The opening round of the SMJHL playoffs will set the stage for our “David” versus “Goliath” showdown as we the St. Louis Scarecrows, a team in rebuilding mode, prepare to face off against the Maine Timber, the formidable favorites and fully built playoff contenders. Despite facing an uphill battle, we Scarecrows approached the playoffs with relentless determination.
In the lead-up to the series, we underwent rigorous training sessions, focusing on fine-tuning our skills and hoping to address our weaknesses. With the guidance of captain Alexa, we diligently analyzed game tapes, identifying strategies to help exploit Maine's vulnerabilities.
Balancing intensive preparation with rest was necessary, so, we bonded during movie nights. Our final viewing to help draw inspiration was the classic underdog tale: "Miracle." In Miracle the US players embarked on their hockey journey much in the same way the Scarecrows would. We understood the enormity of the challenge ahead but remained hopeful and hungry! Although the odds may be stacked against us, all of the St. Louis Scarecrows are poised to defy expectations and leave our mark on the SMJHL playoffs.
We prepared quite hard for the playoffs this season. When it came down to our hard work it clearly was enough to get us to push through the first round of the playoffs. We knew that we were considered underdogs going into round one. Looking at the leagues predictions that should be no secret. In the end we emerged victorious due to our constant time spent on the ice after hours perfecting our defensive play and our ability to play in hostile environments. While we did fall the Quebec, I think our training really showed in that series the most. We were clearly heavy underdogs in the matchup against the number one team in the SMJHL. That being said, we were able to go to Quebec and pull away with a victory on their home ice. Additionally, while we were swept at home, we made sure to keep the game competitive. I think if we were able to generate a tad more offense, that we could have won another game or two.
Nevada barely expected to even make the playoffs so we weren't too serious about preparing for them. We were basically playing with house money anyway, so to carry on the theme of that we hit the casinos baby. You already know you can't win in the playoffs without luck so we got to work making some luck. You can never go wrong with casinos there's literally nothing bad that could happen. We hit some big wins and only came out of there down a few hundred dollars which isn't bad. That luck clearly carried into the playoffs with an upset win against Regina. And you already know we celebrated that win with another trip to the casino baby, how else do you celebrate? We kept on gambling right into Quebec City, where we gave the top team in the league a serious run for their money. QCC lost right after us so it seems to me like they could've used some time in their local casino am I right?
Detroit prepared for the playoffs by watching a lot of game tape of Vancouver's best players. Lily Jin Morrow was a strong scorer in this season and needed to be accounted for at all times, but a lot of the focus also went into the Falcons' own offensive attack. While they had a solid offense that ran through Marek Carda, it was largely a rolling-three-lines affair and they didn't quite have that game-breaking star forward who can take over a game by themselves. On the defensive side, Detroit boasted a stout unit that helped them to one of the best goals- and shots-against numbers in the league. As long as their breakout rookie goaltender Anastasia Söderström stays on form and can keep up the performance that she did all season, Detroit should be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs where every game turns into a grinding slugfest. Detroit might not be the most top-end talented team, but they can really get it done by outworking opponents.
ItsBooth
boom
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