Man, what is it with Narva in the playoffs recently? We just can't seem to put it together.

1981 MARCOTTE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

1 Yubay Falcons vs 2 Chasonne Heralds

The Heralds are 8-0 in the playoffs and haven't been shy about their expectations leading into their second-straight Finals where they are defending champions. Meanwhile the Falcons have just weathered a tough 7-game thriller against Fort Bevin to make it back to the Finals for the first time since 1975. Unlike previous seasons where the legendary Geno Pasternak had to carry the team, the Falcons have figured out how to play like a team. With goalie Claude Dohms having his best year ever and a top defensive pairing of Ryan Devlin and Malcolm Jackson, the Sava Side has been tough behind the blue line. Geno leads a fast group of forwards with the gregarious Vince Van Swedden and Karolis Kazlauskas. The Heralds play a brash style behind their stars and it has been lethal. Forward Gian Guiliano has been brilliant all year and his linemates Robert Bertucci and Sten Zaal will match up well against Yubay. 20-year-old D Frankie Albertelli might already be one of the best two-way defensemen in the league and his linemate D John Schmoldt is a punishing intimidator. Goalies Hymore and Liggins have been solid. Digging deeper into team depth, the Falcons might have the edge with D George Lipow on the third pair and the veteran F Allen Consbruck leading the third unit. In Chasonne, journeyman F Adam Pendleton has found a role on the third line while young D Max Neilsen is improving on a third pair with Carl Marquina. Kip Weller leads the Heralds and his steady hand keeps all the bravado in check. Yubay's Blaine Burchette is a creative leader. This matchup figures to be a barnburner.



Game 1: CHA 3 @ YUB 2 (OT) – The first game was as advertised, closely-contested with brilliant moments from both squads. Sten Zaal opened the scoring, followed by a one-timer from Gian Guiliano. The Falcons fought back with a nice putback shot by Van Swedden in the second period and in the third period a stunning goal from Pasternak to tie it up. Midway through OT though, it was the Heralds who found some luck as an awkward rebound found Robert Bertucci's stick for a putback.

Game 2: CHA 2 @ YUB 1 (2OT) – The Heralds put massive pressure on Yubay by stealing a second game in two overtimes. After goals from Kazlauskas and Albertelli knotted it up after regulation, it was a searing slapshot minutes into the second overtime from Guiliano that stunned the crowd in Sava Side as the Heralds remained undefeated in the playoffs.

Game 3: YUB 0 @ CHA 2 – The brutal defeat in Game 2 seemed to sap the energy of the Falcons as the Heralds easily took control of the game back home in Chasonne. Goals from Guiliano and Zaal stood up as Lawrence Hymore notched the shutout to put the Falcons deep on the ropes.

Game 4: YUB 0 @ CHA 5 – The Heralds were tasting blood and potential history and came out of the gate strong posting a pair of goals in the first minute. It was off to the races after the third goal and Chasonne blitzed the Falcons to a clean sweep and become the first team in THL history to go undefeated in the playoffs by going 12-0 including 7 overtime periods. Just the third team to repeat as champions, along with the Falcons and Glaciers, the achievement was a resounding success in their Cup defense as F Gian Guiliano was again awarded Series MVP. It's a tough blow for Yubay who wanted to be able to send Geno out on top but he was coy on his future plans after the game. 

1981 Marcotte Cup Champions: Chasonne Heralds (5)


Up next: 1982 Offseason

You absolutely love to see it, good stuff to the Heralds for the sweep.

Rugrat wrote:

😴 probably the most boring final ever

Two overtimes including a double ot game 2 say otherwise

1982 THL OFFSEASON

LEAGUE NEWS

Falcons sold to Dietrich
With rumors circling for months, Lynette Rankin finally found a local buyer for the Falcons in the form of Yubay business magnate Dwight Dietrich, who is respected on both sides of Yubay and plans to keep the Falcons in the Sava Side for a long time. Dietrich owns one of the fastest growing businesses in Torland and was able to orchestrate a deal to also take control of the Yertas Arena to make sure the Falcons stay in Scarssevain Square. The sale amount is unknown but it was speculated that the Falcons club is among the highest valued in the THL.

Notable Retirements
In a deep list of retirements, perhaps the biggest news was who didn't retire, as Geno Pasternak deciding to continue playing. Two players who last played in 1980 but didn't officially retire until this offseason kick off the slate.

