scoop

Sometimes going into the season, it's not clear who will make the playoffs. I do feel like it's more often a case of there being more than five teams trying to compete, as opposed to fewer than five. That is to say, it's more likely that a team that would like to make the playoffs is left out, rather than a team making the playoffs simply because they are the best of the bad teams. This is why the playoffs are so unpredictable; there are almost always five teams that have a real shot at winning any series. This season, it looks like we have five teams in both conferences that I would label as contenders, making it easy to predict who will be making the playoffs. I don't necessarily thinks it's a guarantee, as teams that look good may underachieve while questionable teams exceed expectations, but I'm fairly confident about which teams will make the post-season.
 
North America
Seattle, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Vancouver
 
In no particular order, these are the five teams I believe will make the playoffs this season. Each of them could have a shot at winning a championship, though I do believe some have some work left to be done on their roster. I do think there is a fairly clear divide between the top five and the bottom three in North America. Teams like Toronto and New York will rely heavily on a few of their best players, while Seattle and Chicago have very balanced rosters with no glaring weaknesses. Vancouver is probably first in my ranking of the teams, but from one to five all teams have the potential to be competitive. The other three teams are simply not trying to compete, and I would be shocked if any of them are in the playoff picture at the end of the season.
 
Europe
Malmo, London, Moscow, Warsaw, Riga
 
While I do think Europe's bad teams look better than North America's, I don't see Davos or Helsinki making a serious run at a playoff spot. Riga is definitely the team that I think could be in jeopardy of not making it, but I don't give that much of a chance. None of the three teams that I have missing the playoffs have any stars on their roster, and while teams like Malmo, Moscow, and Riga all arguably have just one elite player on their roster, they have supporting casts that are noticeably better than the three non-playoff teams.

Sometimes going into the season, it's not clear who will make the playoffs. I do feel like it's more often a case of there being more than five teams trying to compete, as opposed to fewer than five. That is to say, it's more likely that a team that would like to make the playoffs is left out, rather than a team making the playoffs simply because they are the best of the bad teams. This is why the playoffs are so unpredictable; there are almost always five teams that have a real shot at winning any series. This season, it looks like we have five teams in both conferences that I would label as contenders, making it easy to predict who will be making the playoffs. I don't necessarily thinks it's a guarantee, as teams that look good may underachieve while questionable teams exceed expectations, but I'm fairly confident about which teams will make the post-season.
 
North America
Seattle, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Vancouver
 
In no particular order, these are the five teams I believe will make the playoffs this season. Each of them could have a shot at winning a championship, though I do believe some have some work left to be done on their roster. I do think there is a fairly clear divide between the top five and the bottom three in North America. Teams like Toronto and New York will rely heavily on a few of their best players, while Seattle and Chicago have very balanced rosters with no glaring weaknesses. Vancouver is probably first in my ranking of the teams, but from one to five all teams have the potential to be competitive. The other three teams are simply not trying to compete, and I would be shocked if any of them are in the playoff picture at the end of the season.
 
Europe
Malmo, London, Moscow, Warsaw, Riga
 
While I do think Europe's bad teams look better than North America's, I don't see Davos or Helsinki making a serious run at a playoff spot. Riga is definitely the team that I think could be in jeopardy of not making it, but I don't give that much of a chance. None of the three teams that I have missing the playoffs have any stars on their roster, and while teams like Malmo, Moscow, and Riga all arguably have just one elite player on their roster, they have supporting casts that are noticeably better than the three non-playoff teams.

Sometimes going into the season, it's not clear who will make the playoffs. I do feel like it's more often a case of there being more than five teams trying to compete, as opposed to fewer than five. That is to say, it's more likely that a team that would like to make the playoffs is left out, rather than a team making the playoffs simply because they are the best of the bad teams. This is why the playoffs are so unpredictable; there are almost always five teams that have a real shot at winning any series. This season, it looks like we have five teams in both conferences that I would label as contenders, making it easy to predict who will be making the playoffs. I don't necessarily thinks it's a guarantee, as teams that look good may underachieve while questionable teams exceed expectations, but I'm fairly confident about which teams will make the post-season.
 
