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GoonerBear · 03-06-2021, 05:00 PM

While we do have to consider the combination of maturing prospects and prospects who have since graduated on to the SHL, the Newfoundland Berserkers have had quite a turnaround from last season. In the previous season, they finished with 49 points across 66 games. At the time of writing, they have 60 points in 46 games. The team ahead of them is one of the constants from last season, the Quebec City Citadelles. How did the Berserkers' changes and maturing process help them?

At the end of last season, the Berserkers had one player in the top 25 in SMJHL scoring - Lassi Suhonen, who finished 25th in scoring after picking up 15 goals and 31 assists in that campaign and who has since moved on. At this point in Season 58, the Berserkers have two players in the top SIX in scoring - Ric Charlesworth (4th, 19 goals and 23 assists) and Bas O'Bigbers (6th, 16 goals and 24 assists). Charlesworth only had 5 goals and 13 assists all last season. O'Bigbers was better, though 11 goals and 17 assists is a line that doesn't compare to now. Both of these scorers have put in great work and have seen it pay off big-time, and especially now as they benefit from that experience and their team surrounding them improving.

In the defensive ranks, scoring has improved, though one thing that has also helped push the Zerks over to where they are now is...well, improving their defense. And you can see it in the shots their goaltender, Hugo Gronroos, has faced. In 51 games last season, Gronroos faced 1583 shots, an average of just over 31 per game. Through 30 games played this season, he's faced 633, averaging almost 10 fewer threatening shots per game. The key on the blue line pairs has been to minimize chances, and they have done so well. They've been able to help slow down the game, keep the offense going, and make crossing into Newfoundland's zone like going into the trenches. They deny chances by first cutting volume. They haven't had to block near as many shots, either, though there are still plenty of guys putting their bodies on the line.

Then we have a look at the goalkeeper. Sure, Gronroos benefits from facing fewer shots, though he's had a nice bump up in stats, as well, from it. His save percentage has inched up a little, though we have plenty of time for that to change. He's on the right side of 90, though, and his GAA dropped by more than a third in turn. He's also racked up five shutouts this season, compared to one last year. All this leads to a better win percentage as well. He went 19-26-5 all last year. Now, he's at 18-11-1.

On the whole, the Zerks still play a physical game. They've added great depth pieces that have served them well - players like first overall pick Aleksandrs Balcers in defense and yours truly on the wing. Sure, there are a few guys still in single digit points and who can stand to improve, though it feels like this year's draft crop has helped at least buoy the bottom rotations. Should be geared to make a decent push for this postseason and the next, depending on who gets called to the big time. Newfoundland has found new life in this new core and their reinforcements. Should be exciting to watch this develop.

Approved, +5 TPE @GoonerBear

Nhamlet · 03-06-2021, 05:38 PM

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