Nice to see ya back Steel! Hope everythin's goin alright. 
I'm going to have to pull for the Heralds here, can't let my cross town rivals win it!

So happy to see this back! Hoping my pioneers can take it all home this year!

1980 MARCOTTE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

1 Portarra Pioneers vs 4 Chasonne Heralds

Heading into the first Cup of the new decade, both teams are hot but with vastly different personalities. The Pioneers have a steady approach and have stood resolute at the top of the standings. The quiet energy of Jonathan Walker leads a potent top line with Jerry Razzo and Elisha Nadeau. Versatile defenseman Thomas Nelissen anchors the blue line while Adrian Petrov and Nick Casselman have been strong in the net. Ted Gooden is reigning coach of the year. The Heralds, meanwhile, are young, brash and extremely talented. Coach Kip Weller keeps their fast, wild style focused. A lethal top line of Gian Guiliano, Robert Bertucci and Sten Zaal can score anytime and anywhere. Goalies Lawrence Hymore and Jimmy Liggens have elevated their games in the playoffs though neither has a strong track record. But the blue line has been on fire since rookie sensation Frankie Albertelli first hit the ice while partnered with the bruising John Schmoldt. The Heralds have the more explosive team. The Pioneers have a more balanced team.


Game 1: CHA 3 @ PTP 2 (OT) – The first game of the series was as wild as advertised. Both teams showed to be well-matched. The Heralds took the lead in the third but a slapshot by Walker tied it to send it to OT which turned into a slugfest. An awkward rebound after a nice stop by Petrov allowed Bertucci to tap in the puck for the winner.

Game 2: CHA 3 @ PTP 1 – Looking to square the series at home, the Pioneers scored an early goal from Elisha Nadeau. But the Heralds proceeded to outrun Portarra in space and saw two goals from Guiliano and a late third score by Albertelli for the win.

Game 3: PTP 0 @ CHA 3 – The overwhelming style of the Heralds seemed to draw the Pioneers out of their normal style as Gian Guiliano again scored twice and Petrov earned the shutout and frustrated the Pioneers.

Game 4: PTP 3 @ CHA 1 – Their backs against the wall, the Pioneers came out much more focused and were able to stymie the Herald attack. Bertucci scored but the Pioneers answered right back with two quick goals from Walker and Razzo. A late score from Nelissen put it out of reach for Chasonne.

Game 5: CHA 3 @ PTP 4 (OT) – The Pioneers were determined to defend home ice and extend the series and the two teams put up a classic game. The squads traded goals and fast breaks. First Bertucci, then two from Walker. Then one by Zaal, then the answer by Nadeau. Then one by Guiliano. Tied at 3 going into overtime, it was the Pioneers who made the big adjustment by sending the veteran center Dominik Stave out for the face off instead of Razzo. Stave easily won it and pushed a pass up the ice to Walker who sent a cross-ice zinger to Nelissen who one-timed the winner.

Game 6: PTP 0 @ CHA 1 – With both teams playing a classic game of hockey, it was an incredibly tight game with highlight saves from both goalies. In a sequence midway through the third period, forward Gian Guiliano sprawled onto the ice in the slot to deflect a shot from Walker on an out of position Hymore in the net. Guiliano jumped back up and sped down center ice to corral the rebound pass from Albertelli and scored the series-clincher on a backhander on the fast break. The young Heralds raised the fourth Cup in Chasonne history while Guiliano won Series MVP.

1980 Marcotte Cup Champions: Chasonne Heralds (4)

Up next: 1981 Offseason

Congrats to the Heralds, always cool to see the underdog win

1981 OFFSEASON

League News

Roddy Paquette officially sold the Kodiaks to a Kirlow-based business owner named Shad Ferrara who also owns majority stock in local popular motorcycle company Alpite Motors, who makes the “Kodiak” motorcycle for which the team is partly named. Ferrara intends to keep the Kodiaks in town and use the team as free advertising for his motorcycles. Ferrara doesn't have deep sports experience but already has a good relationship with current GM Vince Nelms. The home ice of the Kodiaks, the Orchard Center, is part of the contract with the team and Ferrara struck a new deal with the city to continue with their operations there and give some longterm stability for the franchise.

As soon as news broke of the sale of the Kodiaks, another motorcycle company called Blackwood Motorsports jumped into the fray and drastically outbid several high-money competitors to buy the Narva Neptunes from Harlan Durant. Blackwood is owned by Tony Blackwood, an entrepreneur and prominent figure in motorsports in Torland. Blackwood's company is based in Chasonne and is a subsidiary of huge tech company Am-Electro Technologies, who also makes automobiles and other vehicles. Blackwood's biggest brand ambassador, however, is notorious trick rider “Dead” Ned Delhart who is born and raised in Narva. Dead Ned is almost a mythical figure in Torland motorsports legend for his incredible exploits and numerous near-death experiences while riding motorcycles. Delhart pressed Blackwood to buy his hometown Neptunes, where he's a popular figure at home games, especially after their main competitor bought the hated Kodiaks.

The Falcons still remain on the block after Lynette Rankin couldn't find a suitable buyer but rumors are floating around that several big names are looking to acquire the team soon. Bob Vernon officially purchased the remaining majority shares of the Kings from Frank Matney to take control of the franchise.

Notable Retirements

Legendary coach Don Easterling retired after 21 years with the Anchors, leading them to 3 Marcotte Cups during that span along with 5 other Finals appearances for a total of 16 playoff berths. He kept Port Alrene a perennial contender for two decades coaching and developing some of the best players in the THL. Easterling won Best Coach four times.

