Simulation Hockey League

The season is fully underway now. Is your team starting to gel?

Requirements

Written option: Write 200 words about your overall team performance so far. What is the team doing well? What do you still need to work on to make playoffs? Include at least 4 team stats.
Graphic option: Create an infographic comparing your team's strengths and weaknesses. Must include at least 4 team stas.

Payout

4 TPE for doing the thing. (Just one of the things, not both.)

Only S38 SMJHL Rookies (S39 SHL Rookies) are eligible for this PT.

Do not claim this TPE until a post is made in the claim thread.

Deadline
Thursday, December 21, 11:59 PM EST

Oh man, what don’t the Raiders need to work on this year? We have a whopping 11 rookies on the team right now, with all but two playing a significant role. We’re last in goals for, though that’s pretty close and we’re last in goals against, with 80 a whopping 20 goals allowed more than the next worst team. We’ve paired that performance with an equally dismal last place is shots for as well as shots against, which has translated to a league low 75% shots for%. We’ve managed a total of three wins in twenty games. Our power play is a league worst 13.41%. We have the softest team in the league, coming in last again for hits. Our goalies, peppered with shots and overworked, have a 0.860 save percentage, and will probably need trauma counselling.
All that being said, the Raiders’ locker room is holding steady. No one is turning on the other. Everyone knew this was going to be a season for improving and not so much for winning, and we’ve tempered our expectations accordingly. We all understand that a team so young is bound to improve a lot by the time next season rolls around, and we’re all very optimistic about that. Even within this season, we’ve got from regular 5-1 thrashings to keeping games close. The power play has dramatically improved. While it’s probably too late to save this season, next season looks hopeful.

As a rookie in the St. Louis Scarecrows locker, I feel as though I've come in here with an open mind. Everyone in here is a new face, I don't have any biases (okay, that's a lie. Jon Tellofsen and Elias Svensson are two of the best human beings alive and if you disagree with that fact you can go shove it), so I can tell you a thing or two about how our team has been doing chemistry-wise without having old opinions effect my current ones.

What we do well:
Faceoffs - One thing I've really noticed is our center's ability to win faceoffs. At the beginning of the year you think to yourself "okay this is cool, we're starting off a lot of games with puck control. I wonder if this'll continue..." and then you chalk it up to luck. But when you're 20 games deep into the season and you're team is still at the top of the faceoff percentage standings at 53.08%, you kind of come into every faceoff assuming you're going to have the puck when play starts. It's great when you're able to have confidence in your team's centers as a defensemen.

What we need to work on:
PIMs - Right now the Scarecrows lead the league in PIMs at 9/Per Game. I don't have a problem with sticking up for your teammates, but we can't be on the penalty kill half of period every game. It kills momentum and one bad penalty at the end of a game can allow the other team to tie it up or ruin your chances of getting back into it.

Power Play - There's no way around it, our power play is abysmal right now, and I think that's partially on myself. I know I'm a rookie, but when you're on the first power play unit, that's not an excuse. We can't seriously only be able to score less than 15% of the time on the power play, that's just sad.

Penalty Killing - This is tough, because not only is our penalty killing bad, but the amount of penalties we take compounds the issue. We're 2nd worst in the league in power plays AND penalty killing. We successfully kill penalties about 74% of the time. With our average of 9 PIMs per game, that should lead to just under 3 goals against per game due to penalties.

The good news is that we are still in a playoff position, but if faceoffs are our only bright spot, we're going to have a seriously tough time getting past the first round this year, let alone winning the Four Stars Cup. We have it in us, all of the tools are there. We just have to get it in gear and play our game. Enough retaliating and taking crappy shots on the power play, it's time for us to get back to where we want to be and show that we're a competitive team.

At the 40% mark of the season, the St. Louis Scarecrows are a bubble team, currently holding the last playoff spot in the SMJHL with a dead split 10-10-0 record.

