Sorry it's been a minute guys. Life and holidays, right? Anyway, it's taken awhile to craft a new template but I finally did manage it. I've decided to cut the extra scoreboard and lineup graphics for now as it's a lot of extra work. Hope you enjoy the new playoff template and storyline.

1972 PLAYOFFS

QUARTERFINALS

Willard Division

1 Port Alrene Anchors vs 4 Yubay Glaciers (PA wins 4-0)
The Glaciers were no match for the MVP Ferdy Haight as he only allowed 2 goals in 4 games as the Anchors made a clean sweep of it.

2 Portarra Whales vs 3 Kirkenport Captains (KRK wins 4-1)
The Whales were excited to be back in the playoffs but the Captains seemed to suddenly remember they're reigning champs and literally punched Portarra in the mouth en route to a 4-1 series win.

Hatch Division

1 Narva Neptunes vs 4 Yubay Falcons (NAR wins 4-1)
In an exceptionally tight series with two OT games, the Falcons made it tough for Narva but the Neptunes' high level of play wore them down in five games.

2 Kirlow Kodiaks vs 3 Chasonne Heralds (KIR wins 4-3)
In a fantastic battle, the Kodiaks struck first but the Heralds captured a pair of OT wins in the next three to take a commanding lead. Kirlow fought back in Game 5 with a 5-0 thrashing that seemed to break the spirit of the Heralds as the Kodiaks climbed back into the series and pulled off a masterful win in OT of Game 7 to advance. The series had some of the highest TV ratings in the league's history.

SEMI-FINALS

Willard Division
1 Port Alrene Anchors vs 3 Kirkenport Captains (PA wins 4-3)

In a tale of two halves, the Captains came out swinging with Draper and Wydra leading the charge to ring up 7 goals on Ferdy Haight to take a 3-0 series lead. With the momentum squarely in Kirkenport's favor, Haight and the Anchors made made an incredible comeback as they won four-straight 1-0 games as Lou D'Angelo scored in two of them and F Dimitri Ranko and D Stef Kuipers scored the other two. Ferdy Haight played like a man possessed and convincingly stopped every shot the Captains made. It was a devastating loss for the Kirk Boys who seemed only inches away from returning to the Cup. Port Alrene will have home ice advantage regardless of their opponent with their Louis Trophy for best record in the regular season.

Hatch Division
1 Narva Neptunes vs 2 Kirlow Kodiaks (KIR wins 4-1)

With one of these two teams guaranteed to make their first ever Finals appearance, it was the Kodiaks who jumped out to three wins to start the series. Narva's G Bukowski couldn't seem to solve Kirlow's attack led by Pascal Brink and Marc Truong. Rookie defenseman Jerry O'Reilly came in clutch from the blue line with two goals in the series. The Neptunes won a tough game in overtime in Game 4 to extend their season but it was all they had left as the Kodiaks booked a ticket to their first Finals appearance.


1972 MARCOTTE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

1 Port Alrene Anchors vs 2 Kirlow Kodiaks
With the revival in Port Alrene leading all the way to the Finals, the old stalwart franchise faces a newcomer in Kirlow making a long-awaited chance to hoist the Marcotte Cup. The Anchors have been dominate in showing an ability to blow out teams and also make adjustments in comeback mode. The Kodiaks, meanwhile, have also weathered some storms and made a good regular season team look silly. The key will be in if Pascal Brink and Co can figure out how to get past the MVP Ferdy Haight. The first half of the Anchors' series against Kirkenport shows a blueprint but Haight has also shown he can make some drastic adjustments.

Game 1: KIR 2 @ PA 1 (OT) – Kirlow has made a recent habit of winning the first game and they notched an OT win on the backs of an electrifying goal by forward Pascal Brink and a late short shot by F Freddy Hoffmeyer to win it. Lou D'Angelo scored in the loss as Ferdy Haight was beside himself that he allowed the OT goal.

Game 2: KIR 0 @ PA 2 – The Anchors bounced back with a complete performance as Haight logged a shutout and Hoffmeyer scored another goal along with F Jerry Andolsek to even up the series.

Game 3: PA 2 @ KIR 1 – In a close-contested battle both teams brought their toughness. D'Angelo scored a nifty goal only to see Pascal Brink skate by him a few minutes later to tie it. Midway through the third period young Jerry Haake scored the winning goal for the Anchors.

