The Falcons on the Mount jersey isn't the best on its own, but with the black pants I think it actually works. As much as I hate to say it that Glaciers jersey is beautiful.

The green and silver looks good and fits the time period great, but I'm gonna miss the green and gold color scheme for Kavalos.

1994 REGULAR SEASON

With the most impactful offseason in league history making its mark, the '94 season figured to be one of fireworks as a handful of teams loaded their rosters and widened an historically narrow gap of parity that the THL has been known for. With a few juggernauts and a few powerfully elite teams, the league prepared for a season that could define the decade.

Willard Division: The changing of the guard with Bronkowski leaving the Whales saw their crosstown rivals make a major step forward as the Pioneers cruised to the top of the division behind a rapidly ascending Toby Von Otto. The Pios offense was matchless as Von Otto took home several pieces of hardware, including League MVP. The new-look Crusaders with Pete Lentini aboard climbed up in the standings behind the tough defense of Filip Korcz who took home Best Defenseman. The high expectations for the Serpents after a Cup berth landed them in some hot water as they weathered injuries but managed to stay in the playoffs behind excellent play from Patrick Quinn. The Anchors had hoped to contend but it was clear their roster isn't in the same tier as others in their division. The Whales predictably fell off the cliff but were still a tough out as they decide on their future. The Rockets played well enough all things considered, and things look bright for their rebuild.

Hatch Division: Despite a lot of fuss in the offseason about reloading, the Kodiaks, Swans, and Wizards all found themselves in the same boat as disappointing seasons left them out of the playoffs. All three teams will have major decisions to make on the futures of their rosters. Kirlow came the closest with 113 points and continued good play by the Romanov brothers but were otherwise a dud. The Blazers were predictably bad as they continue to reshape their roster. The Barbarians stayed atop the division behind stellar play yet again from Frankie Albertelli and goalie Rick McCombs and locked in a #3 seed. The Snappers had a blue collar team approach and scored a ton of points behind David Tennfjord but struggled to win games down the stretch and finished in 10th place but still scored a playoff berth.

Elam Division: The big news of the offseason was Bronkowski signing with Narva and it paid off as the Neptunes soared into the division title. It was a workmanlike season from Bronko and the squad finally gelled and found their chemistry in the latter half. In a post-Cup letdown, the Captains had a difficult season with lots of ups and downs and were carried by the stellar John Rozsak into a wildcard berth. The Dragons had a big improvement as their acquisitions seemed to pay off and doubled their points total in an encouraging season. The same could not be said for their expansion siblings in Cobantle, however, as the Cards continued to struggle. The Heralds outplayed expectations even during a brutal rebuilding season which left fans in Chasonne feeling good about the future. The Herons weren't good but had moments of excellence as their very young roster adjusts to THL hockey.

Rankin Division: After blowing up their roster in a massive rebuild, the Electrics were very bad as expected. Kurohara was in a similar boat with their team after a mass exodus, as both teams played for the lottery. The Kings surprised by continuing to contend even after losing big names like Pete Lentini but fell just short of a playoff berth. The huge storyline was in Abrieden, however, as the Bucks shocked the league and won the division title. Rookie goaltender Billy Monday was a revelation as he filled in for an injured Jarkko Bergstrom and was a rock in the net as the Bucks also found equal parts splashy play and improved defense from Byron Schwartz. The incredible story of Monday landed him not only Best Rookie but Best Goalie. Meanwhile in Yubay, both sides found their grooves as the Falcons took home the second spot behind all-around good team effort around Bobby Kozun and new goalie Olin Schuster in net. The Glaciers saw a huge vintage season from Leo Stendahl as he gelled with Raleigh Talbot and the Niko Side secured a playoff berth.



1994 Hockey on the Mount

In what the fans were calling "Glacier on the Mount", the two sides of Yubay squared off in an epic matchup. The Sava Side vs Niko Side was a brilliant game with passionate fans packing into the Icebox, providing one of the best and loudest atmospheres in Mount history. A 3-3 tie into OT only heightened the noise. A greasy goal by Damien St. Pierre on a wild net scramble won it for the Sava Side.



