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MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - mastersheep - 02-21-2020
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MasterSheep’s Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason
As we head into the SMJHL playoffs, the question on everyone’s mind is who is going to win the big prize: the Four Star Cup? The season ended with seven teams all within four points of each other so it’s truly anyone’s game. The following is a breakdown of each team, how they succeed, and how they flop.Anaheim Outlaws – 27-17-6 (4th in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 156 (3.12/Game) - 7th
Goals Against: 159 (3.14/Game) - 6th
Powerplay%: 27.91% - 1st
Penalty Kill%: 78.02% - 5th
Top Scorers
Kevin Robinson 20-28-48
Ivan Maximus 14-32-46
Alex Petrenko 13-28-41
Goaltending
Strom Chamberlain 18-12-5 0.883 SV% 3.04 GAA
Summary: The Anaheim Outlaws have hovered around the top 5 all season and win many close games. Now they have snuck into a nice fourth place finish and are poised to be very competitive in the playoffs. They have the league’s top powerplay and it’s not close. Led by third year center Kevin Robinson with his 10 powerplay goals, this crew is very dangerous with the man advantage. The penalty kill is in the top half of the league as well. They do a lot of things well and very little poorly and that has thrusted this team into the spotlight. The biggest issue is their play at even strength. They often start slowly and are forced to play catchup later on and the goaltending has been a bit shaky at times. While this has been a recipe to success so far, one can only wonder if they can turn their few weaknesses into a championship caliber team.
How they win it all: The best powerplay in the entire league continues to shine. They play a terrific puck possession game, winning faceoffs and throwing their weight around, and overall dominating play on the ice. They continue to win the big board battles and remain a strong, disciplined club.
How they crash and burn: Their powerplay is good, but barely hits the ice, leading to the team playing much of the games at even strength and continuing to get outscored by their opponents 5 on 5. Goalie Strom Chamberlain, who has struggled this season, lays a goose egg and the team fails to respond.
Anchorage Armada 21-23-6 (9th in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 157 (3.14/Game) - 6th
Goals Against: 170 (3.40/Game) -8th
Powerplay%: 24.42% - 2nd
Penalty Kill%: 77.64% - 7th
Top Scorers
Daniel Bischoff 24-31-55
Mitchell van der Heijen 25-28-53
Augustus Wang 14-30-44
Goaltending
Ian Venables 12-13-2 0.891 SV% 3.15 GAA
Summary: Things just haven’t gone right for the Armada this year. They are only one season removed from winning the Four Star Cup, but they’ve had a rough run this season. The Anchorage faithful have watched their team get beaten is almost every facet of the game. The best thing this team does is score on the powerplay, but with such few attempts they can’t even get to it very often. But, it’s not all bad for Anchorage this year. Daniel Bischoff has arguably been the best center in the game and he isn’t even playing center and Danny White has a good case at winning rookie of the year. Goaltending has been good too and Ian Venables has saved many games for the Armada.
How they win it all: The Armada players use their strengths and draw many penalties while staying out of the box. The depth players help out more on defense and block plenty of shots and the team rides Venables deep into the postseason.
How they crash and burn: The team’s inability to score at even strength hurts them in a big way. The league’s worst at shots against and one of the worst at goals against have no chance at a cup if they carry on like this. They are outworked by their tougher opponents and the fourth line remains to be the outright worst in the league and get embarrassed on a nightly basis.
Carolina Kraken 29-18-3 (2nd in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 166 (3.32/Game) - 4th
Goals Against: 155 (3.12/Game) – 4th
Powerplay%: 22.42% - 5th
Penalty Kill%: 79.45% - 2nd
Top Scorers
Tom Fiddler 16-33-49
Alexei Rykov 19-25-44
Michael Fitted 11-32-43
Goaltending
Mike Hroch 23-13-2 0.885 SV% 3.04 GAA
Summary: The Kraken have had a recent slide from the top, but otherwise have done very well on the back of some remarkable and clutch goaltending by Mike Hroch. On the surface, they do everything well and nothing badly. They have a great combination of puck control and forechecking and pepper their opponent with plenty of shots. The biggest issue by far is they can’t stay out of the penalty box, leading to significant issues closing out games that they should win.
