Tlačové správy

The Cleveland Intrepids had a bittersweet end to the season. Finishing in the fourth spot with at 32-6-0 with 96 points, they improved on last year's season. More importantly they took the next step and won their first playoff series. And what a series it was! Taking on the fifth seeded Storm the Intrepids got out to a series lead with an exciting 2-1 shootout win. Goalie Leon Maas stopped 29 of 30 shots and both shootout attempts, while veteran sniper Jaromir Nipca and young star Nic Sjostrom both buried their attempts. Archibaldo Volti scored the only goal in regulation. The Intrepids fired 51 shots at Storm goalie Matthias Fink, who was also phenomenal in goal.

Game Two was just as exciting and featured another goal tending duel as the two German's Maas and Fink stopped shot for shot. Storm winger Boyd Thigpen broke the scoreless tie at 29:22 of the second period. Not to be outdone "Baldy" Volti scored his second of the series with under five minutes remaining in the third period, sending the game into overtime. The extra period settled nothing and for the second straight game the the two teams went into a shootout. This time it was the young star Storm goalie, Fink, who came out on top as "Lonnie" Maas was scored on in three consecutive shootout attempts.

With the Series ties 1-1 the rubber match came back to the War Memorial where Leon Maas was again the star. Garvey and Berginsson each scored once and Volti added his third goal in as many games to seal the victory and the series. Maas stopped 19 of 20 shots enroute to a 3-1 victory.
"We changed our style of play in the third game." said Archibaldo Volti. "We wanted to frustrate them with our counter attacks. It worked and we only allowed 20 shots and were able to sneak a few in." Volti was subsequently named series MVP and finished with 3 goals and 4 points.

The Semi Final round was a different story. The Intrepids were over matched against the undefeated Bleeding Wildcats. Outscored 20-0 in two games the team couldn't muster the a single goal.

Coach Bastrzyk was infuriated with the fact that the Wildcats are even in this division.
"This team was demoted to our league from a higher league. They shouldnt even be playing here! Their overall team rating in more then TWICE as high as the next closest team. They don't deserve to be here tearing up our league and bloating their stat lines," said an angry coach.

Captain Kadeem Garvey echoed the Intrepid's frustration, "This is an out rage. I mean they were undefeated and had only 6 goals against them the ENTIRE season. None of the other core teams, who have been here for several seasons even have a chance to compete against this team. They don't belong here."

That being said, the Intrepids enjoyed an unbelievable season. While they still could not manage a win against their arch enemy, Capitols, they finished in the fourth spot and won their first playoff series. We hope next year brings even more success

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