Sound of the Hounds: Playoff Push & Captains Named

[tcookie 897]

 

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Although it took some time for the Hounds to find their groove this season, there have been some recent signs of life. The team continues to improve as the season goes on, and have now established themselves tied with Philadelphia for 7th in the league, 5 points ahead of the playoff bubble line.

 

Since a disappointing result in dropping both games of a double-header to the Saskatoon Wild, the Hounds have gone 5-2-0, including a narrow 5-3 loss against Minnesota (30-5-3). “We’re making progress… we wanted to be a playoff team and we’re heading in that direction. It’s encouraging to show we can hang with a contender like Minnesota, but obviously, there is still plenty of work to be done,” says AGM tcookie.

 

The Hounds have named their leadership group since the last edition of Sound of the Hounds, naming Miks Sunish their captain, and Elvis Michael and Druss Deathwalker their assistants. All three players have reportedly been strong in the locker room. “I was surprised when they told me I was an assistant,” Michael told the media. “We have a great crew, and to know they look to me as a leader makes me want to work harder. We will turn this season around and surprise a lot of people.”

 

Mississauga’s turnaround has been keyed by strong play from Owen Taylor, who leads the team with 21 goals and 42 points. Miles Johnson has also picked his game up and has 19 goals and 37 points, while the strong play of waiver acquisition Kirby Pandora on defense has continued: Pandora leads the team’s blueliners with 36 points in 36 games.

 

The Hounds have consistently been a hard team to play against, with a number of players that play the game with a physical edge. With a line rotation that almost always ensures one of Taylor (105 hits) or Deathwalker (155 hits) is on the ice on the forecheck - sometimes accompanied by Sunish (85 hits) - and a blueline featuring feared stay-at-home defender Aurelien Moreau (174 hits), opponents know they’re going to be taking some punishment when they line up against Mississauga. Moreau’s been the team’s best all-around defenseman, with 32 points and a team-high 84 blocked shots to go along with it.

 

The Hounds’ identity as a grind-it-out, defensive team has helped keep them in games, along with the continued strong play of Luke Spinelli. He’s got an .898 save percentage and is always among the VHLM goaltending leaders. “I have been very proud of how this season has gone for me; I think it’s been a real breakout season and its been beneficial to the team,” says Spinelli. “I also believe getting a full-time starter role has helped me to really be able to show my talent and what I can do for this team.”

 

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Players Mentioned: @Miks Sunins @ATST @Midnite @PandaBearD25 @Owen Taylor @animal74 @Frank @Lspinelli @Zetterberg

 

[Banackock 8,045]

Love that graphic! SOUND OF THE HOUNDS!!