How they win it all: Despite their flaws, this is a winning team and they continue to win with their overall play. As a top team, they will have plenty of home games where they dominate. The Kraken continue to outscore their opponents and get great secondary scoring and finally get some help from the blue line. The players sacrifice the body more than any other team in the league, blocking shots, throwing big hits and will help keep Hroch from too much workload and he carries this team.
How they crash and burn: The already undisciplined team begins a parade to the box and dooms their chances before they can begin derailing any momentum the team has. They fail to draw enough penalties themselves which doesn’t allow their dominating powerplay to even take the ice. They fail to put away teams even if they have a lead allowing comeback after comeback destroying the morale of the team.
Colorado Raptors 27-16-7 (3rd in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 148 (2.96/Game) – 9th
Goals Against: 149 (2.98/Game) –2nd
Powerplay%: 18.92% - 9th
Penalty Kill%: 79.85% - 3rd
Top Scorers
Henrik Lekberg Osterman 19-31-50
Daniel Kuster 9-39-48
First-Name Last-Name 22-25-47
Goaltending
Samat Beibitzhanov 22-13-5 0.892 SV% 2.83 GAA
Summary: I have no idea where this team came from. They were practically in the basement for much of the season and it has been incredible to watch them climb to where they are now. With a league high 10 wins after regulation and 7 of them coming at home, it has certainly been an exciting season so far for Raptors fans. The team has played suffocating defense and consistently keeps the puck out of their own zone. The league’s best overall defense is also backed by some of the better goaltending we’ve seen from Samat Beibitzhanov. The offense has been sorely lacking though and it has cost them games or they would likely be the runaway favorite.
How they win it all: The Raptors ride their incredible hot streak into the postseason. They continue to get stellar goaltending from Beibitzhanov and the defense remains the stingiest in the league. They draw many powerplays allowing them plenty of opportunities while continuing to be a controlled and disciplined team.
How they crash and burn: Defense and goaltending can’t do it all. The pitiful offense and powerplay continues to falter. They can’t get shots to the net which has been a huge problem for the team overall. The youth and inexperience of this squad is exposed in crunch time.
Detroit Falcons 29-18-3 (1st in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 179 (3.58/Game) - 1st
Goals Against: 174 (3.48/Game) – 9th
Powerplay%: 21.83% - 7th
Penalty Kill%: 75.00% - 10th
Top Scorers
Kaarlo Kekkonen 29-33-62
Cal Labovitch 19-35-54
Luke McMaster 15-33-48
Goaltending
A Jobin 21-15-2 0.871 SV% 3.65 GAA
Summary: Offense wins championships or so Detroit fans hope. This team just loves to score goals and the games are full of excitement. They are possibly the best team in the league at puck possession. If they don’t win the faceoff or happen to turn it over, they are ready to get it right back by blasting the opposing team into the boards. The problem is Detroit may simply be a one trick pony. Their defense and goaltending is downright awful and regularly costs them games. None of that matters though when all the team has to do is continue to outscore the other team.
How they win it all: Goalie A Jobin finds his game and the Falcons steamroll their opponents with their superior firepower. MVP frontrunner Kaarlo Kekkonen continues to show off his skills and the Falcons fly high with their bruising forechecking to wear down their opponents. The Falcons continue to draw penalties, providing them ample opportunities to win.
How they crash and burn: Jobin continues to allow an alarming amount of goals and his inexperience hinders the team. They take too many penalties and opposing offenses are able to bully their way right over them with their speed and strength mismatch.
Halifax Raiders 18-27-5 (10th in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 154 (3.08/Game) – 8th
Goals Against: 175 (3.50/Game) – 10th
Powerplay%: 17.99% - 10th
Penalty Kill%: 76.27% - 9th
Top Scorers
Indigo Trevino 26-27-53
Thicc Cheezy 18-30-48
Abel Skinner 13-35-48
Goaltending
Olli Saarinen Jr. 16-24-4 0.878 SV% 3.37 GAA
Summary: There are 11 rookies on the Raiders and it shows. The top line is very good though. Abel Skinner and Indigo Trevino are the best offensive weapons at their positions. But, secondary scoring is non-existent on this team and they have been consistently dominated by other more talented teams. Barring some sort of miracle, they are likely headed for a first round exit.
How they win it all: They are a solid road team so being a bottom seeded team will not be a disadvantage to them. The top line is all they need and it carries them along. Olli Saarinen Jr. ends up playing god-like somehow.
