CHOKING HAZARD



A Comprehensive Playoff History of the New Orleans Specters



Well, let's look at the playoff history of one of the newest teams in the league, the New Orleans Specters. It's a double edged sword with the Specters, with tons of success for a franchise that just started in S46, but coming up short in crunch time. When eliminated from the playoffs, they do it in spectacular fashion.

S46-

Coming off a division-winning season in their first ever season as a team, they had 27 wins and 58 points to secure second in the conference. Their first opponent was the Los Angeles Panthers in round 2. Let's see how this played out.

ROUND 2 S46- LOS ANGELES PANTHERS

Game 1- Not a great showing for their first ever playoff game in franchise history. No goals in the first and down by 1 after the second, LA would score a second goal before Horvat would put them on the board, but too little too late.

Game 2- Off to a better start, Williams scores first before LA ties it up. Fletcher scores the GWG early in the second period and both teams are able to shut it down. NOLA finishes with 51 shots. They tie the series at home.

Game 3- Paquette puts NOLA on the board on the powerplay, and the second period sees 7 goals and ends 5-3 NOLA. They get 2 more in the third to win a decisive 7-3 game in the Panthers home barn.

Game 4- No goals in the first, but Andani opens up the scoring early in the second before we end the period tied, as LA gets one back. NOLA scores three straight before ending the game 4-2, winning both road games and taking a stranglehold on the series.

Game 5- The Specters come home ready to close it out, but that's easier said than done. The earliest signs of a choke appear here. No goals in the first, but Cain lets in 3 in the second period and the Panthers win 4-1. The Panthers claw back to make the series 3-2.   CHOKE ALERT

Game 6- Okay, well the Specters won both away games, so they can win this one too right? Wachter says no. Scoring 4 and a half minutes in, we end the second period 3-1 before the Panthers score 3 in the 3rd and embarrass Cain. The series is tied going back to New Orleans.  CHOKE ALERT

Game 7- Blowing a 3-1 lead would be pretty funny, but the Specters aren't laughing. Smyth scores, Panthers tie it. Horvat scores, Panthers tie it. We head to OT. A clutch goal by Smyth sends the Specters to the conference finals. No choke today.

The Regular Season Western Conference Champion Minnesota Chiefs boasted the best offense in the league, and they licked their chops seeing this expansion team with it's weak defense and goaltending coming up as an easy stepping stone to the finals.

ROUND 3 S46- MINNESOTA CHIEFS

Game 1- The crowd was loud in Minnesota, and an early PP marker by Moore made it all the louder. The Chiefs take this game 4-0, with 19 shots on the night.

Game 2- Hoping to take at least one on the road, the Specters try to break past Primeau who shut them out in the series opener. Hefeweizen does it early in the first, but the Chiefs tie it in the second. No goals in the third and Williams scores a beauty in OT to knot up the series at 1. Cain stopped 42 shots this game, making up for a terrible game 1.

Game 3- A 2-1 OT game might indicate a low scoring series, but the first game back in NOLA was anything but. 2 goals a side in the first, and New Orleans leading 4-3 coming out of the second, an insurance marker by Czerkawski would prove to be the game winner as the Specters take the series lead.

Game 4- New Orleans gets off to another great start at home, scoring 30 seconds in on a great finish by Fletcher. Minnesota ties it up in the second, but two goals by Big Joe himself lead the Specters to a 3-1 series lead. Where have I seen this before.

Game 5- They have the chance to close this out on the road, but where's the fun in that. NOLA was never really in this one. Giving up 2 goals to start the game, and scoring 1 in the second, before giving up 3 more. 5 goals on 39 shots for Cain, and another blown 3-1 lead. CHOKE ALERT 

Game 6- They've been good in NOLA this series, not losing at home yet. No goals in the first and the crowd is very nervous. Fletcher gives them a reason to cheer in the second, scoring the lone goal of the game. Cain holds the shutout until the handshake line, and the Specters win their first ever 6-game series.

Well, the Challenge Cup Finals in their first year, who could've dreamed of this? Their opponent, the Buffalo Stampede, is also looking for their first cup. Buffalo won the President's trophy for best regular season record and will have the home ice advantage in this series. 

ROUND 4 S46- BUFFALO STAMPEDE

Game 1- Buffalo scores the opening goal and it looks like Cain might be shaky, but the game turns around quickly as the Specters score 7 straight to win 7-2. What a statement game.

Game 2- The momentum only lasts until the third period, where the Specters blow a 1-0 lead by letting in 3 goals. Ouch. The series is tied, at least NOLA took one on the road.  
 
