Leaderboard

Mid-Season Awards We're just beyond the mid-way point in the season and races are heating up - well, at the top they are, anyway. Nine points separate first (Helsinki) and fourth (New York) place overall, and top spot in each conference is held by a lead five or fewer points. Davos and Calgary are pretty well set at third in their respective conference, and the battle for last place has three teams within a range of seven points. That's how the team standings are shaping up, but how about the individuals? I'm going to be giving some recognition to those top players with some mid-season awards. Keep in mind these are not predictions or thoughts on who will end up winning; they are based solely on the games that have been played without taking too in depth of a look at everything. Most Valuable Player Jacob @Higgins By the same line of thinking that made Apollo Skye the MVP in S53, Jacob is arguably the mid-season winner this season. With a 0.930 save percentage, he's among the leading goalies in at least that statistic. He isn't completely without help, as Travis Gowecny and Marc-Alexander LeBlanc are both over a point-per-game, but Jacob is the clear stand-out on the team. The Wranglers are solidly in a playoff position, with more distance separating them from fourth place than first place in the conference. They aren't an awful team, thanks in large part to Jacob's performance this season. Honorable mentions: Unassisted (NYA), Diana Maxwell (NYA) Top Defenseman Roman Sokolov @Beketov This is always one of the hardest decisions to make. I ultimately settled on Roman Sokolov, who had more goals, points, and shots blocked than the other top candidates (and just one fewer hit than Bobby Digital). Considering all that, it's more clear-cut than usual. Sokolov is one of the leaders on this young Toronto team that has won some games that you wouldn't expect them to. If he can prove this isn't just a fluke, the future of the Legion will be looking bright. Honorable mentions: Bobby Digital (NYA), Fabio Jokinen (QUE) Top Two-Way Forward Fook Yu @tfong Noticing a trend? The young bucks are taking over; Jacob, Sokolov, and Fook Yu are all second year players. Yu leads the league in hits with 219, and his 47 points are certainly enough. We knew coming into the season that he had a good physical presence on the ice, but his offensive game was still in question. It would seem that he's proving himself, and I expect him to be a candidate for this award for years to come. Honorable mentions: n/a Top Goalie Astrid Moon @The Trollfecta In recent seasons, we've seen the single-season GAA record climb down further and further, with Rhett DeGrath's 1.33 mark from last season setting the newest low. Currently, Astrid Moon is on pace to break at, sitting at 1.22 for now. In addition to his healthy lead in GAA, he is tied at the top with a 0.931 save percentage and leads the league with 13 shutouts. He is even a perfect 7/7 in penalty shots. By just about every measure, Astrid Moon has the best numbers thus far. Honorable mentions: Rhett DeGrath (STO), Jacob (CGY)

It´s a Tuesday night, I´m at home doing my usual routine before getting ready to hit the bed. I don´t want to go too much into detail about the routine, but it´s something I have been doing for some time now, I look myself from the mirror and make sure everything is like it should, well maintained and oiled up. Now, when I was in middle of oiling my feet, someone had the stones to actually call to me. I looked who was the caller, it was Frank - the GM of Meute. After seeing it was Frank, I was ready to ignore the call like I normally do when he calls, but then I realized that something serious might be going on for him to call so late? So I answered and indeed something unusual is going on, the two games against Riga and one against Calgary have been cancelled! I did not even get to ask why before Frank already hanged up. We got few days off in result, so I´m not mad or anything, but still interesting to hear games being cancelled, or well I´m not sure if they are cancelled, but they were not played on the day that they were scheduled on, so postponed might be the better word. Rarely see that in todays VHL either way, so on the next day I decided to look into it and found out nothing. No reason or anything, only information I found is just the fact that games are not played on the scheduled days. Naturally I was left even more curious after that and started thinking what could be the reason? Is there something unusual going on in Riga and in Calgary? Perhaps a doping scandal of some kind, multiple players from both teams got caught and because of that, VHL had to postpone the games to make sure the results are fully analyzed? I don´t want to start any rumors by saying this, but there are couple players I could easily see eating something more than just porridge and orange juice on the mornings. Jacob from Calgary and Krigars from Riga are my picks to be among the players under investigation at the moment. Jacob because the guy is massive, but still moves around like a young gaselle. You don´t get that kind agility and ability to always be on the right spot by just being at home when dinner is ready. Krigars is a smaller guy in height, but for some reason he does not get hurt at all. He has so far been hit over 200 times in 40 games, but no injuries? Is that even possible without using some kind of injury preventing substance? These are of course purely my own speculations on what is going on, but I would suggest spreading the message to Jacobs and Krigas social media accounts and every possible video by commenting with lines like this: It´s easy to save when times slow down for you, you cheater or no wonder you never get injured, even if you lose a tooth, new one will grow during the night, you cheater. VHL against doping, say no to cheating and spread the message!