- D Allen Lombardi (1981)
Lombardi was a defensive warrior and one of THL's strongmen after being drafted by the Falcons in 1965, playing 8 seasons and winning 3 Marcotte Cups in Sava Side. Lombardi rarely missed games and though he never made an All-Star team he was considered a top shelf defender and a key cog for several championship teams. Traded to Chasonne in 1974, he played three seasons for the Heralds where he won his fourth Cup. After being traded to Fort Bevin in 1976, he won his record fifth Cup that year with the Rockets. He is the only player to win 5 Marcotte Cups.

- G Gerry McKnight (1981)
Longtime Captains netminder McKnight also retired following the 1980 season but didn't officialize it until this season. McKnight was an original member of the Captains and helped Kirkenport to win three Cups during his 21-year tenure. A 6-time All-Star and 2-time Best Goalie, McKnight also won League MVP in 1971 while being named Finals MVP that year. McKnight's #45 sweater will be retired in the Isle of Kirk.

- G Ferdy Haight
The king of Port Alrene hung up his skates after an illustrious 22-year career tending the net for the Anchors. The THL will probably never see another player like him. Haight was consistently one of the best players in the league for more than two decades. His #27 sweater is essentially iconic all around Torland and was retired by Port Alrene immediately after his announcement. Haight racked up awards like candy and his resume may stand the test of time. He helped lead his team to eight Cup appearances, winning three of them. He often singe-handedly carried his team and his performances have become legends, such as his brilliant shutout in Game 5 of the 1966 Finals after the death of mother from cancer and in the 1972 playoffs where he willed his team into a victory nearly on his own. His resume speaks for itself:

3x Marcotte Cups (1961, 1966, 1972)
3x League MVP (1963, 1972, 1975)
9x Best Goalie (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978)
16x All-Star (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978)
2x Finals MVP (1966, 1972)
1x Most Improved (1972)

- F Peter Isaksson
The quiet Icelander, Peter Isaksson also retired after 17 years with the Yubay Glaciers. Drafted #1 in 1965, Isaksson won 3 Cups for the Niko Side. An 8-time All-Star, Isaksson also won 3 Best Forwards and was League MVP in 1968.

- F Keenan Draper
Draper was the leader of the Kirk Boys for 17 seasons after being drafted #2 after Isaksson by the Captains in 1965. Draper led the team to 3 Marcotte Cups, helping Kirkenport finally break their Cup curse in 1971. Draper was an 11-time All-Star and won 3 Best Forwards. Known for his blend of speed and toughness, Draper was named Finals MVP in 1973.

- G Keith MacGarvin
Drafted #10 in the historic 1965 draft, MacGarvin backstopped the Glaciers for 17 years, helping them win 3 Marcotte Cups. MacGarvin was considered a blue collar goalie, tough as they come. An All-Star 5 times, MacGarvin won Best Goalie twice.


Coaching Carousel

The Herons hired Allen Duncan as their assistant coach.

Player Trades and Signings

In a surprising move, the Yubay Falcons signed former Herons suspended forward Adam Oreskovich after he was officially released early from prison. Adam O, a Yubay native, completed a 6-month halfway program and also had been working out during his five years away from the THL. Coach Blaine Burchette had been mentoring Oreskovich while he was in prison and felt confident he was ready to make a positive impact in life again. With new owner Dietrich wanting to make a splash, Burchette signed him to a 1-year prove-it contract with heavy incentive-laden details. Oreskovich will play on the second line in a reduced role from his former days.

Free Agents:

For the first time in THL history several players had free agency choice after their contracts expired.

Former Anchors forward Joey Fredella, 35, signed a 2-year deal with Fort Bevin to provide experience on the second line. Fredella has played for the Kodiaks, Glaciers, Heralds and Anchors. F Evan Starling, formerly with the Swans, signed a 1-year deal with Fort Bevin. Starling played for Narva before defecting to the UHA. The Rockets are focused on experienced forwards for depth who can help on a potential championship run.

Former Kodiaks defenseman Tony Champagne was courted by numerous teams but ultimately took a larger deal with more money to sign with Kurohara where he will be guaranteed to start on a bad team. It gives the Killers a stronger blue line presence who can also help groom some of the very young and green players on the squad.

