1967 REGULAR SEASON


Five days before the season started a bombshell report dropped that Kodiaks' defenseman and reigning two-time MVP Joaquin Outlaw had been arrested after a friendly pickup game between the Kodiaks and the Neptunes in Kirlow turned sour and Outlaw was involved in a vicious brawl that led to the fracturing of the skull and jaw of Neptunes' defenseman and captain Chauncey Lombard. Police charged Outlaw with aggravated assault while Lombard was sidelined for the remainder of the season in recovery. Commissioner Willard, somewhat in the doghouse with recent league decisions, promptly suspended him for 40 games and banned him from being with the team or attending any games during that time. Outlaw eventually pled guilty in exchange for a reduced charge and sentence of community service and a two-year probation.

While the Kodiaks rallied from the unexpected circumstance and played well enough to remain in contention until Outlaw could return late in the season, they missed the playoffs despite a winning record. Meanwhile, the Neptunes felt the loss of Lombard's defensive work and team communication which deeply affected rookie phenom Ernie Bukowski in goal. With no safety net, Bukowski struggled so badly that Coach Owens began rotating him every period. By the end of the season, with the Neptunes back into their basement ways, Bukowski had developed a serious case of the yips and could barely finish even a full period without giving up boneheaded goals as the Neptunes allowed a record number of goals in a disastrous season.

Conversely, the city of Yubay saw a major revival as the Falcons soared back to the top of the standings behind MVP-winning play from Geno Pasternak and another gem of a season from Von Wentz. The Glaciers were the big surprise, seeing a fully healthy Peter Isaksson light up the league in scoring while the Niko Side's faith in young goalie Keith MacGarvin paid off in a fantastic season to put even more salt in the wound for the Neptunes. Veteran team captain Dalton Causey had a resurgent year on the top line as the Glaciers outpaced the Falcons for most goals scored.


The Portarra Whales saw a magnificent season from Anton O'Reilly, earning him Best Defenseman but even with a +15 differential, the team struggled to score down the stretch and they fell behind Kirlow and the Anchors to miss the playoffs for a second season. While Gary Wiz played well, and Ferdy Haight was above-average, the familiar spark from their championship run seemed to be missing, as Port Alrene seemingly squeaked into the playoffs as their second units began to get healthier.

The Heralds and their new home-whites, much to the angst of the other seven teams, seemed to be targeted extra heavily for their infringement on unspoken rules as teams were frustrated with travel logistics in having to carry so much extra gear. For the final two weeks of the season, after months of complaint from the owners, Willard asked Claud Elam to ditch the white sweater for the previous navy home sweaters, to which Elam begrudgingly agreed. It will be a hot topic in the owner's meetings after the season, along with Willard's breaches of power. With the uniform distractions, the team didn't play well outside of Paul Kauffman and rookie goalie Claude Dohms, whom they took in the second round.

Perhaps somewhat under the radar, the Captains saw continued improvement from the team, even if the standings and numbers didn't seem to match as they made a big push in the final month to secure the 3-seed. Forward Keenan Draper showed new skills and leadership as Lauri Rikhard added another All-Star berth with his consistent play. Though passed over for awards, Gerry McKnight finally put together consecutive good seasons.


In perhaps a bizarre moment, Outlaw was selected as an alternate for the All-Star team, much to the chagrin of the league. By rule, the two alternate selections were fan-voted, similar to Major League Baseball in the States, and fans in Kirlow rose to the occasion to get Outlaw voted in. Commissioner Willard personally apologized to Chauncey Lombard for the blight and immediately made a rule that suspended players could not be elected to the All-Star game and refused to allow Outlaw to play in the game. Instead, Lombard was given an honorary election even though he could not play for awhile longer.

Playoff Preview

Falcons vs Anchors
The boys in black and red had a down year but they're back in high-flying business while the Anchors are a league cornerstone and reigning Cup holders with a battle-tested group who aren't going to let this opportunity pass. Which team will blink first?

