865 words

The Detroit Falcons came into the S54 season flying pretty high. They had just won the S53 Four Star Cup, and were determined to keep rolling and do it all over again. Only three people had left the team during the off-season to try their chances in the big leagues and despite star forward Kaarlo Kekkonen being one of them, everybody in the Falcons organisation expected the current group of strong S52-S54 players to carry the team to another cup run. Given the amount of players playing at their full junior potential this season, anyone you would’ve asked in the preseason would ‘ve definitely named them as one of the front runners, if not the clear favourite for the S54 Four Star Cup.

Much to everyone’s surprise, the Detroit Falcons start to this season can be called ‘rocky’ at the very least. Only 12 wins and 20 losses, including 3 losses in overtime, leades to them accumulating a mere 27 points from 32 games so far. The 0.422 win percentage is far from what anyone expected from this former power house, and everyone in and out of Detroit is scratching their heads trying to figure out how this could happen. How does a team dominating the league in one season, and clinching the Laurifer with ease, fall almost to the bottom of the standings the season thereafter?

Is it a defensive problem? Hardly, since their goal against average doesn’t seem to be the problem. Sure, they’re taking more goals against than last season; in S53 they let in 89 goals in 50 games, in S54 the’re on 85 goals in 32 games for now, but that’s still fifth in the league. The real problem for the Falcons this season is finding the net themselves. Mounting a succesful offense. Their forwards clearing the zone, and getting the puck to the other teams net. It looks like the departure of Kaarlo Kekkonen from their first line has really thrown the chemistry off there. Teddy Williams, who had a huge point scoring season in S53, is pretty much invisible. Cal Labovitch has seemed to lost the connection to his linemates. Zoltan Topalo can't seem to find his place next to these two former star players. And while other players on the Falcons seem to suffer in a similar manner, we'll take a deeper look at the composition of the first line, who are seriously underperforming for no obvious reason.

Edward Williams went from a career high 64 points (30 goals, 34 assists) in last seasons’ 50 regular season games to a disappointing 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) in the 342 games played in this regular season so far. His 3.69 hits per game are a little under last season’s as well, when he recorded 3.88 hits per game. And even though he doesn’t take as many penalties as last season (95 PIMS), he’s having a hard time out there struggling to find net.

Cal Labovitch wasn’t too happy with last season’s stats, but looking at this seasons’ stats will not cheer him up in any way. Last season, he recorded 16 goals and 25 assists for a total of 41 points in 50 regular season games. In this seasons’ 32 games so far he only managed to get his name on the scoresheet 18 times so far, with 8 goals and 10 assists. His +/- dropping from a +25 in S53 to a -10 for this season and shots dropping from 128 in 50 games to 42 in 32 games isn’t anything to be happy about either. The only part of his game he seems to be improving is in hits (12 so far, versus last seasons’ 5) and giveaways/takeways (3/20 for the season, versus last seasons’ 11/29).

Zoltan Topalo was called up to the first line to replace Kaarlo Kekkonen. Last season, Zoltan managged to rack up 33 points in 50 games, 18 of which were goals and 15 assists. So far for this season, he’s on 14 points, 6 goals and 8 assist. His shot percentage has fallen from a respectable 14.75% to 8.00%, and his 19 giveways in this seasons’ 32 games have almost tied the 20 giveaways he had last season in 50 games.


Kaarlo Kekkonen was good for 50 points, 19 goals and 31 assist, last season. He was a leader both on and off the ice and it looks like Detroit is missing a leading player like Kaarlo in their offence at the moment. Where everyone expected the other Falcons’ to step up and take his place, it seems like nobody has really found a connection that works yet and we can only hope that our Falcons’ find their chemistry and come out swinging again in time for the playoffs.

The Detroit team is currently holding a 3 point lead over the Maine Timer for the last playoff spot in the East, and have one game in hand over them as well. While that doesn’t mean they’re safe at all, the chances for the Falcons to advance into the post season are there, and once that playoff round begins, everything is possible provided the birds can find their skree again.

 

Cal Labovitch |'| RW #12 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Switzerland

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Personal details

Hometown: Lausanne, Switzerland

Height: 6'1" |'| Weight: 202 lbs

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SHL STATISTICS

Regular season
S55 REG |'| Minnesota Chiefs      |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   12 |'| A: 15 |'| P: 27

S56 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   21 |'| A: 12 |'| P: 33

S57 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   31 |'| A: 20 |'| P: 51

S58 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   19 |'| A: 34 |'| P: 53

S59 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   23 |'| A: 39 |'| P: 62

S60 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   24 |'| A: 31 |'| P: 55

S61 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   42 |'| A: 30 |'| P: 72

S62 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   27 |'| A: 33 |'| P: 60

S63 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   18 |'| A: 35 |'| P: 53

S64 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   28 |'| A: 25 |'| P: 53

S65 REG |'| Baltimore Platoon |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   23 |'| A: 33 |'| P: 56

Post Season
S55 PO |'| Minnesota Chiefs      |'| Did not make playoffs                 

S56 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                

S57 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                

S58 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                 

S59 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                

S60 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 4 |'| G:   3 |'| A: 0 |'| P: 3

S61 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 4 |'| G:   1 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 3

S62 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 5 |'| G:   2 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 4

S63 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs

S64 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs

S65 PO |'| Baltimore Platoon |'| GP: 5 |'| G:   2 |'| A: 1 |'| P: 3

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SMJHL STATISTICS

Regular season

S51 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   7 |'| A: 24 |'| P: 31

