The Colorado Raptors went into S42 with expectations set very low. Amidst a rebuild with only seven returning players, the Raptors exceeded expectations by a large margin by not only making the playoffs, but ending up comfortably in third place. There were two big factors in this result; the play of the three returning defensemen and some surprising offensive prowess from a couple of their rookies.

Troy McClure III, Maui and Sachimo Zoidberg Jr. combined for 122 points (24 goals and 98 assists) and a +40 between the trio, with 39 of those points coming on the man advantage. They were expected to carry the load on the back end and all three did that in spades. They all played over 20 minutes a game with Maui being the lowest at 20:36 and Zoidberg Jr. topping ice-time at 22:25, along with big man advantage time and production. McClure carried the physical play as well with 125 hits and 82 blocked shots, Maui chipped in with 68 hits and 77 blocked shots and Zoidberg Jr. came in with only 23 hits but 62 shots blocked.

The other factor was some superb play from the rookie forwards, primarily Gvidas Kazlauskas and Tony Pepperoni. Kazlauskas led the way with 19 goals and 20 assists for 39 points, with a +8 rating and Pepperoni threw up 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points and a +13 rating. Phillip Winter and Nate Forsberg played along Kazlauskas on the top line and they were a very solid combination for the Raptors.

Overall, a pleasantly surprising season for Colorado and a Cinderella run in the playoffs isn't out of the question for this squad.