Dissapointment

[Seabass 593]

This year was supposed to be special. It was supposed to be the year where the Prague Phantoms were going to go deep into the VHL playoffs. The Phantoms finished just one point shy of first place in the European Conference after tying the Moscow Menace with 82 points and were supposed to be a contender this year. The locker room morale was good at season's end as the boys in purp were determined to win a Continental Cup for their all star goalie, Brick Wahl who had announced earlier in the season that this is his last year before retirement. Wahl had never won a cup and everyone was working extra hard to be able to make that man's dream's come true by giving him a proper send off into retirement, a cup win.

 

By finishing 2nd in the European Conference, the Phantoms were lined up to play the Riga Reign in the first round of the VHL playoffs. Game 1 and Game 2 at home in Prague were won by the Phantoms  and it seemed like the team was poised to wrap round one quickly. All of a sudden, the Reign came back to life and Prague's offense dried up. The Reign took the next four games as they out shot their opponents by a staggering 72 shots (158 - 86) and the Phantoms were struggling to even get two goals a game. It was an embarassment for the team as it just seems like they gave up. Joel Ylonen was the only bright spot on the squad this playoffs as he currently is the VHL playoff point leader with 9 points in 6 games played. He was scratching hard for what would've been his third continental cup in his career as he too is looking at retirement now as the playoffs are over.  

 

It's safe to say after the season we had, another first round exit is a dissapointment for everyone on the team. Many were hoping to go far this year as the team is bound to regress next season with the two large holes Ylonen and Wahl leave in the roster for GM, Diamond Ace to fill. Crawford Solomon is expected to take over the reigns from Wahl and Woody McPine of the Minnesota Storm is anticipated to take over as the team's backup goaltender. Still the GM's biggest challenge this offseason is to increase this team's offensive output, especially with departure of Ylonen. 

 

@Esso2264 @BladeMaiden @AW13 @HearnNation67 @diamond_ace

 

Edited May 4, 2020 by Seabass