North America
Seattle, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Vancouver
 
In no particular order, these are the five teams I believe will make the playoffs this season. Each of them could have a shot at winning a championship, though I do believe some have some work left to be done on their roster. I do think there is a fairly clear divide between the top five and the bottom three in North America. Teams like Toronto and New York will rely heavily on a few of their best players, while Seattle and Chicago have very balanced rosters with no glaring weaknesses. Vancouver is probably first in my ranking of the teams, but from one to five all teams have the potential to be competitive. The other three teams are simply not trying to compete, and I would be shocked if any of them are in the playoff picture at the end of the season.
 
Europe
Malmo, London, Moscow, Warsaw, Riga
 
While I do think Europe's bad teams look better than North America's, I don't see Davos or Helsinki making a serious run at a playoff spot. Riga is definitely the team that I think could be in jeopardy of not making it, but I don't give that much of a chance. None of the three teams that I have missing the playoffs have any stars on their roster, and while teams like Malmo, Moscow, and Riga all arguably have just one elite player on their roster, they have supporting casts that are noticeably better than the three non-playoff teams.

As had been expected, it appears that Jacob Stone and Viktor Jensen will both be career Nighthawks. Stone, who had been with the team since Season 88, was the most recent Malmo Member to sign an extension. Adding two more seasons onto his current contract, he is set to play his finals seasons with the Nighthawks. Jensen was also approaching the final season in his current contract, but his new extension will keep him in Malmo for his final three seasons of VHL eligibility. Both deals have No Trade Clauses attached to them, and assuming they don't get waived at any point for a deal to be made, these two should both end up with nine full seasons played for Malmo. There is definitely a chance that they end up numbers one and two, in some order, in franchise points.
 
Malmo also signed Vlad Von Carstein, who they acquired via a trade with Vancouver, to a two-year extension, making him one of six players (including the aforementioned Stone and Jensen) who are under contract through Season 96. Phillip Rave and Savaisk Tsezar, two key pieces to Malmo's balanced offense, had previously signed long-term deals. Defender Conference Prince-de-Galles is signed through Season 97.
 
While the Nighthawks roster has seen some changes from season-to-season over the past few years, there has been a lot more steadiness than before the likes of Stone and Jensen joined the team. No doubt, the stability of the team has helped them stay competitive over the last three seasons, and it could keep them in the mix for the next few as well.

If only Barnstormer never existed. His next player was 8/8 as well.
 
 
Also, if I'm not mistaken, and I very well may be, is boubabi technically on a 19-season streak? To my knowledge, Ay Ay Ron was his last player, and his career overlapped with Franchise Cornerstone. They were both 8/8. Add the three final seasons of Lord Karnage's career and that's 19 in a row.

If only Barnstormer never existed. His next player was 8/8 as well.
 
 
Also, if I'm not mistaken, and I very well may be, is boubabi technically on a 19-season streak? To my knowledge, Ay Ay Ron was his last player, and his career overlapped with Franchise Cornerstone. They were both 8/8. Add the three final seasons of Lord Karnage's career and that's 19 in a row.

As had been expected, it appears that Jacob Stone and Viktor Jensen will both be career Nighthawks. Stone, who had been with the team since Season 88, was the most recent Malmo Member to sign an extension. Adding two more seasons onto his current contract, he is set to play his finals seasons with the Nighthawks. Jensen was also approaching the final season in his current contract, but his new extension will keep him in Malmo for his final three seasons of VHL eligibility. Both deals have No Trade Clauses attached to them, and assuming they don't get waived at any point for a deal to be made, these two should both end up with nine full seasons played for Malmo. There is definitely a chance that they end up numbers one and two, in some order, in franchise points.
 
