Star League Season 5

I was too lazy to set up a game this morning. Instead, I pulled out Star League and finished season 5.

It turned into a rather entertaining season. Both division were still up for grabs in the final games.

In the Galactic Division, the Avengers (6-3)  visited the Dynamos (7-2). The first half was close, with the Dynamos holding a tight 1-0 edge. Early in the second period, the Dynamos scored 2 goals to take a commanding 3-0 lead. The Avengers scored late in the period, but it was too little too late. The Dynamos were victorious, clinching the division with an 8-2 record.

Over in the Stellar Division, the division-leading Helix (6-3) traveled to take on the reigning division champion Fury (5-4). This proved to be a more entertaining game, Tied 1-1 at halftime, the Helix scored a quick goal early in the 2nd period. A short time later, the Fury tied it up. However, their celebration proved short-lived. The Helix immediately took the ball down the court and scored. Final 3-2 Helix.

This set up a Star Cup match-up between the Dynamos and the Helix. Both teams were playing in their very first Star Cup (although the Dynamos had been close before - finishing 2nd in the division in three prior seasons). With their 8-2 record and home court advantage, the Dynamos were favored to win. They certainly looked superior in the first game, staking a 3 goal lead en route to a 3-1 victory.

The Helix played better at home in the second game, with the score tied at halftime. Then the Dynamos asserted themselves again with a quick goal. The Star Cup looked like it would go to the Dynamos. But then the Helix sneaked a goal into the back of the net in the middle of the period. Then, with the clock ticking down, they made a spectacular run, shot and scored! Their 3-2 last second victory tied the series at 1 game each.

The Dynamos were feeling confident at home in the final game but the Helix burst their bubble with a quick goal. The Dynamos tied it late in the 1st period, and the half ended with a 1-1 score. But then disaster struck for the Dynamos. The Helix scored 3 quick goals. A demoralized Dynamos team lost heart and the series as the Helix pulled away for a 4-1 victory.

This was a historic collapse by the Dynamos. It marked only the 2nd time that the underdog won the series, and was the first time that a team came back from a deficit to win the series. Starting from the middle of the 2nd game, the Dynamos were outscored 6-1. Looks like heads will roll in the off-season!