Final Four - Printable Version +- Simulation Hockey League (https://simulationhockey.com) +-- Forum: League Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=610) +--- Forum: SMJHL Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=48) +---- Forum: Graded Articles (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=403) +---- Thread: Final Four (/showthread.php?tid=96279)

Final Four - PenKnight - 05-26-2019 (1,272 Word Count) The SMJHL Season 47 has come down to the final four teams. Saint Louis, defending cup champions, are playing the Anaheim Outlaws. The other series is the Vancouver Whalers verse the Montreal Militia. I expected more of a clash with these these two matchups but so far, after the first two games, both the number one and number two teams in the league are starting to show why they did so well in the regular season. The Scarecrow of Saint Louis are up two games to zero against the Outlaws of Anaheim. The Militia of Montreal have also won both of their home games against the Vancouver Whalers. All four games were tight contests and only one goal separated the winners from the losers. It appears that Home Ice is starting to have the advantage as we close in on the Finals. Montreal has managed a six game winning streak while the Scarecrows have managed three straight of their own. It appears these two clubs are on a collision course for the final. This is no surprise as both the Militia and Scarecrows held the top spot in the standings for the season. Saint Louis had more control after going on a 12 game winning streak but as they went into a slump the Militia got on a roll themselves. Not only did the Militia get hot at the right time but they ended up taking over the top spot for a few weeks right before the end of the season. The coaching staff of the Militia were not concerned about clinching first place and they rested players for the inevitable playoffs. Unfortunately for the Militia, they lost a few games right at the end as the Scarecrows won and finished in first place. They ended up four points ahead of Montreal with sixty nine points to the Militia's sixty five. Game one of the semis featured St. Louis against Anaheim and they were the late game. The early game featured the home team, Montreal, who was on the east coast. They matched up against the Whalers who had a bit of an early rivalry to start the season, as both teams split their first two meetings. Each team stole the win on the others home ice to the chagrin of the home town crowds. The Whalers actually won the overall season series against the Militia four games to two. Two of the losses for Montreal came late in the season as they were resting their starters. Not to take anything away from the Whalers who finished third in the standings not very far from either the Militia or Scarecrows. It was expected to be a tight series between these two clubs. Even though the Militia have a stranglehold on the series up two to nothing, it is important to note that both wins were one goal wins only and the games were low scoring affairs both coming at three to two. Rookie, Zarley Zalapski finally got his game going in game two of the series scoring the first goal to the mania of the Militia Faithful. This was his first goal in the playoffs and it appeared he wasn't content with this accomplishment. He is from Russia and at times those players do seem to be less emotional about such things. It would appear that he has ice water in his veins. When asked about it he told reporters that he hasn't had the playoffs that he was expecting. It took 8 games for him to score a goal and he has only had 3 assists. His teammates and coaches just laughed his statement off when approached about it. They said that it sounds like something ZZ would say. All business and no pleasure. You have to realize that ZZ only had one goal in 50 regular season games and 17 assists. That breaks down to about 1 assist every three games and well, only one goal in 50, so when you look at the math, it is safe to say that Zarley Zalapski is performing better in the playoffs compared to the regular season. Reports have heard, that Zarley Zalapski and Super Agent Stamkos are feuding and a possible break up could be in the near future. Funny how fame and fortune will change people or players, as this kid was only in Russia a few months ago playing in a beer league and worrying more about fishing, rather than playing professional hockey. Stamkos has denied the rumors and Zalapski had no comment. Stamkos did mention that the Zarley signed a 3 year contract with her firm and that she would hold him to it! Time has a way of working these problems out. The Scarecrows won the first game of their series, three to two as well. As a matter of fact, three out of the four games so far have ended in a three to two score. It is only a matter of time before the Scarecrows break out and start scoring. They have been scoring a ton of goals lately. The Detroit series is proof of that where they scored 7 and 8 goals in multiple games. After the Outlaws swept the Lions it appears that the rest have made them a bit rusty. At times, for goaltenders, sometimes too much rest is not such a good thing. You can't really blame goaltender Tibuk Sonnika who had a good game. The major problem for the Outlaws was going 0 for 5 on the Power Play. At this time of year if your special teams aren't producing it can and will spell disaster for any hockey club. Let us not take anything away from St. Louis as they have done nothing but win this season as well as prior season. They are going for their fourth Four Star Cup in a row and their Fifth Straight Finals appearance. An amazing feat to say the least! Both the Militia and Scarecrows head to opposing teams ice and both take a two to zero lead. Anaheim and Vancouver are in must win situations and can not let their opponents get up against them three to zero, as that would spell death for their Four Star Cup hopes. Vancouver would love to get back to the Final and beating the Militia once again would be reminiscent of season 42 where they won a grueling seven game contest. The rivalry isn't so bitter with the Outlaws and Scarecrow. Those two teams seem to be more focused about playing clean hockey and winning with skill. However, this does not hold true with the Whalers and Militia. You can not only see the bitterness on the ice with the physical play but the two fan bases have no love for one another either. It seems that it is some sort of a heated East Coast, West Coast thing. Fan are taking to social media on both sides and things have turned ugly. Constant trolling about refs and puck luck, not to mention accusations of league bias. On the bright side, it seems that it is doing wonders for merchandise sales as both clubs are selling out of fan gear. Sort of like how sliced bread sold out when it was first introduced to the general public. Ticket prices have skyrocketed as Montreal keeps selling out at record capacity. Vancouver is also selling out and trying to keep the Militia Faithful from invading. Secondary market research has shown individuals are buying tickets at three and four times the original sell price. All good news for a league that is considering expansion in the near future.