Malmo also signed Vlad Von Carstein, who they acquired via a trade with Vancouver, to a two-year extension, making him one of six players (including the aforementioned Stone and Jensen) who are under contract through Season 96. Phillip Rave and Savaisk Tsezar, two key pieces to Malmo's balanced offense, had previously signed long-term deals. Defender Conference Prince-de-Galles is signed through Season 97.
 
While the Nighthawks roster has seen some changes from season-to-season over the past few years, there has been a lot more steadiness than before the likes of Stone and Jensen joined the team. No doubt, the stability of the team has helped them stay competitive over the last three seasons, and it could keep them in the mix for the next few as well.

As had been expected, it appears that Jacob Stone and Viktor Jensen will both be career Nighthawks. Stone, who had been with the team since Season 88, was the most recent Malmo Member to sign an extension. Adding two more seasons onto his current contract, he is set to play his finals seasons with the Nighthawks. Jensen was also approaching the final season in his current contract, but his new extension will keep him in Malmo for his final three seasons of VHL eligibility. Both deals have No Trade Clauses attached to them, and assuming they don't get waived at any point for a deal to be made, these two should both end up with nine full seasons played for Malmo. There is definitely a chance that they end up numbers one and two, in some order, in franchise points.
 
Malmo also signed Vlad Von Carstein, who they acquired via a trade with Vancouver, to a two-year extension, making him one of six players (including the aforementioned Stone and Jensen) who are under contract through Season 96. Phillip Rave and Savaisk Tsezar, two key pieces to Malmo's balanced offense, had previously signed long-term deals. Defender Conference Prince-de-Galles is signed through Season 97.
 
While the Nighthawks roster has seen some changes from season-to-season over the past few years, there has been a lot more steadiness than before the likes of Stone and Jensen joined the team. No doubt, the stability of the team has helped them stay competitive over the last three seasons, and it could keep them in the mix for the next few as well.

While I definitely follow all of the big four Minnesota sports teams, and I care about some others as well, I am not the most hardcore fan. Growing up, I used to watch as many Twins games as I possibly could, which is a lot of time spent, considering the MLB has 162-game seasons games lasted roughly three hours back then. I would watch every Vikings game, and a lot of Timberwolves games. I was far more invested in these teams back then than I am now. Don't get me wrong, I do still follow the teams and will root for their success, but I watch very few games. I went to a few Twins games last season, and since my brother has season tickets for the Timberwolves, I will go to some of those games with him. I also went to a handful of Wild games with him throughout the past couple seasons.
 
None of the big four Minnesota sports teams have made it to the championship during my lifetime, but honestly, there hasn't been a recent playoff exit that has been more disappointing to me than the Malmo Nighthawks being knocked out of the playoffs this season. Or when we were eliminated last season. The Timberwolves are a very good team right now, and for a brief time were arguably considered favorites to at least win the Western Conference, if not the NBA championship. Their current series is now tied 2-2 against the defending champs, and if they lose the next two, as disappointing as it will be, I really won't be all that sad about it. When the Nighthawks have lost, though, I genuinely feel something. Yes, it kind of makes sense that I would be more
invested in my VHL team, as I am part of the team. But sports fans can feel very connected to their teams as well, so it's something that I'm curious how others feel about this kind of thing.
 
Outside of Minnesota teams, the professional team that I would say I am a fan of is the Los Angeles Rams. I've liked them ever since I was a kid playing early 2000's Madden games as the Rams, throwing screen after screen to Marshall Faulk. I remember becoming a fan of them watching them in the Super Bowls in 2000 and 2002. So I like to see them win as well; and they did win a Super Bowl just a couple years ago. Was I glad? Yes. Would I trade that for a single Continental Cup win for Jacob Stone and the Malmo Nighthawks? Also yes. Even though there are more VHL seasons in a single year, which makes winning a little bit less special, I would. Maybe it's because the Rams are definitely not my primary team, and living in Minnesota, it was not a victory that I could celebrate with my community.
 