Glaciers vs Captains
The Caps made a ferocious push in the second half and are carrying the momentum toward securing another shot at the Cup, while the young greenhorn Glaciers are just discovering themselves. Will the Kirk Boys prevail or will the dumb rookie luck of the Glaciers continue?

Up next: 1967 Playoffs

The prospect of an all-Yubay finals is intriguing to say the least. That'll be a fun series if that's what it comes down to.

Great stuff as always!

Thehealthiestscratch wrote:

Really enjoy the aggressive nature of Narva’s front office. It actually has made me a minor fan of them and I’m hoping success comes for those who seek it. The K-Claw is classic and as much as I like the teddy bear I get why it isn’t here to stay on the front.

Thanks for the K-Claw love. Coach Neal Owens being in the last year of his deal affected some of Narva's decisions to go all out. Which don't seem to be going too well so far!

Stickman wrote:

Another interesting off season!  Kinda odd to see the commissioner self-adjusting a trade, to call that an abuse of assets.  I'd call it an abuse of power personally on the commissioner's end if they can do that.   Narva definitely got saved from their own selves, getting possibly a great goalie at a discounted rate over what they originally were willing to sell for.

Glad the Kodiaks went back to a bear paw logo.  Definite improvement for the jersey.   

I actually like the Heralds sky blue jersey.  It reminds me a bit of the light blue fad that MLB experienced back in the 70s-80s, when half the teams had a light blue alternate jersey at some point.  Very cool!

Stickman wrote:

Looks like the Glaciers flat out fleeced the Neptunes in that big trade.  Maybe it's a good thing the commissioner got involved after all, seeing as that trade would have been even more lop-sided otherwise!  Poor Neptunes though, this year has to be among the worst seasons in league history.  Curious to see if Bukowski ever recovers from this season, or whether he will go down as the biggest draft flop of all time.

While it was definitely bad form from Commissioner Willard, it was definitely an inglorious start for Bukowski. It seems unlikely that Neal Owens will be coaching in Narva much longer after the debacle. Even a decent showing from Buks would have lessened the hesitations from the trade but with such a poor showing it only amplified them.

Thanks! I've always been a fan of those MLB blue uniforms, Chasonne seemed like a perfect candidate to try it out. Glad you're liking the updated Kodiaks sweaters.

Section30 wrote:

Good to see the Claw logo back on the jerseys

Thanks! It's a good, classic look for them.

ItDoesntMatter wrote:

The prospect of an all-Yubay finals is intriguing to say the least. That'll be a fun series if that's what it comes down to. Great stuff as always!

Thanks man!

Thanks for waiting! I've had a bit of writer's block and wanted to do this crazy playoffs justice. I went overboard on the story instead but it was too good to pass up. Hope y'all enjoy!

1967 PLAYOFFS

Semi-Finals


1 Yubay Falcons vs 4 Port Alrene Anchors (YUB wins 4-2)
In what was a tough, well-fought series, the Anchors gave the Falcons plenty to handle with an OT win from Gary Wiz in Game 2 and a classic Haight shutout in Game 5. But a bookend pair of scoring outbursts from Geno and Company carried the day for the Falcons to send them back to the Cup.


2 Yubay Glaciers vs 3 Kirkenport Captains (YBG wins 4-2)
The Captains hung tough in the first four games but a seemingly patented surge from the Glaciers in the later games proved to be the difference as the Kirk Boys seemed worn out by the series end. The old veteran Dalton Causey had a magnificent series as Peter Isaksson seemed to struggle in the spotlight.


1967 MARCOTTE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

1 Yubay Falcons vs 2 Yubay Glaciers
In the first all-city championship series, Yubay was buzzing. As the Sava and Niko sides prepared to square off, the city had to come up with new measures for accommodations and procedures. Both rinks are located fairly close to one another by distance, although the river is the natural barrier between them. With the series starting at the Yertas Arena with the Falcons being the higher seed, fans from the Niko Side complained that the Falcons were purposely not selling tickets to suspected Glaciers fans. Commissioner Willard personally flew in ahead of the series to help oversee the process. The first four games sold out immediately, with a waiting list for the if-necessary games that grew by the day. Dubbed the “Yubay Bowl” among other names, the feeling was electric leading into Game 1 as the festivities and endless miles of tailgating heightened the atmosphere.


