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Snipers Cup Champions 2009

Johnston
Tycoons
The Tycoons have officially beat the
Grossman Flash 42-29 for the 11th Snipers Cup ring. In what would turn
out to be a lack lustre finals, the Tycoons rolled over the Flash getting
contributions from all 10 players. Contributions from all players is
definitely the Tycoons hall mark for the 2008-2009 season. The Tycoons
narrowly squeaked by a 2nd round scare from the Heartbreakers and easily
took on the 79ers in the semis before moving on to the finals. Flash
were hobbled with injuries, but lacked reliable D and secondary scoring.
The Flash did remain in the match for 5 days, but just ran out of gas and
the Tycoons continued their march to the winners circle. The Tycoons
become the 3rd team in SCHL history to win both the Wayne Gretzky and
Snipers Cup crowns in the same year and become the 2nd team to win their
second Championship. This is all on top of their 7th division title,
3rd PM and a record breaking 18 game winner streak. This could go down
as one of the best seasons in SCHL history.
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(19-2) Tycoons V Flash
(16-5)
Score:
42-29
- The Tycoons were just too
much for the Flaah
The 2001 Champs and the 2004
Champs go toe to toe in the 2009 Finals. This will be the Tycoons
4th time to the dance and the 2nd for the Flash. The Flash just got by the
Jawas in a 24-23 win, with late Saturday Nabby win to seal the deal,
while the Tycoons rolled over the 79ers 36-26 in a match many thought
the 79ers would win. This finals has to be billed Ovy v Kovy, two
fellow Russians, but there's a hell of a lot to these teams than those
superstars. Both teams have stellar goal tending (#1 and #2),
great D (#1 and #4) and awesome forwards (#2 and #6). In a look at
the man games it looks as the possible man games are 46-45 for the
Flash, so there are no excuses this time around.
This finals will mark the
first time in history two former champs are going for it, making the
winner the second repeat champion after the Heartbreakers.
Despite both teams length of time in the SCHL and their success, they're
isn't much history between these two teams. They've only played
each other 7 times over 10 years, with the Flash owning the lifetime
record of 4-3 and have never played each other in the post season.
However, that all changes this week as they clash in the 10 day finals
to coronate the 11th Snipers Champion. There's not much else to say that
hasn't been said...there's money, history and the cup on the
line.- The Johnston Tycoons hold the tiebreak. |
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38-28 |


36-26 |
(19-2) Tycoons
V 79ers (13-6-2)
The Tycoons squeeze into the Frozen
Four by the skin of their teeth, after narrowly beating the
Heartbreakers by one point with the use of their four point head start.
What looked to be a lock of a win for the league's top team, become a
emotional roll coaster, with the Tycoons' best players not showing up.
The Tycoons move on to the Frozen Four for the 3rd time in 4 years and
1st time since 2007.
The 79ers have ensured
that there won't be a repeat this year after trouncing the Bullets in a
wash in the quarter-finals. The Bullets had made it a week coming
to within three points of the 79ers, but after laying eggs in
consecutive days, the 79ers punched their ticket to their 3rd Frozen
Four appearance in 4 year. The 79ers are the only non-bye team to
enter the F4 and they're red hot after bouncing the Goldminers and
Bullets.
The Rub: An old
Stafford Division rivalry renewed once again. This
marks the 2nd time these two teams have faced each other in the post
season. The Tycoons dispatched the 79ers in the Frozen Four back
in 2006 on their way to facing the Rowdy Kilts in the finals. The
Tycoons are coming off a mediocre week and now face a hot, heavy on the
man games 79ers, with Washington only going twice. One thing is certain,
the finals will feature a former SCHL champ.
Playoff records: Tycoons 10-7, 79ers 7-6, and the Tycoons own the life
time record at 13-4-1. - Tycoons hold the tie break. |

