I've got another Strat-O-Matic hockey season going on in the background, and at this point all six teams have played half of their 20-game regular-season schedule. The Victorias, who have stumbled a bit in recent years, are back on top of the standings at 7-1-2. Their aggressive rebuild strategy of bringing in speedy forwards to create a more up-tempo attack has been paying off in a big way; the Vics lead the league in most offensive categories, including a power play that's clicking at 40%. In second place we have the Millionaires, winners of the last two first-place pennants, who are having a strong season at 5-3-2. The Bearcats, last year's surprise Creighton Cup winners, are treading water at .500 (4-4-2). As for the Comets, Bulldogs, and Thistles, well, one of those teams will make the playoffs by default.
Looking now at individual performances, "Phantom" Joe Malone is leading the league with 9 goals and is the frontrunner for Forward MVP. Defenseman Cyclone Taylor has racked up a league-best 21 points as he looks to reclaim the scoring title from the Millies' Mickey MacKay, who won it in Seasons 12 and 13. Taylor's teammate Hobey Baker is second in hte league with 18 points, and could give Malone a run for his money in the Forward MVP race. I should also note that George Hay, the Vics' big offseason trade acquisition, has been thriving in his new home and is tied for second in goals with 7. Heralded rookie right wings Punch Broadbent (Comets) and Babe Dye (Millies) haven't seen the hype translate into results just yet, and it's hard to say which one has the edge for Rookie of the Year. There's no such ambiguity among the goaltenders, as Bowse Hutton of the Vics has a commanding lead in save percentage (.941), ahead of Georges Vezina (Millies) and Hap Holmes (Bulldogs), both at .929.
What's the big storyline for the second half of the season? It could be which teams don't make the playoffs. There's an especially talented draft class coming up for Season 15, so the teams that crater now are likely to get some major talent for next year.
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