As this season rolled on my duties with the BEARS expanded,which allowed me alot less time to blog. We were all last together in March with the division very much still up for grabs.
We all know how that turned out(see picture to the left). The BEARS rolled through Philly in the first round. The Phantoms had to use all their energy in the last few weeks, just to make the playoffs and it showed.
The second round featured,what many thought should be the Conference Finals. The BEARS and Pens won all of their home games. Thankfully for the BEARS they had home ice. This series was also the coming out party for Michael Neuvirth. He of the back-to-back shutouts in games six and seven.
The Conference Finals pitted the BEARS against the Bruins. The P-Bruins took game one against the BEARS at GIANT Center. The BEARS though never shuttered. They went on to win the next four games in row to advance to the Calder Cup Finals for the third time in the last four season.
What a series the Finals were. Record attendance in both buildings. Hard hits, tape to tape passes, breath taking goals and rock solid goaltending. The BEARS came from behind in game one to win in ovetime, thanks to Alex Giroux. The Moose didn't give up and took game two in MTS Center. With games three, four and five at GIANT Center, the BEARS had a chance to clinch the Cup on home ice for the first time in 29 years. They had that chance in game five. However, the Moose were determined to send the series back to Winnipeg and they did with a win in the last game at the GC for the season. The BEARS were a team not be denied. They played their best period of the season in game six. And before the Moose fans could take their seats the wind was taken out of the MTS Center. The BEARS never looked back and for the second time in four years have won the Calder Cup.
Check back throughout the summer for Free Agent updates and other BEARS/CAPS news and notes.(Washington has already resigned Quintin Laing, Sean Collins and Tyler Sloan.
Have a wonderful summer everyone.