Came from the NSFL which was my first sim league (still active there), where Kendrick mentioned checking this place out. I'm planning on getting into hockey fandom this year so I'm interested in this league as well. Just plan to have some fun with it and hopefully beat some players up (I just watched Goon for the first time recently).

the hatty!

Continuation from: Part 1 (I just realized I did Bruce's part a little assbackwards, oh well) Bruce Buffer: Our three judges scoring tonight's contest are Derek Cleary, Junichiro Kamijo, and Jeff Mullen and when the action gets started in the octogon tonight's referee is BIG John McCarthy! John McCarthy: Okay guys, Respect each other, respect my words, and I want a good, clean fight. Are you guys ready? Okay, good. Touch gloves if you want. *Fighters turn around Instantly without touching* Joe Rogan: No way, no how were these guys going to touch gloves. Just wasn't going to happen. Way too much hatred here for that to happen. Mike Goldberg: I agree Joe, absolutely zero chance of that happening. It appears as if we're all ready, and here...we...Go! The fighters start circling each other, getting a feel for one another. It's anyone's guess who will try to throw the first punch. Joe: Awful lot of circling and bobbing here, these guys are just trying to feel Each other out, and oooh! Vernon takes the first swing and it was a power shot and he just misses King as he swings his head out of the way. MG: King is lucky he got out of the way on that one as Vernon certainly tried unloading. Here's a few quick punches from King, but nothing connecting and now Vernon counters with a jab of his own and he connects with King right on the chin! JR: You can see it in Kings eyes, he didn't expect Vernon to have that kind of power. He does now! He doesn't looked dazed, just more surprised. MG: King attempts a kick, catches Vernon in the calf. And another quick kick to the calf. Looks like King is trying to keep some distance between themselves. JR: And I know those kicks don't look like much, but they definitely add up and take a toll on a fighters leg over the course of the fight. MG: King with yet another kick and this time Vernon is ready for him! He grabs his foot, and King loses his balance, they're down on the ground! JR: Nice move by Vernon there to get King to the ground, but equally a good a move by King to only allow Vernon into half guard. King has that leg wrapped around Vernons. MG: Vernon trying to land some elbows into King, but nothing serious. King is trying to get off some rib shots, but again, nothing serious. Vernon looks to make his move to full mount now, but King is showing some serious strength to prevent that. It looks like this is how round one will end. *CLAP CLAP CLAP* MG: Ten seconds remaining now and neither fighter is giving an inch. And there's the horn, that's the end of round one! JR: Not an entirely exciting round there, but still some action. The round clearly goes to Vernon though for that huge punch that landed early and then the takedown. MG: Round two set to begin now and it starts out the same, the fighters just circling. King makes his move and lands a huge punch! AND ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! JR: OOOOOH! That was an amazing combo there from King. He hit him with two quick jabs and then the cross and Vernon never saw it coming. It looks like he's opened a small gash above his right eye. MG: King goes back to work here by throwing a few more punches, none land, and Vernon attempts a few of his own. King leans in and out of the way and now wraps up Vernon into the clinch. The fighters move to the cage and King puts his weight into Vernon. Vernon is trying to get some leverage with his legs for a takedown, but King is defending nicely. JR: A little break in the action here and it looks like both guys are just tying to catch their breath. I wouldn't be surprised if John breaks this up soon. MG: And right on cue, John steps in and breaks the fighters up. Back to the center of the octogon we go and back to the action. Both fighters attempting to throw jabs, each blocking nicely. Vernon throws a leg and King nicely avoids it. Now King is kicking and hits that calf of Vernon again. JR: Oh! Did you see that? Did you see that? It looked like Vernon winced in pain after that last leg shot from King and he took some of that weight off it. MG: King tries that calf again, but misses this time and Vernon immediately goes in for a punch and connects! Now King throws and connects! And Vernon again! JR: THIS IS INSANE. Both fighters are pummeling each other right now with a flurry of punches! MG: They are trading punch after punch right now at a pace that is simply unbelievable. The crowd is going nuts, blood is everywhere! *CLAP CLAP CLAP* Ten seconds left and these guys are still trading every punch! This is insane! And there's the horn! JR: I can't believe what I just saw. OH and now they touch gloves and a quick hug before heading into their corners. There is Absolutely no love lost between these two, but they know they respect each other and what they just did to each other, they know they just let it all loose. They are sucking for air right now. MG: Round three begins and the fighters are not doing much as they are still gasping for every little bit of air they can get. King circles in, kicks at that calf again, but misses. King kicks again, catches. And kicks again, and catches again. JR: You can see now that leg is really bothering Vernon. He's wincing in pain every kick and has a slight scowl on his face when he walks on it. MG: King attempts a kick again, but Vernon grabs his ankle once more and attempts the takedown, but King balances nicely hopping on one leg and frees his other, but with his back turned briefly, Vernon tries to come in but they wrap up again. King immediately gets some space and gets Vernon off him. Back to the center of the octogon and King attempts another kick, he catches that calf again. JR: King is seriously testing that leg. I'm not sure how much more of that Vernon can take. MG: King with another kick, but it's a fake! Vernon attempts to grab, but King comes back with the leaping punch and connects right on the side of the face with the superman! JR: HE'S STUNNED! HES STUNNED! MG: King with a HUGE shot there landing the superman, Vernon stumbles back, King launches in again, and connects! And AGAIN! JR: ITS OVER! ITS OVER! HE IS OUT COLD! MG: John McCarthy runs over to separate the two while King gets in one last punch. Vernon is out cold and the medics are over to him, but MARCUS KING HAS WON THIS FIGHT BY TKO!

