+- Simulation Hockey League (https://simulationhockey.com)
+-- Forum: League Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=610)
+--- Forum: SHL Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=46)
+---- Forum: Graded Articles (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=545)
+---- Thread: S32 Edmonton Blizzard: The Good, Bad and Future (/showthread.php?tid=72282)
- RainDelay - 01-29-2017
Welcome to RainDelay's SHL in Review series! There will be 14 parts to this, one for each team in record/elimination order. I will be looking at the good things, the bad things, and the future scope of each team. I hope to make this a regular thing each season.
So far in the series:
14. S32 Portland Admirals: The Good, Bad and Future
13. S32 Toronto North Stars: The Good, Bad and Future
12. S32 Hamilton Steelhawks: The Good, Bad and Future
11. S32 Buffalo Stampede: The Good, Bad and Future
10. S32 Winnipeg Jets: The Good, Bad and Future
9. S32 Texas Renegades: The Good, Bad and Future
8. S32 Minnesota Chiefs: The Good, Bad and Future
7. S32 West Kendall Platoon: The Good, Bad and Future
6. S32 Seattle Riot: The Good, Bad and Future
5. S32 Los Angeles Panthers: The Good, Bad and Future
Next up is fifth playoff team on our list, the Edmonton Blizzard, who finished in 3rd place in the Western Conference this season, knocked out the Seattle Riot in Round 1 of the playoffs and were eliminated by the Calgary Dragons in the Western Conference Finals.
<center>
![[Image: 14tq6q9.png]](http://i61.tinypic.com/14tq6q9.png)
Edmonton Blizzard 38-10-2 (78 Points)
Third in Western Conference
Round 1: Defeated Seattle in 6 Games
Round 2: Lost to Calgary in 6 Games
The Good
One major strong point for the Edmonton Blizzard in Season 32 was their resilience, especially in the playoffs. They had a very up and down season, but they were able to take out the upstart Seattle Riot in six games, proving that the Edmonton Blizzard could still hang with the competition. And they did play well against the Dragons, who really clicked in the postseason. As far as stats during the season are concerned, picking up aging veteran forward Zalleras Szlerchek from the West Kendall Platoon proved to be a strong acquisition, as the forward was able to temporarily fend off regression and tally 45 points for the campaign. Nikolaus Scholz was another constant, which was more of the same for the Blizzard. He led the team in goals, points and +/-, seeming to always make the most of his time on ice. And clutch forward Pedro Sarantez enjoyed a good season as well, with 44 points. The blue line was shored up by Theo Kane, the converted forward, along with Barney Stinson and British international Winston Windsor, all of whom had solid seasons. But the real positive story has to be goaltender Brett Broadway, who had lived in the shadow of Jakub Aittokallio for so much time. He looks determined to surpass him eventually. He won 29 games to the tune of a spectacular 2.02 GAA and .926 save percentage. He will be well decorated soon if he keeps this up.
The Bad
After those three defensemen I mentioned in the previous section, there exists a major drop-off. Tobias Thorvaldsen, Viktor Svensson, and Gustavs Muschenkersons are nothing to write home about on both ends of the ice. None of them scored, blocked or hit to their potentials, and that is part of the reason Broadway faced so many shots. Luckily he was able to stop many of them. Also, this team is aging rapidly and it shows already. Plus, it will continue to show. Guys like Kane, Sarantez, Szlerchek, Stinson, Ivan Koroviev and Chico Salmon are getting up there in age, and for those who still performed well, I wouldn't expect that to last. And for those I didn't praise, the age was already showing. The Edmonton Blizzard did not have the young firepower to really compete and put themselves in a better position in this Western Conference, which is ever competitive.
The Future
Like I said, the team is aging rapidly. Many of these players are either entering retirement, or will be doing so quite soon. Ok. Players come and go all the time, and age is just a part of the cycle of sports. So just replace them with great young prospects, right? Well...usually. But the problem is, the prospect core in Edmonton, if you can even call it that, is very thin. In fact, there is only one, and its Tobias Thorvaldsen who I spoke about earlier as to being nothing special. This team missed their window to get back to the Challenge Cup, because it is becoming narrower by the minute. Drafts will have to be on point for this team if they hope to return to greatness any time soon. And maybe they can still attract some good free agents to help stay afloat in the time being. I don't think Edmonton makes the playoffs next season, plain and simple.
</center>
- RainDelay - 01-29-2017
Tagging everyone who I mentioned:
<a href='index.php?showuser=121' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>teztify</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=51' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-8'>Toast</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=1827' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Alucard</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=1766' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>karlssens</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=1654' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-30'>Allegiant</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=353' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Harry</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=1344' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-63'>Lunaro</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=1257' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-59'>Narconis</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=1208' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-59'>EuroCap</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=1117' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>AlwaysGettingHaxed</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=25' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>xDParK</a>
- Lunaro - 01-29-2017
dat cream coloured text tho
- karlssens - 01-29-2017
Nice write up.
I bet we make playoffs this upcoming season and MAYBE the next, but it'll be tough after that. Trust in Broadway.
- EuroCap - 01-29-2017
Today I find out I am clutch. Thought I was a curse haha.
- RainDelay - 01-29-2017
Quote:Originally posted by EuroCap@Jan 29 2017, 02:27 PM
Today I find out I am clutch. Thought I was a curse haha.
Just remember some solid playoff goals
- Lunaro - 01-29-2017
Quote:Originally posted by RainDelay@Jan 29 2017, 03:11 PM
Just remember some solid playoff goals
that was probably me. eurocrap never does anything in the playoffs :->
- EuroCap - 01-29-2017
Quote:Originally posted by Lunaro@Jan 29 2017, 06:33 PMDo I know you?
that was probably me. eurocrap never does anything in the playoffs :->