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Word Count: 2,400 -- Ready for grading

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[S35] Journey of the SHL Title Belt


This media will look at the journey of a Title Belt over the course of Season 35. At the start of the season, the Title Belt is held by the Challenge Cup Champions, Manhattan. The belt is exchanged when the holder of the Title Belt loses in any fashion. I considered using more kayfabe inspired rules where the Title wouldn't change hands due to overtime losses, but it's more fun to have more title changes.

Code:

Reign: Number of reigns for the specific team
Record holding the Title Belt: Win/loss record at start of specific reign
Successful Defenses: Number of wins during specific reign

The Manhattan Rage carried the SHL Title Belt into the regular season. As you'll see below, they opened the season with a great series of title belt defenses. Their opening reign was the second longest of the entire season. With a team from the East holding the Title Belt at the start of the season, Eastern teams had the advantage.

No. 1 - Manhattan Rage

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 4 (Minnesota Chiefs 5-3,
Buffalo Stampede 4-3, Buffalo Stampede 4-2 Hamilton Steelhawks 5-0)

Manhattan starts the season off successfully defending the Title Belt 4 times. During this span of 4 games, Ace Redding recorded 6 points (5 goals, 1 assist). Manhattan would drop the Title Belt in their next game in a 2-0 loss to West Kendall Platoon (Game Link).

No. 2 -West Kendall Platoon

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

West Kendall started their first Title Belt defense strong, scoring 2 goals in the first, but Minnesota managed to score one in the 2nd and three in the 3rd period. West Kendall would lose 4-3 (Game Link).

No. 3-Minnesota Chiefs

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

Like the Platoon, Buffalo failed to successfully defend the Title Belt. In a lopsided affair with Buffalo, Minessota lost 4-1 (Gane Link). In this game, Eduard Selich scored 2 goals, Alexis Metzler scored the game winning goal, and VLAD McZehrl scored a goal and 2 assists. Casey Holmes put on an impressive performance with 21 saves from 22 shots.

No. 4 -Buffalo Stampede

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 1 (Minnesota 6-0)

The rematch for the Title Belt between Buffalo and Minnesota wasn’t close at all. Buffalo had 6 different players score a goal, and Casey Holmes once again put on a great performance with a 25 save shutout. Buffalo would drop the Title Belt in their next game, to the first two-time Title Belt holder: West Kendall Platoon ((Game Link).

No. 5 West Kendall Platoon

Reign: 2 -- Record holding the Title Belt (0-1) -- Successful Defenses: 0

So far, West Kendall is still looking to successfully defend the Title Belt, as it drops it to the second two-time Title Belt holder: Manhattan (Game Link). Matt Lewis-Flood put on a good performance in this 4-2 loss by making 35 saves on 38 shots (0.921), but Jason Aittokallio stole the show with 27 saves on 29 shots (0.931).

No: 6 - Manhattan Rage

Reign: 2 -- Record defending the Title Belt (4-1) -- Successful Defenses: 1 -- (Portland 4-1)

Jason Aittokallio with his 23 saves on 24 shots, and Ace Redding 7 hits and 3 points (1 goal, 2 assist) put the Rage past Portland easily. The Title Belt would remain in the East when Manhattan lost its next game to the first three-time Title Belt Holder: West Kendall (Game Link). Matt Lewis-Flood and his 22 saves on 25 shots, with the West Kendall skaters would prove too much for Manhattan and Ace Redding, who still put up a good game with 2 points (goal and assist) and 8 hits.

No. 7 -West Kendall Platoon

Reign: 3 -- Record defending the Title Belt (0-2) -- Successful Defenses: 0

West Kendall Platoon still hasn't successfully defended the Title Belt, dropping it to our first Western Conference holder: Portland Admirals (Game Link)! Alex Light and Mikko Linna tried their bests for the win, both recording 2 points (goal and assist) and Light even scoring a goal in the shootout, but Kyle Wahlgren said No! and carried Portland to victory road.

No. 8 -Portland Admirals

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

In the rematch with West Kendall, the Platoon win a close game in overtime to pick up the title belt for a 4th time (Game Link). Despite being the better team in the 1st period, scoring 2 goals and not allowing any in, West Kendall limited Portland's ability to produce the rest of the game and kept the Admirals to 18 shots.

No. 9 -West Kendall Platoon

Reign: 4 -- Record defending the Title Belt (0-3) -- Successful Defenses: 0

West Kendall would again fail to defend the Title Belt, passing it on to New England in a 5-3 loss (Game Link). The Wolfpack set the tone of the game early by controlling the puck and limiting West Kendall to only 2 shots in the first period. Ales Smirnov dominated the 3rd period with 3 points (2 goals and assist).

No. 10 -New England Wolfpack

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

New England would also fail to defend the Title Belt, dropping it in their first defense to Toronto in a 5-2 loss (Game Link). Toronto out-shot New England 37-24, and had a particularly dominating 2nd period where they scored 3 goals, 2 of which took place in a span of 20 seconds. With 3 points (2 goals, assist), Travis Kudleychuk earned the 1st star.


