ODDS: | Kings by 1 |
OVER/UNDER: | 7 |
This is gonna be a battle. The top line in the UVHL against the top defense and a great offense. The Gamblers are in their first Whalen Cup Final, and the Storm Kings face them in their second official Cup Final. On paper the Kings have the deepest offense, have the best defense both on paper and on the ice, but are always a question mark in net. The Gamblers have the top line in the UVHL this season, the MMA line of Meyer-Marrazzo-Ammel, two of which were in the top 4 in scoring (#1 and #4) a solid goaltender, and a capable cast of hardworking, and sometimes almost as talented, UVHL newcomers and a few UVHL veterans. Neither team likes the other, and lets be honest, nobody likes the Storm Kings. They have a lot of great guys off the ice, but only a few great guys when they are also on the ice. When they get together on the ice something sinister happens and together, as a group, they exhibit a worse attitude, poor sportsmanship, and are extremely arrogant. Talent seems to breed such monsters, and talented they are. Opponents and refs alike are tired, sick and tired, of dealing with the mouthy, high maintenance Kings. Still, they earned their place in the Finals fair and square, and beat their arch rivals the Nords in OT to get there, and therefore deservedly retain bragging rights. Can the Gamblers overcome such talent? Not if Jered Condon plays like he did against Tuck, and not if they rely only on the MMA line. Can Frenchy steal a championship with goaltending? Yes, actually he can if he plays like he did aganst the Nords. If discipline and team play win the day, then the Gamblers have a shot. If not, then the talented Kings will earn their first official Whalen Cup, and will skate off into the sunset drinking Budweiser from its golden trough!