While the results have been relatively inconsistent (the current 3-game losing streak the Crows are on is tied for the longest streak they've had either way this season), the Team continues to gel. It is comfortable to say that the players have really bought into the St. Louis coach's systems, training and really looking to improve themselves, day in and day out. There are learning curves for sure, but the younger players are looking to get to greater levels with help from the veteran presences in the locker room.

The team also boasts solid scoring depth, with only one player currently bettering a PPG but everyone contributing to keeping the goals coming. You can definitively say that St. Louis is not a one-line team, and each and every player is shouldering thier role and contributing to both the on-ice results and the locker room.

What currently needs to shake out is the abysmal special teams (7th in the SMJHL in both PP and PK) and maintaining consistency after thier strong performances. With some minor tweaking, the Crows will definitely be more than a bubble team to close out the season.

Although we’re in a playoff spot, I feel that the Scarecrows could be doing way better than we currently are. We’re at a negative (-1) goal differential, which, I feel I have a part in, as the person with the 2nd lowest plus/minus on the team (-6). Hopefully, my line can start scoring more, as my line currently combines for four point (of which I have three). To be fair, my line is all rookies, so we’ll hopefully all improve together as a unit. Who know, we could all go from being a bad 4th line to being a great 1st line within the next couple of seasons. I know our team can be over .500, if all of our rookies just keep putting in time and developing. Our game plan for the foreseeable future should just be to take the journey to more success by having our younger guys try to match our top line guys in skill. If everything else goes exactly the same as it is now, we will make the playoffs, but I’m not sure if we’ll get very far, but if our team chemistry improves, and our young guns start performing, I think we could definitely be a dark horse for the Four Star.
(210 words)

The Knights are playing really well right now, our locker room is starting to gel, the goals are filling the net like that fat guy at the all you can eat buffet. We are currently averaging 3.25 goals per game, good for 2nd in the league, and were getting it done on the Power play at 22.78%. However the most impressive thing might be the rookie presence on this team, 3 of our rookies currently rank in the top 10 rookie scoring board. The all our lines are chipping in as 2 of our rookies each picked up their first career goals last game against Detroit. Right now we sit 3rd in the league so we just need to keep doing what were doing and playing out game and get ready for playoffs. Our team is getting better by the day, confidence is building and it shows on the ice, we took the top team in the SMJHL to OT but couldn't get it done in the shootout, and in part 2 of the back to back we picked up the W in a statement game against a very strong club in Detroit. Our team is buzzing right now, and were ready to sting a few wins together. We could tighten up a bit on the D side of the puck though, sitting at 4th place in the GA category with 2.8 goals against per game, we need to bring that number down if we want to contend for the championship.

With twenty games now in the past, the Montreal Militia have started to click. Well, "click" might be an understatement.

A rough start to the season had fans and players alike concerned in Montreal, but those worries have been laid to rest thanks to a lengthy win-streak and a 9-1-0 record over the past ten games. That improvement has seen the Militia rise to 4th in the entire SMJHL, with their sights set further up the standings.

The question is, what have the Militia done to find themselves where they're at? Let's take a look.

First and foremost, the Militia boast a lethal power play unit. With a 26.37% success rate (tops in the league) on the man advantage, the opposition should be very hesitant to take penalties against this team. Jack Tanner has been one of the stars on that unit, with 12 of his 18 points this season coming on the power play.

The Militia have also been very good at staying out of the penalty box. While their special teams revolves around the power play, they've done a wonderful job of limiting how often their penalty kill sees the ice. At 6.80 PIM/GP, the Militia are the least-penalized team in the SMJHL.

Finally, the Militia have started to take advantage of the scoring chances they've been generating. Sitting at 3.20 Goals for per game, good enough for third in the league, the Militia haven't been making things easy for opposing netminders.

While things are just peachy in Montreal right now, there is still some work done if the Militia hope to take first place in the standings. Something that would really help would be if they could improve on shot suppression, as they're currently allowing 27.00 shots against per game, which is second-worst league-wide.

