Day 1

Game 1:

Tampa #15 @ Buffalo #2

Buffalo would strike early in this game with a goal from Owens 27 seconds into the game. It would be a very cautious match after that despite Buffalo going on to win the game 3-0. Buffalo seemed to dictate most of the play against the Barracuda’s who earned the final playoff spot. In a game that featured no penalty minutes it seemed to go by quite quickly. Buffalo outshot Tampa 41-19 and there were no goals scored in the third period as the Stampede seemed to be on cruise control winning game 1.


Baltimore #14 @ Chicago #4

There was no shortage of entertainment in the first period of this game. Chicago jumped out to an early lead before the Platoon tied it back up at 1. Chicago would respond with 2 more goals of their own but not wanting to give in, Baltimore would get a late goal to keep it within 1. Chicago would take the game to another level in the second though, adding two more goals before the 10 minute mark to go up 5-2.  Baltimore would hold on until the intermission and regroup before coming out in the third. They seemed to finally find their stride and start to level out the ice. A Karl Krashwagon goal would be the catalyst to start a comeback for the Platoon and shortly after pulled within 1 once again. However It was Kennedy scoring with just over a minute left that was the dagger to the Platoons hope of a comeback. Chicago takes game 1. 6-4


San Francisco #11 @ Seattle #7

This would be a seesaw battle with almost no room for mistakes as these two teams would battle for every inch of the ice. The first period was a lot of each team trying to get the upper hand on the other which saw 6 penalty minutes put out. But in the second period it was the Argonauts that struck first. Scarn picked up the first goal of the series and seet Seattle on their way of sailing to victory in game 1. Scoop netted the first goal of the series for the Pride brining the score to 2-1 at the 7:30 mark of the third but Seattle would pick up another goal at even strength and add a power play marker to take a 4-1 lead and eventual win in game 1.




Los Angeles #9 @ Edmonton #8

In perhaps the tightest matchup of the playoffs we got almost exactly what we were expecting from the Panthers and the Blizzard. After Jumping out to an early lead 2-0 after 1 period of play. LA came storming back and scored 4 unanswered goals in the second before Edmonton was able to find their footing and get 2 back of their own. This crazy period was the most exciting hockey for any fan watching! But in the third it was a break off the stick of Tokolosh that would give the Blizzard the edge they needed to take game 1 over the Panthers 5-4.



Game 2

Los Angeles #9 @ Edmonton #8

Much like the first meeting between these two this game seemed to be a battle of the offenses. With a total of 87 shots in the game, 42 from LAP and 45 from EDM, it was amazing there weren't more goals scored. But Edmonton was able to once again score in each period adding an additional insurance goal in the 3rd to hold onto beat LA 4-2 in game 2. Stratton stole the show for the Blizzard stopping 40 of the 42 shots and ended the game with a .952 SV%. LA once again came out strong in the second period picking up two goals before surrendering the lead a short time later. And Jon Forty-One scored both goals in the third to secure the win for the Blizzard and the 2-0 series lead.


San Francisco #11 @ Seattle #7

In what was another game of either team not wanting to give an inch of ice it would be the Pride that would catch the breaks and come out on top. The top line for the Pride once again seemed to find their form and bounce back after almost being shutout in the first game. Antonescu also seemed to become a human wall in the net only allowing 1 goal on 33 shots for a .970 SV%. Captain Svenson led the way for the Pride picking up 2 goals and an assist in the win and in typical fashion HLO had 1 goal and 2 assists. Their linemate Marner would tally 2 assists as well. In what looked like a carbon copy of the first game play wise it was the opposite for puck luck as the Pride would come out on top 5-1. They now head home with a tied series 1-1.

Baltimore #14 @ Chicago #4

Expecting to see another clash of offense like their first meeting it appeared both teams made some adjustments to how they played. Baltimore was able to hold the Syndicate offense to only 2 goals. However in doing so the Platoons offense was almost non-existent. Only able to put together 19 shots on goal the Platoon were shutout by Chicago who managed to win despite only scoring the two goals in the first. Baltimore relied heavily on Del Vecchio to hold them in this one and he did his part stopping 47 of 49 shots for a .959SV% and was awarded the games first star despite the loss. Baltimore looks to get their scoring touch back on home ice as they trail 2-0 in the series.


Tampa #15 @ Buffalo #2

Unlike the first meeting between these two teams it was a Stampede domination in this one. They outshot Tampa 54-20 and out hit them 30-25. The Stampede rolled onto a 8-2 victory and showed everyone why they are the number 2 seed. Monkey D. Luffy lead the way for Buffalo picking up 2 goals and 3 assists in the win. Wang also picked up a goal and 2 assists for the Stampede. This was one of the most heavily lopsided victories we have seen in the playoffs so far and we are hoping to see Tampa find a way to battle back and make this a more exciting series to watch when they take on Buffalo next in Tampa. Buffalo now leads the series 2-0.