I do think that I would prefer a Minnesota sports team winning a championship over my VHL player winning a championship, but the losses for the Minnesota teams do not hit me as hard. Perhaps it is partially to do with the fact that I have low expectations for Minnesota sports, and the path to winning a World Series is more difficult than a Continental Cup. There are fewer teams in the VHL, and, as noted, we run several seasons per calendar year. With my VHL teams, it feels like a far more real possibility, so there is more hope. At the same time, though, this year's Timberwolves do look like they have a real shot. The hype was massive after they went up 2-0 against the Denver Nuggets. Yet still, after losing two straight in embarrassing fashion, I don't think I'll be sad if they lose. But I was genuinely disheartened the last two seasons when the Nighthawks were eliminated.

Star defender of the Malmo Nighthawks, Jacob Stone has seen almost no playoff success. Making the post-season in each of the past three seasons, the team has just three playoff wins. They have yet to win a playoff series despite having won back-to-back Victory Cups. It has been very disheartening for Stone and his teammates, and you have to wonder if a change of scenery is what he will need. Stone is coming up on the final year of his contract with the Nighthawks. His career eligibility goes through S96, meaning he two more seasons after the current contract is up. Could we see him suit up for another team in the future?
 
No. Absolutely not. Jacob Stone is going to finish out his career with the Nighthawks. I fully intend to sign an extension for those final two seasons, with a No Trade Clause included. I'm looking to st some Malmo career records, before possibly seeing them beat by Viktor Jensen. Do I want to win a Continental Cup? Absolutely. But I'm not going to go cup chasing. The Nighthawks could still do it in my time here, even if the last few seasons were our best shots.

While I definitely follow all of the big four Minnesota sports teams, and I care about some others as well, I am not the most hardcore fan. Growing up, I used to watch as many Twins games as I possibly could, which is a lot of time spent, considering the MLB has 162-game seasons games lasted roughly three hours back then. I would watch every Vikings game, and a lot of Timberwolves games. I was far more invested in these teams back then than I am now. Don't get me wrong, I do still follow the teams and will root for their success, but I watch very few games. I went to a few Twins games last season, and since my brother has season tickets for the Timberwolves, I will go to some of those games with him. I also went to a handful of Wild games with him throughout the past couple seasons.
 
None of the big four Minnesota sports teams have made it to the championship during my lifetime, but honestly, there hasn't been a recent playoff exit that has been more disappointing to me than the Malmo Nighthawks being knocked out of the playoffs this season. Or when we were eliminated last season. The Timberwolves are a very good team right now, and for a brief time were arguably considered favorites to at least win the Western Conference, if not the NBA championship. Their current series is now tied 2-2 against the defending champs, and if they lose the next two, as disappointing as it will be, I really won't be all that sad about it. When the Nighthawks have lost, though, I genuinely feel something. Yes, it kind of makes sense that I would be more
invested in my VHL team, as I am part of the team. But sports fans can feel very connected to their teams as well, so it's something that I'm curious how others feel about this kind of thing.
 
Outside of Minnesota teams, the professional team that I would say I am a fan of is the Los Angeles Rams. I've liked them ever since I was a kid playing early 2000's Madden games as the Rams, throwing screen after screen to Marshall Faulk. I remember becoming a fan of them watching them in the Super Bowls in 2000 and 2002. So I like to see them win as well; and they did win a Super Bowl just a couple years ago. Was I glad? Yes. Would I trade that for a single Continental Cup win for Jacob Stone and the Malmo Nighthawks? Also yes. Even though there are more VHL seasons in a single year, which makes winning a little bit less special, I would. Maybe it's because the Rams are definitely not my primary team, and living in Minnesota, it was not a victory that I could celebrate with my community.
 
