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*Jayba1t* · 07-03-2021, 03:57 PM

*First Article*

Here I will be starting a new series, checking in on the Raptors team while highlighting individual standout performances at the halfway mark of the season. So far, Colorado has played some very good hockey, into a 13-6-0 record through 19 games, good for 3rd in the league while leading the Southwest Division. With contributions from their top-class veterans, along with rookies chipping in, scoring so far has not been a problem, with the team scoring 75 goals in 19 games (3.94 GF/G) that only lacks behind the team that seems undefeatable, the Newfoundland Berserkers. On the other hand, the defense has been shaky and slightly inconsistent at times, but with the personnel on the Raptors, there isn’t much concern that this group will find its game again.

FORWARDS

Gonzo Gobbledygook- Arguably the team's MVP 19 games in, Gonzo currently leads the entire SMJHL with 26 points, well over a point per game, along with tying fellow Raptor Noel Blanchet for 1st in assists (19). Gonzo's 16 even strength points also currently ranks 1st. He has driven a lot of the play and helped out with plenty of teammate's goals. Along with the 19 assists, Gobbledygook also has potted 7 goals to add to his stat line. With his elite play so far, he has really helped this potent offense in each game so far this season. Gonzo has also had plenty of puck possession: a 60.1% corsi and 3.6 goals/60 while on ice. What is even more impressive so far is that he is only in his 2nd season! He is the first part of the group of 4 I will later sum up as a whole.

Noel Blanchet- Blanchet done a good job donning the “A” after being voted on this season. He has been the #1 center on the team, and with his excellent playmaking and offensive read skills, it is no wonder that he ties the league lead for assists with Gonzo Gobbledygook. He is also third leaguewide in points (23) and has a 1.21 point per game. Noel also has been a key contributor on the team’s number 1 ranked power play in the league, among the top leaders with most power play points and 1st in power play assists. Blanchet also a top overall game rating at 70, while offensively he grades out at a 71. His 60.4% corsi and 3.9 goals/60 shows that his possession is there too. Blanchet makes up the second part of the deadly four scorers.

KEKW Kekkonen- Where Colorado misses out on goals instead of assists, KEKW (the second alternate captain) helps make them up. Along with Blanchet and Gobbledygook, this absolutely dominating trifecta and three headed monster lead the league in all three categories of scoring. KEKW has been an sick sniper this year, lighting that lamp up 13 times. Part of the instrumental power play, Kekkonen has tallied 6 Power Play Goals this season. KEKW also can set up someone else for success, getting 7 assists to total up to 20 points, good for a 1.05 points per game. In some advanced stats, he leads the team in corsi (60.9%) and 4.3 GF/60. KEKW also has a +11, highest +/- of the group. KEKW also can get physical when needed, dishing out 22 hits.

With these three combined, they have been an integral part of this explosive offense, andsit at 57 games played, 24 goals, 45 assists and a very, very nice 69 points total.

Jack Nishimori- Last, but definitely not least, is Jack Nishimori. Nishimori probably has been under the radar for a while, certainly mines, but he shouldn’t. Jack has the best defensive game and forward out of everyone on the team. He currently boasts a 70 Defensive Rating, near number 1 in league forwards, plus 19 blocks and 20 hits. On top of that, his 71 Offensive Rating is also near the upper echelon of players. A true complete package, Nishimori has 7 goals, 14 assists and 21 points in the 19 games we have played along with 14 even strength points. Jack could potentially have the best two-way game in the entire league!

Adding on Jack Nishimori, these 4 form up the foundation and start of Colorado’s scoring. They are extremely clutch too, every time the game is tied, early or late, they show up and score. If we need a lead, insurance or a catch up, they show up and score.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

However, remainders in the top 6 and rest of the forwards have also stepped up with plenty of depth and secondary scoring. The scoring is too balanced on this team! Even though I cannot cover everyone, here are some other honorable mentions who have done a great job:

HM- Sonata Diamante (6-8-14, 72 GR, 12 EV Strength P) Diamante, one of the seasoned veterans on the team, is 6th on the team with his 14 points and 4th with a 60.4% corsi. Again, most of his production has come from 5v5 play while scoring the highest overall game rating on the team with a terrific 72. This also ranks 10th in the league.