We are doing pretty well. The Detroit Falcons have been a consistently winning team, and I'm glad and proud to be a part of it. We're currently rocking it at the top of the league, although we expect to be trading places with the Firebirds for first place for a good long time.

We started off a bit rough with regards to taking penalties (I admit that I am also to blame in this, despite my best efforts). We're no longer the most penalised team in the league, but we are 6th with 8.9 PIM/game. Luckily, we're incredibly good on the penalty kill, with an efficiency of 86.57%. This strong, defensive mentality allows the team to survive even when we're short-handed.

In fact, we take the most shots on average in the league, 28.2 per game, on average. Luckily enough, we have legendary goalie Evgueni Marmeladov between the pipes, and he gives us a chance to win every game night. We make our own luck too, of course. When it comes to face-offs, our strong centres (and wingers) are adept at winning face-offs. In fact, we're second only to the Scarecrows with a FO% of 52.35.

So, we're doing well, but we're not perfect. I think we need to keep on shooting, be more disciplined, and play a good strong defensive game to make sure we're not overworking Marmeladov. For my part, I'm just going to keep on working to improve my game and help the team on the way to our next Four-Star Cup.

We are just under half way through the season and, as a rookie on the Kelowna Knights i'd say we are killing it. Everyone is putting the goals in at second in the league in total goals with 65. That's good for 3.25 Goals PER GAME!!! Even more than that, we are getting it done while being ranked 6th in the league in Shots per game meaning when we shoot, we score.

Our Power play is top three at 22% and on the rise, most teams in a six team playoff system is a sign of a team poised for a deep playoff run. If our PK can get there in the top three too and we will be scary, down right scary.

Home Ice is such a huge advantage too, at 7-1-2 when teams come to play they know its going to be a rough game. Teams with Home Ice advantage in the playoffs MURDER other teams. By the way, each of this year's top three teams are amazing at home.

The feeling inside the locker room is absolutely killer. Top to bottom, from Vet to rookie we are gelling and working this league. Watch out SMJHL, Knights on the rise and see you on the ice boys.

Word count: 211

B)

After leading the preseason with with 78 points in 50 games it looked like the Whalers were poised to have a stellar year. Fast forward 20 games into the regular season and Vancouver has only 18 points over 20 games while being on pace for 48. One of the biggest difference from preseason to regular season is goal scoring. The Whalers managed to lead pre-season by filling the net 178 time which was good for 3.56 goals per game. As of today the Whalers have 48 goals in their 20 games which is a paltry 2.4 goals a game. Things are not any better on the defensive side of the puck as the Whalers went from allowing 2.32 goals in per a game to 3 goals a game. Vancouver has actually not been let down by their power-play as it went from 22.17% in pre-season down to 21.05% in regular season and that means that the Whalers have been let down by their five on five play. A noticeable difference and likely the culprit for the ballooned goals against average is their woeful penalty kill. 81.44% was good for second in the league but during regular season play the Whalers are managing a league worst 75% and that is just unacceptable. If Vancouver hopes to make the playoffs they need to rediscover their goal scoring touch at even strength play. Just as important is their ability to cut goals down, especially when they are down a man.

Arriving in Prince George this season, I was met with a lot excitement from my GM's about the upcoming season and forty percent of the way through the season I can tell why. We have one hell of a team here in Prince George and here are some of the highlights.

The Best:

Currently the Firebirds are the best scoring team in the league. Sitting at 76 goals in 20 games, averaging 3.8 goals per game. We have 9 more goals than the next closest team which is more than impressive.

Building a Fortress:

After 10 home games, the Firebirds sit at an incredible 9-1-0 home record. This tops the league so far and certainly should make the fans happy.

The Good:

On top of dominating on the offensive end, Prince George sit 2nd in goals allowed at 52 goals through 20 games. This is especially impressive as we are starting a rookie in net this season, but is also a testament to our solid core of defenseman.

