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*lmao* · 07-19-2024, 10:55 PM

In this deep dive, I would like to look back on one of the most dominant teams in recent SMJHL history. This run took place in season 60 by the Newfoundland Berserkers, and is probably the greatest season my previous SHL player Shion Okamoto has personally ever taken part of.

The Berserkers steamrolled the competition in season 60, finishing in first place in the overall league standings by a margin of 16 points. The Berserkers finished with a beautiful record of 56-7-3, with 2nd place Vancouver finishing 9 wins behind them. They also posted a whopping +158 goal differential over the 66-game season.

While many might say that goaltending is not that big of a factor in the FHM-era of the SMJHL, the Berserkers of season 60 may be a counterpoint to that. They had two great goalies that they could trust in Evgeni Petrov and Jonas Johansson. Petrov backstopped the Berserkers for the lion's shared of the season, playing 44 games to Johansson's 22. Despite playing 44 games, Petrov managed to bolster the strong team in front of him, only losing 4 times in regulation throughout the entire season. He posted a save percentage of 0.914 and a great GAA of 1.95. While Johansson was a rookie relative to Petrov, he also managed to put up stellar numbers with the reduced workload. He finished the season with a save percentage of 0.906 and a GAA of 1.98, just 0.03 shy of Petrov's GAA.

On the offensive side, the Berserkers definitely had some firepower. They finished the season with 5 players scoring at least 60 points, highlighted by centre Robert Black with 71 points, and defenseman Aleksandrs Balcers tallying 60 points -- a very impressive mark while playing on the blue line.

The Berserkers were also a very dominant possession team. In fact, the lowest Corsi For percentage on the team was held by Shion Okamoto (my previous player...) at 64.9%. The team was led by the relatively junior defense pairing of Sabarro Toretta and Jannik Nordstern, both with CF% of approximately 73.5%. The Berserkers were definitely a team that were relentless with their offensive pressure and shot generation.

While you may think a team would be pretty lucky over the course of the season to finish with a record of 56-7-3, that may not really be the case. Their PDO numbers were quite normal, with an even split of players above and below 100. Their highest PDO players were the defense pair of Billy Brooks and Shion Okamoto, with PDOs of 102.

While the Berserkers were very dominant in the regular season, the playoffs are a whole different animal (as most hockey fans know)! In the first round, the Berserkers faced off against the now-dominant Maine Timber (in a very travel heavy series, I might add). The Berserkers ended up with a sweep in that series, winning each game by at least 5, and capping off the sweep with a 7-0 win away from home.

Next, the Berserkers did not get much travel relief, as they were matched up with the Vancouver Whalers in the second round. The Berserkers used home-ice advantage well, seizing the first two games of the series. Then, the two teams split the games in Vancouver for a 3-1 series lead. Vancouver took game 5 to stay alive, but the Berserkers eventually prevailed, winning 5-2 in game 6.

Just when you thought the travel could not get any worse, the Four Star Cup would be decided between Anchorage and Newfoundland. Anchorage also did well in season 60, finishing with a record of 46-17-3, so this was definitely not an easy playoff path for the Berserkers. The series started off very even, with both teams splitting their home games, bringing the series to a 2-2 tie. Back in Newfoundland, the Berserkers would seize control of the series with a strong 4-1 win.

It was back to Anchorage for game 6, where the Berserkers finished the Armada off with a 3-0 win to take the Four Star Cup! Their playoff run was highlighted by Ric Charlesworth's 12 goals and 19 points, Evgeni Petrov's 0.923 SV%, and Jonas Johansson's 0.960 SV% and 0.50 GAA!

All in all, the Berserkers had an incredible regular season run, and capped it off with a Four Star Cup win. It was definitely a great experience to be part of this team during my last SHL career.

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Sopath · 07-21-2024, 01:05 AM

God I remember that team. Good one

*CptSquall* · 07-27-2024, 11:55 AM

Approved @lmao

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