Day 2   

Game 3

Tampa #15 @ Buffalo #2 (Buf 3-0)

Tampa looked to gain some home ice advantage and claw back into this so far heavily one sided series but unfortunately for them they ran into a wall that's name was Doyle. Doyle would turn away all 27 shots he faced to earn a second shutout in the series. Buffalo would score 4 goals enroute to their latest win. Augustus Wang picked up the game winning goal which was actually only 2:39 into the first period. Despite Buffalo playing undisciplined hockey taking 14 PIMS total Tampa was unable to capitalize on their chances.  Buffalo now has the stranglehold on the series leading it 3 games to none.

Baltimore #14 @ Chicago #4 (Chi 2-1)

The Platoon looked to change their fate against the other Great Lakes team on their home ice. Unlike the Barracuda they were able to utilize this to their advantage. Though remaining tied most of the game Baltimore pulled just out of reach of the Syndicate in the third. Kalashnikov would score at the 5 minute mark of the third to give Baltimore their first lead of the series. Krashwagon would add the import insurance goal that would actually end up being the game winner for the Platoon. Seiman scored late to give Chicago a chance but time would run out. Luca Del Vecchio was fantastic in net for the Platoon and stole this game for them as he stopped 48 of the 50 shots he faced. This series is now 2-1 in favor of Chicago.

San Francisco #11 @ Seattle #7 (SEA 2-1)

The fans that attended this one in San Fran got their money’s worth! Witha  combined 5 goals in the first this one was a goal fest early! This one saw a couple lead changes before a late push by the Pride made it possible to comeback and tie this one up at 5. For all those hockey fans that love extra time they got a boat load in this one. Being the longest game in the playoffs so far this year this one would need double OT. Unfortunately for the Pride fans though it would Seattle getting the edge in this one Podcalzone would get his first of the postseason 45 seconds into the 2nd OT to give Seattle the 6-5 win and the 2-1 series lead. Antonescu turned aside 48 of 54 shots in the loss and had a couple key breakaway saves to hold San Fran in this one. They look to try and even up the series once again next game.

Los Angeles #9 @ Edmonton #8 (EDM 2-1)

In the other closely matched series thus far It would be the Panthers looking to get themselves back into the series with coming home to their Airlines Arena. The Panthers would once again use their strong play in the second period to take a 2-1 lead in the game. After Forty-one opened the scoring for the Blizzard, Atredides tied it up on the power play to even the scoring at 1. Long John Donair, would score his first of the series 3 minutes later to give LA a 2-1 lead. This would go on to be the game winner as Slothface scored in the third to put this one out of reach. The Panthers would take game 3 3-1 and get themselves back into the series.


Game 4

Los Angeles #9 @ Edmonton #8 (EDM 3-1)

Edmonton was looking to take the commanding lead in the series despite dropping the last game in LA. Edmonton would get right out of the gate in this one jumping out to a lead on a goal by Kyle Sutton at 1:20 into the game. Roenick would tie it up about 7 minutes later though. Edmonton would quickly respond though Hartmann 45 seconds later to regain the lead. Edmonton would not look back after that. Adding two more goals before the period is out. LAP would use the second period once again to try and climb back into this one but would fall short after Pepperoni would put this out of reach getting his 3rd of the playoffs and giving Edmonton the 5-3 win in game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead.

San Francisco #11 @ Seattle #7 (SEA 3-1)

In what was a very tight series this one would be the opposite. Seattle dominated this game. For this first time this postseason Antonescu would be chased from the net after allowing 5 goals on 12 shots. Seattle used 6 goals in the first to get the Pride off their game. Michael Scarn would lead the way for Seattle with 2 goals and 1 assist in the win. Though the pride would not go down without a fight. And would attempt to battle back in this one and despite being down 6-1 they would make it a bit more of a game and scoring 3 more goals to try and make a comeback. But it would fall short. Seattle outshot SFP 50-18 and Kryyst  would stand tall in the relief. But Seattle was able to shut down the Pride's top line despite Stromberg and Kevens strong play they were not able to catch up to the Argonauts offense. Seattle now takes a 3-1 series lead back to Seattle.

Baltimore #14 @ Chicago #4 (Chi 3-1)

Chicago would outright dominate this game. Baltimore had no answer for the Syndicate this time and were held to 7 shots in the game. Baltimore spent almost the entire game in their own end just trying to keep the puck out of their net and they had done a very good job up until the third were Chicago added 3 more goals to put this one completely out of reach of the Platoon. Chicago will also head home with a 3-1 series lead. Shepard and Kennedy each scored 2 goals for Chicago in the 4-0 win.