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Reed Kobo - Winger - #33
Player Page- Update Page
Elijah Jones - Winger - #33 Retired
Player Page - Update Page
Toivo Kosonen - Defenseman - #33 Retired
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<div align="center">Part 2


No. 11 -Toronto North Stars

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

Toronto loses the rematch to New England, 4-2 (Game Link). Mikke Laukkanen put on a show, giving up only 2 goals while facing 23 shots (0.913), winning the duel of the goalies with Jeff Kirkstone. New England played a very disciplined game, committing zero penalties, whereas Toronto was called for 6 penalties, resulting in 2 powerplay goals.

No. 12 -New England Wolfpack

Reign: 2 -- Record defending the Title Belt (0-1) -- Successful Defenses: 6 (Calgary Dragons 5-1, Hamilton Steelhawks 3-2, Buffalo Stampede 4-3, Manhattan Rage 3-1, West Kendall 6-0, Hamilton Steelhawks 6-2)

Throughout these 6 Title Belt Defenses, Ales Smirnov registered 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) and Dieter Dominique scored 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists). New England's win streak ended at the hands of Toronto in a 5-4 overtime loss (Game Link).

No. 13-Toronto North Stars

Reign: 2 -- Record defending the Title Belt (0-1) -- Successful Defenses: 1 (Minnesota Chiefs 3-1). Toronto outgunned West Kendall, but the Platoon were the ones to find the back of the net more often. The scoring was started by Slappy McDoodle and Travis Jeziak, making it 2-0 in the first period.

After sucessfully defending the Title Belt against Minnesota, Toronto fall to the Five time, Five time, Five time, Five time, Five time, SHL Title Belt holder: West Kendall Platoon! (Game Link).

No. 14-West Kendall Platoon

Reign: 5 -- Record defending the Title Belt (0-4) -- Successful Defenses: 0

In the rematch, the successful title defense continues to elude West Kendall. Toronto beats West Kendall 6-3 (Game Link). The stats for this game were fairly close, but Toronto proved to be the better team by capitalizing better on their chances.

No. 15-Toronto North Stars

Reign: 3 -- Record defending the Title Belt (1-2) -- Successful Defenses: 3 (Winnipeg Jets 3-2, Seattle Riot 4-3, Manhattan Rage 4-0)

Through these 3 successful title defenses, Toronto's net-minder Jeff Kirkstone boasted a 0.947 save percentage. Toronto would drop the Title Belt to the Texas Renegades, just the second reign by a West Conference team (Game Link).

No. 16-Texas Renegades

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

Renegades experience the hardship of successfully defending the Title Belt, and drop it to the Hamilton Steelhawks in a 4-2 loss (Game Link). Ronnie Westbrook managed to get the first star with 3 points (2 goals, assist).

No. 17-Hamilton Steelhawks

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

West Kendall Platoon regains the Title Belt after beating Hamilton 5-2 (Game Link). The Platoon came out with a barrage, overpowering Selena Bauer and the Steelhawks with 45 shots. Alex Light had 2 points (goal, assist) and earned the 1st star of the night.

No. 18-West Kendall Platoon

Reign: 6 -- Record defending the Title Belt (0-5) -- Successful Defenses: 2 (Seattle Riot 6-3, Edmonton Blizzard 4-2)

West Kendall Platoon does it, not only once, but defends the Title Belt twice. In their third defense, West Kendall loses to Buffalo 4-2 (Game Link), but getting those successful defenses is a huge step.

No. 19-Buffalo Stampede

Reign: 2 -- Record defending the Title Belt (1-1) -- Successful Defenses: 3 (Minnesota Chiefs 5-2, West Kendall Platoon 3-2, Toronto 5-2)

Buffalo managed to do well with this reign. The streak came to an end thanks to New England's 5-3 win (Game Link). Mainio Makinen had a great performance, a 4 point night (goal, 3 assists).

No. 20-New England Wolfpack

Reign: 3 -- Record defending the Title Belt (6-2) -- Successful Defenses: 0

New England's record while holding the title belt increases to 6-3, following the 4-3 overtime loss and dropping the Title Belt to the Hamilton Steelhawks (Game Link). The two teams played a very close game that was forced into overtime and eventually the shootout. New England had 33 shots, Hamilton got off 37 shots on Mikke Laukkanen. Luke Atmey was named the 1st star of the night, he had a goal and two assists during 27:43 minutes on the ice.

