Banackock

Yep. Thanks for simming - you too, @JardyB10. League is forever in your debt.

To Vernon Von Axelberry Dexter Lane S62 SEA 2nd S62 SEA 3rd To Markus King Matthieu Bourdon We've spoken, but for public display of affection - thanks @BluObieZ for all you've brought the team. Your stellar, amazing - OUT OF THIS WORLD.. play.. brought us such great success in the playoffs and you're a huge reason I officially have the cup to my name as a GM. Unfortunately, this is a part of the business and it's a tough lesson I had to learn. You can't keep guys just because you like them (not every time). Some, you have to part ways with for the better of the team and group. You'll be missed though, dude. Been great times sharing a team and LR with you. @ADV thnx for doing stuff on the ice. Hope you find activity again one day. VHL needs a great member like you. @Lunaro Welcome back. @Kendrick Hell has officially froze over, hey? But, I find myself agreeing with you more and more as our VHL existence goes on and our relationship is blossoming into an example of civility and strength for the better of the VHL. Happy and excited to be adding an elite goalie to the roster for what could be our final push as a group. Welcome to the team, dude. @hedgehog337 accepted.

That's coming later. But yes, everyone - you heard it hear first. BOG listen up - while we had exceptional play from numerous other players, Robbie played big when it meant most.