Playoff Preview:

7 Kirkenport Captains vs 10 Sina Serpents
Despite the shame of this matchup only being 5 games, it's a stellar billing with a Cup rematch and two very good teams that had difficult seasons. The winner of this one could make some real noise.

8 Dosa City Snappers vs 9 Yubay Glaciers
This one is close on paper and both teams have similar styles in what could be a very tight series.

1 Portarra Pioneers vs TBD
2 Narva Neptunes vs TBD

3 Alko Barbarians vs 6 Yubay Falcons
The Falcons upset Alko last season in the playoffs and hope to do it again, while the Barbarians just want to make it past the first round.

4 Abriden Bucks vs 5 Quebel Crusaders
The Crusaders haven't won a playoff series since '88 while the Bucks haven't been to the playoffs since '85. Both teams have a lot to prove.

Up next: The '93 Playoffs
C&C always appreciated!
 

Let's go Glaciers!! I'm hoping for a better result than last year.

Steelman wrote:

dvdbubba27 wrote:

By the way, who won Most Improved Player this year?

Defenseman Byron Schwartz of the Abrieden Bucks

Thanks! Added that to the wiki.

1994 THL PLAYOFFS



Wildcard Round

7 Kirkenport Captains vs 10 Sina Serpents
The Captains seemed to figure out everything that was wrong in their season and took it out with vengeance against Sina, who were struggling with injuries after limping into the playoffs. [KRK wins 3-0]

8 Dosa City Snappers vs 9 Yubay Glaciers
Two very close OT games decided this series and it was the Glaciers who found ways to produce in those moments to secure the series. It's a tough break for a Snappers squad hoping to bounce back and return to the finals. [YBG wins 3-1]



Quarterfinals

1 Portarra Pioneers vs 9 Yubay Glaciers
The Glaciers were game and fought hard against skilled Pioneers squad. All three OT games went the way of Portarra, however, as the Pios found ways to win and take home a tough series. [PTP wins 4-2]

2 Narva Neptunes vs 7 Kirkenport Captains
In a heavyweight showdown and hugely entertaining series, the Neptunes and Captains slugged back and forth for seven games that included highlight-reel goals from Bronkowski and Roszak. In Game 7 it was a shutout from Elvis Pepper and a clutch goal from Alex Kirkland that sealed it. [NAR wins 4-3]

3 Alko Barbarians vs 6 Yubay Falcons
These two squads have developed a mutual dislike and it showed in a hard-hitting series that featured plenty of bone-crunchers and fights. In the end though, it was Alko who got revenge and took the series. [AKB wins 4-2]

4 Abrieden Bucks vs 5 Quebel Crusaders
In an small upset, the higher-seeded but underdog Bucks swept Pete Lentini and the Crusaders behind a trio of shutouts from Billy Monday. [ABR wins 4-0]



Semi-Finals

1 Portarra Pioneers vs 4 Abrieden Bucks
In a major upset, the upstart Abrieden Bucks went toe-to-toe with Portarra and stared down a 1-3 deficit to mount a comeback and win in Game 7 behind gutsy play from Billy Monday in the net and a surging Joel Eklund, who seems to have found his footing. It's a massive loss for the Pioneers as the depth failed behind Toby Von Otto who did everything in his power despite a lingering hip injury to advance his squad but to no avail. [ABR wins 4-3]

2 Narva Neptunes vs 3 Alko Barbarians
The series was closer than the final tally suggests, as the Barbarians played well but the Neptunes were deeper and stronger and it especially showed in games 5-6. Bronkowski and Co are clicking on all cylinders and gave Alko fits at times, which bodes well for a finals appearance. It's a tough loss for the Barbarians who have never been to the finals. [NAR wins 4-2]


Up next: The 35th Marcotte Cup will feature the Narva Neptunes vs Abrieden Bucks