23-24 |
(16-4-1) Jawas V
Flash (16-5)
The Jawas easily put the Barracudas
in the coffin last week, getting their first ever SCHL post season
victory and now they move into the Frozen Four. Malkin and
Alfredsson stepped up in a big way to make sure it!
The Flash have quietly
moved back into their second straight Frozen Four. Last week they
ran up against a hot/cold Vanguard and took care of business despite
Kovalchuk missing some time.
The Rub: Teams two
and three in the WG race (this year and last) meet up in a uncommon post
season match, having never faced each other in the post season.
Like the Tycoons, the Flash will be holding their breath for ever
Penguins power play. The Jawas hope Turco can regain his game as
the heat is turned up against the Flash. The Flash are the 3rd
former champ in the F4, making it 3 for 4. The Jawas are the last
hope for new blood!
Playoff records: Jawas 1-4, Flash 7-5, and the Flash own the life
time record at 5-4. - Flash hold the tie break. |

Round 2 (Quarter-Finals) - After Day 6
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Mammoth night for the Heartbreakers...should be a doozey tomorrow...
- The Jawas poised to be heading to the Frozen four ...
- Down by 7, the Bullets will need a miracle now...
-Payback is a bitch...Flash all but lock up a birth in the Frozen Four...

26-25 |
(19-2) Tycoons
V Heartbreakers (11-9-1)
Tycoons return to action this week
after posting a league high 36 pts during their one week holiday.
History was made this year as The Boardroom faithful watched 18
straights W's pile up with majority coming in convincing fashion.
However, their regular season ended on a sour note in a loss to the
Bullets. The Tycoons hope to get back on a new winning streak in
the second season, but a loss now would make the season a complete
disappointment despite winning the Premier and PM crowns.
Heartbreakers pulled off
the minor "upset" defeating a small HS and a depleted Triads team.
Backed by solid production from Olli Jokinen and Zach Parise, the
Heartbreakers have advanced to the second round for the first time since
their last championship in 2003.
The Rub: This
marks the 3rd time in history these two have squared off in the post
season. The 1st time coming 10 years ago when the Heartbreakers
beat the Tycoons in the finals for their first championship and the
second coming in 2003 in the first round, before the HB Sauce won their
last cup. The Heartbreakers have their work cut out this time
around, however, as they face the top team with their top players going
four times (Washington x4). While Kipper does only go twice so
does the Heartbreakers hottest scorer. The Heartbreakers have
nothing to lose here and hope their loosey goosey play will carry them
into the Frozen Four?
Playoff records: Tycoons 9-7, Heartbreakers 14-3, and the Tycoons own the life
time record at 7-2. - Tycoons hold the tie break. |

27-14 |
(16-4-1) Jawas V
Barracudas (13-8)
The Jawas finished with the regular
season with second best record in both the standings and currently in
the WG. Like the Tycoons, the Jawas are well above their competitors in
the WG race and boast a team full of PPG forwards. It is very rare to
find an off-week from this club. The Jawas are not infallible as
they have fought injuries problems on D all year long and are not deep
by way of subs. Having never won a post season match, the Jawas
will feel the pressure and hope to shake the pretender status.
The Barracudas survived a
close call and edged out the Gryphons, in what can be considered the
stinker match of the opening around. This will be their first
advancement since 2003. They can thank their lucky stars they
didn't face the Kilts as expected in round 1, as they would be on the
outside looking in. Nonetheless, the second round is here for the
'Cudas.
The Rub: These
team surprisingly matchup well on forward and D, but the Barracudas will
need Price to continue his lock down of the #1 spot on the Habs to match
Turco. If that can happen this match could go either way, with the
Sedins going 4 times tho, it won't be easy for the Cudas.
Obviously, a betting man would pick the Jawas, but the Barracudas
are not to be discounted as they have shown over the course of the
season to be the real deal posting monster weeks and dispatching good
teams without remorse. The SCHL is guaranteed to have a new
contestant into its Frozen Four...who will pounce?
Playoff records: Jawas 0-4, Barracudas 2-3, and the Jawas own the life
time record at 3-2-1. - Barracudas hold the tie break. |

