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Merica · 06-19-2021, 07:56 PM

The story of the S22 Manhattan rage is one of, dare I say, destiny. A franchise 21 seasons into their existence, still searching for their first Challenge Cup. The closest they had come prior to S22 was S13, when they ran into the juggernaut of the Edmonton Blizzard, a team that to this day is regarded as arguably the greatest dynasty in SHL history, and they beat the brakes off of the Rage in a 4-1 series win. For Manhattan to reverse the course of their history, it would take some daring, risky moves to push them over the edge. Thankfully, new new GM Nike Kickz was not someone who pulled punches or did what was expected, and the decisions he made are what led to Manhattan finally breaking their long curse.

The Prologue:
The first, and most important, thing Nike did was make call to the then Seattle Riot GM Gifter of Bikes during the S20 season, and inquire about trading for the leagues resident villain, Daniel Merica, who had been a catalyst during the Riot’s S18 championship run, but who had also been very publicly displeased with how Seattle, or more appropriately Co-GM Chris McZehrl, had been handling his minutes and progression, which gave an opening for Nike. Although Gifter of Bikes didn’t want to trade away Daniel, this was a management opportunity and he wasn’t going to hold back someone from making that next step. Manhattan sent away their young, promising goaltender Arton Laxk and 2 first round picks to Seattle to bring in Merica prior to the S21 season, and in a matter of moments the course of Manhattan’s future shifted, although they didn’t know it at the time.

There isn’t enough credit in the world that can be given to Nike for how quickly he turned around a franchise that couldn’t tell it’s own ass from it’s face. It took only three seasons for him to turn the Rage into a contender, and I don’t think he gets the attention he should. Along with bringing in Merica, Nike also brought in legendary forward Armin Brovalchuck, who at the time everyone assumed was just cursed, because despite his elite play for years, could never breakthrough with a Cup. He also added Defenseman Logan Valentine, another controversial star who was in the rental stages of her career. Perhaps right up there impact wise with the acquisition of Merica was goaltender C.J. James. James had dealt with his own demons with the league, but Nike saw true potential, and with the Los Angeles Panthers wanting to make room for their young, heralded netminder in Jackson Weekes, it was like a match made in heaven.

On top of all that, you had success in the draft, with players like Roy Razin and their #1 overall selection in that years draft, Tommy Creller, who are regarded as two of the greatest Rage players of all time and HOF inductees. In fact, the S22 Rage would end up having 5 hall of famers on their roster: James, Razin, Chuck Goody, Valentine and Merica. So much talent, so much potential turmoil, all harnessed and brought together in grand fashion by GM Nike and his newly minted Co-GM, Daniel Merica.

Aside from the aforementioned players, the roster was rounded out by the likes of Jamie Hawkins (who would end up being a massive catalyst in the playoffs), Thor Ludvigsen and Colt Constantine, who although didn’t achieve HOF status, were the products of some very legendary members in Buster, Thor (the Rage’s original creator) and Maxy.

The Regular Season:

Despite all that talent, the Rage were far from being the best team in the East during the regular season. With a record of 25-22-5 they sort of backed their way into the playoffs. But, that wasn’t to say they didn’t make some headlines. The biggest story of that season was the MVP/Scoring race between Los Angeles Panthers legend Brian Morley and the Rage’s Daniel Merica. Watching them chase each other all season was something akin to the Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa home run battle back in 1998. As the season unwinded and the race maintained tight, the SHL’s ratings for Panthers and Rage games skyrocketed, as these eventual hall of famers fought tooth and nail to upstage the other.

In the end, Brian Morley took home the hardware, finishing with a massive 60 points in 52 games for a far superior Panthers team, who finished 33-12-5. Merica finished just behind him with 58 points, in what would end up being his single greatest season, as he also dished out 154 hits, which led the Rage, and put to bed any questions about his two-way capabilities. Although neither team knew it at the time, this wouldn’t be the last time these two were pitted against each other.

The Rage also received an incredible season from Roy Razin, who as a defenseman put up 54 points and blocked 89 shots. Razin was the team’s backbone on defense and their catalyst on the powerplay, his ability to move the puck up the ice, engage his teammates and play elite defense was second to none that season and he was rewarded with the Scott Stevens Trophy for top defenseman in the SHL. Armin Brovalchuk, who was acquired from Toronto early into the season, came in with a fire lit beneath him, notching 37 points in 35 games for the Rage. Tommy Creller, a rookie, came in ready to play, racking up 39 points. Although C.J. James record of 23-18-5 doesn’t jump out at you, he held a 2.66 GAA during the season while facing 1147 shots against.

