We could see a ninth unique champion in a row for the first time

[scoop 3,447]

If you look at the eight most recent Continental Cup champions, you will see no repeat teams. This has been a nice change of pace for fans of parity, as we had seen just seven unique winners in the 16 seasons prior, with two teams each winning five times. The unique champion streak is still very much in play this season, as five of the remaining playoff teams have not won in the past eight seasons. If you want to see the streak reach nine, here are the teams for whom you should be rooting.

 

North America

Only one team remaining in the North American Conference has won a championship during the past eight seasons, and that is the D.C. Dragons. If the number one seed Stars can knock them out, then we are guaranteed at least one team in the finals who could extend the streak. The Stars are seeking their first championship after making it to the finals for the first time a season ago. In the other matchup, we see the Phoenix and the Legion. Chicago last won in Season 76 when they made the only finals appearance in franchise history. Toronto, having not won since Season 65, currently has the second longest Cup drought in the VHL.

 

Europe

Over in Europe, you need to be slightly more selective about who you root for, as the remaining contenders includes two of the past three championship teams. In the first matchup, we have Davos, who ended a 27-season Cup drought in Season 89, and Helsinki, who are currently on a 24-season Cup drought. Despite these extended droughts, these two teams are tied for second in VHL history with 11 championships. The other matchup is London and Riga. London won their first championship in Season 88, and Riga has not won since Season 72.

 

 

The current eight season stretch of unique champions is a tie for the longest in VHL history. It has happened once before from Season 26 to Season 33, back where there were only ten teams in the league.