All smiles and sunshine

by Gwilla Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:28 am

Your 606HL King's Cup Champions this year: The Swansea Sharks!

Last year's bitterly disappointing failure to clinch a playoff berth served only to boost the steely resolve of arguably the most offensively gifted teams in the league. And boy did they show it with team captain Patrick Marleau leading by example the Sharks finished the season with 322 goals, a new league record that vastly eclipses the nearest contender (Mason's Marauders with 301). This offensive firepower helped overcome what was a rather lackluster defensive season with the Sharks finishing 16th overall for goals against and a PK that was shabby at best.

With a division title under their belts the Sharks stormed into playoff mode with more record breaking offence while Christobal Huet and the rookie Jake Allen providing an effective double act in net that addressed the teams defensive woes. A tightly fought contest with the Marauders was followed by an emphatic sweep of rivals the Knights of St. George. The stage was then set for a fantastic final against reigning champs, the Boston Shamrocks, where guns blazing offence met brickwall defence. Unstoppable force, immovable object anyone? Marleau, Ovechkin, Moulson and Ehrhoff continued their stellar playoff performance, and with Huet out of gas up stepped Allen in net. A 4-1 victory and franchise history was the result.

This season's awards:

Mario Lemieux Trophy - Patrick Marleau

Wayne Gretzky Trophy - Patrick Marleau

Jari Kurri Trophy - Patrick Marleau (sensing a theme here)

Jean Beliveau Trophy - Patrick Marleau (a truly phenomenal season to be sure)

Red Kelly Trophy - Alexander Ovechkin (76 hits in 15 games... it doesn't seem physically possible, much like being beaten to death with your own skull)

Bob Gainey Award - Alexander Ovechkin (A record breaking 371 hits during the regular season: see above comment)

Bishops Finger Award - Mason Raymond (did I mention a record breaking season?)

GM's Award for best player - Patrick Marleau

And of course the King's Cup

Now to relax/get drunk and wait for next season.
Peace.