Felicia Hardy and HC Davos enter the season 96 playoffs ready

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It is with great excitement that Felicia Hardy enters another post season. The expectations for success this time being even higher than last season.  HC Davos finished third in the conference, taking the deciding point in the last couple games of the season to squeak past Malmo.  That gave HC Davos the opportunity to profit from some rest before their first round, battle against Riga. 

 

Riga has been a tough team to play against all season and HC Davos knew they were going to need a strong start if they had any expectation of winning.  Before game one, veteran player and mentor Grimgor Ironhide met with all the younger players to offer insight and guidance on what to expect.  And with that the series began.  Everyone has been tight lipped on what exactly was said but it must have worked because the team came out strong winning three of the first four games.  In those games Davos put up 15 goals for while only giving up 9.  Strong play by veteran netminder Merome Dilson helped secure those games. Riga, as expected pushed back, and were able to take games five and six to tie the series at three all.  Everyone knew Riga wasn’t going to roll over and play dead for the rest of the series, and they put up an exceptional fight. In a do or die situation, Davos again came out strong in game seven with a 4-1 victory.  Davos came out focused on game 7, determined to play their style of hockey, defensively focused with the intent of taking advantage of the other team’s mistakes. They didn’t deviate from that plan all game and were able to take a decisive win, closing the series. 

 

The excitement in the locker room was extremely high after the game seven win, and they took the time to celebrate their accomplishments knowing that they would face the conference and league leading Moscow Menace in the second round. Like Riga, Moscow had a great regular season.  HC Davos knows they will be another tough opponent.   There isn’t a player in the VHL who doesn’t know what the forward group built around Jarmu Ruutu, George Richmond, and Maverick Goncalves can do offensively.  Add to that defensive powerhouses Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage and Jillian Woods and you have a team that has the potential to beat anyone they face. As the season 96 Victory Cup winner they proved that all season. 

Again, HC Davos would need to come out strong if they expected to stand a chance in this series, getting behind and having to adjust their gameplay wouldn’t be the best strategy for Davos.  With dedication and focus Davos came out in games 1 and 2 of the second round and played some of their best hockey so far this season.  Game 1 was a close 3-2 victor that was decided in overtime.  Game 2 was more of a one sided affair with Merome Dilson slamming the door closed for his first shutout of this post season.  The offense put up 4 tallies to close this one out. 

 

Davos gets to play games 3 and 4 at home with the hopes of closing out this series in front of their fans.  The players know they have swept Moscow in the playoffs previously so know it is a possibility.  They also know they can’t take Moscow lightly and so the plan is to come out strong, try to put up the first goal in each game and set the pace of play.  With the championship finals only 2 wins away, Davos feels they are ready to take the next step.