Tampa #15 @ Buffalo #2 (Buf 3-1)

With their backs against the wall in a 3-0 series deficit Tampa threw everything they could at Buffalo to stay alive. After once again falling into a hole being down 2-0 after 1 Tampa seemed to embrace the do or die attitude and came back strong in the second picking up 2 goals to tie this one up after 2. Just 58 seconds into the 3rd Victory picked up his first of the post season to which would end up standing as the game winner.Tampa would also add and empty net with 40 seconds to go to make this one a 4-2 victory. Tampa relied heavily on Philip Weaver who was able to pick up 59 saves for a .967SV% in the win. Tampa will once again fight to stay alive when they go back to Buffalo for game 5.

Day3:

Game 5

Tampa #15 @ Buffalo #2 (Buf 4-1)

Fresh off a win to avoid the sweep the Tampa Bay Barracuda were outmatched in this one from the start once again. Buffalo, like they have every game this series, started early scoring 49 seconds into the game. They would keep coming in a typical stampede fashion and score 7 goals in the first period. The number 2 seed proved why they are where they are in the standings firing on all cylinders to close this series out. The Final score was 10-2. Tampa would try and get themselves back into this one but it was out of reach early for them. They were unable to catch a break and were outmatched in almost every part of the ice. Tampa would be the first team eliminated from this year's playoffs but did show signs of resilience and growth over the course of this series. Buffalo, as expected, will move onto the next round.

Baltimore #14 @ Chicago #4 (Chi 3-1)

In the battle with the other Great Lakes division team Baltimore would once again struggle to solve Mat Smith and the Syndicate. Unfortunately with the season on the line it was Smith who once again would shutout the Platoon turning aside all 28 shots he faced. Allowing his team to advance with a 3-0 win. Baltimore drew a tough opponent in Chicago and did the best they could to slow down their high flying offence. This unfortunately also slowed down their offensive production though. Chicago prevailed being the better team in the series and despite Baltimore's heroic effort they came up against a hot goalie at the wrong time. It was the perfect storm of things to go against the Platoon that would send them back home to start their offseason. Chicago being the #4 seed will advance to the next round.


San Francisco #11 @ Seattle #7 (SEA 3-2)

With their backs up against the wall and facing elimination you would think the offense would come alive for the Pride but once again like they have most of the season the Pride would fall to Antonescu to be an absolute wall in the net to give them a chance. He stopped 47 of the 49 shots he faced, keeping the Pride in the game. Trailing 2-0 after Wanesly scored 28 seconds into the third, it was Marner at the 10 minute mark and then James with almost 3 minutes remaining in the game to tie this one up. This series would once again need overtime! Unlike last time we would not need double OT to solve this one. Kev Kevens would pick up his 2nd of the postseason from Simonsson at  4:10 into overtime to complete the comeback win for San Fran! This one will head to game 6 back in San Fran!

Los Angeles #9 @ Edmonton #8 (EDM 3-2)

In the other closely matched series it would be another seesaw battle back and forth. Once again the goalies talents would be on display as there were shots coming from everywhere! LA finished with 45 compared to Edmontons 47 and for those who like to see goals there were plenty of those as well. All the scoring was done in the first and third period each team netting 2 in each to go to a 4-4 tie and head into overtime! Despite Sutton and Pepperoni’s goals to get this one to OT for the Blizzard the Panthers would spoil the comeback and Seger would get his first of the post season to give the Panthers the W. LA manages to stay alive much like their other Califorinian team and take this one back to home ice for game 6.


Game 6

San Francisco #11 @ Seattle #7 (SEA 4-2)

San Fran looked to take the momentum back to home ice for game six to stay alive and it looked like they might just be able to do that. Ygnve Simonson opened the scoring at 1:58 into the game. Seattle would be able to answer though at the 12:50 mark when Vanice would net the equalizer. The game was very much a back and forth after that and neither team wanted to give up an edge. But it was once against Michael Scarn who would pick up his 6th of the series at the halfway point of the 3rd period that gave Seattle the edge they needed. Despite the extra attacker and throwing everything they could at the net the Argonauts would prevail and come out on top with a 2-1 win. The young Pride team continued to take strides this year but once again had an early exit to a Seattle team that just seemed to have more depth as the series went longer. Things still look bright for this young up and coming team. Seattle looks to take their game to the next level when they move onto the second round.

