Riga awaiting opponents

[Greg_Di 1,028]

 

After a disappointing post season last year, the Riga Reign have done the unexpected by sweeping both European teams to get into the finals. No one predicted that Riga would have swept both opponents and many around the league expected the Riga/Moscow series to be a long one.

 

The Reign are expected to be underdogs against whoever the North American finalists will be but there might be some hope for Riga Fans.

 

The Reign play a fast, up-tempo system plus a lot of great depth that has gotten them off to quick starts in this years post-season. In a what is sure to be a long series Riga have all their players healthy and rested, which could work to the Reigns advantage — especially if goalie Greg Eagles continues to top of his game. So far Eagles has been the best goalie in the post-season with a .931 save % and a 2.12 GAA

 

“ I think I have been playing my best hockey of my career right now, the regular season was a roller coaster but I came to play in the post-season  “ Eagles said during an interview at practice “ I want to be here and do my best for Riga. They deserve a cup and I will do my best to make sure that happens. All the guys here deserve it, we have been playing amazing hockey and we want something to show for that”

 

When we spoke to the Riga coaches on the teams advantage heading into the finals they said

 

“Well, I hope it is,” one of Riga’s coaches said during a conference call when asked if his team’s speed, fast pace of play, rest and depth could be an advantage. “I think not just guys rested, but excited, right? They haven’t been in the finals in a while, so the excitement, the rest and everything you hope will help you along the way.

 

“I don’t think, honestly, it would matter who we play,” Eagles said when asked who he would prefer to play in the finals. “I think the biggest thing right now for me is to focus on the game in hand and focus on winning. It could be Calgary or NY. Either way I will be playing at the top my game” Eagles continued “our goal is to win the Cup, but in order to win the Cup you got to win the final series. It’s anybody’s game. It’s who’s playing the best hockey at the most important time of the year.

 

The league is still awaiting the end of the North American conference finals to see who Riga will play. Both NY or Calgary will be tough opponents and many are thinking it will be a long series.

 

“ We have had it pretty good so far, being able to wrap everything up in 4 games and then getting the rest we need “ Said Eagles “ But I know the finals will be a tough series. I don’t expect anything other then 7 game series. While we might be rested, the other team is going to be coming in with adrenaline. We will see which one will win out”

Edited July 6, 2020 by Greg_Di

[Beketov 9,140]

I would definitely prefer to end the series tonight but man I do love the idea of the cup storyline being 2 wins in 7 vs. 2 sweeps. I don’t know if the league has ever had a cup final with that storyline.