Newfoundland Berserkers Game Reactions for Day 15

Pregame coverage: Two games against two teams with which the Zerks have a history with. Vancouver for the S56 SMJHL Four Star Cup and Carolina for being a competitive divisional rival many seasons ago. It’s important to beat these teams whenever we have the chance to play them and with any luck we will succeed in that. Vancouver is having a mediocre year while Carolina has become a bad team. If the Zerks can focus on what they do, we’ll win these games.

Game 36: Vancouver at Newfoundland
An explosive game that saw both teams end with 4 goals after 60 minutes. One of those games that reminds you how important it is to be focused for the full 60 because you never know what kind of day the opponent can have. Tonight we didn’t do our job and the game went to the shootout. Both Goalies did well in the shootout as both stopped the first two skaters they faced. Then Slavakov Vladimirashenko and Leon Athanasios buried their shots and the Zerks take it in a shootout.

Solid games from many Zerks tonight. Vaseline Podcalzone played a really solid game even though he didn’t get any points. Nike Kickz Jr had a really solid night with 2 apples and 12 faceoff wins for a 60% FOW%. Jonas Caspari had an apple and 3 hits. A really solid night for the guy but there was one who stood above the others.

Zerk of the Game honors goes to: Dwayne Gretzky for his dominant two goal performance that helped to lift the Zerks over the Whalers! There really wasn’t much the Whalers could do to stop him tonight. He was a dominant force that had opportunity after opportunity and there is only so much St. Ark can do. Well done.

Game 37: Carolina at Newfoundland
Newfoundland dominated Carolina tonight and god it was so great. But we’re getting a little bored of kicking Carolina’s ass all the time. Newfoundland has scored at least 5 goals in all 4 of their match ups this season. Which included a 9-0 thrashing at the start of the season. Tonight the Zerks only won by a score of 5-1 which is a little disappointing frankly. Should’ve won by 10.

A lot of really solid performances in a game like this. Robert E.O. Speedwagon had a really solid game with 1 goal and 1 assist. Shion Okamoto had a goal and 3 hits. Ric Charlesworth had 2 apples and won 7 of his 10 faceoffs for a dominant performance in the middle of the ice.

The Zerk of the Game though was: Billy Brooks! Brooks played a major role in keeping the Kraken off the board. He even had a whopping 2:36 minutes worth of PK time tonight. No small feat from the lad. In addition to being a major part of limiting the Carolina offense tonight Brooks also managed to score a goal. Ending the night with a +3. Brilliant performance by Brooks.

Postgame coverage: The Volsungr award race is nearing halfway done and it doesn’t appear to be tightening much. Two players now hold a 2 way tie for first at 5 a piece. Dwayne Gretzky and Billy Brooks. Both first round picks in their selective drafts and both regarded as some of the best prospects in their class. It shouldn’t be so surprising that they are frequently the players who are most responsible for getting their teams over the hump. But it is interesting when you consider how dramatically different both players are. Gretzky being a physical winger and Brooks being a very defensive defenseman. Two very different play styles that both help to elevate this team to be one of the best in the league. We are so proud of these guys. I can’t wait to see them in the SHL but hopefully they both hoist the Four Star Cup before then.

Word Count: 659

ZotG Leaderboard (Volsungr Award Leaderboard)

1st Billy Brooks: 5
1st Dwayne Gretzky: 5