What Needs Improvement:

Penalties. Currently Prince George sits 2nd in penalty minutes per game at 8.95 mins/game. Penalties are always a stat that can make or break a team and a game. Going towards the playoffs, the team needs to work on its discipline to avoid taking as many penalties.

Overall, this team is firing on all cylinders at the moment and has the best offensive line in the league. Honestly we have a young team that is improving every update and have our eyes set on the Four Star Cup.

As of now we are in the playoffs, Probably we DOPE ASS Mammoths should be doing a lot better to be honest. Having a negative -4 goal difference. To be fair, my pairing is two rookies, so we can hopefully both start to improve together as a tandem. I know our team can be over .500, if all of our rookies just keep putting in time and developing. The greasy duo on d have a combined -8 and that is not really going to cut it although our combined shots blocked is already over 50 which is fairly good among the rookie class. Also I have started seeing power play time, although small it is some kind of improvement for myself anyway. I feel its time for our team to start shaking up the lines as we have a few units that are not playing well together maybe even breaking up the grease pair (or not). With St louis chasing us and only one team that appears out of it from a strandings point. As christmas approaches maybe old saint nick will give us a little gift early ina few back to back wins after surviving a home at home with vancouver and somehow getting points from those games.

The Kelowna knights have been doing very well placing 3rd in the SMJHL standings. The knights are also 2nd in scoring only to the 1st place Prince George Firebirds. While Kelowna is sitting pretty and starting to look toward the playoffs, the goal of winning it all still remains. Despite the away record of 5-5 being a primary issue, Kelowna is doing very well at home going 7-1. May be because the biker gang is threatening opposing team players before the game, but nobody can be sure of that. Kelowna has seen their rookies be very active in their team’s success. With 4 of the rookies having 5 or more points and the two leading rookies being defencemen. The team itself will get better as the season continues, with the rookies increasing their overall PTE increasing every week with trainging, and with the encouragement from upper management, Kelowna has as bright as future as ever. For Kelowna standards of course. One of the final issues that Kelowna has is defense and goaltending. Kelowna has allowed 56 goals this season, tied with Montreal for the worst of the top 5 teams in the SMJHL. While Kelowna did draft a goalie, that helps to give them something to look forward to come next season when he will more than likely be a starter.

221 words

Written option: Write 200 words about your overall team performance so far. What is the team doing well? What do you still need to work on to make playoffs? Include at least 4 team stats.

We in Halifax knew this was going to be year of struggling. With Kevin Hamilton and Bar Downski as the only two forwards who aren’t rookies, they’ve seen rookies like Yannick Berger, Hans Gruber, Konstantin Kostoyevskiy, as well as defenseman Jon Toner and James Johnson, thrust into spots that a rookie would normally never be expected to fill. The team has done a lot of learning over the season, and will continue to learn and be thrown into the spotlight for a team that will certainly do better as time progresses. As for the team as a whole they really haven’t had much in the way of team statistics, as the team is last in goals for at 45 goals, and has given up 19 more goals than the next closest team, at 80 goals allowed. The team also has struggled in faceoff % as well, dead last in the league at 46.51% faceoff wins. This is a bit expected as every center for the Raiders is a rookie, so they aren’t as experienced as some of the other guys in the league. The team is last in pretty much every meaningful stat, with only penalty kill% (77.5%), and PIM/GP (8.55), where the team is not ranked last. The team has a lot of work to do and realistically the playoffs are out of the question this season. At 3 wins, 14 losses, and 3 overtime losses, the Raiders are looking to see how the rookies develop at this point, and barring a massive turnaround the team will be looking at missing the playoffs this season, filling holes next season and making a playoff push when the rookies have a lot more experience. The locker room has understood this and the expectations were that we would be looking at a much better team at the end of the season and during the next season, as we have so many rookies that we knew there would be struggles early.
(328 words)