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dogwoodmaple · 02-26-2022, 02:19 PM

2x playoff media

S63 Challenge Cup Finals

Steelhawks

Let's take a look at some big time matchups and comparisons between the Hamilton Steelhawks and Los Angeles Panthers as they battle for the S63 Challenge Cup.

First, some playoff stats...

Points per game

C Mitchell van der Heijden - 1.0

LW Jimmy Wagner - 1.0

RW Rotticus Scott - 0.947

RW Sarah Burke - 0.813

LW Bobby Lane - 0.813

C Rikard Hammarberg - 0.789

Each team has a player who is averaging a point per game with Wagner and van der Heijden, with that pair being prime candidates for Finals MVP. The rest of the points per game is pretty balanced with Steelhawks winger Rotticus Scott taking home bronze, but the Panthers nabbing fourth and fifth place with Burke and Lane. Both squads have a deep group of offensive stars that should bring some excitement to this year's finals.

Goals per game

RW Rotticus Scott - 0.421

RW Sarah Burke - 0.375

C Rikard Hammarberg - 0.368

C Mitchell van der Heijden - 0.368

RW Theo Morgan - 0.368

C Rock Strongo - 0.313

LW Bobby Lane - 0.313

It's no surprise that Rotticus Scott is leading both teams in goals per game as the Rottiking has been on fire this postseason. Sarah Burke brings home the silver averaging 0.375 goals per game and is followed by a trio of tied Steelhawks who are all sitting at 0.368 (Hammarberg, van der Heijden, and Morgan). Rock Strongo and Bobby Lane round up this group of high-flying goal scorers who will be aiming to light the goal siren early and often. Look for Lane and Strongo to be players to watch...they could turn the tide for Los Angeles.

Assists per game

LW Jimmy Wagner - 0.813

C Mitchell van der Heijden - 0.632

LW Bryce McMahon - 0.563

C Jimmy Slothface - 0.563

LW Devin Basher - 0.526

RW Rotticus Scott - 0.526

Two words - Jimmy. Wagner. Wagner has been an assist machine all postseason averaging an absurd 0.813 apples per game. He's on pace for 54 assists over a full season, which would put him in MVP territory. Two of the next three assist leaders are also Panthers, with van der Heijden being the only other player north of 0.60 per game. And there's playoff star Rotticus Scott and Devin Basher both averaging over a half an assist per game. If Los Angeles hoists the cup, it'll be on the back of Wagner McMahon and Slothface, who have been the offensive magicians for the Panthers.

Blocks per game

RD Guy O'Shea - 3.316
Steelhawks

LD Evangelos Giannopoulos - 2.421

LD Keith Lee - 2.250

RD Sean Gatez - 1.625

LD Jonas Kahnwald - 1.563
Steelhawks

LD Hugh Jazz - 1.368

Guy O'Shea has been one of the best and most consistent shot blockers this postseason and he leads the way here. O'Shea is the only player averaging 2.5+ blocks per game and will sacrifice his body to keep his net clean. Giannopoulos comes in at second with 2.421 followed by veteran Keith Lee who currently averages 2.25 blocks. After Lee, you've got a pair of Panthers with Gatez and Kahnwald who are two of the better defensemen you'll find in SHL. Hugh Jazz ranks sixth in this group with 1.368, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Jazz have a massive impact this series with blocked shots. Both goalies tip their cap to all these players for keeping the traffic down.

Hits per game
Steelhawks

RW Rotticut Scott - 2.368

C Rikard Hammarberg - 2.210

RW Sarah Burke - 2.063

C Mitchell van der Heijden - 1.894

RD Elias Kierkegaard - 1.875

LW Bryce McMahon - 1.813

Laying the lumber. Bringing the pain. Delivering the devastating blow. Whenever you're skating around these six players, keep your head on a swivel. Rotticus Scott and Rikard Hammarberg lead the way here with Sarah Burke being the only other player averaging north of 2 hits per game. The next three are close as far as numbers go, showing how evenly distributed the hits are in this series. Mitchell van der Heijden, Elias Kierkegaard, and Bryce McMahon are three players you certainly cannot ignore when you're on the ice.

Shots per game

C Mitchell van der Heijden - 4.10

C Rock Strongo - 3.875

C Rikard Hammarberg - 3.842

LW Jimmy Wagner - 3.688

LW Bobby Lane - 3.438

LW Aaron Wilson - 3.316

Another pretty balanced stat category as we rotate teams through the top four. Mitchell van der Heijden leads the way and is averaging an impressive 4.1 shots per game to lead all players. Rock Strongo and Rikard Hammarberg are within a whisker of one another, making it a clean sweep for centers in the top three. Assist aficionado Jimmy Wagner is next, followed by Bobby Lane and Aaron Wilson. One this is for sure this series - the shots will be flying early and often. This series is full of impressive forwards who aren't afraid to let 'er rip from just about anywhere on the ice. The goalies need to come with their A-game for this year's finals.

Shooting percentage

RW Cormac Ponaire - 14.3%

RW Rotticus Scott - 13.1%

RW Sarah Burke - 13.0%

RW Theo Morgan - 11.5%

LD Jonas Kahnwald - 10.8%

RD NeverBrokeAgain YoungBoy - 9.7%

Hello, Cormac Ponaire! This series' leader in shooting percentage is on a blistering pace and has been making the most of their shot opportunities. The next two are both at ~13% with playoff standout Rotticus Scott and the fantastic Sarah Burke, whose swap to forward two season's ago has yielded incredible results. Theo Morgan and Jonas Kahnwald are the next pairing, with Kahnwald being the lone defensive player in the top five. And speaking of defense, NeverBrokeAgain YoungBoy rounds out this top six with an impressive 9.7% that has been buoyed by some absolutely clutch goals this postseason for the Hamilton Steelhawks.

Save percentage

G Monster The Doctor - 0.999

G Olof Karsikko - 0.937

G A Jobin - 0.927

Monster the Doctor! They haven't allowed a single goal this postseason (not sure why it's not 1.00). Yes, they've only saved three shots, but backup goalies are people too and deserve some praise. Olof Karsikko and A Jobin have similar numbers here with Karsikko just edging out the Steelhawks' goalie in save percentage. When it comes to quickness, flexibility, and overall instincts for the game, there are few who can match the pair of starting goalies we have in this series. It's going to come down to one thing and one thing only - who can channel their inner clutch gene and be the difference maker for their team?

Shutouts

G Olof Karsikko - 3

G A Jobin - 2

There's not much that separates these two in terms of shutouts, but Karsikko has the edge here in raw number and shutouts per game. The main difference has been the otherworldy play that Karsikko has tapped into this postseason. They have more shutouts this playoffs than they did in the entire regular season! If Los Angeles continues to get this level of play from their goalie, it could be tough sledding for Hamilton. But don't sleep on Jobin. Their overall playoff experience is impossible to replicate.

Goals allowed

G Monster The Doctor - 0.00

G Olof Karsikko - 1.81

G A Jobin - 2.02

More of the same here as Monster The Doctor leads the way with a perfect 0.00 goals allowed on average. Karsikko has improved yet another stat this postseason as they went from averaging more than 3 goals per game in the regular season to 1.81. Jobin has gone the other way from their regular season performance, but that begs the question. Will these numbers start to normalize this series with Karsikko taking a step back and Jobin standing on their head? Or will Olof continue this white-hot run as the best goalie in the playoffs. Either way, it'll be fun to watch.

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