22-29 |
(16-4-1)
Bullets V 79ers (13-6-2)
The defending champs start their 2009
campaign against the 07 champs. The Bullets have had a weird
season. They were able to get some relatively low scoring/close
weeks won before providing a more expected and consistent output. For
example, they won 5 weeks by 9 total points. Things are clicking as
good as they can for this club now, with Kane and Toews back, MAF
starting and winning and Suter emerging as a real deal Dman.
The 79ers welcomed the
Goldminers to the playoffs with a 17 point victory. Heavy with man
games last week the 79ers were able to completely control and dictate
the pace against the young expansion team. Ashterisk proved once again
he knows what it takes to win when it counts, like making countless subs
and trades.
The Rub:
2007 Champs v 2008 Champs - how fitting? The 79ers enjoyed the
comforts of playing a expansion team, but now the heat is turned up
against one of the hottest teams in the league. The Bullet's best
player, Iginla, only goes twice, while Thornton goes four times.
That is the major difference between these two clubs in terms of key
players. The 79ers have the horsepower to beat anyone, but will it
be enough to move them back to the familiar confines of the Frozen Four?
Playoff records: Bullets 7-6, 79ers 6-6, and the 79ers own the life
time record at 10-5-1. - the Bullets hold the tie break. |

22-12 |
(16-5) Flash V
Vanguard (15-5-1)
The 2004 Champs are a staple around
these parts, with their second straight season at 16-5 and a likely top
5 WG finish. They'll be looking to move into the Frozen Four for the
second straight season. The Flash have it all: quality
forwards, solid D and arguably the best goalie in the SCHL.
Speaking of which, Nabby has just came off an injury and started last
night and who goes 4 times in this match. Because of injuries to
Morrow and Sakic, the Flash have struggled with their 6th forward slot
all year. They're hoping for someone to emerge and be the clear
cut guy.
The Vanguard
are coming off an emotional victory over the Rowdy Kilts, where much of
the SCHL had written them off mid week. After many used up man
games throughout the week, with little results, the critics were
warranted. However, flanked by Staal and Dion, who for much of the
season have been quiet, the Vanguard rallied on the final night to post
a 28-30 win. And how about Backstrom, 4 games 1 win and 3 OTLs!
The Rub: Let's not
forget the spanking the Vanguard laid on the Flash last year in the
Frozen Four on their way to the finals. These teams match up well,
separated by only 1 point in the standings. The Vanguard will have
to withstand four Sharks games this week if they want to move on to the
Frozen Four. However, some luck has arrived as it looks as though
Kovalchuk is injured. It's not certain how long, but he did miss
last night's game. Like the rest of the matches, this is shaping
up to be an epic battle...Let's hope it's a high scoring, high stress
affair.
Playoff records: Flash 6-5, Vanguard 5-4, and the Flash own the life
time record at 5-2-1. - Flash hold the tie break. |
Round 1
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23-23 |
(15-5-1) Vanguard V Rowdy
Kilts (9-10-2)
Last year the Vanguard duked it out
to the bitter end for a post season birth and got in and went on a
magical cup run. Now, like the Washington Capitals, the Vanguard
have taken the training wheels off and own the 5th seed and tops in the
first round. The Vanguard's season has been a success to date;
however, they suffer from having their best players on mediocre or bad
teams and quite often don't always show up ever night.
The Rowdy Kilts enter the
playoffs in a situation they've never experienced: the lowest team on
the totem pole. Moreover, the Kilts enter the post season tying
their 1998-1999 losing streak record at 6 weeks, needing help from the
Jawas to clinch. The Kilts season has been marred with injuries,
but now they're nearly healthy with their star goalie Brodeur back in
the fold.
The Rub: The
Vanguard can't be happy to have had a successful regular season and have
been rewarded by playing the Rowdy Kilts in the first round (with Getz
only going twice). The Kilts, when healthy, have the ability to
beat any team and will try to this week down 4 points right off the hop
to the Vanguard. Both teams have been to the finals within the
last two years, but one will be going home a week from today.
Playoff records: Vanguard 4-4, Kilts 14-7 and the Kilts own the life
time record at 5-2-1. - Vanguard hold the tie break. |
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30-10 |
(13-6-2) 79ers V
Goldminers (10-10-1)
The 2007 Champs have quietly put
together a solid season despite only making two subs all year. The
79ers aren't blessed with depth, but have two of the highest scoring