What's it been? 10 seasons or something like that? Pretty damn close. Funny I can't remember when only a few short weeks ago I was blabbing about my career and how overly mediocre it was, but how I tried "oh so hard". Now, I guess you could say my career as Bears GM is a little less average and that I finally did something worth me always saying "but hey, I try hard". It's been a damn long time coming and the only shitty part about the situation is that, boom - just like that, we're in the off-season. There's no real time to enjoy it - just onto the next and start planning for something else. Maybe we'll throw a BBQ at Gretzky's how, shoot some golf and have a couple days to ourselves as a team.. AH, who the hell am I kidding, that's not really going to happen. The regular season Man, this was the most stressful thing since the weekend (I have a weird love for Chinese food, but was super sick apparently from it - or the whiskey, and everything kept coming up all night long no matter what... talk about stressful, right?). No matter what we did, we couldn't really find any ground and we were constantly jumping from one set of lines to another. I guess, what you could say was, I was panicking. We had an exceptional team this season and if you take a look at the roster pages, we likely have the best, most contending like roster. This, of course, with New York with a similar - but different kind of threat (not taking away from them - amazing team and who knows what would of happened). Our two biggest stars in Gretzky and McAllister couldn't seem to stay lit long enough to bring about any streaks and while we seen great depth scoring from our lower lined guys, it wasn't enough to pull us over the hump. Fuck, Calgary had our number all season and not to mention, so did Helsinki. We finished the season with a 40-27-5 record, good enough for 4th in the league but poor enough to really have us doubting the outcome of playoffs. Both ourselves and Riga should have been higher and seeing what happened last season, who know what was going to happen in the first round. It was a really fucked up season - especially in the regular season and especially for the Bears. Lots of trying moments but we stuck together, had group chats via PM or really were a great team in the locker room. It really is a great group of guys. The playoffs - Round ONE Riga, last year we were scared shitless (or I was). It was my first taste of getting to the finals and really wanted it bad. You took that away from me and then we met the next season in the "specialty" round. Not to come off as cocky, but I was less concerned this season as I was to last. You aged as a team, but maybe it wasn't even that. Maybe the season was so poor or mediocre, that we were more looking at positives, or taking things less harsh, and it worked out for us. It was a great series and it was full of nervousness from me. At this point, I was really thinking this could be our final year. Hell, I think I started talks at this point and was telling GM's we were going one of two ways - rebuild or one more. To get the win here, it was huge. It was also shitty though because it meant Toronto was next - and while we had their number last year in a way, it looked to be a different story this season. @hedgehog337 well announce trade shortly - but message me to let me know you're online. ROUND TWO Toronto. Where do I begin? I really didn't think we were going to make it passed you and while we could sit here for days and say this or that or whatever the shit, it is what it is. Seattle underperformed in the regular season and the boys came out swinging in the playoffs. Maybe this was a good thing. People thought less of the team and we used that for ourselves. We weren't easy and once we found ground, we knew this. It's a shame, sort of. Bitter sweet, maybe? I don't know. It's such a great season was wasted. I felt the pain last year and know it sucks what you went through. A lot of great players, great guys and an amazing GM. I'm sure our round 3 of the battle between the two will be coming shortly, but maybe next time for the draft lotto... haha Great job Toronto and @DollarAndADream. You're a great GM - hope you stick with it and if not, hope Toronto can find someone to fill such comfy, nice looking shoes. THE FINALS 2-0 start to the series. I was scared shitless before the sim as Helsinki had our number all season long. The moment that sim came out I was extremely surprised, very happy and maybe a little over confident. Not gonna lie, I was thinking "fuck yes, we have this bitch in the bag and I finally won a cup baby!". Then, the next sim came about and we were tied up at 2-2. Realization set in that it wasn't going to be an easy series and anything could happen. Looking at the season, something really shitty could be coming about. I thought the lines were good - no changes needed. We flew through the first 2 games - could just be a shitty sim and we'll take game 5 and gain safety and confidence back. WRONG. We lost game 5 and my heart sunk. Literally. I kept thinking "2 years in a row.. 2 finals.. so close.. lost. Now I may head into a rebuild and continue never, ever, ever... winning a cup". @JardyB10 when on a wonderful 40 some hour span without a sim, I was shitting and puking out a mixture of whiskey and chinese and kept looking for a sim every hour it seemed and then some. No sim.. going nuts.. frustrated.. let it be over! I took a look at Helsinki's lines and this may have been the game changer - who knows. I noticed their second line pumped us in the last few sims and when looking noticed their 2nd line was heavily defensive - yet scoring. Our guys were focused on the puck, but at one end and it translated into potentially some bad breaks because the Titans were so heavy on defence that it led to opportunities. Thus, I toned down the lines more defensive - the first lines 0-2-3 and the second line something similar to them (not 1-4-0), but to 0-3-2. Crazy and I wasn't too sure about it but honestly - what's next. We've tried it all. We're the stronger team - I knew there was the right combo to match them and get the job down - but at times, this is about luck and a guessing game. Fortunately, we guessed right. Game 6 was ours, followed by another wait in the sim which Jardy did on purpose to drive me nuts. AND WE WON. Couldn't believe it, man. Woke up in the middle of the night and checked the sim (yes, I got a problem haha) and we won. Needless to say, felt great and a huge weight off my shoulders. The Boys @Quik @TheLastOlympian07 @CowboyinAmerica @BluObieZ @Green @ADV @Dangles13 @Laflamme Thanks. I owe it to you guys. I've had a lot of great teams over the past decade in this league while being behind the Bears bench but it was really great and rewarding to have won it with you. We really were a pretty solid, enjoyable yet mature team to deal with and honestly, couldn't have done it without you boys. From advice, thoughts and your efforts in consistently building your players - or you presence in the LR - thanks. We finally did it. We won a cup - you guys got me that cup. Now, let's enjoy it and hopefully tag down one more before it's time to part ways.. which gets me thinking - y'all popped my cherry. Likely gonna be the toughest set of guys to trade off to head into a rebuild with. 1,394 words - 2 weeks 9th to 15th 16th to 22nd FEDEROV

Give this man all the TPEZ

Brain talks are always good. Typically, the talk works out for me.. usually

Accepted. Thanks for the times @Laflamme. Wish we could keep you around - great guy. Hope to see you around and have a great next recreate too

Or double dose.. worked for Grant fuhr no?

Welcome dude!

Maybe the jinx was good???

Glad we got your here in time for it

Congrats buddy

FINALLY. There's weight off the shoulders! Long time coming and wasn't sure what to expect in Game 7 but the line swaps worked. GG and series HSK.. and Good season to all. Longer post tomorrow - I'm heading back to bed. Fuck yes

Gud name

Welcooooome!

Oh, you'll find out soon enough.

no such thing as jinx with sths

Pandar is a sig god

I also think it was a good idea and should come about again, but this time allow it to be for any game with a price cap of course.

I'm sure you will. heres your goalie @Beaviss I had first dibs on @Broalie34

Fortunately, we have people from everywhere and people make due This is not just a North American league

nice neck fuzz

both are shit (oiler fan too )

not too shabby man

He's got big game 7 coming on - I can feel it!