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*CementHands* · 02-26-2021, 01:31 PM

One of the great story lines from the beginning of the season was Tampa Bay's not only competence, but ownership. They flew out of the gate like they were shot out of a cannon, demoloshing every team that they came across, including the feared Great Lakes division. Unfortunately for this story line they have already begun the downfall, going on a massive losing streak and unable to find that dominance that saw them at the start of the season be able to win games easily. Their extremely high octane offense cooled down to more predictable numbers and now there is even a question of if they can make their under place casino over of just 17.5 wins. I think it is still a very easy over, as there is ample time left and they would have to do something amazing to not hit it, but the sure thing it once was, even hitting over 30 seemed likely, now that seems like a distant memory. Will they make the playoffs? Looking like there is a very strong chance they do make their way in this season.

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DannyC · 02-26-2021, 02:53 PM

There can be no doubt the storyline of the seasons thus far has been the Kelowna Knights. They are 1 point behind the Citadelles, sure but also have played two fewer games. at an 84% winning percentage I think it's fair to expect that they will win (atleast) one of those games. Although it is a big storyline, I doubt it comes as much of a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. I mean, just take a peak below at my signature and you'll know what I expect this season and have expected following our untimely first round exit last season. I feel I should mention too despite being that one point behind QCC we do hold more wins and the same number of losses as them. Our goal differential is far superior as well, as we have scored 2 more goals than them, but allowed 13 fewer to be scored on us (again 2 games behind them in games played) My final note on this story will be the legend of Trashae, although he is not with us on the ice this season it is his spirit we play with and that is what will continue to generate success for us.

GCool · 02-26-2021, 03:35 PM

It's fair to say that, coming off a great playoff run last season and entering this season with a change in management, the Anaheim Outlaws are a big storyline down the road this season. "Long" John Donair, coming off two straight seasons with at least 50 points, has been struggling. The slew of rookies that have entered the ranks thanks to some trades before this season's entry draft have been succeeding to various degrees. With rookies in net, the defense has been called into question for sure, as the Outlaws have allowed the most goals by a WIDE margin this season. There's really nothing that the new Outlaws can do but sit and wait. This is a sour stain on Donair's juniors career as he deals with a full rebuild when the intention to stay down was to help the rookies out. Nobody is doing well on the team, and if management isn't careful, it could lead to unrest moving forward. It should be an intriguing set of developments to follow once Donair is gone and the extra draft picks the team just acquired by trading away 425-TPE inactive Walter Burke come to the team to start S59.

Mavfatha · 02-26-2021, 04:05 PM

The biggest storyline of the season so far in my humble and largely uninformed opinion is how much better and deeper the East is than the West. Though the team with the most points resides in the West - likely thanks to an easier schedule against conference opponents - the next three teams in terms of points are all in the East. Not only that, but at each "spot" (like second in the conference, third in the conference, etc.), the team in the East has more points all the way from second through last. That's actually nuts, and I do pretty much expect it to carry on. The East is just awesome, and the biggest disparity is for sixth in the conference which is roughly the final playoff spot depending on divisions and such. Atlanta has 35 points in the East, and Winnipeg has a measly 24 in the West. I do expect this to continue personally and for primarily Eastern conference teams to be serious competitors for the championship.

jtam · 02-26-2021, 04:33 PM

Though not necessarily a new story, but one of the biggest stories of the season has been the absolute thunder dome that is the Great Lakes division. With the rise of the Toronto North Stars, and Hamilton, as well as Buffalo and Chicago, coming down to earth after several dominant seasons, there is not much that separates the 4 teams in the division. With each team taking games off of each other, they occupy the top 4 seeds in the Eastern Conference, with only one team that is ahead of them in the standings (Texas). Long been a sore spot for the 4th place team in the Great Lakes, one of these 4 top teams is bound to miss the playoffs. Currently that team is the Chicago Syndicate(40), winners of last season’s Challenge Cup. While there are still a lot of games to play, they are currently sitting 11 points back from division leaders Hamilton (51) and 5 points back from 3rd place Buffalo (45). Toronto sits 4 points behind Hamilton with 47.

***JKortesi81*** · 02-26-2021, 05:34 PM

While personally I’d say the biggest storyline is the fall of the New Orleans Specters, and if they’ll continue their playoff streak, I’m biased. The truth is that the Toronto North Stars FINALLY emerging in the Great Lakes Division is the story everyone needs to be watching. Texas is nice, sure, but Toronto has been getting beat up by their big brothers in the division for so long its good to see them finally grow up enough to hit them back. Toronto was the first major rebuild that the SHL has seen through the FHM era (although I guess Texas is right there) and its good to see them finally getting Chicago and Buffalo scared that they won’t even make the playoffs. Hamilton seems like they’ll be okay. The North Stars deserve it, as most everyone has stuck around through this building process and its awesome to see guys like Bobby Lane kicking some ass. Go Stars Go! (158)

W19eaver · 02-26-2021, 06:20 PM

Evok · 02-26-2021, 07:27 PM

The story line should probably be about the Great Lake dominance, once again. At the time i am writing this PT, the great lakes teams (Hamilton Steelhawks, Toronto North Stars, Buffalo Stampede and the Chicago Syndicate) are currently making the top 4 of the Eastern conference. That's crazy to think that the team leading the other eastern conference that i dont remember the name is currently sitting 5th in the eastern division (9th in the league to be exact). This mean that, if the standing stay as it's currently is, the Manhattan Rage will get a bye in the Simulation Hockey League Playoffs while being ninth in the entire league. That's some crazy headline to have. They are basically middle of the pack but get to skip the whole first round of the playoffs. They will most likely have to face a strong opponent in the 2nd round, however, as they will more than likely be one of the lowest seed in the 2nd round.