I do think that I would prefer a Minnesota sports team winning a championship over my VHL player winning a championship, but the losses for the Minnesota teams do not hit me as hard. Perhaps it is partially to do with the fact that I have low expectations for Minnesota sports, and the path to winning a World Series is more difficult than a Continental Cup. There are fewer teams in the VHL, and, as noted, we run several seasons per calendar year. With my VHL teams, it feels like a far more real possibility, so there is more hope. At the same time, though, this year's Timberwolves do look like they have a real shot. The hype was massive after they went up 2-0 against the Denver Nuggets. Yet still, after losing two straight in embarrassing fashion, I don't think I'll be sad if they lose. But I was genuinely disheartened the last two seasons when the Nighthawks were eliminated.

While I definitely follow all of the big four Minnesota sports teams, and I care about some others as well, I am not the most hardcore fan. Growing up, I used to watch as many Twins games as I possibly could, which is a lot of time spent, considering the MLB has 162-game seasons games lasted roughly three hours back then. I would watch every Vikings game, and a lot of Timberwolves games. I was far more invested in these teams back then than I am now. Don't get me wrong, I do still follow the teams and will root for their success, but I watch very few games. I went to a few Twins games last season, and since my brother has season tickets for the Timberwolves, I will go to some of those games with him. I also went to a handful of Wild games with him throughout the past couple seasons.
 
None of the big four Minnesota sports teams have made it to the championship during my lifetime, but honestly, there hasn't been a recent playoff exit that has been more disappointing to me than the Malmo Nighthawks being knocked out of the playoffs this season. Or when we were eliminated last season. The Timberwolves are a very good team right now, and for a brief time were arguably considered favorites to at least win the Western Conference, if not the NBA championship. Their current series is now tied 2-2 against the defending champs, and if they lose the next two, as disappointing as it will be, I really won't be all that sad about it. When the Nighthawks have lost, though, I genuinely feel something. Yes, it kind of makes sense that I would be more
invested in my VHL team, as I am part of the team. But sports fans can feel very connected to their teams as well, so it's something that I'm curious how others feel about this kind of thing.
 
Outside of Minnesota teams, the professional team that I would say I am a fan of is the Los Angeles Rams. I've liked them ever since I was a kid playing early 2000's Madden games as the Rams, throwing screen after screen to Marshall Faulk. I remember becoming a fan of them watching them in the Super Bowls in 2000 and 2002. So I like to see them win as well; and they did win a Super Bowl just a couple years ago. Was I glad? Yes. Would I trade that for a single Continental Cup win for Jacob Stone and the Malmo Nighthawks? Also yes. Even though there are more VHL seasons in a single year, which makes winning a little bit less special, I would. Maybe it's because the Rams are definitely not my primary team, and living in Minnesota, it was not a victory that I could celebrate with my community.
 
I do think that I would prefer a Minnesota sports team winning a championship over my VHL player winning a championship, but the losses for the Minnesota teams do not hit me as hard. Perhaps it is partially to do with the fact that I have low expectations for Minnesota sports, and the path to winning a World Series is more difficult than a Continental Cup. There are fewer teams in the VHL, and, as noted, we run several seasons per calendar year. With my VHL teams, it feels like a far more real possibility, so there is more hope. At the same time, though, this year's Timberwolves do look like they have a real shot. The hype was massive after they went up 2-0 against the Denver Nuggets. Yet still, after losing two straight in embarrassing fashion, I don't think I'll be sad if they lose. But I was genuinely disheartened the last two seasons when the Nighthawks were eliminated.

While I definitely follow all of the big four Minnesota sports teams, and I care about some others as well, I am not the most hardcore fan. Growing up, I used to watch as many Twins games as I possibly could, which is a lot of time spent, considering the MLB has 162-game seasons games lasted roughly three hours back then. I would watch every Vikings game, and a lot of Timberwolves games. I was far more invested in these teams back then than I am now. Don't get me wrong, I do still follow the teams and will root for their success, but I watch very few games. I went to a few Twins games last season, and since my brother has season tickets for the Timberwolves, I will go to some of those games with him. I also went to a handful of Wild games with him throughout the past couple seasons.
 
