Not Again

[tcookie 897]

The Malmo Nighthawks have been eliminated in the opening round of the S94 playoffs. No, this isn't a broken record.

 

After finishing second in the EU, fourth in the VHL, with a 46-19-7 record and 99 points, the Nighthawks took on the Riga Reign in their opening-round matchup, and saw a third-straight promising campaign come to a crashing halt.

 

Over the past three seasons, Malmo has won 149 regular season games and two Victory Cups... and 2 playoff games.

 

The Nighthawks were game in this series against Riga - the total goals scored in the series was 13-12 for Riga; Ash Sparks equalled his .927 save percentage that ranked him in the top-4 in the league during the regular season. At times, the offense showed life. But here we are again; Malmo eliminated in five.

 

So we head into the off-season, where Sparks will officially retire. In contrast to last season, only a couple of players aren't signed for the upcoming season: Gregger McKeggegger, Reese McFleury, and Karl Herzlich. Jorgen Lovstrom, the seventh overall pick in S93, figures to make the jump to the pros in some fashion as Malmo hopes some combination of Lovstrom and Herzlich can fill in the huge footsteps left by Sparks.

 

It remains to be seen what other changes general manager Victor Grachev has up his sleeve for this off-season. Can the Nighthawks try running it back once more? Do these players have it in them to dig deep and ultimately find the playoff success that has eluded them for seasons now? Or are changes necessary in Malmo?