Close But No Cigar for Now

[CowboyinAmerica 2,913]

 

Davos, Switzerland -- It was always meant to be a building process for Antonia Bucatini's time on HC Davos Dynamo, and such has it gone. Her rookie year, Davos saw some wins, but ultimately missed out on the playoffs by finishing sixth in the conference. Her second year, it was a first playoff appearance - and an upset over Moscow to boot, before losing in the European Conference finals. Then this year, it was another step - her first finals appearance after getting revenge against Riga and taking down Moscow once again.

 

The Dynamo lost in the finals in 6 games to the Vancouver Wolves. But should the season still be considered a success? Bucatini certainly thinks so.

 

"Maybe we're even a little ahead of schedule honestly, but I think we're clearly where we want to be," she explained. "We wanted to be a team that competes for titles. Well, I would say falling two wins short of the cup certainly qualifies as being a contender."

 

However, it's one thing to get to the finals, it's another to maintain that momentum. Already Davos management has begun to take steps to get there - and plenty more will be said on pairing Gianfranco Del Rocco with Bucatini as we get closer to the season.

 

But for now, it's a time of rest and relaxation for the players. Plus, maybe a little gazing ahead to the future. "I'm still in the first half of my career. I've got a lot of hockey to play," Bucatini said. "So yeah, it's nice to get some wins early. But I think there's going to be plenty of success ahead for this team and in my own career."