Game 4: PA 2 @ KIR 1 – In a near repeat of Game 3, the Anchors were strong on the boards and found ways to score in the clutch moments. F Dimitri Ranko showed his scoring prowess in the second period with a fireball to the top corner of the net past the lunging glove of Kirlow's Greg Kannell. Marc Truong scored a goal to tie but on a power play after a brutal hit from Albert Golatt on Ranko, F Myles Bozeman, acquired from the Gary Wiz trade, scored the game-winner to take a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5: KIR 1 @ PA 2 (OT) – Kirlow, with their backs against the wall, came out strong with a heavy style as Carey Waggoners delivered multiple big hits and scored a goal off a beautiful pass from Brink. The Anchors though, tasting blood, sent in both second units to wreak havoc before ending the second period. The tone set, Coach Easterling made an unconventional move and changed up his lines, letting the three rookies, Ranko, Mandelkow and Haake go forward press in the early part of the third period. The extra energy and speed seemed to overwhelm the Kodiaks and it paid off as Ranko found a home for the equalizer. Going into overtime, Easterling reverted to an old line with veteran presence with D'Angelo teaming with Bozeman and Andolsek instead of Ranko and Haake. Kirlow's Sam Bennett tried to counter with more speed but it was again Myles Bozeman who scored the game-winner in OT, as the Anchors won the series 4-1 to hoist their third Marcotte Cup. It was especially sweet coming off the crazy offseason that saw Gary Wiz traded and the team nearly gutted from the expansion draft. Ferdy Haight was given Finals MVP honors for his continued great play and leadership.

1972 MARCOTTE CUP CHAMPIONS: PORT ALRENE ANCHORS (3)

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1973 OFFSEASON

Following the end of the 1972 season and the aftermath of a lopsided trade, Chasonne owner Claud Elam's health was brought under the microscope as he had been dealing with a myriad of issues and was having problems with memory loss. New league commissioner John Morgan Hatch strongly suggested that Elam consider retirement. Elam relented and gave up full control of the team to his son Jack who will take over operations immediately. At 46, it makes him the league's youngest owner.

General Managers Required

With concern about Jack's credentials at a young age, Commissioner Hatch proposed that all teams would be required to add a General Manager position to their team staffs for the start of the 1973 season. GM's could either run teams with full autonomy or act as an assistant to the owner or head coach, however a team preferred, but the addition of a more business mind to the staff would help mitigate some financial trade and signing disasters. A pool of qualified candidates was assembled and each owner made a hire of their own choosing. Among notable names, Scott Hauser was hired by the Pioneers and is considered an elite business mind with hockey experience. Dan Whitt landed in Kirkenport, another candidate with strong team building experience across several sports. Fort Bevin signed Willburn Montague, a crusty old salt and abrasive personality but a man with an abundance of hockey team building experience.

Another benefit of having extra business minds on the staff would be helpful in negotiating with the new players union which being led by Rod Temple was pushing hard for financial reform in the league.

Coaching Carousel

Also in Chasonne with the retirement of Claud Elam came the news that longtime coach Stan Massey would also be retiring at 70 years old. Citing his close relationship with Claud, Massey said he'd prefer to give young Jack an opportunity to start fresh from the beginning. Massey led the Heralds to 9 playoff appearances and won two Marcotte Cups out of three appearances. Massey was considered a premier coach in the league and won Best Coach three times. The native of Canaday, AI, will be a sure addition to the still-empty Coach's Hall of Fame.

Fort Bevin hired former Heralds AC Rich Grubbs to their staff. With a vacancy on the bench for the Whales, Al Weatherford asked for his release so he could leave the Falcons and head to Portarra and coach with his son in what may be a final season for him. The Falcons begrudgingly agreed. The Heralds brought in a pair of rookie coaches, Ted Gooden and Sid Myrick to staff the team. The Falcons hired Anderson Lamb to fill the AC role. Former Whales AC Steve Scarborough landed in Trowburgh.

Notable Retirements

In Kavalos, the optimistic attitude of Marlin Parr to overcome his creaky knees at 37 years old was short-lived as he struggled through the season. His leadership was key though, as he took on more of a player-coach role for the new team. With his days on the ice certainly over, Electrics coach Harley Sweeney offered Parr a position on the bench to stay with the team. Being a West Coast native, Parr accepted. As a forward with a signature brooding lead dog style on the ice, Parr was an 8-time All-Star selection, including a Best Forward award in 1965. Parr wasn't flashy but known for his toughness, mean streak on the ice, and a high hockey IQ. The Chekovo, TK native led the Whales for 12 seasons as he made 7 playoffs and hoisted two Marcotte Cups. His lone season in Kavalos was a statistical bust but he helped establish culture and chemistry in the locker room. With a still-empty Hall of Fame, Parr has a shot at being the first player inducted.

Trades and Signings

Jack Elam had a tough decision to make with the Heralds roster. A severe lack of depth hamstrung the benefits of having Gary Wiz on the team. Elam debated moving Wisniewski after just one season but the Wiz talked him out of it, saying he was back to full health. Jack and new GM Jasper Brannon traded their 1974 1st-Round draft pick and F Coy Conners to the Falcons for D Allen Lombardi.

