Comment 1 - In the Beginning

This is the first game of the regular season for both of these teams, and each are looking to make a statement. Vancouver, coming off of a disappointing S53, has seen some growth from their now sophomore players, as well as seeing a few more 425 TPE capped players. This is a brand-new start, and the Whalers are hoping to capitalize on the clean slate to set the pace for a more successful SMJHL campaign this season. Last season the Whalers were 17-30-3, tied for last in the SMJHL with the newly relocated Maine Timber.

Colorado was is a similar place as Vancouver, near the bottom of the West, and edged out the Whalers with a few more wins to take 4th spot in the conference, and the final playoff position, in S53. Colorado has both added and lost some talent, but overall looks to have grown over the offseason. Last season the Raptors held down a 20-27-3 record, sliding into the playoffs in the last week of play. Name Redacted and Samat Beibitzhanov, both goaltending prospects for the Manhattan Rage, duel tonight as the starting goaltenders of the Whalers and Raptors, respectively.

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Comment 2 - Unsung heroes for each team

Colorado - Carlos Brown: Although Carlos Brown may not have made the score sheet, and also appears as a -1 on the night, he was clearly the MVP for the Raptors this evening, as he was all over the ice. Clearly leading the Raptors with six shots on net, he also was a positive contributor to Colorado's possession game, throwing 3 big hits and taking the puck off of a Whalers player twice, all while not conceding a single giveaway himself. His OGR was an impressive 90, and his total GR was a respectable 81. Not bad for a player on a team that didn't score a goal tonight.

Vancouver - William Hartmann: While not registering a point in a game that Vancouver capitalized on, and although Redacted will likely earn top marks for earning the season's first Shutout, Hartmann deserves a special mention for his consistent two-way play that kept the Whlaers on top. Leading all forwards in DGR this game, Hartmann delivered 1 hit and blocked 2 shots, as well as tying for the Vancouver lead in ice time for forwards with 22:23 on the ice. Hartmann's overall GR of 74 also led all skaters tonight.

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Comment 3 - 3 Stars

Our three stars of the night come, unsurprisingly, from the Vancouver Whalers:

First Star: Name Redacted, Vancouver Whalers
As is typical for a goalie who makes a bunch of saves in a game without letting in a goal, the 32-save shutout is the reason the Chinese goalkeeper Name Redacted takes top honours for the game. Despite Vancouver being outshot by the Raptors 32-25, Redacted made the difference in commanding fashion, getting the first shutout of the S54 SMJHL season in his first season start.

Second Star: Bryce McMahon, Vancouver Whalers
Early days yet, but McMahon now leads the SMJHL in goals after 1 day of games. Joking aside, an impressive performance saw McMahon pot two goals for the Whalers tonight, the first coming at even strength and the second on the Powerplay, with a brilliant tic-tac-toe between McMahon, rookie Dominic Alessandrini, and Johnny Shuffleboard.

Third Star: Johnny Shuffleboard, Vancouver Whalers
While both Shuffleboard and Dominic Alessandrini earned two apples tonight, Shuffleboard has the edge as the defenseman, being a strong two-way force on the ice, and whom without the defensive side of Vancouver's game may not have shone as brightly as it did tonight.

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