The regular season proved to provide some immense personal performances, while lacking the chemistry across the board that leads to wins, but that would all change…

The Playoffs:

The Manhattan Rage’s first round opponent would be the #1 seed, the New England Wolfpack. This matchup received a lot of media attention, as this would mark the first playoff matchup between arguably the best player in SHL history Chris McZehrl and Daniel Merica since they parted ways from Seattle in less than ideal terms. Despite winning a cup together, the two hated each other and you could say that Seattle won in spite of their fractured relationship, a saga that has been well-documented, so this matchup was anything but your standard first round affair.

Round 1: Rage vs Wolfpack
The Wolfpack jumped all over the Rage in game 1, led by McZehrl and Willie Weber, they took the Rage to the woodshed in the form of a 6-3 beatdown, putting a serious damper on the Rage’s aspirations. To this day nobody knows what was said in that locker room afterwards, but whatever it was, it worked like a charm, as the Rage would rattle of four consecutive victories to put the Wolfpack to bed and launch themselves into the second round to the surprise of everyone. After the Rage’s victory in Game 5, which was in New England, the players lined up for the customary exchange of “good game” handshakes, where the camera crews made sure to zoom in on the Merica-McZehrl encounter, and were not disappointed when they picked up Merica chirping on the mic ”Suck my dick, Chris, my fuckin league now,.” as he refused to shake his hand.

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Jamie Hawkins celebrates yet another game winner.

Round 2: Rage vs Platoon
In round two, the Rage would face off against the West Kendall Platoon (now known as the Baltimore Platoon), who was the third seed. The Rage would jump out to a 2-0 series lead, after Jamie Hawkins came through in the clutch, burying the OT winner. Game 3 would be the most exciting game yet, with the Rage taking a 1-0 lead into the third before the Platoon netted two goals in quick succession. With time expiring, the Rage pulled CJ James, and it would Jamie Hawkins once again rising up to the occasion, not Daniel Merica or Roy Razin, making a phenomenal dangle with the puck to set up a filthy move on the goalie before backhanding it top shelf to send the game to overtime. Unfortunately for Manhattan, Aviad Ratzon would bury the game winner and bring the series within reach for the Platoon going into game 4 down 2-1. They trade the next two, before the Rage called checkmate and buried the Platoon 4-1 for the series clincher.

Challenge Cup Finals: Rage vs Panthers
As mentioned before, the regular season battle between Brian Morley and Daniel Merica was a mere prelude to what was to come next. For context, Morley and Merica were longtime friends, and actually came into the league together, both playing for the now extinct Prince George Firebirds before parting ways. Equally was as important to this matchup is C.J. James, who had been traded away by LAP prior to the season to make way for Jackson Weekes, so it would be an understatement to say that James was out to prove Los Angeles wrong and make them pay for choosing Weekes over him.

Game 1:
With all that in mind, the Rage flew into Los Angeles for game one, and quickly gave the heavily favorited Panthers a reality check. Jamie Hawkins, who had had an up and down regular season, continued his stellar post season performance when he opened up scoring in the first period. The Panthers would respond with goals from Yuri Bottas and Andrejzek to take a 2-1 lead before Tommy Creller brought it back to even. It was only fitting game one went to overtime, and once again the Rage looked to Jamie Hawkins, who notched another game winner with less than a minute left in overtime.

Game 2:
Game two would see the Panthers regain their home ice advantage. Despite Manhattan jumping out to a 2-0 lead behind Tommy Creller and Daniel Merica in the 2nd period, the Rage would implode in the third, allowing four straight goals and falling to final score of 4-2, and returning the confidence back to the Panthers.

Game 3:
MVP Brian Morley quickly reminded the Rage who he was in game three, scoring the first goal of the game and blowing a kiss to Merica as he passed the Rage bench. Unfortunately for LAP, their discipline would be their undoing, finding the penalty box two too many times, leading to two power play goals and they would never regain the lead, as Manhattan took a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4:
Game four is still to this day one of the greatest games in Challenge Cup history. With the Panthers backs to the wall, knowing they had to take this game to keep it within reach, and the Rage knowing they needed this game to fully shift control into their favor, the two teams went to war. Armin Brovalchuk, who had had a quiet series up to this point, opened the scoring in the first period with a powerplay goal. Daniel Merica would notch his 9th of the post season in the 2nd, giving the Rage a commanding 2-0 lead. But the Panthers were far from finished, battling back to tie it up 2-2 with goals from J.J Langabeer and Andrejzek. The score would remain 2-2, and 60 minutes would not be enough as OT beckoned.