players in the league and a pretty good goalie. Their season has
been here and there, but overall a success with some of their character
players enjoying decent campaigns. In the last two weeks, however,
the 79ers have played more like an expansion team. The 79ers will
be looking to get their first postseason win since their 2007
Championship.
Despite going 1-2 in
their last three weeks, the Goldminers have clinched their first ever
post season birth, becoming the first expansion team to do so. The
Goldminers have been hot in the past 8 weeks, save week 20, and are
getting points from everyone. The real issue for the Goldminers
is, can they win without a goalie, after losing their best player to a
ankle spring just weeks ago.
The Rub: The exact
opposite of the 79ers are the Goldminers. The 79ers have zero
depth and the Goldminers are lined with 10 guys that can score.
The Goldminers have to withstand 4 Sid and Lundy games this week and
hope to win by drowning the 79ers in man games, despite no goalie.
Are the Goldminers just satisfied with only making the playoffs?
Playoff records: 79ers 5-6, Goldminers n/a and the 79ers own the
life time record at 3-0. - 79ers hold the tie break. |
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18-13
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(13-8) Barracudas V
Gryphons (11-10)
The Barracudas season has recently
gone downhill, but it has been a strong one as a whole. Breakout
players Zajac and Clowe have propelled them into the upper echelon of
the SCHL, all while, their prized acquisition in the offseason, Gonchar,
hasn't played much. Lately, however, goaltending (widely
considering their best position) has become a problem for this team,
along with injuries to Richards and Vanek. The Barracudas haven't
won a postseason match since their inaugural season.
The Gryphons' year
started off as a disaster. At one point they were 18th in the WG
and the playoffs were miles away. Injuries to two of their best
players, Stasnty and Gaborik, forced the Gryphons to start 5 dmen.
Moreover, the Gryphons goalies were constantly swapping back in forth in
Florida, Niedermayer was ice cold and Zubov was lost to injury for the
season. That's all changed now...deadline pick up Matty Cullen has
been red hot for them recently, Stasnty is back from his injury and
Niedermayer has been a top SCHL dmen once again. Add this all up
and you get Gryphons' 7 game winning streak to end the season,
only squeaking into the postseason.
The Rub: Two teams
going in opposite directions. The Barracudas hold the top seed,
but should not be considered the favourites at this point, while the
Gryphons are playing with the houses money and have nothing to lose.
The 'Cudas have started Price and will pray he can start and win, or
this could be a sour ending to an overall good season. The
Gryphons can hope to move to the next round, as it's rumoured Gaborik
will be back. Playoff records: Barracudas 1-3, Gryphons 5-5
and the Barracudas own the life time record at 5-2. - Barracudas hold
the tie break. |
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14-18 |
(12-7-2) Triads
V Heartbreakers (11-9-1)
Four years in and finally the Triads
have made the postseason winning the Bronze Division. Them and the
Goldminers are the two newbies. The Triads have been pretty
consistent all year long, but have had troubles recently in their
goaltending department. Something about Osgood, Nosgood.
Their top player is day-to-day with a head thing. The Triads do
offer up a nice blend of forwards the can all score and they have the
abilty to beat any team.
What's more is there to
say about the Heartbreakers....back once again to the dance and hope to
pull off their first postseason win since their 2003 Championship.
The Heartbreakers are here to stay once again, having one of the
league's best in Parise. Other snipes include Franzen, Jokinen and
Chara. Like the Triads, tho, they lack a good goalie.
Giguere (acquired from the Triads) has been in a funk and can't seem to
buy a win. The Heartbreakers know what it takes to win and will
take this run one step at a time.
The Rub: This
match could come down to man games. Separated by only 10 pts in
the WG, these teams are equally matched. Both possess a mediocre
goalie and comparable forwards. The Triads are the hotter team
going 4-1 in their last 5, with the HB going 1-4 and stumbling into the
post season. The Triads will hope mid season pick-up,
Langenbrunner, can neutralize star sniper Parise. Goalie points
will be at a premium in this match and who gets more, could prove to be
the winner. Playoff records: Triads n/a, Heartbreakers 13-3
and the Triads own the life time record at 2-1-1. - Triads hold the tie
break. |
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