Surefire hall of fame defenseman Paul Kauffman hung up his skates after 21 professional seasons. He played 16 years in Chasonne and finished his career in his hometown Port Alrene. He won 3 Marcotte Cups. His sterling resume speaks for itself:

3x Marcotte Cup (1962, 1964, 1974)
4x League MVP (1960, 1962, 1964, 1973)
6x Best Defenseman (1961, 1963, 1964, 1969, 1972, 1973)
16x All-Star (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978)
3x Blue Collar (1965, 1966, 1967)
Finals MVP (1962)
​Most Improved (1978)
Best Rookie (1960)

Hall of Fame Class of 1981

The class of '81 inducted goalie Wentz and two coaches.

G Von Wentz
Cyrus Street
Al Weatherford

Coaching Carousel

Shad Ferrara's first move as a new owner was to fire longtime coach Sam Bennett who had many years of success but had come up short in winning a Cup. It was an unpopular move as the 3-time Best Coach winner was well-liked in Kirlow. With the retirement of Don Easterling though, Bennett wasn't unemployed for long as the Anchors brought him in to lead the team. The Kodiaks hired Pete Clayton.

The Blazers hired Larry Weatherford from the Whales who in turn hired Tom Cunningham.

Player Trades & Signings

The Whales got busy with their rebuild. They traded 31-year-old D Elton Savell to the Rockets for a pair of 2nd-round picks. Vensessor then traded for Whales All-Star forward Cal Capezzio by swapping their first round picks and adding a second rounder next year. Capezzio, 31, has 3 years remaining on his contract. It's a big coup for the Swans to acquire the 6-time All-Star, while the Whales are focused on adding young talent.


1981 Amateur Player Draft

1 – KUR – F Alex Kirkland
While the Killers seemingly have bigger needs elsewhere, it's impossible to pass up a blue chip prospect like Kirkland. The Guilden product is supremely talented and plays the center position with an easy aplomb for his age.

2 – POR (via VEN) – F Ray Parrino
The Whales kick off their rebuild by bringing in Rosran prospect Parrino who is already a very talented winger with an even higher ceiling.

3 – PRE – F Eric Jorgensen
Jorgensen is already 19 but is the well-rounded two-way forward that Prestonburg likes to employ. He can be a top-line anchor immediately with Rodrigo Redden and an aging Chris Wydra.

4 – BAN – D Filip Korcz (Poland)
The Kings debated on where to go with this pick but ultimately decided on the Polish defenseman Korcz to continue building their blue line.

5 – QUE – F Marcel Luksik (Hungary)
The Hungarian Luksik is a sniping winger with not much tape but seemingly plenty of potential. The Crusaders are banking on that here.

6 – GLD – D Antoni Haraldsen (Norway)
The international streak continues with Guilden choosing the Norse defenseman Haraldsen who is as tough as they come and will provide depth behind All-Star Gil Van Nuland.

7 – ABR – G Vassily Wuopio (Sweden)
The Bucks are ecstatic that Wuopio fell to them, a goalie prospect they've highly coveted. With incumbent starter Fitchette aging, Wuopio could get immediate starts.

8 – VEN (via POR) – D Foster Sherwood
With their swapped pick, the Swans grab Ukso product Sherwood who has an incredibly high ceiling if he can add more developed hockey sense and passing to his arsenal.

9 – FTB – D Fletcher Armenta
With depth needs everywhere, the Rockets surprised a bit by reaching for a solid but not exciting choice in Armenta. He won't light up the boards but he can be a nice piece on the second pair.

10 – LEC – F Bobby Tripp
Tripp is a hardworking blue collar guy who can add toughness and energy to a second or third line for the Saints.

11 – PA – D Kristofer Gustafson
With the retirement of Paul Kauffman the Anchors need as much talent as they can get. Gustafson is talented but inconsistent.

12 – YUB – F Louie Brisenio
13 – TRO – D Val Tarver
14 – KIR – D Bo Valenti
15 – KRK – F Bruno Di Figlia
16 – CHA – F John McHenry
17 – YBG – F Mark Kaczor
18 – KAV – D Todd Kohn
19 – NAR – G Ken Perler
20 – PTP – F Malcom Shamp


Team Identity Changes

Two teams made changes, one a special uniform and one a full identity overhaul.

1981 Chasonne Heralds (Special)


The Heralds introduced a special uniform to be used at select weekend home games in a fauxback style paying homage to their Columbia blue days while using their new royal blue. It's sure to be a hit with the fans, especially after their recent Cup win. 

1981 Narva Neptunes


Previous Identity: 1969-1980 Narva Neptunes

The Neptunes, now under new ownership, overhauled their identity and introduced a brand new logo. The Neptunes hadn't changed their look since 1969, other than adding mandatory NOB's in 1977, changing from their original green and cornflower blue from 1965 to a darker royal blue. With the Neptunes now owned by Tony Blackwood, he chose to bring a fresh new identity to Narva and use brand ambassador and superfan "Dead" Ned Delhart as a basis for a mascot. In conjunction with Apex, the primary dark green was brightened just slightly while the royal blue secondary color was changed to a bright blue. The new logo features a caricature of Dead Ned wearing a hockey helmet with a triton crown. The bearded and mustachioed skull is imposed over a shield. The "N" on the helmet stands for Narva, though some fans think it stands for Ned. The iconic wide striping on the uniforms is kept intact. The primary sweater is given a blue collar while the numbers are now contrasted in white. The half-yoke from the away sweater is removed for a cleaner look.

C&C appreciated! What do you think of the new look?