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Reed Kobo - Winger - #33
Player Page- Update Page
Elijah Jones - Winger - #33 Retired
Player Page - Update Page
Toivo Kosonen - Defenseman - #33 Retired
Player Page -  Update Page

<div align="center">Part 3

No. 21-Hamilton Steelhawks

Reign: 2 -- Successful Defenses: 2 (Edmonton Blizzard 3-2, West Kendall Platoon 4-3)

After beating New England Wolfpack for the Title Belt, and defending it twice, Hamilton falls to New England 4-1 (Game Link)). In the Hamilton Edmonton Title Match, Hamilton limited the Blizzard to just 13 shots through regulation and overtime. Hamilton did not control the puck as much against West Kendall Platoon, who outshot Hamilton 37-29. In the game versus West Kendall, Kyle Kylrad had a 4 point (2 goals, 2 assists) night, good enough for the 1st star.


No. 22-New England Wolfpack

Reign: 4 -- Record defending the Title Belt (6-3) -- Successful Defenses: 0

West Kendall really has knack for winning the Title Belt (and we'll be seeing a lot more of it going on), by defeating New England 4-1 (Game Link), they start their 7th reign.

No. 23-West Kendall Platoon

Reign: 7 -- Record defending the Title Belt (2-6) -- Successful Defenses:0

Par for the course, West Kendall does not successfully defend the Title Belt. West Kendall falls to Seattle 2-0 (Game Link). The shots were close, but Seattle's Cory Knouse and Maximus Sarone were able to find the back of the net. The two goals were it took to best West Kendall. The Platoon's struggles to retain the belt have become commonplace. The West Kendall fanbase thought they had put that all behind them with the two successful defenses, but it wasn't so.

No. 24-Seattle Riot

Reign: 1 -- Successful Defenses: 0

Seattle ghosted in its first defense and drops the Title Belt to Portland following a 4-0 shutout by Kyle Wahlgren (Game Link). Portland managed to lay the goals on Seattle. McFadden could not stop the Admirals, as Max Weber (two goals), Patrick Brumm, and Joanahtan Lundberg all scored. The 4-0 defeat correlated with Portland out shooting Seattle 32 shots to 21 shots. Max Weber's two goals were good enough for the local media to award him the 1st star of the night. Kyle Wahlgren put on a great performance.

No. 25-Portland Admirals

Reign: 2 --Record defending the Title Belt (0-1) Successful Defenses: 0

Portland fails to defend the Title Belt, and goes 0-3 in their last 3 games of the season. Buffalo tops them 3-1 (Game Link) for the Title Belt back in their possession.

No. 26-Buffalo Stampede

Reign: 3 -- Record defending the Title Belt (4-2) -- Successful Defenses: 0

Buffalo fails to defend the Title Belt as New England beats them 5-3 (Game Link). Buffalo makes a great rally in the third period, 12 shots and 3 goals, but it wasn't enough. Just 2 minutes and 14 seconds into the game, Mikael Talo scored with the help of Toivo Kosonen. The Wolfpack weren't done, just 4 seconds later, Raven Silverwing scored his 24th goal with the help of Mainio Makinen. Less than two minutes later, Nathan Russell scored to put the Wolfpack up 3-0 in a matter of 1:28. New England took advantage of playing Buffalo's backup Ken Kennedy-Anderson, and made it look easy.

No. 27-New England Wolfpack

Reign: 5 -- Record defend the Title Belt (6-4) -- Successful Defenses: 0 (End of Season)

New England Wolfpack end the regular season holding the Title Belt. From Manhattan's high quality start to the season, and the 24 times the Title Belt changed hands, the East Conference's best team in the standings finished with the gold.



Recap:

Manhattan had a very strong and successful start to the season, 4 title defenses earned the second best reign of the season. New England Wolfpack defended the Title Belt the most times successfully (6), followed by Manhattan (5), and Buffalo (4). Each team from the East held the Title Belt at least once. West Kendall Platoon had the most reigns (7), despite going their first 5 reigns without a successful defense, the Platoon managed to defend it twice in their 6th reign.

In the West, three teams held the Title Belt: Portland Admirals, Seattle Riot and Texas. The Western Title Belt holders had a combined 5 reigns, Portland being the team that held the Title Belt twice. None of the Western teams managed to successfully defended the title. Los Angeles Panthers were the only team to not play for the Title Belt.

A few things were surprising: West Kendall's many reigns and fails at defending (14% of their regular season games involved winning the Title Belt), the general lack of successful title defenses(perhaps changing the rules in which the title belt changes hands would help, e.g. only in regulation outcomes), and the East hogging the Title Belt for most of the season. I've tried my hardest using the term Title Belt Holder, as opposed to Champion, so that I don't devalue the current status of the S34 Challenge Cup Champions, Manhattan. I also had no clue that New England would be the final Title Belt holders, so that was a fun surprise.



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Reed Kobo - Winger - #33
Player Page- Update Page
Elijah Jones - Winger - #33 Retired
Player Page - Update Page
Toivo Kosonen - Defenseman - #33 Retired
Player Page -  Update Page

good shit Toivo!


How we never get a chance to go for the Title? Joe Silva will hear about this.

Interesting idea

Was something different and a good read. Thanks