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KlusteR · 02-26-2021, 09:14 PM

I'm torn on this subject, because the obvious storyline of the season in the SHL is Toronto's push into the Great Lakes, and how one of the three last Champions' Cup winner may not even participate in the spring dance.

However...

If you look westward, you will see that a franchise that hasn't participated in the playoffs for 12 seasons, the longest active drought in the SHL, currently sitting fairly tightly in 3rd place of the Northwest Division. While the Minnesota Monarchs are still on the young side, they have emerged as rivals to the Winnipeg Aurora and Seattle Argonauts for that final spot, as the first two echelons seem to belong in Alberta, for one more season at least. Their relatively untested defensive squad, outside of Mathias Seger and Noah Tedla, has looked splendid in front of Tegernako, who's playing like a man possessed at times, and their offense has been timid, but timely, from old and young blood alike. There's still a long way to go before Minnesota can cheer for a long-awaited playoff berth, but if the offense finds its beat and the defense stays solid, the Monarchs are on a good pace to show the Western Conference that there's a new threat to supremacy on its way.

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Fitted2106 · 02-26-2021, 09:28 PM

The biggest storyline to me is the huge improvements in both tampa and toronto and the emergence of many s50 players who maybe before were not quite so developed that have really hit the scene running. Many once young foes are now grizzled vets and players like tom fiddler and bobby lane are leading there teams into new territory that being a winning territory and we will see if they have what it takes to carry it over the line. With so many young players and next to 0 regression these teams very well could be the next hamilton and buffalo the way I see it. With so many with uber potential the only issue these teams will have will be keeping the young guns together which is going to be impossible with new rules. In my opinion I pray these teams can stay together as my goodness they will be dominate and great to watch. Let's go boys!

Leoben · 02-26-2021, 10:07 PM

The big story of the season has to be the Great Lakes right? I mean yea there are three other divisions but they’re boring. And how about Toronto? Did you know they are the first successful team to rebuild in the FHM era? No other team started out in S53 with single digit wins and is currently sitting near the top. Like, the Great Lakes is so good. Do any of the other teams even play? Like I don’t even know. They have all the best goalies and all the best players and they play the hardest schedule because they have to play each other. But Toronto? Wow. It’s great to see a team successfully rebuild and it has to be a huge takeaway for other teams. I sure wish I was a part of an organization with that kind of foresight. Hats off to Toronto for pulling off what the rest of us thought was impossible.

Demolish · 02-26-2021, 10:50 PM

Every season the team goes through ups and downs. Last season obviously ended on a sour note for us Dinos so we as a group decided to come into this season a little less stressed out about it. And so far the biggest story line in our locker room has nothing to so we neither the SMJHL or the SHL. Well actually maybe the SMJHL but not on a hockey level. Its SNICKERS! Yup you heard me right, basketball sneakers made their way into our lockers and sparked out the debate on which shoe is or was the best shoe to own.

This all started when Rugsy strolled in sporting a slick pair of Under Armour Curry 8. A fine looking shoe just not my style at all but experts do swear by it and rate it a great grade of 8,9. And for 160 bucks you cannot really do worse than that. But what happened in the weeks to follow really got the room going as one by one we each walked into practice or game wearing a new footwear in the basketball variety. Ren-Ekelemchi Shimizu-Oko seems to really enjoy his Air Jordan 34 which set him back an even $194,99 but if you ask me and the debate is still on going, the best Jordan footwear has to be the Air Jordan 35 and are alomst $20 dollars cheaper. But they really look cool on my feet and I think I even jump an inch or two higher!

Well this debate and showcase will go on some more for sure, seeing the money we make and the prices these shoes go for, I think we will all be owing a plethora of basketball shoes.

AW13 · 02-27-2021, 12:12 AM

The storyline out of Vancouver is the lack of points so far out up by one of their star players in Rikki Petrov. Rikki who finished last season with a decent amount of points is falling behind many players in the league as he has only compiled 14 points total so far this season and 13 of those are assists. His shooting so far has been abysmal but that has never really been the strong point of his game. He is still setting up his teammates well with his 13 assists but in general is just lacking in the point department. Now Rikki at least has a defensive game to go with his playmaking ability as well and generally is considered a pretty balanced two-way center and has at least shown that ability. With a game rating of 64 offensive and 63 defensive you can see the true balance. Now, Rikki has not played bad but he could play better and for the Whalers to keep improving it will be super important for Petrov to turn it around. If not, it could hurt Vancouver for a playoff run!

Julio Tokolosh · 02-27-2021, 01:12 AM

The biggest storyline so far this season is Toronto's meteoric rise. While they have been talented and competitive for seasons, no one predicted them to be tied for second in the league at any point, none-the-less at the halfway point (34 games played). Toronto has far and above the most difficult schedule of the entire league, facing Hamilton, Buffalo, and Chicago (who have combined for five of the last seven challenge cups) more than any other team. Harry Carpet is the backbone of the team, and is the highest earning goalie in league history, poking them along to the 5th lowest goals allowed.

I'm really worried that I'm going to moosh (mush?) them for the rest of the season, but I'm very happy for Carpy for rebuilding the franchise, reviving the locker room, and (likely) earning a great seed in the post season. it's fun to meme toronto hockey franchise in the real world, but in the SHL, it's all love.

Kyamprac · 02-27-2021, 01:57 AM

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