Game 3- A back and forth first period has Buffalo scoring, then NOLA, then BUF, then NOLA, but BUF gets the last laugh and exits the period 3-2. They score again before the Specters score two straight to tie the game at 4. Bayley scores on the powerplay to give Buffalo the 5-4 victory, and the series lead.

Game 4- It's looking like more of the same as Buffalo opens the scoring with two in the first period. However, NOLA comes through in the third to score 3 in a row, but Buffalo ties it. New Orleans doesn't take kindly to this and scores another 3 in the third to take the game 6-3. Big win and a tie series again.

Game 5- Both teams have looked dominant in wins and it's anyone's series here in Buffalo. Buffalo opens the scoring again but the Specters come through with two. The Stampede get 2 themsevles and go into the third with a 3-2 lead, but the Specters come up with 2 again and take a big win 4-3 and are up 3-2 in the series. They can't possibly choke three series leads in a row.

Game 6- New Orleans at home. The crowd has the chance to see a cup in their first season. NOLA gets two goals before 5 minutes in. This is it. Buffalo ties it up. Ok then. Joe scores and gives the Specters another lead. Buffalo scores 2. And thats the final score, 4-3 and it's tied up going back to Buffalo. CHOKE ALERT 

Game 7- You know the script. Buffalo scores early, but the Specters are able to tie it up, but Bayley puts the Stampede up by 1 again before the end of the first period. The Stampede score 2 more to put the Specters out of it in the third, and win the cup with a 5-2 victory at home. A pretty epic collapse for the Specters and a good push by the Stampede. CHOKE COMPLETE 

S47-

The Specters have an even better regular season, winning the Western Conference and having 33 wins and 69 points. Their first oponent was the Texas Renegades in Round 2.

ROUND 2 S47- TEXAS RENEGADES

Game 1- The Texas Renegades barely squeaked into the playoffs, taking a wildcard spot, and beat the Pride to make it on to round 2. This should be an easy opponent, but they put up a fight against NOLA at home. Williams scores 2 to open the playoffs for the Specters, but Texas scores 3 straight to take the win. They had 19 shots. Cain sucks.

Game 2- Fletcher comes out of the gate putting the Specters on the board, but the Renegades answer with 2 goals. NOLA ties it in the 2nd, but Garrett puts the Renegades up again. Smyth ties it in the third and we head to OT. Kvalheim makes a statement by scoring a goal and putting the Renegades up 2-0 in the series.

Game 3- Going to Texas and in a bit of a sticky situation, the Specters lost both home games and are on the verge of being cornered in the series. No goals in the first, but the Specters explode for 3 goals in the second on route to a 5-1 victory. Cain had a good game, letting in 1 goal on 33 shots.

Game 4- Having taken one on the road to avoid a sweep, they hope the momentum from the last game can even up the series going back the New Orleans. No goals again in the first, as both teams are afraid to make the first mistake. Jensen opens up the scoring, but the Specters score three unanswered goals to leave the 2nd period up 3-1. The Renes then score 2 straight to tie it, but 20 seconds after the tying goal, Williams puts the Specters up again and they are able to tie the series.

Game 5- Series tied, and back in New Orleans. Two goals a piece in the first, but the Specters come out of the second with a 4-3 lead. Czerkawski gets the insurance marker in the third, and the Specters finally have a lead in this series after winning 3 straight. Let's see if they can close it out.

Game 6- The game starts in the Renegades' favor, with Jensen scoring the lone goal of the first. They score again in the second, but Czerkawski brings it within one. Paquette scores early in the 3rd and we have a tie game. Going into OT, Fletcher takes a penalty and The Dude makes them pay by scoring a powerplay goal in OT. Series tied yet again. CHOKE ALERT 

Game 7- Different year, same story. The Specters couldn't close out the series after going up 3 games. Back at home, Texas scores the first goal before NOLA gets 2 to really bring the crowd to their feet. Crutchfield scores another on the PP to tie the game at 2 a piece. Joe scores the lone goal of the second, and leading into the final minutes of the third the Specters are holding onto the 3-2 lead. Cain reaches his final form of swiss cheese and proceeds to let in two goals in two minutes, blowing game 7 and hitting the green much earlier than last season. CHOKE COMPLETE 

S48-

The Specters are pretty annoyed having lost two Game 7's in a row after holding the series lead, but make up for it by leading the Western Conference again with 30 wins and 65 points. They get a bye for the first round yet again, and get Calgary in the second round coming off a decisive 5 game series against the Blizzard.

ROUND 2 S48- CALGARY DRAGONS

Game 1- Another new opponent for the Specters, the Dragons are a terrifying opponent as they always seem to find a way to win. Game 1 is no different, as Dash opens the scoring and it takes a whole period for NOLA to tie it up. Back and forth, Calgary scores and New Orleans scores until it's tied late in the third. Maksimov scores with literally 5 seconds left in the game to send the crowd packing and avoid overtime taking the first game 4-3.