Game 1: YBG 2 @ YUB 0 – In a raucous first game, it was the visiting squad who had the steadier emotions as Glaciers team captain Dalton Causey led the charge and scored the first goal as Von Wentz and the Falcons were shaky at times.

Game 2: YBG 1 @ YUB 0 – Determined to square up the series in Yertas Arena, the Falcons hit hard and ferociously but the offense was a no-show as Glaciers star forward Peter Isaksson broke through his funk for the game-winner.

Game 3: YUB 1 @ YBG 0 – With the series shifted across the river in the Glacier Dome, the Falcons were desperate and showed some moxie in playing through an even louder crowd on the Niko Side seeing their team in the Cup for the first time. Midway through the second period Geno Pasternak found a home for a slapshot that stood up get the Falcons into the win column.

Game 4: YUB 3 @ YBG 4 – In an electric and frenetic game, both offenses roared to life as the pace was fast and breathtaking for the fans who were fortunate to see some of the jaw-dropping scores in Cup history. A mid-ice burner from Pasternak early in the first got it started. Isaksson answered back with a brilliant slapshot into the far top-right post that Von Wentz never saw. The teams seemingly went shot-for-shot but a pair of goals from the red-hot Dalton Causey gave it to the Glaciers to put them up 3-1.

Game 5: YBG 0 @ YUB 1 – With their backs against the wall in their home building, the Falcons tinkered with their lines a bit in an effort to stem the tide. A poster-worthy save from Von Wentz early in the third saved their season as Glaciers forward Peter Isaksson could only salute after his sure goal was snatched away. A few moments later, Falcons defenseman Shane Galbraith scored the winner.

Game 6: YUB 2 @ YBG 1 (OT) – In a game that would go down for the ages as the “Bloody Tuesday Game” both teams got the red stuff flowing early as a standard-issue early fight turned gory when Falcons defenseman Allen Lombardi and Glaciers forward Gary Musgrove each landed a solid nose shot and both players suffered broken, very bloody noses that stained the ice in front of the Glaciers bench. Awhile later, in a very tight, brutal game as both teams scraped and clawed, another fight between Lombardi, Musgrove and a handful of other players caused a second gush of blood, this time near mid ice. Both were sent off but minutes later, Shane Galbraith took a swing at Glaciers rookie Ferdinand Hendrix which lacerated his right cheek and spilled out onto the ice in front of the net. The scene of the bloody ice was described as “barbaric” by concerned parents. During the penalty time, the Glaciers tied the game to send it to overtime. The Falcons would come out on top with a goal from forward Dominik Stave to even up the series.

Game 7: YBG 1 @ YUB 0 – Already the highest-grossing and highest-rated series in league history, Game 7 sold out in less than an hour as fans were fighting in the squares for scalped tickets before the game. Extra security had to be brought in to maintain order. The first two periods were scoreless as the two side of Yubay battled it out, holding nothing back. Penalty minutes were heavy in the second period, although fortunately there was much less blood. Both goaltenders were terrific as MacGarvin continued his stellar play. As the game was winding down and appeared to be headed to overtime, a huge hit from Glaciers defenseman Roman Vasylyk on Falcons forward Tyson Sallee forced a turnover that Peter Isaksson quickly pushed up the ice and found a perfectly positioned Dalton Causey who wildly flung it past an outstrected Wentz for the series clincher. In a last-to-first story, the Glaciers made the improbable a reality to hoist the 1967 Marcotte Cup for the Niko Side of Yubay. For his leadership and fantastic play, team captain Dalton Causey was awarded series MVP.

1967 Marcotte Cup Champions: Yubay Glaciers (1)

Wow! A fantastic series, congrats to the Glaciers!