Patriots, Winning on Thin Ice

After faltering in the play-offs, settling for a third place finish after a first round loss to the Blue Devils, Les York stepped back to look at his Patriots. Spirits were broken and the team needed a spark, but instead they got a wildfire. Nearly half the roster parted ways with the Pats, leaving for higher play in other venues, including his stalwart captain, Butch Hutchinson. With some last minute roster juggling, Mr. York was able to just fill the bench by the time the puck dropped for the first game.

In that first game the Patriots defined their m.o. for the season, the scoring was lead by the Stickmen, but the late game rally leaves a one goal victory. That one goal falls for the Pats in the opener, the first of seven one goal games. The second game was a rare four-one blowout against the misplaced Snipers, but in week three they fell in the shoot-out to the Ice Bats, a team with only one scorer that night, Eric Petty, Les wouldn't forget that name. In week four there were more roster problems and the champion Blue Devils come up with a two-one win. The following week the Pats defeat the Komets by one goal, and though they lost to the DFW Titans the week after, they pulled a point out by pushing it to overtime. In week seven, the Patriots go to overtime again, this time they beat the Brewzers, but to close the regular season they lose in their second meeting with the Komets, failing to overcome a three goal lead. With only four victories on their record for the regular season, the extra points of taking those games to overtime would be the thin edge that would secure the Pats a spot in the play-offs.

As the fourth seed in the tournament they would face the favorite Ice Bats who had skated to a one loss record. Returning to the ice after a win over the Blue Devils, and regaining their star player, Eric Petty, who could have guessed that the Patriots would upset. Les York had risen to the occasion, assuming the role of captain so ably held by Butch, he made it his task to prevent Petty from having any opportunities to repeat his performance. New Bats jumped into the openings created by this strategy, but the Patriots muster enough to, in true Patriot fashion, send it to overtime. Without Petty getting to the net unmolested, the Patriots needed little time to claim their spot in the Keg game.

Destiny has intervened, allowing the Patriots to emerge victorious, despite records or phantom goals, the winds are changing. Only one win (and likely, one goal) separates the Patriots from I-league history, and with the venom held for former coach Nate Hodges, can the Blue Devils possibly make the three-peat?

Les has engineered an unlikely contender, after knocking-off the best in the regular season and a match-up set for the defending champs, he could have an undisputed title holder.