1973 THL Amateur Player Draft

In what was considered a historically deep draft pool, there was no consensus for the best player, instead a handful of exciting prospects depending on which team was scouting them. Ferester product Brendon Ruske (22) is one of the better goalie prospects in years, with Chasonne kid Tim Sagendorf (21) neck and neck with him in skill level. Defenseman Pat Ossola (19) from Guilden is a well-rounded prospect. Two young international prospects also figure to be on the top of the board, with Holland's D Thomas Nelissen and F Sam Toivonen from Finland both with exciting potential. Forward Robert Bertucci (19) from Hagerton is another top-level prospect though maybe not a Top-5 prospect.

1st - Round

1 – FTB – D Pat Ossola
Possessing a complete skillset, Ossola has all the tools to be a dominate scoring defenseman in the league.

2 – KAV – F Sam Toivonen (Finland)
The Finnish forward brings a special flash to the game and is already a notable scorer.

3 – TRO – G Brendon Ruske
There is a lot of hype surrounding Ruske and for good reason as the Ferester product has the talent to be a premier goaltender.

4 – PTP – D Thomas Nelissen (Holland)
While there is less tape on Nelissen than other top prospects, scouts are very excited about his potential as a top-level defenseman.

5 – YUB – D Ryan Devlin
A no-nonsense blue liner, Devlin brings a nasty attitude and a deep set of skills.

6 – YBG – G Tim Sagendorf
Sagendorf has a high ceiling but the mental part of the game is still developing for him. Once he can get that sorted out, there's no reason he can't take the torch from Keith MacGarvin in Niko Side.

7 – CHA – F Robert Bertucci
He projects very similarly to former Herald forward Lou D'Angelo, whom they've desperately missed. Bertucci should be able to contribute right away.

8 – KIR – F Mark Tegler
Sneakily good, Tegler is one of those under-the-radar guys who offers consistently top-level play.

9 – NAR – G Damon Semkos
Semkos is a little green for a netminder, but he has a nice ceiling and will benefit from a year in backup where he could become a starter.

10 – KRK – F Pete Wyman
Classic Kirk pick, Wyman is a fearless skater with a bruising style and a brash personality to boot.

11 – POR – D Elton Savell
Savell is highly underrated and might be the steal of the draft. With Anton O'Reilly nearing retirement, Savell can step into a leadership role right away.

12 – PA – D Sam Koutsoukos
Sam K is a big ol' Greek boy with a gregarious persona and even harder hits on the boards. He'll bring some instant nastiness in Port Alrene.

Fort Bevin, with the first choice had a very tough decision to make with no clearcut top prospect. The Rockets ultimately decided on Pat Ossola to bring in a real wildcat attitude on their thin blue line. Kavalos rushed their card up to the podium to take the Finnish forward Sam Toivonen with the second pick. Trowburgh nearly lost their place in line as they couldn't make a decision quickly enough, but were able to draft Ruske before the Pioneers turn. The brain trust in North Portarra faced a difficult choice to make for the direction of their club. They sent up a card with Bertucci's name on it at first, but new GM Scott Hauser changed his mind and raced up to the podium to catch the messenger before he delivered it and drafted the Dutch defenseman Nelissen instead. Tim Sagendorf went to the Glaciers with the sixth pick, while Bertucci went next to Chasonne who were thrilled to add the talented forward.

Defenseman Wally Burden became the first player drafted from the fledgling new Torland Youth Leagues from the Galapetra region and the Honey Whale Hockey Club, going #15 to Trowburgh. Eight youth league prospects were drafted in a good start for youth hockey in Torland.

Up next: 1973 Season

Thehealthiestscratch wrote:

Wally Burden is a steal at #15 imo. The kid was a sound shutdown defenseman on HWHC, and covered the mistakes made by their flashy forwards on many occasions. Because of his quiet play I completely understand the slot he was selected at. My guess is that Trowburgh spent more time looking at the GYHDA than most did, probably using a scout in Portarra the whole season rather than just showing up to regionals and finals like other THL teams. The Whales/Pioneers and their fans will probably be kicking themselves letting a pure homegrown talent walk out the door.

Definitely a steal for a second-rounder. Burden found a nice spot as Marko Chayka's partner in the first pairing for Trowburgh as the season progressed. He projects as a primary second pairing but it's been a nice start for him.

New season just about up!

Wow... just wow. 

3 wins isn't good, is it?

Section30 wrote:

Wow... just wow. 

3 wins isn't good, is it?

Even for the mediocre talent on the roster by season's end, it was pretty dismal. Nearly every key player was hurt for the majority of the year and after awhile the losses just couldn't be stemmed. Tough days on the Sava Side.