1997 Pacino Cup Playoffs

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Lake Hope Lions vs. Bayleigh Peach Kings

The Peach Kings head to the playoffs for the first time against Lake Hope who are really hitting their stride as a team and hoping to overcome last years finals heartbreak. Game 1 was a high scoring contest that saw the Lions outscore the Kings 7-5. Game 2 was the opposite, a tight checking goalie battle that came down to the wire. Charlie Woods would bury the winner with just over 4 minutes to play as the Lions took a 2-0 lead. In Game 3, the Lions stormed out to a huge lead before the Kings tried to fight back. It was too little too late though, as the Lions hang on for the 7-6 win and sweep Bayleigh into the off-season.



Western Conference Semi-Finals
Bentley Stars vs. Fort Theory Generals

The rivalry is renewed. Bentley is looking for their 4th Pacino Cup while Fort Theory is looking to match them with their third. Game 1 was what was expected, a hard hitting tight game. In the end Bentley pulled out a 4-3 win on a Tom Armstrong winner. In Game 2, Solomon Rollins showed why he was the top goalie this year, earning the 3-0 shutout to tie the series. Game 3 however was all Bentley and they lit the lamp. Rollins was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 15 shots and the Stars blew out the Generals 6-0. With their backs against the wall, the Generals threw the first punch in game 4 … and the second and third going up 3-0 in the first. The Stars rallied back to make it 3-2 but the Generals closed them out with 3 unanswered for the 6-2 win to set up Game 5 to the disbelief of nobody. In Game 5, both teams left it all on the line. After trading goals in the second period, Rollins stood on his head again and shut the stars down. With the Stars unable to break through, Generals forward Nicholas Robertson took a pass on the wing, skated into the zone and went shortside off the crossbar and in to give the Generals the 2-1 win and take the series 3-2 in another classic between these rivalries.



Up next, the 1997 Conference Finals!

1997 Eastern Conference Finals
Lake Hope Lions vs. Kelly City Lakers

The Lions continue to roll in the playoffs, going perfect through the first 2 rounds as they sweep the Lakers in the Conference Finals. After taking Game 1 7-5, the Lions put up another 7 in Game 2, winning 7-6 in a game closer on the scoreboard than it really was. With the Lakers looking for a bounce back in Game 3, the Lions mauled them, thumping them 5-1 to remove any seed of optimism. Game 4 was another Lions mauling, doubling up the Lakers 6-3 for the sweep and another trip to the Pacino Cup Finals.



1997 Western Conference Finals
Dawn Mills Devil Rays vs. Fort Theory Generals

With the Generals back in the conference finals, the pressure was on Dawn Mills to finally deliver. After doubling the Generals 6-3 in Game 1, the Rays collapsed in Game 2, getting blown out 7-0 at home and the fans had seen this story before. Game 3 was another Generals blowout, destroying the Devil Rays 8-5. Looking to tighten up and get back into the series, the Rays brought Game 4 into overtime, but had their hearts broken just 45 seconds in when Nicholas Robertson put one five hole for the 2-1 win and 3-1 series lead.

But the Devil Rays rallied. Down 4-0 in Game 5, the Rays fought back to tie it in the third before stunning the Generals with the game winner with 2:54 left on the clock to win 6-5. With the momentum flipped, the Devil Rays battled into a Game 6 and were tied 1-1. Looking like overtime was looming again, the Rays stunned Fort Theory again, scoring with less than 2 minutes left to force an unexpected Game 7.

In Game 7, the Devil Rays would not be denied. They came out flying and scored early and often, leading 3-1 after the first. They would bury 2 more in the second and shutdown the Generals in the third to win the West and head to the Pacino Cup Finals.



Up next, the 1997 Pacino Cup Finals! Lake Hope Lions vs. Dawn Mills Devil Rays!

Way to go Rays

1998 Draft

After back to back finals losses, Lake Hope made some significant moves to move up in the draft and secure 3 first round picks. The first round went as follows:



The Lions traded Hayden Fletcher to South Beach last year and received their first round pick which ends up being 3rd overall, and traded Ivar Asplen to Battlefield for Pick 9. The Lions are hoping the fresh blood will get them over the hump, which is not a usual move for teams looking to get to the next level. We’ll see if it pays off.

The Big News

YHL Commissioner Richard Paul announces that there will be 4 expansion teams entering the league in 2000. The bidding process will begin at the start of the season and teams will be announced after the 1998 Pacino Cup Finals.

Even Bigger News...

After the past few drafts have failed to yield any real superstars, the league determined in a board of governors meeting that it was due to the lack of developmental opportunities for these players. Currently, players are competing in their local leagues and are failing to compete against the best players in the country, however that is going to change. With a goal of launching in 2000 to coincide with expansion, the YHL announced the creation of the Yorkland Youth Developmental Hockey League! The plan is to develop four junior leagues across the country where the best players can hone their skills. The league is currently in discussion with minor hockey programs across the country who are interested in joining the league.


Up next, the 1998 regular season!

The Lions seem like they're taking a step backward with these moves but hopefully will pay off more in the future. I can't imagine two mid-round rookies being the missing piece though for a championship run.