July 29, 2000

DING! DING! DING! Round two! THE EXCITEMENT continues with the Neely Cup playoffs. And it's not just the playoffs but the Curse of the Neely Cup that continues into round two. THE FORT SASKATCHEWAN Traders may be up the creek without a paddle, but it's the Boston Stranglers who made the hastiest retreat from the first round. And let's not forget the Charleswood Muffs. Only Chrispy's Crunch remain in the playoffs as previous Cup winners. What's in store for round two?

Check out the daily progress of the NSHL8 playoffs!

TEAM

PVS

RECORD

[NSHL.com] SAYS

1. Crunch

5.

4-0 1.000

These former Neely Cup champions may only have the Curse of the Neely Cup to contend with as the playoffs continue.

2. Thistles

7.

4-1 .800

The Thistles have taken the short end of the sporin in previous playoff seasons. They are favoured to again this post season to face off for the Pepsi Conference final.

3. Foomanchu

6.

4-1 .800

The Foo line up in round two against the Thieves. Both teams know what it's like to lose in the finals. The air is getting thin in this company.

4. Ice Terrors

13.

4-2 .666

The REAL giant killers. Some of us are relieved that the Traders won't have to be faced in the playoffs. Others remember that in recent history, the road to the Neely Cup has been lead by the Traders. Or by the team that beat the Traders. See: Muffs, Crunch.

5. Lizards

9.

4-2 .666

Their current winning percentage fits the anarchistic (is that a word?) image of this mid-season make-over club.

6. Infantry

6.

4-2 .666

These second round favourites have their work cut out for them. Their lowest goals against stat (12 in 6 games) may help but they are playing one of the NSHL's giant killers, the Psychosis.

7.Psychosis

10.

4-3 .571

Some timely goalscoring and hot goaltending have thrown this team into the second round if not for a loop. In the Infantry they'll find as formidable a defense if a weaker offense.

8. Thieves

2.

4-3 .571

Last season's bridesmaids have set themselves up again for a run at the Neely Cup. Their best hope now is the continuing curse of the Neely Cup.

OUT! Spirit

15.

3-4 .428

While they made it to the playoffs on the last game of the season thanks to the old HLS2 jinx, their first round exit pretty much sums up a below average season.

OUT! Muffs

6.

3-4 .428

Whad happuned? Outscored, outplayed, outcontroled. Who's on Prozac™ now?

OUT! Traders

1.

2-4 .333

What happened? The three time Neely Cup champs outscored the opposition. Maybe they were already tasting Muff for the third round. Next season let's all hope that they won't be eating at the Y when they should be playing hockey.

OUT! Loudmouths

14.

2-4 .333

After taking so long to confirm their place in the post season one would think that they'd try a little harder to stay there just a little longer.

OUT! Scorpions

12.

2-4 .333

Is their winning percentage indicative of how fast their wheels were spinning. Remember LPs? 33-1/3 RPM? So passé.

OUT! Eagles

8.

1-4 .200

As predicted the Eagles won't see any action against the Spirit.

OUT! Stompers

11.

1-4 .200

These twice Neely Cup finalists are suspected of perpetrating the Curse of the Neely Cup. Note the simularity of their name with a certain three time winner. Is it sour grapes or just last season's ice whine?

OUT! Stranglers

16.

0-4 .000

Remember that these Boston Cream Puffs were the only bottom 8 finisher to make the playoffs edging out the Twits overall?

DNQ. Useless Twits

9.

32-40-8

Living up to their name these Twits are off buying new gumboots at the flea market instead of even working on their golf swing. SPECIAL MENTION: Only top 16 finisher not to make the playoffs. See: Stranglers.

DNQ. Blades

22.

31-40-9

Oakville had a late season push, but in the end, it was too little, too late. But, oh, so close!

DNQ. Icerays

24.

26-48-6

Ok, so what if they won't admit that they named the team after the guy who drives the Zamboni?

DNQ. Clash

18.

23-48-9

Lorette's back but it's not as cosy as it used to be. Maybe divisional realignment isn't such a great idea after all.

DNQ. Beagles

16.

24-51-5

It looks like Ft. Collins flamed out early. Sorry, we meant to say crapped out.

DNQ. Blazers

19.

22-51-7

Vancouver. Yup. Maybe one day we'll get to use that "blaze of glory" line, but it won't be this season.

DNQ. SunDogs

20.

23-53-4

The SunDogs have improved if only slightly in the overall rankings. Next season they'll need to work less on the donuts and more on the holes.

DNQ. Buzzards

23.

19-56-5

Transcona's record speaks for itself and that's not saying much. Their problem may lie in communication. Unfortunately they've been using that speaker from the drive-thru.