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+---- Thread: (GRADED) Deep Dive #2 Newfoundland Berserkers Playoff Review by Philip Demitra (/showthread.php?tid=116221)
(GRADED) Deep Dive #2 Newfoundland Berserkers Playoff Review by Philip Demitra - Philip3242 - 05-26-2021
Led by their Prime Winger Jesse Trudeau during the regular season who had 64 points in 66 games, the Berserkers have been an offensive threat against the Timber thus far.
The series stands at 3-2 for the Berserkers, and hopefully the Timbers will chop down their opponents effectively. The playoff leader for Newfoundland has been effective defenseman Alexandrs Balcers who has a stunning seven points in five playoff games. As the Berserkers gained a bye due to placing third in the regular season, the rest seems to playing into their hands as the series comes to a near end.
Game one of the series went terribly for Maine as they got outshot 42-17 in a 3-1 loss. Hits and faceoffs were surprisingly tied for both teams at 24 and 26 respectively. The team lagged significantly behind in terms of offense and seemed flat footed other than a lone goal by Janne Virtanen. Hugo Gronoos has also been playing every game for the Berserkers in net whereas Maine has been splitting time between their two goalies. Leon Anathansios was highly effective as the 2nd leading goal scorer for the team in the regular season with 57 points, and came out with a goal and an assist striking fear into the Timber throughout the game. Robert E.O. Speedwagon also had a goal and was third star. Robert seems like a really up and coming two-way forward and has two points throughout the series.
Gronoos proved to be less consistent then the Maine goalies who have been busy all season, with a 5-2 win for the Timber in the 2nd game of the series despite getting outshot 33-25. Maine won despite also losing by 9 faceoffs, however their physical prevailed. This game was tied at two goals each until halfway through the third when Maine turned their Jets on. Rick Charlesworth had a good game with a goal and an assist. He is likely one of the top SMJHL 2nd line centers in the league having had 51 points including an impressive 28 goals. Bas O'Bigbers on his line also had a couple helpers and a solid game.
The third game Newfoundland game back with a vengeance and scored seven goals against the three of Maine. Balcers would prove his threat here for real with three points. Nike Kickz Jr. also had a great game on the top line picking up a few helpers. He has five assists in the series currently and two of those in this game were on goals for Athanasios. Jess Trudeau the third member of the top line also had a goal and a helper. While the bottom six for the Berserkers struggled in this game, the top six more than made up for this with an overwhelming performance.
The fourth game would result in a 2-1 victory Maine in a closely fought game. Despite having far fewer shots pulled out the win. Charlesworth got another goal but it was not enough to get past the early couple of goals from Maine. Speedwagon would take the 2nd star for his helper on the goal as well with a solid two-way game.
Game five would have Newfoundland coming out of the gate with a couple of quick goals near the end of the 1st period. Balcers would score the 1st while the 2nd would come from Defenseman Okamoto who has been averaging 21 minutes a night and had an impressive 42 points as the top defenseman in comparison to Balcers 39. Robert Black would then pile in another goal partway through the 2nd who is the third line center for the team. This was followed quickly by a fast breakaway goal from Athanasios. This was a gain followed by another goal from Black for a third goal in the span of a few minutes to make it 5-0 for the Berserkers halfway through the 2nd. Maine would score a couple of goals later but it would prove not to matter in the end with Newfoundland winning game 5 5-2 taking a 3-2 lead in the series.
Overall the Berserker's top six is scary as is their fairly deep defense. Their goaltending seems less consistent, but has proven capable enough thus far to beat the Timber which worries Demitra going into game six tonight! The Timber will need to beat a strong team to keep their playoff hopes alive now.......
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@Philip3242 GRADED! +5 TPE