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***NYR73*** · 09-20-2022, 10:09 PM

As the SMJHL season comes to a start, it's time to take a closer look into the Colorado Raptor's preseason. The Raptors finished with a respectable 4-1-2 record, with a 71.4 point percentage. This would put them fourth in the league, behind Anchorage, Vancouver, and Nevada. Their goal differential was fourth in the league as well, sitting at +8, and were second in goals for. There was a stark difference in the win rate at home compared to on the road. The Raptors were a perfect 4-0 at home, but were winless on the road, with a record of 0-1-2. At home, the Raptors outscored opponents 23-9. On the road, they were outscored 9-15. It should be expected of any team to have more success at home than on the road, but being undefeated at home is unsustainable, so it will become crucial early on the find some success on the road. All three of Colorado's losses came to teams that were ahead of them in the preseason standings, two losses coming from Anchorage. In order to make a run in the playoffs, the Raptors will need to find a way to beat the top teams. And they absolutely have the roster to do that.

The Raptors are lucky to have one of the top goaltenders in the SMJHL, Shiny Shuckle. Last season, he was awarded the Cedric Robinson Trophy as the top goaltender in the league. He was also the winner of Matt-Lewis Flood trophy with Swiss Cheese for having the best team save percentage in the league. While his stats in the preseason weren't quite as good as his stats from last season, it's safe to assume he will return to form and be a gamechanger for the Raptors.

Offense was a strength for the Raptors during the preseason, all three lines were offensively dynamic. The first line of Jolmi Koivu, Tom Pedersen, and Casper Nilsson combined for 10 goals. Koivu led the team in points with 11, which was the fifth most in the league. The second line of Carl Ray Jetson, Koty Kochan, and rookie Erik Bergmark combined for 13 goals. Kochan led the team in assists, tied with Pedersen, with 6. Bergmark led the team in goals, tied with Koivu, with 6, and both were tied for 4th in the league. The third line of Tim Honks, rookie Adrian O'Rugg, and Max Hoshi combined for 5 goals. The Raptors have a very deep offensive core, and it will only get better as the rookies O'Rugg and Bergmark become complete players.

The Raptor's defense was not as strong as their offense was, but it was good nonetheless. It is led by newly appointed Captain Isaac Forty-One. During the preseason, he led the league in shots blocked. He was also tied for 7th in points amongst defenseman in the preseason. His linemate Chuchichäschtli Zopf had the highest Defensive Game Rating on the team, and was 8th in the league. The defensive pairing of Ged Sparrowhawk and Hynek Heidinger were outstanding as well. Heidinger was tied for 2nd in goals amongst defenseman, and Sparrowhawk was tied for 3rd in plus minus for defenseman.

The Raptors had a strong showing in the preseason, and should have a successful season if everything goes right.

***micool132*** · 09-20-2022, 10:48 PM

hell yeah!

*CptSquall* · 09-20-2022, 11:21 PM

Approved, +5 TPE to @NYR73

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