(Deep Dive 2 - Alexis Saint Michel)(528 Words)

Game 6 of the Season 56 western conference finals will live in infamy for the Anchorage armada. The team seemed all but destined to confront their main rivals, the Vancouver Whalers, in the finals. But the Newfoundland Berserkers would put an end to those plans. That game would be the last game for long time GM Max Brannagan as he would retire and two former Anchorage players, Gabriel Johnson and Igor Victory, would take over the role. Despite inheriting a strong team, several pundits felt the Armada had wasted their best chance at the four star trophy and now as the front office was changing drastically, there would be no way for the Armada to take that next step towards the championship.

That’s when the 57th season started and the Anchorage Armada came to embody one principal that would guide their entire season. Perseverance.

At the draft Co-GM’s Johnson and Victory knew what they wanted to get, to fill the roster with younger players that had the right mindset. Players that would keep on playing no matter what happened to them. They found the perfect first round pick in Bean Beanman, a hard working player that was naturally gifted when on offense. Later round picks like Gregory Goode, Paul Binder, Jorg Fuchs and Cole Carter (Son of former SHL player Cameron Carter) would add to their goals. While the GM’s were happy with the draft, they had another part of their plan to motivate the team.

When the team arrived at training camp, they found the locker room and facilities had new quotes on the walls. Quotes mocking their performance or talking about their failures in the playoffs. GM’s Johnson and Victory told their players that they wanted them to look at these quotes and that they remember just how horrible losing to Newfoundland felt. They knew how much it hurt and now they wanted the team to prove themselves and win the four star title. For Max Brannagan, for themselves and for Anchorage.

This Armada would respond with 1st place in the western conference with a record of 42-16-8 and 92 points. 3 players (Petrov, Kondos and Salvatici) would finish the year with more than 50 points and Chimkin Tendy would finish the year with 33 wins and a save percentage of .920. Even more impressive that he lead the league in Goals Allowed Average of 2.02.

For GM Victory, one game in particular stands out in his team's journey to the cup. Game 6 of the western conference finals against the Quebec City Citadelles. The Citadelles were the league's darling, winning the Laurifer trophy for the league's best record and were expected to make the finals. The Armada were on the brink once again, down 3-2 in the series and with one period left to go, the armada needed to score twice to force overtime. Unlike last year, however, the Armada would not bow out quietly this time. In the final 12 minutes of the game, Salvatici and Kondos would score the 2 goals the Armada needed and force OT. Anchorage won win in OT and then would win game 7 to make the finals.

Approved! @KenitohMenara +5 TPE.