HM- Artemius Nystrom (7-6-13, 15.9 S%, 10 EV Strength P, +9) Nystrom has been a good, accurate shooter whilst providing a physical presence on the ice, hitting 32 opponents. He has good underlying numbers in all the advanced stats as well (3.3 GF/60, 1.5 GA/60 and a 58.5% corsi.)

HM- Eric Tokke (4-8-12, 11 EV Strength P, 1 SH P, 39 BLKS) Tokke plays another excellent two way game, contributing on both ends of the ice blocking 39 shots, 30 hits and 1.9GA/60 on defense. He also has 11 even strength and 1 shorthanded point (no Power Play Points!) to add up to 12 points to supplement the secondary scoring.

DEFENDERS

Angus McFife XVIII- McFife, as I have recently discussed, has been a stud defender on the team. He can make and set up quality scoring chances for his teammates, skating smoothly on the ice from his end to the other. His 15 points put him in 4th and his 5 goals plus 11 assists are both 5th in the SMJHL defensemen. In the intangibles category, McFife has done a tremendous job at standing out as the leader in the locker room, helping out everyone with anything they need. His offensive talents are truly displayed with his 72 Offensive Rating, 3rd in the league among defensemen.

Basil Sivart- Basil Sivart, like Nishimori, is my pick for an underrated player on the team. Defensive stats and ratings often get overlooked, but Sivart deserves some love for his superb shutdown play. He isn’t afraid to get down and block a shot or get tight and close to opponents for hits. This play all group him into the upper caliber of defensive defensemen. Finally, Sivart’s 72 Defensive Rating also gets him into the Top 10 of all defensemen.

ROOKIES

Hans Graf- Graf has had an immediate impact on the team after being selected 20th overall. He is posting up 3 goals, 6 points and 9 goals which at the moment, leads all rookie defencemen. Graf gets over 18 minutes per night, while blocking 13 shots and getting 20 hits. His 51% corsi gets him #1 on the team among us rookies.

Gabe-Gooney-Waters Harrak- The team’s first rounder this year was used to select Gabe-Gooney-Waters-Harrak and so far, he has looked really steady on the ice. He has scored 1 goal, 7 assists and 8 points, and is at the top of Colorado’s rookies in Offensive GR.

Donald Jr Trump (1-3-4, 36 H, +9) The agitator of the group, Donald Jr has done his job, by getting under the skin of his competitors while throwing 36 heavy hits around. His +9 also fares well compared to other rookies.

Max Manning (1-3-4, 24 BLKS, 55 GR) Manning, picked 56th overall has 24 blocks and faceoff percentage that rank among tops in the team. His 55 overall game rating also tops all rookies on the Raptors.

Jamal Nightingale (0-1-1, 30 BLKS, 68 DR) Nightingale rounds out an offense heavy D core with a stable defensive minded game. 30 hits, 30 blocks and a 68 Defensive Game Rating evidences that.

Kristian Zenatik (1-1-2, 54 OR) Zenatik in 11 games has had a good offensive game at 54 Offensive Rating but has been scratched since then.

GOALIES

Senji Seteki- Seteki has started the majority of games for Rosejac who went inactive recently. He has 2 shutouts to his name, a 2.86 GAA and 0.896 SV%. He has been able to keep most games in hand with his calm mindset in net to give the offense a chance to win it all. Right now, Seteki leads all goalies with 12 wins, and is top 7 for GAA and SV% with goalies that have played more than 10 games. The 2 shoutouts also are 2nd in the SMJHL.

Yanno Rosejac- The former SMJHL 2nd team All Star, Rosejac has been lights out in net for the Raptors in the past few seasons. Now inactive, he still has played 2 games and has seen the puck well. His 2.50 GAA and 0.941 SV% are tops among backups.