PowerPlay Magazin

The fans of both the STL Saints and the Swamp Foxes are in shock after their match as they both saw their playoff dreams come to grinding halt by playing out a 2:2 tie in the final game of the American i1 regular season. 

A win for either team was likely to see them progress as the other contender for the final playoff spot, the Michigan Hawks, were playing the more fancied Psychos.  However, the Hawks managed to pull out an unbelievable final 10 minutes to come from 2:4 down to seal a 6:4 win with an empty net goal with just over a minute and a half to play.  This left the Swamp Foxes out of the race but a win would still see the Saints progress.

The Saints came out firing scoring in the first 8 seconds of play and outshooting the Foxes 10:4 in the first period.  However, the score line didn’t reflect this as the Foxes scored on the only powerplay opportunity of the first period.  Not long into the second period the Saints again drew ahead and held the lead this time with another dominant period.  The Saints seemed to have things wrapped up when with only 40 seconds on the clock, the Foxes topline centre Jackie Corcoran made an unbelievable play to tie the game and send the game into overtime.  The Saints had all the run of play during overtime winning all 5 face-offs and having 5 of the 6 shots on goal but couldn’t capitalise and are left to rue the one that got away.

Therefore, the top 8 at the end of the regular season are:

1. Irresistable Force
2. Miami Rage
3. Psychos
4. Americans
5. RED WINGS
6. Capitol Hill
7. Wasphawks
8. Michigan Hawks

The predictions for the first round of the playoffs are:

• Irresitable Force to beat the Michigan Hawks comfortably.
• The Wasphawks to beat the Miami Rage in three based on their better goaltending and the Rages relatively poor shooting.
• The Psychos to beat Capitol Hill comfortably.
• The Americans to beat the RED Wings in three through good defence and goaltending.

Good luck to those who have made the finals and also to those trying to avoid relegation.