Game 2- The team wasn't very happy after that one, and decide to score 4 in a row to open the first period of game 2. Calgary gets one in there but it doesn't matter as NOLA takes this one 6-1. Cain made up for last game by stopping 33 pucks and getting that W.

Game 3- What do you know, Dash opens the scoring again. The Specters score 2 but Calgary ties it in the second. Augustus puts the Specters up again, but Hunter Jones gives the crowd a reason to cheer midway through the third and we heat to overtime. Slothface scores late in the OT frame to give the Specters the 2-1 series lead.

Game 4- Calgary saw that 6-1 win by NOLA and said "we can do that", and so they did. Two quick goals and another one midway through the period, Calgary had a 3-1 lead before another 2 quick goals in the second. Another shaky night for Cain giving up 6 on 33 shots. Series tied again.

Game 5- Back in New Orleans after being embarassed in game 4, the Specters have to prove they are the better team. Slothface puts them up early, but the Dragons tie it up in the second. The scoring opens up in the third with back and forth goals 24 seconds apart, before NOLA takes a stranglehold of the game and scores 3 unanswered. A 3-2 series lead, we can all see where this is going.

Game 6- NOLA up to this point has never closed out a series by winning 2 games in a row. Well prepare to make history. 3 big goals in the first, and another 2 in the second, winning a huge game 6 5-1 and NOT blowing the 3-2 lead. This is not a drill!

ROUND 3 S48- WINNIPEG JETS

Game 1- A team with a very up and down S40's, bouncing between bottom and top of the league, the Jets had a remarkable season and look to make the Finals. Up against the tough Specters team, they do not get off to a hot start on the road. New Orleans scores 3 unanswered and while the Jets make it close in the third, Smyth gets an insurance marker and the Specters get a home win and a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2- The Jets are unhappy about this and Moreau decides to go god mode. Winnipeg scores 2 goals in the first and those are the only goals of the game. New Orleans gets 27 shots but none of them make it past Moreau. Cain blocks 18 straight in the latter 2 periods but its not enough to make up for the 2 he already let in. Series tied 1-1 going to Winnipeg.

Game 3- Winnipeg comes to play for their home crowd, but two quick goals from the Specters make the fans a little nervous. Nothing to worry about as the Jets score 5 straight to take the game in exciting fashion. Series lead change again as the Jets hold it this time.

Game 4- The Specters are determined to not be embarrassed again and score the opening 4 goals of the game. The third is a little back and forth but the Jets were never really in this one and the Specters take it 6-2, Cain had a good game stopping 37 of 39 shots by the Jets. Series tied again.

Game 5- The last two games were goalfests, but this one is more similar to game 2 as Cain shuts the door. Fletcher gets the opening goals, and another in period 2, and that's all she wrote as the Specters take this one 2-0. A 27 save shutout for Cain, and the Specters have another 3-2 series lead. Are they a changed team after the Calgary series? Or will it be more of the same?

Game 6- Spoiler alert: Still the same choke fest as the past seasons. Williams gets an early goal but the Jets score two within a minute to take the lead. The Specters get one back and it's tied 2-2 going into the second. No goals in the second, and the Jets only get 2 shots on net. The third sees NOLA take the lead on a PP goal at 2 minutes in, and Cain holds on until he does his signature move and lets in a goal within the final minute to send it to OT. The Jets crowd goes BANANAS at 6 seconds in when Manius scores on the first shot of the OT period, and the series is tied 3-3 going back to New Orleans. CHOKE ALERT 

Game 7- I'm not going to give you false hope of a new Specters, because they still choke away in game 7. Joe tries to get the team and crowd into it by scoring in the first minute, but the Jets quickly score 2, and then another 2 for four unanswered goals. Many of the crowd has left by the time Augustus scores at 17 minutes in the third, but the Jets take this one 5-2, and move on to the finals. CHOKE COMPLETE 

The Takeaway- If you are down in a series against the Specters 3-2, there's really no need to worry at all. They WILL choke it away. I hope someday the narrative changes but I can safely put all the blame on Cain. He let in goals within the final minutes of series clinching games MULTIPLE TIMES, and he seems determined to hold his team back from winning the cup. 



[3000 words, ready for grading]

Aleister Cain - S42-S57
HOF GOALIE- CLASS OF S60- SECOND BALLOT
S54 CHALLENGE CUP
S54 RAZOV

Ville Kurri - S57-S70
BEST SMJHL DEFENSIVE FORWARD S60
That's pretty much it

|  |

The accuracies in here are astounding. *sigh*

Simon gonna Simon. On to the next one.

