VSN World Cup Part 2: Down To The Wire

[Patrik Tallinder 1,080]

 

What a thrilling tournament it was, and congratulations to the winner! The World Cup brings us the rare opportunity to see some of the league’s elite players matched on lines with players that they would never normally be able to play alongside. This season’s event was a wonderful experience, and that is due to the hard work and dedication of the commissioner @fonziGG, all the GMs, @Spartan, @Banackock, @Toast, @Spence King, @Peace and @Jubo07, as well as @Josh for simming. Thank you all for creating a fun tournament for everyone.

 

Without any more delay, let’s get into the results!
 

Quarter-Finals

With Team USA and Team Mercenaries receiving byes for their exceptional performances in the round robin, that left two matchups: 

• Team Western Europe vs. Team Canada
• Team World vs. Team Nordic

 

Both of these games went to overtime, so to say this round had fans on the edge of their seats would be an understatement. 
 

Western Europe vs. Canada

After trading goals in the first period, the game found itself even at one apiece in the first intermission. Canada would go on to have a nice second frame, tallying two goals in under two minutes. Kris Rice, as well as the pair of Killinger and Downey, were all building a great game for themselves. However, Western Europe was not out yet. Western Europe goaltender Nicolas Fomba saved all nineteen shots he faced in the final period, leaving it up to his players to determine their fate. Seattle forward Uhtred stepped up to the plate, potting two goals in the third. This meant overtime.

 

Time was winding down in overtime, and you could start to feel the players’ exhaustion even if you weren’t even on the ice with them. A late powerplay would provide Canada with an opportunity to take the game, and they made no mistake. Kris Rice would deflect a puck out front, and complete the hattrick. 

 

FINAL SCORE: 4-3

 

World vs. Nordic

This game was a little less busy in terms of goal-scoring, but that only served to make the suspense all the more intriguing. The first period included a goal from Team Nordic’s Wolf Stansson Jr, who would blast one home at even-strength. The second period was a goalies battle, with no goals sneaking past either of the netminders. Zamboni Driver of Team Nordic would notably stop 21 shots this period, and it looked like he might be too hot to beat. Early in the third, Team World’s Ondrej Ohradka would ensure that that would not be the case with an early goal to set the tone for the rest of his team. Once again, we were headed to extra frames.

 

It did not take long to bring this game to a close though. Ola Vikingstad buried a shot just two minutes in, causing Team Nordic to advance to the Semi-Finals.

 

FINAL SCORE: 2-1

 

Semi-Finals

Although I can’t say that both of these games went to overtime, I can say they were both unbelievably close. There were some tremendous showings from the goaltenders this round, resulting in some low-scoring affairs which were still as fast-paced as a game with double-digit goals.

 

Team Nordic vs. Team USA

This game started off with another stellar performance in goal from Zamboni Driver, saving all 14 shots he faced. The team in front of him only registered 4 shots on goal, yet that was enough to put them ahead by one. The second period was largely eventless, but I cannot say the same about the third.

 

Relatively early on, the VHL’s top goal scorer Mikko Lahtinen scores a goal that nudges his team up to a two goal lead. USA showed some resistance, with the S74 Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy nominee John Merrick sniping one prior to the game’s end. However, that was not enough to halt Team Nordic from reaching the finals.

 

FINAL SCORE: 2-1

 

Team Canada vs. Team Mercenaries

The first period of this game may feel like déjà vu, with Canada leading 1-0 after being outshot by Team Mercenaries. Rayz Funk also had a similar start to Zamboni Driver, stopping all 13 shots he faced in the opening frame.

 

Canada would double their lead about halfway through the game, with Timothy Brown scoring on a goal that marked a matching fourth assist for defense partners Erik Killinger and Jeff Downey. Team Mercenaries would capitalize on a man advantage in the third, though yet again it wasn’t enough to catch up to their finals-bound opponents.

 

FINAL SCORE: 2-1

 

Bronze Medal Game

Both of these teams were heading into this game filled with fire and a desire for redemption after missing out on playing in the gold medal match. The opening period included a remarkably quick start for Team USA, with Thomas Landry II lighting the lamp with just 12 seconds off the clock. The Mercenaries would answer back on the powerplay with a goal from defender Seabass Perrin, and we left the period at an even 1-1.

 

It didn’t take long for Team Mercenaries to take the lead in the second period, with Nate Telker putting one home. However, USA would bounce back with two goals of their own, each scored by Tony Bolonee. We headed into the third period at 3-2 USA.

 

The period which would decide for each team whether they would leave with a medal or no medal was upon us. There was little action in the first ten minutes, with neither team giving an inch. The breakthrough came from USA forward Thomas Landry II once again, who would score twice in the final ten. This propelled Team USA to a bronze medal victory, which honestly feels better than a silver medal loss most of the time.
 

FINAL SCORE: 5-2

 

Finals

It all comes down to this. The finals matchup was set — Canada vs. Nordic — and now it’s all about executing on every play, because it could cost your team everything. What a wild game this was, and you guessed it; It was yet another game decided by one goal.

 

Team Canada capitalized early on a powerplay opportunity, with that top pair remaining dominant. Despite the hot start, Canada would begin to cool down after an impressive shorthanded tally from Ray Sheilds. Following this, Team Nordic would add two more goals from Patrik Tallinder and Ola Vikingstad, which would give them a comfortable 3-1 lead after one.

 

The second period would see Brock Louth score a goal that was quickly answered by Sheilds again with one of his own. Nordic maintained their two goal lead until around one minute left in the period, where Louth would pot his second of the period.

 

With a 4-3 game through two periods, we knew this one would go down to the wire. The last ever period from generational goaltender Rayz Funk saw him save 15 Nordic shots with ease, allowing his team to work on tying the game. Team Nordic would take three penalties in the last ten minutes of the third, including a double minor with just five minutes left. As he seemed to do all tournament long, Zamboni Driver absolutely shut things down, ultimately winning the championship with Team Nordic.

 

FINAL SCORE: 4-3

 

 

Driver would go on to take home tournament MVP as well, which was a well-earned title for the goalie. Congratulations to all of Team Nordic on a great tournament, and hopefully the next tournament will be just as riveting!

[okochastar 83]

what a cinderella story for a zamboni driver