S62 PT#6: Wrap-up

S62 PT#6: Wrap-up

Huck24
Registered
Posting Freak

#205

12-19-2021, 10:18 PM

Prompt 1

Lyle Odelein III is definitely considered a veteran nowadays. Starting his 13th season in the SHL, Lyle has done a lot and seen a lot in the SHL. If he were to make a team of his fellow SHL veterans he would want to choose players he knows well, players from his draft class, S48. First would be his old St. Louis Scarecrow teammate, Mina Kandinsky. The Winnipeg forward has had a great career and is still a very relevant player in the SHL. Second would be Kaspars Claude. Lyle’s teammate in New Orleans for a few seasons, the aging defender would be an easy pick. Another teammate of Odeleins, a team Canada teammate, who has played with Lyle in every IIHF and WJC since he started, Gabriel Johnson would once again suit up with Lyle. That about does it for his S48 players, but Lyle would want to add another team Canada teammate, Dick Vlapper. While in the thick of regression this team would no doubt still be a force to reckon with. Their skill and experience would be a display and they would be very hard to beat.

Excerpt from Lyle Odelein's pre game speech to his fellow veterans before their match-up against the Up and Comers:

We've all been here, this game isn't anything we haven't done before. We are no spring chickens in this locker room. We have put in the hard work for years to get where we are today. So many things have changed since our days in the SMJHL or our rookie seasons in the SHL, most of us have grown as players and leaders. We have had our ups and our downs. We have learned from our mistakes over the seasons. We may have slowed down a bit from our younger days, but we make up for that in our experience. When that puck drops, I know that each and everyone of you will do everything in your power to play at the top of your abilities. At one point we were the young ones, breathing down the necks of our elders, the tables have turned. It's now our backs that have targets on them, I know that for myself, I am not ready to be taken over. I've still got some fight left and I know that you all do as well. Let's show these Up and Comers what it takes to get were we are today. Let's show them what they are trying to become!!

A tough loss sucks. No two ways about. But a loss is just that, a loss. You have to leave it behind yourself as soon as you leave the rink. For us older guys, losing isn’t something new. Big losses can make a players career, for the good or the bad. This loss, to the HoFs, isn’t the end. It’s a building block. We know how good we have to play if we want to win it all, that’s a good thing for us Vets, knowledge is power and so have no doubt we will be back on top in no time. Some teams / players will watch tapes of this loss over and over again. Not Lyle Odelein and most of his veteran teammates. They know the HoFs will be making their own adjustments as well. They will be remembering the speed of their opponents, the accuracy of their passes not the plays they used to beat them with. They will be more than ready next time, will the HoFs be?

Grizzled Vets v. Up and Comers.

Experience and knowledge versus athleticism and skill. The age old question that will never really have an answer. The outcome of a game like this is a flip of a coin. If the Up and Comers came out flying a took control to the game from the go, the Grizzled Vets would have a tough time keeping up with the younger squad if they hit hard a fast at the start of the game and carried their momentum right to the end of the game. This did not happen. The Vets also knew that they needed to take control of the game earlier. As soon as the puck dropped, the Vets played the body and punished the Up and Comers every chance they could get. They took all the steam out of the youngers players and through them of their game plan immediately. Doing this allowed them to score the first goal of the game and their know how and experience allowed them to hold on to that lead right until the final buzzer. They added an empty netter in the last two minutes making the final score 2-0. The Up and Comers came into this match up so confident, but they learned a very valuable lesson in this loss, never underestimate an opponent. This loss will go a long way in turning these players in to the Grizzled Vets of the future.

The stage is set, the Superstars vs the Grizzled Vets. Two teams who are very similar. Not too long ago the Vets were the Superstars and in no time at all the Superstars will be considered the Vets. But tonight, the two will compete to see who is the best this time around. The Superstars come out flying to take an early two goal lead and at the end of the first that how it stands. But the 2nd starts with a second wind for the Vets. 2 quick goals by the seasoned vets shows they know what needs to be done to win. The third period starts at the 2-2 deadlock and 15 minutes in this game looks like it is destined for overtime. The Vets seem to be showing their age, slightly, and a failed defensive zone clearance puts the in a bad spot. But ZLyle Odelein does what he does best, he comes up huge with a timely block which surely would have been a goal. Odelein controls the puck after the block and finds a streaking Mika Kandinsky who breaks in alone and scores the go ahead goal. The Vets hold on and secure the win and the championship!! The Veterans put all of their skill and know how to work and got the job done