned 57 points for the year playing along side block and is a very respected figure in the team's locker room with him having been a member of the Phantoms since their inaugural year. The 2nd pairing features the return of Jacob Perry to the team after having been gone for two seasons playing as a member of the Moscow Menace. Perry has found his game back after returning to the Phantoms and playing alongside rookie defender Riley Knight Gee. Gee himself has been no slouch either having impressed the Phantoms brass with a 38 point rookie season in which the young lad played well and unlike many of the other Phantoms, has stayed out of the box. The Phantoms may try splitting the veteran top pairing in order to better shelter Gee come playoff time, but Gee has built such a good chemistry playing with Perry that the Phantoms may just give the pairing a shot to perform together in the playoffs.

 

Phantoms Goaltenders

@HearnNation67 @CrlineDijohn14

 

Woody McPine

John Poremba

 

This is only McPine's 2nd season in the VHL and to me I'm ready to claim that McPine will be considered a member of the VHL's elite soon enough with the careers of Rayz Funk and Raymond Bernard ending in the next 2 years. Mcpine has been steadily improving every season and there's no reason to think he's done improving. This year he has posted the best numbers by a Phantom's goaltender since the days of them having Brick Wahl between the pipes as McPine ended the season with a .914 save percentage. 

 

 

The Helsinki Titans

 

Titan's Forward Group

@Jubo07 @Jbeezy76 @enigmatic @Spaz @PatrikLaine @Dil @Big Bob

 

LW Valtteri Vaakanainen ----- C Ola Vikinstad ----- RW Erik Draven

LW Patrik Laine ----- C Hiroshi Okada ----- RW Jared Spaz

LW Bob Helminen

 

The Titans don't have as much depth as the Phantoms forward group but it sure has fire power and they're offense has been red hot as of late. Scoring has never really been a problem for the Helsinki Titans as they have three 30+ goal scorers in Okada (32), Vaakanainen (34) and Vikingstad (34). The real problem for the Titans have been that they let in more goals then they manage to score. If the Titans want to compete with the Phantoms in the playoffs the forwards will have to work at assisting their defensemen a little more by adding a little more effort when it comes the defensive coverage.

 

This forward group has seen contributions from everyone in the lineup as everyone has been able to produce offense for the as of late. Leading the forwards in production has been VHL veteran HIroshi Okada who posted a career best, 80 pts. Okada was a key player to last year's final run for the Titans and they are gambling for Okada to be a impact player once again for them in this year's playoff round. Okada plays between young forward Jared Spaz and rookie, Patrik Laine. Spaz was Okada's main trigger man scoring 29 goals and was one shy of joining Okada at the 30 goal mark. Laine has had flashes of brilliance and 38 points is not bad for a rookie but he's lacked the consistency required to be a VHL star, but the young man still has a lot of time the develop so there's no worries and that Laine just has to grow and mature a little more. The top line has been one of the best in the VHL as of late and he's been hot since the trade deadline addition of Ola Vikingstad to compliment veteran Erik Draven and sophomore Valtteri Vaakanainen. The line has been red hot lately, with every member of the line playing above a PPG pace during the last ten games and the three combined have produced 40 points in the last ten.  Old man Erik Draven who has announced earlier in the season that this would be his last has been especially hot as of late scoring 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in the team's last ten games. He is showing that he still belongs on the teams top line and is showing a lot of hunger to end his career with a Continental Cup. 

 

Titan's Defense Corps

@Erik Summers @Tbeez99 @Spence King

 

Erik Summers ---- Seabass Perrin

Spencer Elsby ---- Tony Bolonee

 

Like I mentioned above, the main weakness of the Helsinki Titans is that they've let in about just as many goals past their goaltenders as they've been able to score themselves. So the defense will have to be able to tighten it up in their own end to be able to survive the wildcard round. The top pairing features the Titan's captain,  Erik Summers who finished playing his 5th season as a member of the Titans and key free agent addition Seabass Perrin. Both veterans have been able to produce some offense with Summers ending the season leading all Titans skaters in scoring by producing 82 points (22 goals, 60 assists) topping his previous career best of 80pts set in last year. In last year's finals run Summers was clutch in playoffs leading his team with an amazing 28 points in the team's 17 playoff games. This year, how far the team goes into the playoffs really depends on if Summers can recreate that playoff performance. His defensive partner, Perrin has struggled on and off with his new team after spending the last 6 seasons playing on the opposite side of the fence for the Prague Phantoms but has been picking it up as of late. The 2nd pairing consists of Spency Elsby and Tony Bolonee. Sophomore defenseman Spencer Elsby has raised his game from his rookie season and ended the year with 65 points which is a 20 point improvement. Tony Bolonee on the other hand has regressed from his 61 point season +41 season, scoring a team low 27 points being +9. It's not all his fault as this comes after being bumped from playing with Summers after the acquisition of Perrin. Also consider that if we don't count the one 60 point season, this year's numbers matches up with Bolonee's career average.  Bolonee was always more of a defensive defenseman anyways and is currently giving Elsby more room on the ice to do bring out the offense.  

