Where do we Stand

[ColeMrtz 574]

     Allow me to preface this article with a resounding what the actual fuck is happening. At the time of writing this, the New York Americans sit in a playoff spot, miles away from the teams who were supposed to be battling them for the position, and instead only FOUR POINTS OFF of the third place Toronto Legion. After what can only be described as an absolute dogshit start to the season, one so bad it drove former NYA star Guy LeGrande to Seattle, to say I expected this push I'd be lying. Yet here we are. How did we get here? How did this happen?

 

GAME 203/9-16-8

0-0-0

     33 games into the season, the New York Americans look b a d. And they were. A good series of games would be going .500, to win both games was unheard of. This was truly the lowest point the team faced, a general feeling of rock bottom was felt throughout the team. Despite this, Game 203 is a focal point for this turnaround, the point where this program would start to pull it together and go on a truly spectacular run. It starts with a 2-1 win over the D.C. Dragons.

 

GAME 228/13-17-8

4-1-0

     This is the first real hot stretch of their run, going 4-1 through five games, their only loss against the top dog Vancouver Wolves. It wasn't like they were playing throwaway game either, D.C. and Prauge were their first two wins, but they followed it up with a substantial victory over Moscow and a close game against Malmo. This stretch was sort of a push that set New York in the right direction, and it showed down the line as they continued to tear through the league.

 

GAME 264/16-20-8

7-4-0

     As per usual, the good came with some bad for New York, who after a strong 5 game stretch went .500 through the next 6. "But Cole, if they went .500 then why would you start this tunraround so early?" Because if you'd listen, this stretch was crucial in getting them where they are now. There losses were to Seattle (twice), who is so far out of reach it doesn't reasonably matter positionally, and Prague, and EU team. Who they beat, however, is huge. They beat D.C. once, widening the gap between New York and another 4 seed contender, and they beat Toronto twice. Let me say that again, they beat Toronto twice. The third seed NA team that was supposed to be out of reach was brought 4 points closer through this stretch. And then they walked through just about every team they played.

 

GAME 313/24-20-9

15-4-1

     New York was undefeated in regulation through 9 games. Nine games. They were 8-0-1 since Game 264. The trade that sent Guy LeGrande to Seattle brought Kevin Low to New York, and he's been an integral part of this run, rostered through all but the first game of this streak and putting up 4 points. This was also one of New York's most grueling runs, playing Seattle, Riga and Malmo once each and Vancouver in a back to back.

 

     Whether the Americans continue on this path, simply hold their seeding or fall back down to earth remains to be seen, but what's certain is that the 19 game home stretch will be an exciting and interesting one to watch.

 

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