Bittersweet Reunions and Miami Highlights

[thadthrasher 1,692]

For the first two games of the season, Thadius Sales of the Miami Marauders found himself taking shots from the Halifax 21st. This is significant mainly because Halifax was the team that brought Sales into the league at the end of S74. After submitting his name for availability for the VHLM, Halifax GM @Dil reached out to Sales and offered to pick him up on waivers. Halifax, leading the league at the end of the season, had no need for a backup goalie, due to the success of their goaltender Kevin Malone. However, Halifax gave Sales a chance. They trained him, showed him the ropes, and invested their time in preparing the rookie. This led to Sales capturing wins in 3 of his 4 games played in Halifax.

 

Little did Halifax know this was going to come back to bite them.

 

Ceasing the opportunity that they saw, @Ricer13 and the S74 Founder’s Cup Champions drafted Sales early on. This acquisition must have been something of a slap to the face of Halifax. Early in the run for the Founder’s Cup, Miami knocked Halifax out of the race. With Kevin Malone @chatfan036 undoubtedly moving up to the VHL, Halifax was going to need a solid goaltender, and that, unfortunately for them, was not going to be Sales.

 

In Game 1 and Game 2 against Halifax, Sales put on a stellar performance. Game 1 saw Sales with a save percentage of .923, stopping 36 of 39 shots. In Game 2 against Halifax, Sales racked up 29 saves against 32 shots.

 

This makes Sales 2-0 against Halifax, with 65 saves from 71 shots, a .915 save percentage and a GAA of 3. While these are breathtaking statistics, one thing is certain, Halifax misses Sales in their net.

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Miami, now 2-1 for the season, is glad to have Sales in the net. While Sales worked endlessly in net for all three games, Marauders Captain Cabe McJake @RedSus propelled the team forward at the other end of the rink. With 6 goals and 9 points in 3 games, McJake has established himself as the league leader in goals and points, though the season is way too young to see if this will be maintained.

 

Claiming the first star of the game in two of the three games, McJake is making his name known within the league. While Miami lost their third game of the season against the Philadelphia Reapers, McJake was sure to make his presence known, claiming his first hat trick of the season!

 

While McJake situated himself in the “Goal” column, another Marauder was making their presence well known on the ice. Leaving a trail of bodies behind him in every single game, with 21 hits in 3 games, Ryan Ryker @Jayrad28 currently leads the league in this column. Already, opposing players are watching out for Ryker who isn’t afraid to get physical in these games. His physique is creating great separation from the puck, allowing Miami to have plenty of puck possession.

 

While Miami’s defense needs a small amount of work, Chicken Wing @chikn took charge and put his body on the line, blocking 8 shots in 3 games, while also putting up 3 points.

 

So, what could lead to more success in Miami? Well, if McJake keeps putting pucks in the back of the net, Ryker continues to steam roll over opposing players, and Sales keeps his stone-cold composure in the net, Miami could continue to do well. To excel even further though, Miami defense needs to step up just a bit more. Miami is confident that Wing has the ability to inspire his defensive partners and encourage them to play with even greater tenacity.

 

All in all, as the reigning Founder’s Cup Champions, Miami is certainly a team to keep your eye on for S75 in the Victory Hockey League.

 

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637 words, claiming for week ending 6 Dec 2020

Edited November 18, 2020 by thadthrasher

[fromtheinside 1,289]

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Nice writeup Thad! Great work brother

[thadthrasher 1,692]

5 minutes ago, fromtheinside said:

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Nice writeup Thad! Great work brother

Thanks bro-ham!

[Dil 1,756]

[thadthrasher 1,692]

9 minutes ago, Dil said:

Part of my heart will always reside in Halifax. I'm glad to have won, but sad it was against you bby