Victory Cup Curse Strikes Again

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For the second straight season, the Malmo Nighthawks have followed up a Victory Cup-winning season with a near-immediate playoff exit, eliminated in five games at the hands of the Moscow Menace. Running it back from S92 with a similar roster - switching out Henry Eagles and Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish for Gregger McKeggegger and Eric Queefson - the Nighthawks got unfortunately similar results, too.

 

This off-season, McKeggegger, Queefson, and Phillip Rave will have their contracts expire and Yaroslav Bogatyrev retired. There is potential for more significant change, although it seems likely the team would prefer to have everyone back. After S94, the Nighthawks will have to attempt to re-sign franchise cornerstones Jacob Stone and Viktor Jensen as well as defenseman Reese McFleury, while franchise netminder Ash Sparks will retire. These next two off-seasons will represent a crossroads for the Nighthawks after back-to-back playoff disappointments. If they can bring back most or all of these key players, they will most likely be able to put together a competitive roster for a long time.

 

The Nighthawks will most likely be a playoff contender once again in S94, but if the Nighthawks fail to perform on the biggest stage for a third straight year, it's entirely possible that the team, their star players, or both will see it as time for a change. Despite the excitement, and ultimately disappointment, of the last two seasons in Malmo, the upcoming season may be the biggest yet.