 

Titan's Goaltending

 

Zamboni Driver

Calvin Harvey

 

Helsinki's goaltender Zamboni Driver will have to perform when it counts, the youngster has had a mediocre season with flashes of brilliance but still ended the season with the lowest save percentage out of every starter in the league. So its safe to say that Driver will have to turn it around and produce better results for this team to have chance. This will also be his first playoff series as the team's starting goaltender so it'll be interesting to see how the sophomore goalie will handle the added pressure of the playoffs. 

 

 

 

Team Grades:

 

Phantom's Forward Group Grade: B+

Titan's Forward Group Grade: A

 

The Titan's have more elite fire power than the Phantoms and possess more playoff experience than the Phantom's young group. 

 

Phantoms Defence Corps Grade: B

Titan's Defence Corps Grade: B+

 

I'll give the Titan's the slight edge as they again are more seasoned when it comes to the playoffs and they're 2nd pairing of Elsby + Bolonee > Perry + Gee.

 

Phantom's Goaltending Grade: A-

Titan's Goaltending Grade: B-

 

McPine has been playing better than Driver and his numbers back up that statement. McPine has been hot for the Phantoms during the playoff race so it's safe to say that'll probably carry over to the playoffs. 

 

Familiar Faces:

 

There are three players in this series that will face their former teams adding some extra emotion to this series.

 

Erik Draven

-Was drafted by the Phantoms during their expansion draft.

- Played 2 seasons for the Phantoms collecting 122 points in 144 games.

- Was the Phantoms franchise's first captain. 

- Left for Helsinki via Free Agency at the end of his entry contract and has been there ever since.

 

Alex Pearson

-Was drafted by the Titans with the 30th overall pick n S67

-Was left exposed to the S68 Expansion Draft and subsequently picked up by the Phantoms.

-Been a member of the Phantoms ever since.

 

Seabass Perrin

-Was drafted by the Phantoms with the 17th overall pick in S68

- Spent 6 seasons playing for the Phantoms scoring 290 points in 432 games

- Was Phantom's captain in S71

-Left the Phantoms via Free Agency for Helsinki.

 

 

Three Game Preview:

 

Game 525

Result: 2-1, Phantoms Win in regulation

Shot Clock: HSK 39/PRG 29

1st Star: Woody McPine PRG

2nd Star: Spencer Elsby HSK

3rd Star: Gary Tarantino PRG

 

Game 522

Result: 4-2 Titans Win in regulation

Shot clock: PRG 34/ HSK 32 

1st Star: Hiroshi Okada HSK

2nd Star: Ondrej Ohradka PRG

3rd Star:  Jared Spaz HSK

 

Game 565

Shot clock: HSK 45/ PRG 35

Result: 6-5 Titan's shootout victory

1st Star: Ondrej Ohradka

2nd Star: Cinnamon Block 

3rd Star: Bob Helminen

 

Both teams have been able to play a little preview series during the playoff race as they played three game against each other during their respective last ten games of the year. During those 3 games we saw the Phantoms get the better of the Titan's as they won 2 out of the 3 games. Actually throughout the whole season the Titan's only managed to win one out of the total 5 games played against the Phantoms. During the 3 game preview we saw the Phantoms and Titans play in tight games as two of them ended up being a one goal games also both teams earned a total of 10 goals during those 3 games.  In those 3 games we saw 4 players scoring at above PPG rate, 3 of them belonging to the Titans with Elsby, Okada and depth player Bob Helminen scoring 4 points each. The Phantoms had Ondrej Ohradka score four points as well, but their scoring was more mixed throughout the lineup compared to the Titans. The Phantoms even got some production out of rookie Andre LeBastard in those games. Goaltending wise things were a little more interesting. McPine continued playing comparible to his season average and posted a save percentage of .913% during the 3 games while his team got outshot 116 to 98 by the Titans. On the Titan's side Driver posed a save percentage of .854% as he was pulled in the one game after letting in 4 goals in 13 shots in game 565. Calvin Harvey, the team's backup came in relief and gave his team a chance to comeback and tie the game after going down 4-2 by the end of the first period. Harvey saved 21 out of 22 shots for a save percentage of .955 and the Titan's tied the game to end up losing in the shootout. The showing gives the Titans a backup plan with Calvin Harvey in case Driver struggles out of the gate. 

 

 

(Please forgive me for being late in posting this, keep in mind at the time of writting the series hasn't started yet.)

 

WORD COUNT 2700+

Edited October 25, 2020 by Seabass

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

Awesome write up

[animal74 1,633]

Fantastic job, @Seabass. My former team was Calgary though.

[Seabass 593]

7 hours ago, animal74 said:

Fantastic job, @Seabass. My former team was Calgary though.

 

yeah mustve got you and pearson mixed up at the beginning haha,

 

Corrected the fuck up tho

Edited October 25, 2020 by Seabass

[Suzuki14 24]

Review: Great article, after reading it fully,my, my choice for winning is the Titans. Good paragraphs and Colorado and bolder text, and very easy to read.

9.5/10

[Seabass 593]

Claiming this PT for week ending Nov 1st

 

2/5

[Seabass 593]

Claiming for week of Nov 8th

 

3/5

[Seabass 593]

claiming for nov 15th 4/5

[Seabass 593]

claiming for nov 22nd 5/5

 

all claimed