How they crash and burn: The Raiders are unable to win at home just as they have done all season. Their dismal powerplay continues to struggle and the team gets beaten to the punch over and over again. The worst faceoff team in the league cannot hang on to the puck and continue to get beaten along the boards.
Kelowna Knights 25-18-7 (7th in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 168 (3.36/Game) – 2nd
Goals Against: 150 (3.00/Game) – 3rd
Powerplay%: 20.90% - 8th
Penalty Kill%: 76.27% - 8th
Top Scorers
Gylfi Eriksson 23-27-50
Ryan Shepard 17-30-48
Danila Zhernov 5-38-43
Goaltending
Luca Del Vecchio 17-10-5 0.887 SV% 2.73 GAA
Summary: The Knights have had some early season struggles, made a big push to the top, but then cooled off near the end. With 4 of the top 6 players in +/-, the team is arguably the best in the league at even strength and we’ve seen some solid goaltending from Luca Del Vecchio. The downside is their special teams are just not very good. They draw plenty of penalties, but don’t score often enough with the man advantage. The penalty kill languished at the bottom of the league for most of the season and this has hindered their success.
How they win it all: The Knights fix their issues on special teams, perhaps with some line juggling. The penalty kill has already been trending upwards and that continues. Luciano Vessot and Danila Zhernov are the big workhorses on this club and the team’s success is driven by their excellent play. The strong secondary scoring is led by Theo Golury and Kalevolaripaavo Kaspertommevisnapuu and they put away teams in the second and third periods with ease.
How they crash and burn: The worst special teams in the league continues to struggle as the Knights are penalized to many times and fail to outshoot their opponents. Del Vecchio’s early struggles return and the team is unable to outplay their opponents.
Newfoundland Berserkers 24-21-5 (8th in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 163 (3.26/Game) – 5th
Goals Against: 167 (3.34/Game) – 7th
Powerplay%: 23.76% - 3rd
Penalty Kill%: 77.78% - 6th
Top Scorers
Cody 23-26-49
Rintarou Okabe 20-22-42
Thomas Vanice 16-26-42
Goaltending
Steven Vassallo 16-13-4 0.874 SV% 3.07 GAA
Summary: The Newfoundland Berserkers haven’t quite been able to put it together this season. They are a terrific puck possession team, but don’t have the finish to put away teams. The team shoots a lot led by Cody (189 shots, 3rd in the league), Thomas Vanice (185 shots, 4th), and Rintarou Okabe (183 shots, 5th) and the defense doesn’t give up much ground either. They have good special teams, but this hasn’t been enough to make up for their poor goaltending from both Steven Vassallo and newcomer Ryan Aaron. Another glaring issue is the team has difficulties getting production out of the bottom forward lines and defense pairings. 81 of the team’s 163 goals have been scored by the top line and defense pairing. The top trio cannot do it all if they want to be competitive this postseason. This team could surprise some folks though. They have won 7 of their last 10 and except to be competitive come playoff time.
How they win it all: The Berserkers chances really boil down to Vassallo’s performance. The second year goalie out of Japan finds his rhythm and propels the team deep into the postseason. The secondary scoring which has been lacking all season finally comes together led by Slatt Potts and rookie winger Steve Harrington.
How they crash and burn: This one-line team continues to be just that and the lack of depth is exposed. The defense keeps being outworked in their own end by other stronger teams and the goaltending woes continue.
St. Louis Scarecrows 26-19-5 (6th in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 166 (3.32/Game) – 3rd
Goals Against: 157 (3.14/Game) – 5th
Powerplay%: 22.58% - 4th
Penalty Kill%: 78.03% - 4th
Top Scorers
James Ronlain 26-24-50
Aron Hernadivic 18-28-46
Ruslan Zaporozhets 16-30-46
Goaltending
Elizabeth Doyle 23-13-4 0.888 SV% 2.84 GAA
Summary: The St. Louis Scarecrows are just one of those teams that is decent at everything and that gets them wins. They probably play more special teams than any other team in the league, which may sound like a good thing except most of the time it is on the penalty kill. They have a serious problem with staying out of the box and his name is Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette. The rugged defender is kind of a wild card and it’s tough to say what kind of impact he will make in the playoffs when he makes a great play one minute and a boneheaded one the next.
