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SMJHL Almost Half Season Review - JSS331 - 02-06-2020
The SMJHL season is almost half way finished with most teams having played 22 or 23 games out of fifty. With all of the teams chasing the Four Star Cup that is currently being defended by season 51 champions Anchorage Armada, every point will count in getting the best seeding going into the playoffs. All teams make it to the post season but it is a much easier road to the championship if you are playing the lower seeded teams. The standings are tight right now with just eight points separating the first place team and the last place team.
[b]1. Carolina Kraken 23 Games played 30 Points[b/]
Last seasons Laurifer Trophy recipients as the regular season champions, and coming off their Four Star Cup championship in Season 50, the Carolina Kraken are hungry to avenge their disappointing loss to the 8th seeded Whalers. That loss was reminiscent of the NHL's Presidents Trophy winning Washington Capitals losing to the 8th seeded Montreal Canadiens in the 2010 playoffs. This year's team is right back on pace at the top of the table, leading the league in points through 23 games with 30.
Sporting a record of 14 wins, seven losses, and two over time losses, they are strong both on the road and at home. Their goal differential of 12 is second best in the league and they sit third in the league in scoring with 75 goals. Special teams are both ranked fourth in the league with their power play striking about 23% of the time and killing off penalties 80% of the time. It's a good thing too as they are giving up the second most penalty minutes per game played.
Their leader in goals scored is Alexander Wachter with 11 and Tom Fiddler is among the league leaders in assists with 18 and also the leader on the team in points. With a great team goal differential, it is no surprise that they have five players currently at plus 10 or better. Their starter in net, Mike Hroch sports a decent .899 save percentage and a 2.62 goals against average both third best in the league and his 11 wins is top of the stack.
Things look good for a chance at their second Four Star Cup in just three years if their play continues to be strong in the second half of the season.
[b]2. Detroit Falcons 23 Games Played 29 Points[b/]
Detroit is coming off a Season 51 campaign that was one to forget for fans of the team. They were consistently towards the bottom half of the league and got bounced in the first round of the playoffs. With a strong core of rookies that were returning this season, hopes are high in Detroit that they will be able to bring home a Four Star Cup.
They are currently sitting in second, just one point behind Carolina but matching their total of 14 wins only with 8 losses in regulation and only one over time loss. Their goal differential, while being one of only four teams in the positive, sits at plus three. This is mostly due to a slow start and a few blowout losses which skew the numbers negatively. Offensively, they are second in the league in goals scored behind only St. Louis with 78. They have also given up the second most goals. One of their biggest faults is their special teams, which are anything but special. Currently 9th on the power play and 7th on the penalty kill, this is an area that will need to be cleaned up in the second half. They also give up the most penalty minutes which only compounds things and is a major driving factor in their 75 goals allowed, tied for second worst in the league.
Individually, they have some play makers on the roster. Cal Labovitch is on a torrid pace this season in his quest to win Most Valuable Player, currently leading the league in points, tied for second in goals scored with 12 and tied for third in assists with 18. They have three players with a solid plus minus of well over plus 10, if they can clean up their play on the defensive side of the ice, they can expect to have more in that category. While their two keepers basically split time in net, Oleg Igorevich Burov is currently 4th in the league for goals against average at 2.77 and 5th in the league in save percentage at .897.
The underlying numbers need to improve if Detroit wants to fend off the strong teams below them in the standings. Right now though, they look like a team that could contend for the Four Star Cup and win for the first time since Season 37.
[b]3. St. Louis Scarecrows 23 Games Played 28 Points[b/]
St. Louis is off to a great start this season, looking to build on their surprise playoff success in Season 51 where they ousted the number three seed Halifax. St. Louis, is no stranger to post season success of course, having won three Four Star Cups in the last eight seasons. I am sure their fans are hoping they can make it four out of nine when the Four Star Cup is raised this year.
The Scarecrows have managed to earn 28 points with 13 wins, eight losses, and two over time losses to their record. They also have the best goal differential in the league at plus sixteen. They lead the league in goals scored with 79 while also having an impressive 63 goals allowed which is tied for best. Special teams are above average overall with the third best power play and a middle of the pack fifth best penalty kill. A physical team that leads the league in hits, they also put the puck on net more than any other team. They are second best in faceoff percentage as well.
Individually, as expected, they have some of the top performers in the league. Goal tending is a particular area of strength with Elizabeth Doyle dominating between the pipes this year in the starting role. Leading the league in goals against average at 2.44 and second in save percentage at an impressive .901 to go along with second in wins. Offensively, St. Louis has the league leader in both goals and assists. James Ronlain has one goal lead in the chase for the Roberto Martucci trophy for the most goals after finishing second in that race last year. Dropping dimes from the blue line is stud defenseman, Flash Gordon with an amazing 24 assists and a team lead 29 points. He also leads his team in plus minus at a plus 15.
St. Louis may have the strongest chance to win the cup despite being in third. This is definitely a team to fear moving forward.
[b]4. Anaheim Outlaws 23 Games Played 27 Points[b/]
Anaheim is about middle of the pack in goals scored and allowed but is currently at a minus three goal differential. While they've been on a bit of slump they are certainly a team to keep an eye on in the playoffs. They have a solid team who can definitely make some noise if they can tighten up on defense and in net.
[b]5. Anchorage Armada 23 Games Played 26 Points[b/]
[b]6. Vancouver Whalers 22 Games Played 24 Points[b/]
[b]7. Kelowna Knights 23 Games Played 23 Points[b/]
[b]7. Colorado Raptors 23 Games Played 23 points[b/]
[b]9. Newfoundland Berserkers 22 Games Played 22 Points[b/]
[b]10. Halifax Raiders 23 Games Played 22 Points[b/]
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1262 WordsRE: SMJHL Almost Half Season Review - notorioustig - 02-07-2020
RE: SMJHL Almost Half Season Review - Mutedfaith - 02-07-2020
SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE
RE: SMJHL Almost Half Season Review - _Blitz_ - 02-07-2020
Awesome article. We'll see how it plays out.