I'll take that for some offense. Wowsa.

Roman Sokolov has been an absolute force this season. In our previous article, we noted on one of the most important positions in the game of hockey. It could be said that without a good goalie, any team is doomed. Though, with a good goalie your team could still be in a similar position. These two things go hand in hand and if you have a good pairing mixed with a top notch goalie, you surely will have quite the defensive set up going on for your organization. Defenders in this league are huge - even if many teams specialize in going all out with their forwards. Like any game, you gotta score to win, but you also have to keep the puck out of the net and your end. While a huge portion of keeping it out of the net is the goalies job, you'd be surprised how much the defenders actually do (or not). Let us open that sweet URL link, track the top 3 defensemen down and see who could be crowned the #1 D-man of the season. 3. Fabio Jokinen (QUE) Jokinen lights the lamp courtesy of a bomb of a slap shot. I'd say the only reason Fabio is in 3rd and not 2nd is because Digital's SB are similar and he edges him out in points. A very unattractive feature to the #2 ranked player on this list is his inability to stay out of the box. However, despite this, Fabio still finds himself sitting in 3rd place. Quebec is on the rise and so is this young defender. Likely an anchor that'll hold down the Meute's blue line for many seasons to come, it's also pretty safe to say that this guy is going to be a candidate, or at least a nominee, for top defender of the year every single season he plays from now on. He's established, on his way up and sits at 566 TPE. Though not a crazy amount for someone of his age, he shows that he can still play with the big boys and in fact, is becoming one of them. 50 points through 40 so far, will be interesting to see if he can crack 100. 2. Bobby Digital (NYA) Digital has been a human wrecking ball. MR. Digital. There's not much to say about this guy other than he's an American loyalist through and through and has turned himself into a true, quality player. For the last couple of seasons, his name has been at the top of the list for the Sterling Labatte trophy and this year could be the year he takes it home due to some excellent play on his behalf. A fighting point for him would be that he's on the better team - thus, faces less shots. With Sokolov being on the weaker team, his team gives him more defensive opportunity like shot blocking and hitting. I'd say Digital will make the race interesting and with 45 points through 40, 122 hits and 72 shots blocked on the season, it's hard to look the other way for nominating him to say the least. 1. Roman Sokolov (TOR) Sokolov's skill is incredible - even while laying on the ice. Ah, yes. the young phenom who is turning heads in Toronto and making the panties of every female Legion fan drop to the floor. Kidding, but actually, who knows. With how crazy this kid has been playing, we've definitely seen stranger shit happen (like Petenis win the Labatte last season). Sokolov has truly turned his game up this season and breaker free of the lower level style of play which he displayed the last few seasons. Maybe lower isn't the right word, but he has stepped it up to a whole new level this year and it could be a sign of a great career ahead of him. He edges Jokinen out by 1 point (though much lower skill level and team skill), leads the league in shots blocked with 133 and also adds 121 hits to his argument for the Labatte this season. If everything remains constant, this guy will be taking home the trophy this year. 6 for FORSBERG

Could you imagine!

Alright here it goes: The VHL is approaching a decade of life! If you were the Commissioner, what are some of the things you'd do to celebrate this with the community? I don't know when the last time you've talked about this, but what are your thoughts on the VHLM? Is it pointless, given the amount of activity in the league, or is it a useful tool for new members to learn the ropes? Essian is not having a bad season atm! Is he on pace with your expectations of him this season? I'll be at work until 10:30 tonight and across the street in the Square, the Bare Naked Ladies will be doing a live show to kick-start Canada's 150th Birthday weekend. That's just an fyi.

Jacob numbah wun