Los Angeles #9 @ Edmonton #8 (EDM 4-2)


In what has been a hard fought series in every game so far, the Edmonton Blizzard looked to close out their series with the Panthers. Like we have seen in most of this series there was a hard fought first period and lots of back and forth. LA’s Donair would score first and take an early lead but it was short lived as Sutton would score the equalizer not 3 minutes later. It was then ByOvechkin that would score again for Edmonton 3 minutes after that to give the Blizzard the lead. There was no looking back from there. Edmonton added 3 more goals over the next two periods to cruise to their 5-1 victory over the Panthers. The Blizzard take the series 4-2. The Panthers can hold their heads up high as they were in every game and this series really had it all. Lots of goals and close games not much more you could ask for as a fan of the sport. The Blizzard advance to the second round and like their Californian rivals the Pride the Panthers will now be taking in the nice weather and golf courses the state has to offer.

 


Second Round Matchups.

Edmonton VS Hamilton

Edmonton now has a very tough test taking on the presidents trophy winner. Hamilton was firing on all cylinders most the year and look to continue that in a deep playoff run. Hamilton is of course favorites to go back to back championships so here is hoping Edmonton can ride some of the momentum and give them a run for their money in this series.

Seattle VS Texas

Seattle after taking out San Fran will also have a major test on their hands. In a series that will likely end up challenging the depth of these two teams. Texas moved through most of the Western division with ease this year and will try to continue that trend with their conference rival Seattle. But anything can happen when it is playoff time and this one will look to be the series to watch.


Chicago VS Calgary

It is always interesting to see the crossovers of teams matching up. Both teams had a strong season despite Calgary getting the bye based on their division. The rested Calgary team will take on the Syndicate that finished higher in the standings but once again the regular season means nothing when it comes to playoffs. Look to these two teams to feel eachother out over the first couple games and should be another exciting one to watch!

Buffalo vs Atlanta.

Atlanta won their division and got themselves a bye to the second round. Tough luck for them as their matchup would be the number 2 seated team in the Buffalo Stampede. Atlanta will hope that their rest will play a key role in this one because on paper they are outmatched. The Eastern conference has had a tough time with the Great lakes division this year and it looks like those problems may continue into this one. This series looks like it will be over quickly but we can hope for some very good and entertaining games in the process!


WC:3556

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Player Page

Retired |  RD  | Nathan Thomas  | S55
Career J stats: |  MET  
197 GP | 24 G | 45 A | 69 PTS | 
Career stats: |  SFP/PHI  
660 GP | 102 G | 229 A | 331 PTS | 835 H | 1067 blk | 200 PIM 

C  | Cale Salad  | S68 |

S68 |  4 Star Cup  

Nice recap series! Short and sweet sparknotes should become a more permanent fixture for folks who don't watch all the games

RD | Nathaniel Barca
S67 - MET - 66 GP | 8 G | 19 A | +32 | 111 S | 55 SB | 85 H
S68 - MET - 66 GP | 9 G | 20 A | + 6 | 157 S | 84 SB | 126 H



RW | Karl Krashwagen (A) | S50 | 2074 TPE *Retired
Career: 976 GP | 346 G | 431 A | -25 | 2108 H | 1038 SB
S49 - S51 HFX - 150 GP| 47G | 49A | -6 | 309H
S52 WKP - 50 GP| 7G | 17A | -9 | 105H
S53 WKP - 50 GP| 13G | 13A | -16 | 200H
S54 BAP - 50 GP| 12G | 14A | -30 | 112H
S55 BAP - 50 GP| 16G | 14A | -27 | 149H
S56 BAP - 50 GP| 11G | 8A | -25 | 125H
S57 BAP - 66 GP| 12G | 22A | -35 | 144H
S58 BAP - 66 GP| 42G | 29A | +18 | 181H
S59 BAP - 66 GP| 22G | 33A | -12 | 169H
S60 BAP - 66 GP| 37G | 35A | +6 | 156H
S61 BAP - 66 GP| 35G | 50A | +29 | 127H
S62 BAP - 66 GP| 35G | 42A | +45 | 142H
S63 BAP - 66 GP| 29G | 32A | +58 | 91H
S64 BAP - 66 GP| 18G | 41A | +41 | 88H
S65 BAP - 66 GP| 12G | 22A | +9 | 108H
S66 BAP - 66 GP| 24G | 21A | -23 | 91H
S67 BAP - 66 GP| 21G | 38A | -54 | 120H
Career Totals - 976 GP| 346G | 431A | -25 | 2108H
S51 Zach Miller Trophy - Most Dedicated Player (SMJHL)
S58 Ron Mexico Trophy - Most Valuable Player (SHL)
S58 Aidan Richan Trophy - Most Improved Player (SHL)
S58 Jay McDonald Trophy - Most Goals (SHL)
S61 - Nominated Ron Mexico



Management | Hans Hammersmith * Retired
S49 WJC DACH Co-GM | Gold
S50 WJC Germany GM | Quarter Finals
S51 WJC Sweden GM | Silver
S52-S59 HFX/MET Co-GM | 184-236-28 |
S65-S68 MET Co-GM | 143-104-17 | *S67 4 Star Championship