Joe Kurczewski ll New Orleans Specters GM ll 1679 TPE

Drafted 12th overall by the Calgary Dragons in the S31 SHL Entry Draft
Drafted 22nd Overall to STL in the SMJHL S30 Entry Draft
Named Assistant Captain of the Scarecrows for S30
Named Captain of the Scarecrows for S31 and S32
Won the IIHF Gold Medal with Team USA in S31
Traded to Montreal at the S32 Trade Deadline
Named STL Scarecrows Co-GM
Won the S32 Challenge Cup with the Calgary Dragons
Won the IIHF Gold Medal with Team USA in S34
Won the S39 Four Star Cup as GM of the St. Louis Scarecrows
Won the S40 Challenge Cup with the Calgary Dragons
Won the S40 Ron Mexico Trophy (League MVP as voted by the awards committee)
Won the S40 Sarmad Khan Trophy (League MVP as voted by the players)
Won the IIHF Gold Medal with Team USA in S40.
Won the S42 Challenge Cup with the Calgary Dragons
Won the S42 Jeff Dar Trophy for Best Two-Way Forward
Won the S42 Anton Razov Trophy for Playoff MVP
Won the S44 Four Star Cup as GM of the St. Louis Scarecrows
Traded in the S44/S45 offseason to the Edmonton Blizzard for an S46 1st Round Pick
Won the S45 Challenge Cup with the Edmonton Blizzard
Won the S45 Four Star Cup as GM of the St. Louis Scarerows
Was awarded one of the two expansion franchises for S46 (New Orleans Specters)
 SHL STATS

Regular Season
------------------------------------------------------------------
S33: 50 GP - 6 G - 9 A - 15 PTS
S34: 50 GP - 14 G - 14 A - 28 PTS
S35: 50 GP - 14 G - 12 A - 26 PTS
S36: 50 GP - 23 G - 29 A - 52 PTS
S37: 50 GP - 28 G - 29 A - 57 PTS
S38: 50 GP - 25 G - 21 A - 46 PTS
S39: 50 GP - 17 G - 30 A - 47 PTS
S40: 50 GP - 29 G - 37 A - 66 PTS
S41: 50 GP - 25 G - 38 A - 63 PTS
S42: 50 GP - 18 G - 35 A - 53 PTS
S43: 50 GP - 17 G - 35 A - 52 PTS
S44: 50 GP - 21 G - 24 A - 45 PTS
S45: 50 GP - 22 G - 37 A - 59 PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------
Career: 650 GP - 259 G - 350 A - 609 PTS

Playoffs:
------------------------------------------------------------------
S32: 2 GP - 0 G - 0 A - 0 PTS (Won Challenge Cup)
S33: 16 GP - 6 G - 3 A - 9 PTS (Lost in Cup Final to NEW 4-2)

S34: Did Not Qualify
S35: 13 GP - 7 G - 4 A - 11 PTS (Lost in 2nd Round to POR 4-3)
S36: 11 GP - 5 G - 7 A - 12 PTS (Lost in 2nd Round to TEX 4-0)
S37: 7 GP - 5 G - 8 A - 13 PTS (Lost in 1st Round to SEA 4-3)
S38: 17 GP - 10 G - 11 A - 21 PTS (Lost in Cup Final to MAN 4-2)
S39: 4 GP - 1 G  - 1 A - 2 PTS (Lost in 1st Round to LAP 4-0)
S40: 19 GP - 6 G - 18 A - 24 PTS (Won Challenge Cup)
S41: 6 GP - 3 G - 3 A - 6 PTS (Lost in 1st Round to WPG 4-2)
S42: 16 GP - 10 G - 15 A - 25 PTS (Won Challenge Cup)
S43: 6 GP - 5 G - 3 A - 8 PTS (Lost in 1st Round to WPG 4-2)
S44: 5 GP - 0 G - 2 A - 2 PTS (Lost in 1st Round to EDM 4-1)
S45: 18 GP - 9 G - 10 A - 19 PTS(Won Challenge Cup)
_________________________________________
Totals: 138 GP - 68 G - 84 A - 152 PTS

SMJHL STATS
Regular Season:

S30: 50 GP - 13 G - 13 A - 26 PTS 
S31: 50 GP - 17 G - 21 A - 38 PTS
S32: STL: 42 GP - 14 G - 7 A - 21 PTS
S32: MTL: 8 GP - 2 G - 2 A - 4 PTS 
S32: TOT: 50 GP - 16 G - 9 A - 25 PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playoffs: 
 
S30: 7GP - 3 G - 3 A - 6 PTS
S31: 4GP - 0 G - 0 A - 0 PTS
S32: 4GP - 3 G - 1 A - 4 PTS


Update Page
Player Page