David Pastrnak reacts to the sound of the final horn on Sunday, his Badger Bob team winning their first FHL Cup championship; Pastrnak once again aiding his team by scoring an important third period goal, his 35th tally of the season.In arguably the greatest, most compelling race in the 25 year history of the FHL, Badger Bob was crowned league champion on Sunday, rallying past the Bluliners on the final day of the season - the final game of the season.
Making surprise back-to-back weekend starts, fill-in goaltender James Reimer ultimately pushed the third year franchise over the finish line, the Bobs winning the FHL Cup by 5.0 points.
Trailing by 99.7 points on January 22nd, Badger Bob rode the backs of veterans Eric Staal, Phil Kessel and Blake Wheeler to the top of the standings, the improbable comeback both unexpected and unprecedented.
Thought to washed up by many a hockey pundit, Staal - acquired in the 5th round of the draft - would finish with 42 goals and 76 points. While the sheer number of goals was important to Badger Bob, Staal's knack for scoring in bonus-heavy bunches was especially beneficial. During a pivotal three-game stretch in late February, Staal netted 27.0 FHL points.
Phil Kessel enjoyed the most productive year of his career, the oft-maligned 30 year-old closing with 34 goals and 92 points.
Blake Wheeler, the team captain, collected 91 points, the wily veteran keeping Badger Bob on course when the FHL waters were choppy.
"You don't win the Cup without a good defense," is the prevailing thought. Badger Bob's defense was good; certainly good enough. Victor Hedman paced the trio of blueliners with 17 goals and 63 points. While Hedman's numbers were expected, the play of Jake Gardiner would prove to be a welcome surprise, the 6th round draft pick recording the first 50 point season of his career.
While the established veterans deserve a lot of credit for Badger Bob's success, the team MVP was an undrafted 24 year-old. Ignored by all 12 teams during the draft, Connor Hellebuyck would don a Badger Bob jersey during the 3rd week of the season, GM Chester signing the unproven goaltender to a six month contract. Hellebuyck was far better than anyone expected, the Winnipeg backstop posting a league-best 44 wins.
The acquisition of Hellebuyck was supremely important as Badger Bob started the season with John Gibson, Thomas Greiss and Antti Niemi guarding the twine. While Gibson posted solid numbers, Greiss would win only 13 games during the year; Niemi just 7.
After the leaking goalie position was patched, GM Chester was comfortable enough with his drafted team, the veteran fantasy hockey GM making no trades during the season, Chester simply tweaking his roster at the start of each week.
The strategy worked to perfection.
In addition to having his team name inscribed on the coveted FHL Cup, GM Chester was awarded $500.00 for his league-best performance. Combined with the $70.00 acquired for finishing as the H2H runner-up, the Bob boss skates away with $570.00.
As the team's namesake Bob Johnson would no doubt say, "It's a great day for hockey." And in 2017-2018, a great day, a great season for Badger Bob hockey.
The Bout for the MoneyWith the Boulder Flyers locking up the money on Saturday, the final game of the season was just a formality, GM Morgan awarded $175.00 for finishing in 3rd place. Although they didn't win the FHL Cup, the Bluliners received a healthy consolation prize, GM Hamilton pocketing $325.00 for departing as the league's second best team.
The Scrap for the Laughing BagDespite an admirable effort to extract themselves from the basement, GM Murphy and his SC Cobras were strapped with the Laughing Bag, the FHL booby prize for landing in last place.
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