Login

***Faelax*** · 02-14-2024, 09:11 PM

In season 60 of the SHL, the Buffalo Stampede would win their second challenge cup in five seasons. Coasting through the eastern conference playoffs, they had an epic duel with the Chicago Syndicate in the finals.

Barely making it into the playoffs was the 15th ranked New England Wolfpack. They managed to take a game off of the Stampede, but were no match for them in the end. In the second round was a matchup between two bitter rivals and a cup finals quality series. It isn’t often that the top two teams in the league play in the second round, but it was much more than that. The Hamilton Steelhawks and the Buffalo Stampede were the two dynasties of the S50s in the SHL, and given their proximity, tensions were high going into this round. The annual playoff match between these two giants went six games this year, and Buffalo sealed the series on the road, not giving Hamilton a chance to get off of the mat.

Awaiting them in the eastern conference finals was the upstart expansion team, the Atlanta Inferno. Despite being in their fifth season, the Inferno were already a fixture at the top of the league. This year was a bit of a down season for them, but they still managed to make it to the conference finals, but that is where it would come to an end for them. The stampede swept the series in four games, and would get a date with their former conference rivals, the Chicago Syndicate.

Chicago versus Buffalo was about as good of a finals matchup as you could ask for. Despite the recent expansion and realignment separating these two teams, tempers still ran hot. The Syndicate set the tone of what would be an intense series with a 2-0 shutout on the road in game one. Buffalo evened up the series in game two, but things went south for them once they got onto the road. Chicago’s home ice advantage was evident, as they took games three and four. Down three games to one going home, Buffalo had to dig deep to find the strength to pull this one back. They took a close game five 4-3. Game six was an absolute nail biter, but the Stampede prevailed deep in overtime, sending it back home for a game seven cup finale. Momentum would be on their side, having won the last two games, and they dominated game seven with a final score of 6-3.

Leading the way for the Stampede in their run to the cup win was their future hall of fame goaltender Elizabeth Doyle. Putting up a .926% save percentage and carrying her team to several victories throughout the playoffs, this was perhaps her signature moment. Winger Aron Hernadivic won the Razov trophy for playoff MVP, leading the team with 27 points in the playoffs. The second line of Steve Harrington - Alexander Roach - Jaska Seppala also came in clutch for the Stampede, putting up 52 points between the three of them and proving to be one of the best lines in hockey, as they would go on to dominate the league for seasons to come.

*Scrufdaddy* · 02-18-2024, 07:53 PM

Approved @Faelax @CptSquall

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us