None of the big four Minnesota sports teams have made it to the championship during my lifetime, but honestly, there hasn't been a recent playoff exit that has been more disappointing to me than the Malmo Nighthawks being knocked out of the playoffs this season. Or when we were eliminated last season. The Timberwolves are a very good team right now, and for a brief time were arguably considered favorites to at least win the Western Conference, if not the NBA championship. Their current series is now tied 2-2 against the defending champs, and if they lose the next two, as disappointing as it will be, I really won't be all that sad about it. When the Nighthawks have lost, though, I genuinely feel something. Yes, it kind of makes sense that I would be more
invested in my VHL team, as I am part of the team. But sports fans can feel very connected to their teams as well, so it's something that I'm curious how others feel about this kind of thing.
 
Outside of Minnesota teams, the professional team that I would say I am a fan of is the Los Angeles Rams. I've liked them ever since I was a kid playing early 2000's Madden games as the Rams, throwing screen after screen to Marshall Faulk. I remember becoming a fan of them watching them in the Super Bowls in 2000 and 2002. So I like to see them win as well; and they did win a Super Bowl just a couple years ago. Was I glad? Yes. Would I trade that for a single Continental Cup win for Jacob Stone and the Malmo Nighthawks? Also yes. Even though there are more VHL seasons in a single year, which makes winning a little bit less special, I would. Maybe it's because the Rams are definitely not my primary team, and living in Minnesota, it was not a victory that I could celebrate with my community.
 
I do think that I would prefer a Minnesota sports team winning a championship over my VHL player winning a championship, but the losses for the Minnesota teams do not hit me as hard. Perhaps it is partially to do with the fact that I have low expectations for Minnesota sports, and the path to winning a World Series is more difficult than a Continental Cup. There are fewer teams in the VHL, and, as noted, we run several seasons per calendar year. With my VHL teams, it feels like a far more real possibility, so there is more hope. At the same time, though, this year's Timberwolves do look like they have a real shot. The hype was massive after they went up 2-0 against the Denver Nuggets. Yet still, after losing two straight in embarrassing fashion, I don't think I'll be sad if they lose. But I was genuinely disheartened the last two seasons when the Nighthawks were eliminated.

While I definitely follow all of the big four Minnesota sports teams, and I care about some others as well, I am not the most hardcore fan. Growing up, I used to watch as many Twins games as I possibly could, which is a lot of time spent, considering the MLB has 162-game seasons games lasted roughly three hours back then. I would watch every Vikings game, and a lot of Timberwolves games. I was far more invested in these teams back then than I am now. Don't get me wrong, I do still follow the teams and will root for their success, but I watch very few games. I went to a few Twins games last season, and since my brother has season tickets for the Timberwolves, I will go to some of those games with him. I also went to a handful of Wild games with him throughout the past couple seasons.
 
None of the big four Minnesota sports teams have made it to the championship during my lifetime, but honestly, there hasn't been a recent playoff exit that has been more disappointing to me than the Malmo Nighthawks being knocked out of the playoffs this season. Or when we were eliminated last season. The Timberwolves are a very good team right now, and for a brief time were arguably considered favorites to at least win the Western Conference, if not the NBA championship. Their current series is now tied 2-2 against the defending champs, and if they lose the next two, as disappointing as it will be, I really won't be all that sad about it. When the Nighthawks have lost, though, I genuinely feel something. Yes, it kind of makes sense that I would be more
invested in my VHL team, as I am part of the team. But sports fans can feel very connected to their teams as well, so it's something that I'm curious how others feel about this kind of thing.
 
