Nice to see some playoff hockey from my Prestonburg Blazers. But really, it's not that big a surprise that they were there, seeing as 2/3 of the league made it, and the Marauders and Wildcats just aren't that good.

I'm hoping at least the Swans and Killers can make it. The Kings also strike me as decently likely but with the Bucks in the same area they feel like they're on the outside looking in. 

Dan O'Mac wrote:

QCS wrote:

I'm hoping at least the Swans and Killers can make it. The Kings also strike me as decently likely but with the Bucks in the same area they feel like they're on the outside looking in. 

I'm rooting for the Blazers because of their color scheme, and the fact that Prestonburg is almost dead center in the middle of the map, making them equidistant from almost all coastal teams.

Oh, I'd forgotten about them. They'd also be a good choice. I'm thinking that if any teams are absorbed, it'll be at least the Swans and Killers, with the Blazers and Kings also having a good shot.

1979 THL PLAYOFFS

QUARTERFINALS

Willard Division


1 Yubay Glaciers vs 4 Guilden Barbarians
The Barbarians were game but it was obvious that the Glaciers were a far superior squad as they squashed Guilden in a sweep. [YBG wins 4-0]


2 Fort Bevin Rockets vs 3 Kirkenport Captains
These teams traded blows as the Captains took a 3-1 lead. The Rockets willed themselves back into the series however, as they proceeded to win the last three games by a 7-1 margin to take the series in 7 games. [FTB wins 4-3]

Hatch Division


1 Yubay Falcons vs 4 Kirlow Kodiaks
While the hype was on Geno's revival after a 5-1 opening game, it was Kirlow who showed up in Sava Side in Game 2 and delivered a highlight finish in an OT game to establish themselves. Mahaffey pitched two shutouts at home and the tide couldn't be stopped as the Kodiaks scored the upset. [KIR wins 4-2]


2 Narva Neptunes vs 3 Portarra Pioneers
The defending champions looked focused and razor-sharp as they dismantled the young Pioneers in five games to advance. [NAR wins 4-1]


SEMI-FINALS

Willard Division


1 Yubay Glaciers vs 2 Fort Bevin Rockets
These two teams already have a history of dislike forged in battle and this series was nothing less. The Rockets stunned Niko Side with two big wins in the Glacier Dome but the Glaciers proceeded to steal two games of their own in the Lone Prairie Arena, known as the LPA. Geoff Thatchkin served up another shutout in Game 5 while the Glaciers won in Game 6 as the teams couldn't seem to win at home. The homeless streak continued as Fort Bevin secured the series and their first Marcotte Cup berth on the back of a fourth Thatchkin shutout. The series was a huge TV hit as the rivalry has become must-see TV. [FTB wins 4-3]

Hatch Division


2 Narva Neptunes vs 4 Kirlow Kodiaks
Both teams were feeling hot coming into the series but the Neptunes were considered a near lock to return to the Finals. A 1-3 loss in Narva only underscored a disastrous Game 2 that saw Kris Kotulak on the receiving end of a brutal collision with Kodiaks' defenseman Tony Champagne near mid-ice as both players were going full speed. Champagne seemed to have intent to injure as he charged violently and crosschecked Kotulak's face and knocked him unconscious. The play sparked a massive fight that took nearly 15 minutes to untangle. With Kotulak done for the series, the Kodiaks finished the sweep of the stunned Neptunes but Champagne was issued a suspension. [KIR wins 4-0]

Marcotte Cup Preview: Rockets vs Kodiaks

Alright Kodiaks time to bring it home!