Quarter Final Game 1

Gentlemen, Gentlemen, Gentlemen

Welcome to the 2023 AHL Playoffs! The road to glory and the road to heartbreak starts here.

Will the first place Oles trounce the competition? Not if the lowly Kickass can help it.

Will the Foundation regain their early season form and start to steam roll teams again? One can only hope!

The mighty Hack attack come into these playoffs raging, as are the Dutchies and Sting.

Let's get to it...

This is only the first game of round one, but my goodness we had some entertaining games. If only Mr. Bettman would take notes that poor fool, his league would have half the fans the AHL does.

3 Stars:

Morrissey 2G1A
Ovechkin 2G1A
Robertson 2G1A

1. Oles Vs. 8. Kickass

The Oles came into this game riding higher than Cheech and Chong in 1978. He got the matchup he wanted, but as you know, getting what you want isn't always what you need. One glance at both of these team's lineups would've surely resulted in a victory for the Oles...until Winnipeg allowed 5 goals against and decided to make this a game. Fresh off a trade to the lowly Kickass, Bouchard had a chip on his shoulder he was looking to exercise scoring a massive 3A as he takes over sole possession of one of the most potent PP's in the league. Unfortunately for the Kickass, that's where the magic ended on this evening. The score was relatively close at 5.5 to 3 for the Oles, but this one went as everyone thought it would.

Oles lead series 1-0


2. Foundation Vs. 7. Flash

This was another case of David vs Goliath...or at least it would've seemed that way in the first half of the season. The Foundation limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 4 and the glimmer of hope couldn't be bigger than the spark seen in the Flash's eyes. This was a close one from the start. The Foundation took an early lead and managed to stay slightly ahead of the Flash the whole way. The attrocious (but recently typical) Leaf goaltending opened the door for the Flash to make a late night charge, but luckily, their Nashville players were more bark than bite. Foundation hold onto the lead for the game one victory winning 3.5 to 2

Foundation lead series 1-0


3. Hackers Vs. 6. Doctors

Most of the stars showed up and did exactly what they were supposed to for both teams. Unfortunately for the Doctors, they don't have many stars and when Tage is only getting one or two points and not the hatty's the Doctors are accustomed to, it's an uphill battle to put it mildly. The Hackers deliver an early backbreaker and the Doctors fein away with production from only 3 of their players. The Hack attack take this one easily 3.5 to 0.5 taking the early lead in this series.

Hackers lead series 1-0


4. Dutchies Vs. 5. Sting

This was the main event. While the other favourites played down to their opponent's levels, this battle of the middle earthers included everything being thrown at each other but the kitchen sink. The Sting looked like they were rattled and might have been in trouble when their goalies came out with a -2.5, but their dmen more than made up for it posting a nice +4. Not to be outdone, the Dutchies countered with a couple of points from their dmen and only a -1 from their goaltenders. The game would be decided by the warriors on the front line, or the forward groups. Sting, lead by the tough Tkachuk bros (not tzatziki bros as Sting's spelling of the players would have you believe ) got contributions from all 6 of their forwards. Would the contributions from the Dutchies forwards yield a victory for the boys in orange? They received contributions from 'only' 5 of their 6 forwards albeit with solid contributions from Stutzle and co. This ultimately was the difference maker in the game and allowed the Sting to squeak game 1 out by only a pube. This one ended 7 to 6.5, but promises to bring more fire as the games go on.

Sting lead series 1-0