Outside of Minnesota teams, the professional team that I would say I am a fan of is the Los Angeles Rams. I've liked them ever since I was a kid playing early 2000's Madden games as the Rams, throwing screen after screen to Marshall Faulk. I remember becoming a fan of them watching them in the Super Bowls in 2000 and 2002. So I like to see them win as well; and they did win a Super Bowl just a couple years ago. Was I glad? Yes. Would I trade that for a single Continental Cup win for Jacob Stone and the Malmo Nighthawks? Also yes. Even though there are more VHL seasons in a single year, which makes winning a little bit less special, I would. Maybe it's because the Rams are definitely not my primary team, and living in Minnesota, it was not a victory that I could celebrate with my community.
 
I do think that I would prefer a Minnesota sports team winning a championship over my VHL player winning a championship, but the losses for the Minnesota teams do not hit me as hard. Perhaps it is partially to do with the fact that I have low expectations for Minnesota sports, and the path to winning a World Series is more difficult than a Continental Cup. There are fewer teams in the VHL, and, as noted, we run several seasons per calendar year. With my VHL teams, it feels like a far more real possibility, so there is more hope. At the same time, though, this year's Timberwolves do look like they have a real shot. The hype was massive after they went up 2-0 against the Denver Nuggets. Yet still, after losing two straight in embarrassing fashion, I don't think I'll be sad if they lose. But I was genuinely disheartened the last two seasons when the Nighthawks were eliminated.

Star defender of the Malmo Nighthawks, Jacob Stone has seen almost no playoff success. Making the post-season in each of the past three seasons, the team has just three playoff wins. They have yet to win a playoff series despite having won back-to-back Victory Cups. It has been very disheartening for Stone and his teammates, and you have to wonder if a change of scenery is what he will need. Stone is coming up on the final year of his contract with the Nighthawks. His career eligibility goes through S96, meaning he two more seasons after the current contract is up. Could we see him suit up for another team in the future?
 
No. Absolutely not. Jacob Stone is going to finish out his career with the Nighthawks. I fully intend to sign an extension for those final two seasons, with a No Trade Clause included. I'm looking to st some Malmo career records, before possibly seeing them beat by Viktor Jensen. Do I want to win a Continental Cup? Absolutely. But I'm not going to go cup chasing. The Nighthawks could still do it in my time here, even if the last few seasons were our best shots.

I apply (with rizz)

Nobody here is worthy.
 
Although I will say, everyone here IS worthy, and they should get the job.

Applied

After winning their second straight Victory Cup, the Malmo Nighthawks entered the playoffs hoping to avoid the same disastrous outcome from a season ago. So far, things are not looking good, as they've dropped the first two games to Moscow.
 
Last season, the Nighthawks fell in a sweep to the United in Round 2 of the playoffs. It was a very disheartening series, but Malmo came back this season with the same championship expectations they had going into Season 92. Although their 51-17-4 record wasn't quite as good as they had in the prior season, it was enough to finish first overall in the league once again. Knowing very well that the regular season record does not matter when it comes to the playoffs, the Nighthawks were cautiously optimistic going into the post-season. Yes, the regular season results meant nothing at this point, but neither did the sweep from a season ago. That was the past, and this is now. Sometimes, though, history does repeat itself.
 
The Nighthawks are in a 0-2 hole once again. They managed to take Game 1 to overtime, where Moscow finished things off with a quick power play goal. Game 2 was not particularly close, as the Nighthawks didn't manage a goal until the final minutes of the game, losing by a score of 3-1. In both games, Malmo was outshot despite having more power play opportunities, which is not a good sign for the rest of the series. It is certainly not over, but things are not looking good for the Nighthawks right now.
 
This is actually the third season in a row that the Nighthawks began the playoffs with an 0-2 deficit. In Season 91 when this current core made the playoffs for the first time, they also started 0-2. They were the fourth seed in Europe, playing against the Helsinki Titans in Round 1 of the playoffs. They did manage to tie up the series before losing the series clinching Game 5.