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Heartbreak and Hope in Edmonton
#1

Edmonton, Alberta

It was overtime. Game 7 overtime. It’s what these kids dreamed of when playing street hockey in small Canadian towns. A chance to win it all and to be the underdog – a chance to knock off the heavy favorite and Presidents Trophy winning Winnipeg Jets. It’s what the Blizzard had worked so hard for all season. Diving to make a defensive play, Tigole Bitties blocked the puck. It caromed off of Bitties’ legs and squirted out into the slot right onto the stick of Luke Fleming. Fleming scoops up the loose puck, settles it down and shoots it. Mayhem breaks loose as the puck finds its way past McFadden. The Winnipeg crowd absolutely erupts. Heartbreak. Despair. Disappointment. But once the gloom dissipates, you’ll find hope.

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A disappointing finish for the Blizzard.</div>

Most had the Jets cruising by the Blizzard easily in the first round. Many predicted a sweep, perhaps those pesky Blizzard would force a Game 5. The Blizzard did more than that in this first round series against Winnipeg. For long stretches in this series the Blizzard not just hung on, they outplayed the Jets. I’d say we even deserved a better fate. The Hockey Gods can be fickle sometimes, and perhaps they wanted to drag us along for a more dramatic and heart wrenching result. Despite the disappointing repeat performance of falling to the Jets in 7, the Blizzard have taken yet another step forward.

Blizzard management had found some combinations they’re quite fond of. Trade deadline acquisition Ace Redding has a nose for the net, and the coaching staff has paired him up with the Edmonton captain, Cory Knouse, and premier two way centerman Teodors Cukurs. That will most likely remain the same for S41, as well as the “Dad and his two sons line” of Nik Scholz, Hercules Rockefeller and Richan candidate Teddy Cuddles. These two lines got it done in the later part of S40’s regular season and will keep opposing defenders on their heels in S41, especially with yet another season of training and development for the young Rockefeller and Cuddles duo.

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Blizzard winger Teddy Cuddles had a breakout season and is a name to watch for S41.</div>

Out goes retiring winger Damien Wert who fit in well with the team, and recent free agent signing Mattias Holmberg’s future remains in question. It’s been reported that the Blizzards contract negotiation calls haven’t been returned. The cap situation doesn’t look promising for Holmberg to return to the Blizzard, so that’s two prominent roster spots that are going to be leaving this squad going into S41.

With these two grizzled vets departing, the Blizzard’s youth will be taking center stage. Yannick Berger, the Captain of the Halifax Raiders, made his SHL debut in Game 6. He didn’t get much time on ice, but it gave him a taste of what the SHL will be. Despite developing as a center, he will most likely slot in on the third line as a winger alongside Reinis Aumeisters and budding superstar centerman Tigole Bitties. He will have a learning curve, but hopefully playing with a veteran and star caliber player will help ease his transition into the big leagues. He has the potential for a huge rookie season if he can generate chemistry with his new linemates.

In addition to Berger’s ascension to the SHL, highly touted defense prospect Brady McIntyre will be making the jump to the SHL at the conclusion of his Four Star Cup run with the St. Louis Scarecrows. McIntyre will be quite polished and mature for a SHL rookie after his three seasons in the SMJHL. He’ll likely slot in on the third pairing in Holmberg’s place alongside scoring blue liner Chippy Chiclets. A lot is expected of young McIntyre, and the Blizzard faithful are hopeful that management’s patience for the Michigan native will be rewarded.

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Brady McIntyre will make his much anticipated SHL debut in S41.</div>

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but the Blizzard have to take this Game 7 loss as a learning experience. They don’t want to have to face a natural hat-trick of Game 7 losses to the Jets. Next time this one is going in favor of the Blizzard.

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709 words

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RIP Dangel. See you on the other side, brother
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#2

good job on this Ace

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#3

Quote:Originally posted by bluesfan55@Apr 26 2018, 10:43 AM
good job on this Ace
Thanks bud

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RIP Dangel. See you on the other side, brother
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#4

Great read man! The future for the Blizzard is bright!

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#5

Macintyre an Berger coming up eh. you guys have lots of cookies in the pantry..

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#6

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nice writeup ace. certainly stings to see another promising season come to an end, but I am excited to see what next season holds.

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#7

I remember this team seemed to have a LONG road in front of them after S37, but they closed that gap quickly.
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#8

We got this!
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#9

“heartbreak and more heartbreak: The Edmonton Chronicles”

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#10

Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard

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#11

Quote:Originally posted by kckolbe@Apr 26 2018, 11:37 AM
I remember this team seemed to have a LONG road in front of them after S37, but they closed that gap quickly.
B)

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RIP Dangel. See you on the other side, brother
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#12

After the lost in Game 7 and after this article!
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Im focused and my eyes are on whoever stands in our way next season!
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#13

As someone who has lived in Edmonton their entire life... I am immune to disappointment.
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