Trades:

The Whales traded F Stan Johanson, 29, and their 2nd-overall pick to Kurohara for the rights to the 1st-overall pick, presumably for the chance to draft F Eric Caparros. The trade gives the Killers an experienced but late-blooming forward while Portarra can focus on their rebuild.

Rumors abounded that the Anchors were trying to trade All-Star F Dimitri Ranko but no deal could be found. He has one year remaining on his contract and isn't expected to re-sign with Port Alrene, so he could be a rare mid-season trade candidate. The Anchors did trade a 2nd-rounder to the Herons for D Wally Burden who had fallen out of favor in Trowburgh.


1982 Amateur Player Draft

1 – POR – F Eric Caparros
The Whales essentially gave away Stan Johanson to get the first pick from Kurohara to get the rights to Caparros, who is a fine forward prospect. Caparros has a sneaky good skillset and high hockey IQ.

2 – KUR – D Drew Paterakis
After drafting F Alex Kirkland last year, the Killers are focused on the blue line, signing Tony Champagne and drafting Paterakis who is a skilled defenseman but needs time to develop.

3 – PRE – F Robert Zoppa
The Blazers are excited about Jorgensen from last year but with Chris Wydra nearing retirement, the strong Zoppa can do the dirty work on the boards.

4 – VEN – F Isak Forsberg (Sweden)
Another player in the Swedish hockey factory, Forsberg isn't exciting but extremely well schooled in hockey and has a high floor. He can immediately take over the role of the departed Evan Starling.

5 – QUE – F Ryan Rutkin
Rutkin could be a real boom-or-bust prospect but there's no denying his natural talent as a scoring center. The Crusaders are concerned with their blue line but couldn't pass up Rutkin here.

6 – ABR – D Max Kopecky (Czech)
The Czech Kopecky is a classic defenseman who can also crash the net.

7 – LEC – F Quinton Sluitter
The Saints need depth everywhere, particularly up front and Sluitter is an intriguing prospect.

8 – BAN – F Randy Hussmann
“Hussy” is a bruising forward who instills instant toughness into any line.

9 – PA – G Dennis Vanderbloem
With the legendary Ferdy Haight retired and needs everywhere, the Anchors dip into the goalie pool for their future. Vanderbloem has impossible shoes to fill but is a nice prospect.

10 – TRO – D Ziggy Marszalek (Poland)
Some thought Ziggy could go top-5 so this is an incredible value for Trowburgh who already has a nice defensive group. Ziggy has a high floor and reads the ice very well.

11 – KIR – F Andy Baldauff
12 – KRK – D Nick Keltgen
13 – GLD – F Sherman Bourget
14 – YBG – F Paul Flugstad
15 – FTB – F Al Murzin
16 – KAV – D Gary Holck
17 – PTP – D Victor Noyola
18 – NAR – F Jeremy Lohmeyer
19 – CHA – G Ervin De Sell
20 – YUB – D Melvin Manzur


Team Identity Changes

Three teams made changes to their identities.

1982 Kirkenport Captains


Previous Identity: 1975-1981 Kirkenport Captains

The Captains decided to return to the Cap logo and bring in a new uniform design while they were at it. The more classic Kirk look gives way to a curved sleeved version. Outlines return to the numbers while the striping count is increased. The young fans dug the new look while the old fans hated it immediately and called for the old simple design to return.

1982 Kirlow Kodiaks


Previous Identity: 1977-1981 Kirlow Kodiaks

The Kodiaks' new owner Shad Ferrera decided to rebrand the team a bit, hoping to move beyond the era of losing four Finals by changing the color scheme and adjusting the uniforms. He dropped the blue and changed it to a vibrant red while adjusting the striping. It's a drastic shift for the Kodiaks.

1982 Kurohara Killers


Previous Identity: 1977-1981 Kurohara Killers

Owner Edward Zook chose to retool the Killers' look into something "more fierce" as he put it, in their first change as a franchise since starting in the UHA in 1977. The roundel is dropped from the logo to focus on the orca. The orange pants are dropped for black ones. The tertiary green color is put on the shelf for now. The sleeve stripes are rotated diagonally, bookending a straight shoulder yoke.


Up next: 1982 season
C&C appreciated!