How they win it all: Elizabeth Doyle’s spectacular goaltending bails out the team time and time again. The strong defensive checking wears down teams and separate players from puck to create continuous counter-attacks throughout the playoffs. This allows them to score early and often at even strength always keeping a little bit ahead of their opposition.
How they crash and burn: Mediocre special teams continue to be so. The group of young and undisciplined players gets exposed by top competition. Lespineau-Lebrunette parks himself in the sin bin all postseason instead of helping his team. They get outworked badly in their own zone by the other teams, constantly turning over the puck.
Vancouver Whalers 24-16-10 (5th in the SMJHL)
Goals For: 146 (2.92/Game) – 10th
Goals Against: 147 (2.94/Game) – 1st
Powerplay%: 22.16% - 6th
Penalty Kill%: 80.49% - 1st
Top Scorers
Francois Breton 21-19-40
Marcus Ohlsson 19-20-39
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Jr. 8-31-39
Goaltending
White Goodman 23-12-9 0.905 SV% 2.58 GAA
Summary: The Whalers are basically the opposite of Detroit. The defense is passable, but Vancouver’s offense barely exists in this league. They only have one scorer with 40 points or more. Not even Halifax has an offense this poor. The only thing keeping them in the mix is goaltender White Goodman, who has had a career year and could easily be this year’s Tom Corcoran winner. Vancouver plays more time than any other team at even strength drawing very few penalties, but also staying out of penalty trouble themselves.
How they win it all: Sometimes having a hot goalie is all you need. Goodman has put up spectacular numbers and the Whalers have solid special teams and manage to draw more penalties and stay out of the box. One goal could be enough to make a difference for Vancouver.
How they crash and burn: The best goaltending in the league is not enough when you also have the worst offense. They spend too much time running around in their own end and allow far too many shots. White Goodman turning human at the wrong time dooms their chances and they end up with a first round exit.
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - Katth - 02-21-2020
Great read!
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - golden_apricot - 02-21-2020
Quote:How they crash and burn: The team’s inability to score at even strength hurts them in a big way. The league’s worst at shots against and one of the worst at goals against have no chance at a cup if they carry on like this. They are outworked by their tougher opponents and the fourth line remains to be the outright worst in the league and get embarrassed on a nightly basis.
@Acsolap please fix
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - Chevy - 02-21-2020
Quote:Goalie Strom Chamberlain, who has struggled this season, lays a goose egg and the team fails to respond.
![[Image: 6079b3ddd76c1e21792b01121fe3c512.gif]](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/60/79/b3/6079b3ddd76c1e21792b01121fe3c512.gif)
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - takethehorizon - 02-21-2020
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media.giphy.com/media/sfvVcEvsC6BoI/giphy.gif)
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - Acsolap - 02-21-2020
02-21-2020, 10:18 AMgolden_apricot Wrote:Quote:How they crash and burn: The team’s inability to score at even strength hurts them in a big way. The league’s worst at shots against and one of the worst at goals against have no chance at a cup if they carry on like this. They are outworked by their tougher opponents and the fourth line remains to be the outright worst in the league and get embarrassed on a nightly basis.
@Acsolap please fix
What fourth line?
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - mastersheep - 02-21-2020
Ooh definitely should be third line. I think I looked at the big minuses when I was doing this part.
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - boom - 02-21-2020
On Vancouver, I don’t think you’re giving the top-four defense enough credit - they’re 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th in scoring on the team with all of them having more than 25 points - but you are 100% spot on with how bad the forwards are. We have about two good lines worth of forwards. The defense is doing everything.
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - roastpuff - 02-21-2020
I'd like to note that Detroit has 13 rookies to Halifax's 11, and we managed to outperform.
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - mxman991 - 02-21-2020
02-21-2020, 03:35 PMroastpuff Wrote: I'd like to note that Detroit has 13 rookies to Halifax's 11, and we managed to outperform.Yeah what’s your scoring passing differential on your rookies? Hmmmm
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - roastpuff - 02-21-2020
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media.giphy.com/media/dw7lCpFmsyfS0/giphy.gif)
RE: MasterSheep's Guide to the 52nd SMJHL Postseason - Wallflower - 02-21-2020
i mflopping all post season so we go on the PP