Qualifiers and First Round

[MetalToday 266]

 

Introduction

The playoffs are well underway, and we have seen some crazy twists early in the first round. We have yet to see who wins the cup now that we are closing in the finals, we might get a brighter picture of what team is really exploding with talent this playoff. With only 3 a maximum of games left for each series; these playoffs are flying by. But let’s look at the surprises from the start…

 

Wolves vs Bears

Through some miracles, the Wolves and the Bears were fighting for a playoff spot, and although the 2 teams are good, many people were fighting on which teams would make it, on one hand Wolves were 3-time consecutive champions not too long ago, and on the other, the Bears have been one of the best teams since as long as I can remember. The fighting was real, but it seemed like some teams could not see Bears missing the playoffs, however they did and the Wolve squeezed through to show up their opponents.

 

United vs Dynamo

The United versus Dynamo seemed to have a lot of displeasure around the league, some saying Dynamo would be victorious, but as what seemed like most people, I talk to said London was bound to make it with their good players. Well needless to say, Dynamo won with ease. Although these 2 series were to see who would make the playoffs, most people seemed to have gotten it wrong. In fact, both the Wolves and Dynamo swept their opponents 3 – 0, crazy considering the stigma behind the losing teams.

 

Playoff Introduction

The round was finally underway, the 4 series started to play, but the shocks were only getting started. These were not best of 3 games just too see who makes it, this was now the real thing. With the best of 4 series for the playoff’s games were longer and tougher and teams were fighting much harder to stay in.

 

Wranglers vs Wolves

 Wranglers versus the Wolves was a great series to watch, at first, the team in first place, Wranglers, versus the team that only just made to playoffs, the Wolves. This might have been the most interesting series that was played this playoff, with the close series of 1-1 after 2 games, fans were hungry for more, until it happened… 5 – 4 win for the Wolves, 4 – 3 win for the Wolves, 2 – 3 overtime win for the Wolves! Yes, and just like that the top team falls in only 5 games to a team just squeaking in. The series was close, and the games were only closer, but it was much too hard for the Wranglers, they were not prepared for the bloodthirsty Wolves.

 

Dragons vs Phoenix

The Dragons against Phoenix was going to be a close battle, with the 2 teams closer in the standings, this matchup should’ve been better, and Phoenix was still expected to win with their amazing regular season. The series seemed lopsided at first as we saw Phoenix go up 2 – 0 after 2 home games, but then the Dragon got a little upset and won their 2 home games to make it 2 – 2 in the series. This was a closer matchup than we thought, and the series only got closer as we saw 3 – 3 series after 6 games. The final game was going to be close, until Phoenix did not allow a single goal in to beat the Dragon 3 – 0 in the game, and 4 – 3 in the series. This matchup was very entertaining to watch, and the fans loved it.

 

Menace vs Dynamo

The European first place team in the Menace, was up against the Dynamo, the other team to have fought for their lives in the qualifier. The matchup seemed to be overwhelmingly on the Menaces side as they have been a power force every year in the playoffs, and they only seem to improve, but not win the cup. The series seemed to start quite evenly, more evenly than teams expected, the series went 1 – 1, than 2 – 2, and people were still sure Menace would take the series, even after that, but other plans were met… Dynamo shuts out Menace 3 – 0, Dynamo wins the game 4 – 2, and wins the series 4 – 2 as well. The force in the Menace was just a weak touch as we seen it in this series, the great team, was not so great of a team in all reality.

 

Predators vs Phantom

Lastly the Predators versus the Phantom was a rollercoaster of emotions. The Predators and Phantom were right next to each other on the season standings, some saying Predators would win, others saying the Phantom would win, it seemed like an even matchup overall. The series really did start close, but also started with high scoring games, 7 – 4 Predators, 5 – 1 Phantom, the series was tied 1 – 1 and was made interesting. The next 2 games saw the Predators take it in overtime, yes both games were that close making a made 3 – 1 series for the Predators. Once the 5^th game in the series was played, we saw Phantom finally take one in overtime to get another win, but they were not done there, they took the next game in a close 5 – 4 bout. This would tie the series 3 – 3. The Predators were getting worried about this comeback, but the series would end with an 8 – 5 win for… The Phantom. After coming back from a 3-1 defecate, the team wins it 4 – 3 to move on the next round. (DeJa’Vu for any Leafs fans on the team…).

 

Conclusion

These were some crazy battles in the qualifiers and the first rounds, many upsets happened, where only 1 or 2 favorites moved on the next round. The playoffs are just getting started, and more games to be played, and more exciting series can come around, with a first round as exciting as this, the next 2 rounds must have a lot in store for us. If you asked me, who wins it all? I would not be able to answer as the teams have been surprising me with their plays left right and center. Also, here’s to a Happy New Year!

[MetalToday 266]

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