The S85 Continental Cup Champion DC Dragons

[Arce 755]

For the first time in their 17 year existence, the DC Dragons have won the Continental Cup. Relief, tears, joy are some of the emotions that came across the fans in DC, as their beloved Dragons were finally on top. After years of being called "MID", the Dragons were able to let their performance on the ice be their response. GM Eno Rama has been the man in charge since the franchise first came into the league, and after a slew of bad luck has finally held up the hardware. The Dragons entered the S85 season after a disappointing end to the S84 campaign where they were highly favored to be the NA powerhouse, and cup representee. They had Moscow legend Duncan Idaho in his final season, and finished first in the North American division, and 2nd overall in the league. This unfortunately did not stop them from losing in the Conference Finals to the Seattle Bears in 5. The expectations were lower in S85 for the Dragons, they had lost Idaho, Poopypants, and Mourning. There were gaps to be filled. Questions whether other players could step up, would someone be able to fill in Idaho's shoes? How on earth did this playoff run come about for the Dragons?

 

The S85 Off-Season Retool

 

 

The Dragons entered the S85 off-season with the sting of losing to their dreaded rival, the Seattle Bears in 5 games with expectations soaring high. Duncan Idaho had retired, their top forward was gone. On top of that the team had to let go defenseman Poopy Peepants, and forward Taylor Mourning to the New York Americans. GM Eno Rama let both go, in hopes to fill in the gaps with more cap friendly but efficient options. The Dragons need a shakeup, and they would certainly get it. DC started by trading for Darth Kaprizov from the Riga Reign in exchange for an S86 Malmo 3rd rounder and forward Daniel Clarke. This followed by a slew of free agency moves. The Dragons signed the former highly touted Titans forward, Nezuko and reliable defenseman Milan Dvorak to fill in the voids for Idaho and Peepants. The Dragons offense suddenly looked like a force to be reckoned with as they had Ronan Lavelle, Ryan Vidot, Nezuko and Darth Kaprizov as their top 4. Defenseman Tui Sova was entering his final season, one of the best producing defensemen in the league. He would be joined by Corey Kitson, and Baxter Arcanum again, with Dvorak joining the party. With this solid defensive core and the backbone in Bubbles Utonium, the team definitely was a competitor again, but would it be enough?

 

The S85 Season: The Rollercoaster

 

The S85 season turned out to the a rollercoaster ride for the Dragons. DC had 3-5 games in hand on most of the league for a majority of the season, and went from competing for the Victory Cup to holding their breathe that they would make the big dance. DC started the season off hot, hit a cool period in the middle where the offense looked almost non-existent with Chicago, and LA breathing down their necks for their playoff spot, and watching the teams ahead of them get some distance. The Dragons would end up finishing in the 3rd seed in the North American division with 84 points. It was not sexy, or dominant but they got in and finished ahead of the Seattle Bears by one point. This gave them an exemption from the wildcard round to rest up. Forward Ronan Lavelle tied his career best with 98 points, from the season before. He also set a new career high with 46 goals and 275 hits. Lavelle took the challenge of being the team's lead scorer with the help of linemate Ryan Vidot who finished with 87 points of his own. This was a career best for Vidot, who also scored over 40 goals for the first time in his career as well. The Lavelle-Vidot connection was a dynamic one. Another duo who had a great season, especially early on was the Nezuko-Darth connection. Nezuko finished with 66 points, which he voiced displeasure about as he was averaging over a point per game, and finished below the margin. He still was a 35 goal scorer, being setup often by Darth Kaprizov. Darth had 60 points of his own, 39 of which assists. Tui Sova delivered another impressive campaign in his final season. He had a league leading 76 assists, and 93 total points. Sova as always was wheeling and dealing plays that would end up in the back of the net. Corey Kitson quietly produced 44 points and a very big +30 rating, while blocking 106 shots. Milan Dvorak posted up 42 points of his own and blocked 137 shots of his own. Dvorak's pairing suffered in the +/- field due to the second line's cold streak during the season with Baxter Arcanum. Arcanum delivered 176 hits, 129 shots blocked and posted up 31 points. Arcanum also went into fool goon mode with 166 penalty minutes! By far the team leader.

 

The S85 Playoff Run: DC Magic

 

 

It was now time for the postseason. Nothing from the regular season matters anymore. It does not matter who the league leaders were, nor the standings. Anything can happen at this stage, and unknowingly to us all DC had a surprise in store. The Dragons eagerly awaiting the winner of the Seattle-Chicago series to begin their series with Vancouver in the next round. When Chicago clinched their series, it was time. The Dragons would be facing off against the pre-season North American favorites. It was a hard grueling series of back and fourth between these two strong teams, and it was going to game 7. Ronan Lavelle scored the go-ahead goal in the 3rd period of a 2-2 game to put the Dragons ahead 3-1, and Corey Kitson iced the game to make it was 4-2 series clinching final. The Dragons faced their bitter rival Chicago Phoenix, who humiliated the Dragons in a 3 game series sweep in S83. They jumped off to another strong start on DC, as the series started off 2-0 Chicago, taking both games in DC. The Dragons were able to fight back as they won 4 straight games to stun Chicago in 6. Adison Bond played hero in OT, as it stamped DC's ticket to the Continental Cup final for the second time in the franchises history. There, a very good Moscow Menace team awaited with a hot Papa Emeritus in between the pipes. However, it would be DC's own Bubbles Utonium who would steal the show with a shutout, and just all around MVP play by the DC netminder in the finals. After splitting the first 2 games 1-1, DC won the next 3 to win their first ever Continental Cup. In Game 5's OT, Nezuko would be the hero who would score the cup clincher! It was real. Midtober was over, and the Dragons were champions. Ronan Lavelle lead the postseason in points with 26, goals with 12 and hits with 83. Ryan Vidot and Darth Kaprizov scored 11 goals each as well as 22 points. Darth's playoff experience turned out to be a true difference maker. Tui Sova came to play during the Finals, as that is where he saved all of his production and ended up being a PPG playoff performer before taking his final bow. Nezuko turned out to be the playoff hero for the Dragons, as many in the locker room had said he would. Bubbles Utonium posted up a .928% and 2.67 GAA, and saved their best performances when it mattered the most. Utonium outdueled Papa, and the Dragons would not be able to do this if not for their star goaltender. An unprobeable, magical run had a spooky ending as the DC faithful will be celebrating their cup win this Halloween. Eno, you absolutely deserved it!

 

Words: 1521

Claim for: 11/6, 11/13, 11/20

 

Edited November 6, 2022 by Arce

[ROOKIE745 604]

review time: This was a great recap to read through with a lot of love put into it! Recapping the failed expectations from last season, to retirements and roster changes to the success of the season that ended not to long ago. A very good choice in pictures and good use of bold  and a bigger font size helps with starting the next part of the story. My only real complaint here is the length of the last two paragraphs, they are definitely a little on the long side and could have used being split up for an easier reading experience. Overall though this is still a great MS and I think it deserves a 10/10.

[Arce 755]

Claim for week ending in 11/13. 

[Arce 755]

Claim for week ending in 11/20.