Manhattan and Los Angeles refused to give any ground, highlighted by some intense scoring chances they were squashed by rival goalies C.J. James and Jackson Weekes, who put on an absolute clinic. This game would extend into third overtime, one of the longest games in Cup history, before Thor Ludvigsen would become the hero and give Manhattan a commanding 3-1 series lead. Both sides, both mentally and physically exhausted from this marathon of a game wouldn’t have much time to rest.

Game 5:
With their backs fully against the wall, the Panthers would come out swinging, and take quick control of this game and never relinquish the lead. Led by J.J. Langabeer’s two goals, the Panthers would take this game 4-2, breathing live back into Los Angeles, and putting the pressure back on Manhattan to close this series out.

Game 6:
Back in Manhattan, the two contenders would trade punches in the first period, with Yuri Boyka getting things started for Los Angeles before Rage superstar Daniel Merica would tie it up. Merica’s first period goal would end up being the only score for Manhattan, who would fail to win the Cup in front of the crowd, surrendering the series lead as the Panthers would force a critical and incredibly memorable Game 7 game.

Game 7:
After a grueling six games, both teams came into this one ready to fight. It isn’t often we get gifted a game seven, and especially a game seven with so many storylines linking the two teams. Back at home, and fresh off back to back wins, the momentum was fully in the Panthers hands, or so they thought. This game would open with both the Panthers scoring barely 1:15 seconds into the game, before both goalies entered into a proverbial standoff, making clutch save after clutch save, refusing to allow the other team to gain or extend ground. As the two skated off the ice at the end of the 2nd period, James and Weekes exchanged some heated words that unfortunately was not caught on mic.

The third period opened with a frustrating hooking penalty attributed to Panthers star Frederick Wastlund. The Rage would take advantage, finally solving the Jackson Weekes puzzle to tie things up at 1-1 lead. Smelling blood in the water, it would be Daniel Merica, the Rage’s outspoken star forward, who would jump all over a bad pass and go coast-to-coast before burying a nifty top shelf wrister over the extended glove of Weekes to take a 2-1 lead, his 11th of the postseason, which would end up leading the SHL in goals scored in the playoffs. The Panthers would make several strong pushes late in the third to find a way to beat C.J. James, but he would stand tall, shutting down Morley and crew as they desperately tried to tied it up.

Merica celebrates his third period goal.

Merica’s third period goal would wind up being the game winner as the Manhattan Rage finally broke their 21 year Challenge Cup curse. It would be rookie Tommy Creller, however, who would be awarded the Anton Razov trophy for the most valuable in the playoffs, as he led the Rage with 20 points and an incredibly unselfish 17 assists, far and away the most in the playoffs. Creller’s playmaking ability and consistency was more than deserving of the award. Daniel Merica would finish with 18 points, and C.J. James put his demons to rest with a 12-5 performance on a 2.18 GAA, highlighting an incredibly clutch performance all post season long.

Words: 2,479

@Nike
@Buster
@Mook
@Jorec
@Maxy

(Not sure if anyone else is still here.)

Final Notes:
I'd also like to say that S22 was by far the most enjoyable of my four championships, I've been around since the league was created, and this one is the one I'm most proud of. The cast of characters we had on the team, barely making the playoffs and managing to pull off a game seven win against LAP was pure magic. I just wanted to re-live it a little, shine some light on the team and give some credit where it was due, because it was a complete team effort.

Jorec · 06-19-2021, 08:20 PM

I'm right there with you, that was a fun series and my favorite Cup win that I've been a part of (so far). The lead up, the all of the clutch moments, everything really meshed well into a really memorable run. It's nice to relive it a little. Smile

Merica · 06-19-2021, 09:02 PM

And as we discussed in discord, we can’t forget the legendary shit talkin balls on Maxy asking us which banner we wanted before the game was even over.

***luke*** · 06-19-2021, 10:57 PM

Nike · 06-20-2021, 07:08 AM

My favorite cup win no doubt. I’ll never forget watching the live sim of game 7 with Wasty and the commish group.

All of you guys were such a big part of making that team into a championship roster. It’s crazy how quickly we cobbled together a team that could win it all. Seems impossible the way the league is today.

Merica · 06-21-2021, 01:56 PM

06-20-2021, 07:08 AMNike Wrote: My favorite cup win no doubt. I’ll never forget watching the live sim of game 7 with Wasty and the commish group.

All of you guys were such a big part of making that team into a championship roster. It’s crazy how quickly we cobbled together a team that could win it all. Seems impossible the way the league is today.