S52 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G: 19 |'| A: 35 |'| P: 54

S53 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G: 16 |'| A: 25 |'| P: 41

S54 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   9 |'| A: 14 |'| P: 23

Post Season

S51 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP:   7 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 5
S52 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 10 |'| G: 5 |'| A: 1 |'| P: 6

S53 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 17 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P: 5

S54 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP:   7 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 3 |'| P: 4

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WJC STATISTICS

S50 WJC |'| Team Alpine |'| GP: 19 |'| G: 0 |'| A:   2   |'| P:   2

S51 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 21 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 10   |'| P: 14

S52 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 2 |'| A:   6   |'| P:   8

S53 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 12   |'| P: 13

S54 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A:   2   |'| P:   3

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IIHF STATISTICS

S51 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P:  0

S52 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P:  0

S53 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  5

S54 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 6 |'| P:  7

S55 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 2 |'| P:  6

S56 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  5

S57 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 5 |'| P:  8

S58 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 7 |'| P: 11

S59 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 6 |'| A: 7 |'| P: 13

S60 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 4 |'| P:  7

S61 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 3 |'| A:12 |'| P:15

S62 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  6

S63 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 6 |'| P: 10

S64 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 6 |'| A: 5 |'| P: 11

S65 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 9 |'| A: 6 |'| P: 15

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Awards, Cups and Medals

S51 |'| Elias Armia Award (Commissioners' award of excellence)

S51 |'| IIHF (Switzerland NT) |'| Silver medal

S51 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Co-GM

S51 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Bronze medal

S52 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer Trophy  

S52 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Co-GM

S53 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer Trophy 

S53 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Oriens Trophy 

S53 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Four Star Cup

S54 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Co-GM

S55 |'| Minnesota Chiefs |'| Called up to SHL

S55 |'| Ryan Jesster Trophy (nominee)

S56 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Co-GM

S59 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GM

S61 |'| Jay McDonald Trophy

S61 |'| Ron Mexico Trophy (nominee)

S62 |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GM

S63 |'| IIHF (Switzerland NT) |'| Silver medal

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Draft position
SHL     |'| Draft S52 |'| Round 1 |'|   2OA
SMJHL |'| Draft S51 |'| Round 3 |'| 25OA

 

  

Julian Flörsch |'| LD #42 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Switzerland

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Personal details

Hometown: Geneva, Switzerland

Height: 6'0" |'| Weight: 200 lbs

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SHL STATISTICS

Regular season[/pbl]

S69 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:    8 |'| A: 23 |'| P: 31

S70 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   11 |'| A: 24 |'| P: 35

S71 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   10 |'| A: 18 |'| P: 28

S72 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   09 |'| A: 27 |'| P: 36

S73 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   08 |'| A: 25 |'| P: 33

Post Season
S69 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 5 |'| G:   0 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 2
S70 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 4 |'| G:   0 |'| A: 0 |'| P: 0
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SMJHL STATISTICS
Regular season
S65 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   7 |'| A: 15 |'| P: 22
S66 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G: 11 |'| A: 19 |'| P: 30
S67 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G: 16 |'| A: 36 |'| P: 52
S68 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G: 13 |'| A: 40 |'| P: 53
Post Season
S65 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 17 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 3 |'| P: 3
S66 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP:  0 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P: 0
S67 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 10 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 4
S68 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 18 |'| G: 5 |'| A: 8 |'| P:13
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WJC STATISTICS
S64 WJC |'| Team SWEDEN |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A:   1   |'| P:   2
S65 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 1 |'| A:  5   |'| P:  6
S66 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 1 |'| A:   6   |'| P:   7
S67 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 3 |'| A:   1   |'| P:   4
S68 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 1 |'| A:  4   |'| P:  5
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IIHF STATISTICS
S66 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  4
S67 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 1 |'| P:  1
S68 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 1 |'| P:  1
S69 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P:  0
S70 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 1 |'| P:  1

S71 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  5

S72 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  3

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Awards, Cups and Medals

S65 |'| IIHF (Switzerland NT) |'| Gold medal

S65 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer trophy

S65 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Linna-Landvik trophy

S65 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Four Star Cup
S65 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S66 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S67 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S68 |'| Quilha Agante Trophy
S68 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S68 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer trophy
S68 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Linna-Landvik trophy
S68 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Four Star Cup
S68 |'| Quilha Agante Trophy (nominee)

S69 |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Called up to SHL
S69 |'| Ryan Jesster Trophy (nominee)

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Draft position
SHL|'| Draft S66 |'| Autodrafted

SMJHL|'| Draft S65 |'| Round 1 |'|   11OA

 

  

 
Credit for the images goes to @Carpy48, @soulja, @fever95 and @Wasty

Sad SKREE

Reid Sutherland || C || Detroit Falcons || Seattle Argonauts - coGM || 1735 TPE 

Name: Reid Sutherland

Username: reid_sutherland

Age: 21

Birthplace: Minnesota, USA Somewhere is Sweden

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 190 lbs

Number: 5

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Career Statistics:

SMJHL Regular Season: 

S52: 6G || 10A || 16P || -6 +/- || 54.20 FO%

S53: 9G || 31A || 40P || +25 +/- || 52.5 FO%

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Transaction History:

S52: Drafted 24th overall to the Detroit Falcons

S53: Drafted 14th overall to the Winnipeg Jets

S53 Zach Miller Award Recipient

Thanks Wasty, Carpy, JSS, TurdFerguson, Geekusoid and Awesomecakes for the sigs!