Claimed:The Upset

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

The upset

 

Before the playoffs started the Toronto Legion were hoping to cause an upset. The Calgary Wranglers were the clear favorite and legends like Labatte and Rybak would be playing their heart out during their last games of their illustrious careers. With the first two games being in Calgary they were confident in throwing the Legion out quite fast, especially since they had been struggling in the end of the regular season.

 

Things would not go as they expected when it turned out that Toronto managed to win the first game of the series. A strong second period by the Legion made Alexander Labatte let in three goals. The game ended in a 3-2 victory for the Legion and rookie Ville Sixten got the game winning goal in what looked to be an important win for the Legion.

 

In the second game of the series the goaltenders forgot to show up. In a wicked game the Legion managed to score four goals on Labatte; an amount which usually is enough to grab a win. This time it would turn out to be different as Simon Tremblay scored four goals this game. Chico Salmon and Michal Wozniak scored the other goals for Calgary who left with the win.The Legion lost, however they were happy about the play in the first two games. With two home games coming up and having stolen one game on the road, they currently had home advantage in the series.

 

 

In the third game the Legion struck three times again during the second period. The third goal of the evening was scored by retiring Smooth Jive and turned out to be the game winner. In the third period the Wranglers got close when upcoming free agent Chico Salmon score after only  eight seconds, but Teemu Lehtinen scored a power play to destroy all hope for Calgary.

 

 

The upset was almost there; in the fourth game the Legion knocked out another win. After their two home games they only needed one more win out of three games and the upset would be complete. While the series moved back to Calgary for the fifth game of the season the Legion was confident and it showed on the ice. During all three regulation periods they outshot the Wranglers by a mile. The second period was a differential of 9 shots in the advantage of Toronto. Labatte however did not agree: he managed to stop most of these shots and kept his team alive. After 15 minutes of playing during the overtime period it was Michal Wozniak who pulled the trigger and sent the series back to Toronto.

 

Game six turned out to be a goaltender battle again. Labatte had to face 77 shots while LeBeau had 60 shots to stop. After 113 minutes of play, during the third overtime period it was the power play situation that became fatal to the Legion. Again it was soon to retire Michal Wozniak who scored a game winning goal during overtime, tying the series at three games each and bringing the series back to Calgary, who had just re-gained home advantage again.

 

 

The last game was again a victory for the Wranglers. Instead of causing an upset, the Legion got upset with three losses in a row. Calgary continues and faces off versus the Quebec City Meute. The Legion will have to make another attempt next year, hopefully with some quality injections through free agency.

 

Words: 574

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

Content: 3/3 - So close, yet not quite close enough for Toronto. It seems like the city of Toronto itself can't find any hockey success recently. Congrats on your season this year Toronto and good luck next year.

 

Grammar: 2/2 - Found a couple.

 

struggling in the end = struggling at the end

Salmon score = Salmon scored

Legion was confident = Legion were confident

 

Appearance: 1/1 - I'm blue da bo dee da bo dah.

 

Overall: 6/6

[eaglesfan036 4,585]

Content: 3/3 - I like how crazy the playoffs have been the past few years, especially with the rivalry settings turned all the way up. It can lead to some major upsets and Toronto nearly pulled one off. Also wow at the 77 shots in that one game.

 

Grammar: 2/2 - Flyers got everything.

 

Appearance: 1/1 - Looks good.

 

Overall: 6/6

 

Final: 6/6

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