Bucatini, Oslo on a Hot Streak

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Oslo, Norway -- Throughout the season, the fortunes of the Oslo Storm and first overall VHLE draft pick Antonia Bucatini have mirrored one another. In the beginning of the season, the Storm dropped a few easy games, were behind the Stockholm Vikings in the standings, and there were questions whether this team with title aspirations were a true contender. Similarly, Bucatini was averaging less than a point per game, not clicking with her linemates, and couldn't figure out the formula in moving up to the VHLE.

 

But now, time has changed both of those fortunes. After winning an astounding 15 of the team's last 16 games, the Storm have rocketed up the standings past a similarly hot Vasteras Iron Eagles to sit second in the VHLE, just four points behind the league-leading Cologne Express. At the same time, Bucatini has more than found her offense - her 67 points are tied for the league lead with teammate Wayne Gretzky, and her 30 goals are just one off the league lead held by Rome forward (and former Bucatini linemate in Houston) Nathan Ecker.

 

To Bucatini, it was a matter of time to put things together. "Cold snaps will happen, but it's always a bit concerning when those cold snaps start the season. I'm just glad team management was patient," Bucatini said after a recent win against Vasteras. "We're finally playing like the team I knew we'd be to start the season and it feels fantastic."

 

In order to have the best record in the league, though, a crucial stretch is coming up. Six of Oslo's next seven games are against either Cologne or Vasteras, the two teams they're competing against at the top of the standings. If they can get through that stretch with a winning record, the team says it will feel very good about its chances going down the stretch.

 

"I really want that one seed. It would be proof of what we've built here," Bucatini added. "But to get there, we know what we have to do. It's a 72 game season, and the home stretch starts now. For everybody in our locker room, it's go time."