World Cup of Hockey 32 (Everything Thread)

[Elejamie]

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A Couple of Quick Rumours I Need to Address

Apparently, there's going to be some big changes in Elejamian ice hockey. Either massive ones that'll really shake everything up or small minor changes that everyone can live with. At least, there are according to a few emails I've gotten and conversations I've overheard while I was out and about. And, to be fair, most of them aren't really going to happen. For example, I don't really see Cerin Meloten leaving the Rosetta Sparrows anytime soon, especially since he's renewed a five year contract for them; I don't think Stacy Saunders will replace Franny Solano on the first line (even though it would be the logical choice in my honest opinion); and Pedro Cervantes probably won't take his uncle Toni's #1 jersey after he retires (especially since they're going to retire it at the first game of the 2018-19 season). So, using my best guesses, I've compiled a list of three (more than a couple but I'm not going to change) of these rumours that I feel that I should talk about in depth. They're not my top three, they're just three that I feel I could go into detail with.

Let's get started, shall we?

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Rumour #1: The team will be changing their logo for the 33rd edition

It's a possibility. Why do I think it's going to change? My best guess is because the logo didn't really feature any Spanish or Iyilim, which isn't really a great idea for a trilingual country such as ours. After all, we've got a new national anthem, one where all the verses and choruses are in each of our three languages. Another good guess is that we call it "ice hockey" over here rather than just simply "hockey"; I don't know why since the other kind (field hockey) isn't really that popular over here, only played in universities and that. There are probably some other reasons why the logo might be changed but I can't think of any. Besides, I won't be mad if they do change it, I'm just guessing that they will.

So what do I think our new logo will look like? Presumably the same as the old one, except maybe a darker green, maybe a larger elephant and, of course, the phrase "Elejamie Ice Hockey" in English, Spanish and Iyilim. Maybe a different colour for each individual language, so it'll stand out more. That being said, I'm not a part of the EIHB so there's a good chance they could go with a new design altogether. Maybe something that reflects our nation. Maybe a literal elephant made out of ice. Either way, we'll just have to wait for the next World Cup of Hockey to find out, so let's just enjoy the one we have for the time being.

And yes, there will be shoulder patches for our WCoH33 jersey. How do I know? The EIHB announced it a while back, saying that they'll use the Elejamian flag. Simple but it still gets the job done. I'm not sure if it'll also be the alternate logo we use for our black jerseys, very unlikely in my opinion, but it won't be a surprise if it does.

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Rumour #2: Neil Cuevas will be the next third line defenceman

Again, another possibility. He's had a strong first season for the Elejamie City Ice Elephants, appearing in all 60 games and bagging seventeen points; three goals and fourteen assists. Granted, he didn't really perform that well in the play-offs, when they went down 3-1 in their Quarter-final series against eventual winners Ángeles (only winning 3-2 in overtime in game one), but he did manage to get a couple of assists. He's also played in a few games so, naturally, he does have some international experience. And, according to his stats, he does have some growth potential, maybe becoming a second-liner in the next three years and first-liner in the next five. So, obviously, you can see why there's such a big buzz around him.

But, if this does happen, there's a big question as to who'll be the other scratched defenceman? After all, ever since the 28th edition (when we went from ten scratches to six), we've always kept two spare defenceman just in case anything bad happened and we needed a replacement; one to play on the left and one to play on the right, much like a left and right winger up front. And I know what you're thinking. "Why can't you move Rafinho up to the third line?". While moving lines and hoping that Rafinho would be fine playing on the left instead of the right might seem like a good idea in hindsight, it would probably feel a bit alien to the folks watching it in the stands or on TV back home, a couple of players won't really be all that happy with the changes and it means we need to find two more reserve defencemen.

So who will replace Neil Cuevas as backup LD? I would probably say Diego Pinto, third-liner for our fourth-placed WJHC8 team (who was fortunate enough to be too old for the ninth edition, which to this day can't be talked about over here without the word "shenanigans" cropping up), as he's still playing professional ice hockey to this day; Ryan Larsson, who was touted to be one of the next big stars in Elejamian ice hockey, now plays for a team somewhere in Neu Engollon and Bill Sutton's currently with the Blackport Raiders in the ENIHL2. Pinto, who signed to the Mainsborough Icemen immediately after he graduated from university, has managed to score 20 goals last season, as well as 25 assists. And, of course, he won't be the first WJHC8 member to play for the senior team; Stacy Saunders helped us win the World Cup of Hockey last time, Bill Judge has played a few WCoH games (and appears to be a mainstay at Shamrocks games) and Antonio Cervantes' nephew Pedro's currently a backup backup goalie for us. hoping to take over for his uncle once he hangs up his skates.

Of course, I could be wrong but it's safe to say that, since we've got plenty of time before we have to wait for Mr. Cruickshank's replacement, there's nothing wrong with a little speculation.

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Rumour #3: The ENIHL2 will be reformatted as a developmental league for the ENIHL

Not very likely. After all, something that big would probably be more trouble than it's worth. Also, there are 16 teams in the ENIHL and 20 in the ENIHL2, so unless we expand to make it 18 in both leagues, this idea's not really going to float off the ground. And, finally, they'd have to find a replacement for the Commiseration Cup - where the five teams in each ENIHL2 conference that didn't make the run for promotion will face each other in a double round robin group, with the top eight teams playing each other in a best of three series until there's only one winner - which would probably cause some commotion among the minor leaguers.

But I can see why people would think that. After all, some teams in the ENIHL have ties to teams in the ENIHL2: Green Hills Stoners players usually end up playing for the Puffins; Pikestown Panthers players tend to play for the Stars; and there's a more than likely chance that you'll end up with the Elejamie City Ice Elephants (no relation to the Icy Elephants, our national team) if you've played with the Auckhampton Fathers. Not to mention that I'm not sure why we've got a promotion/relegation thing going on when it doesn't really make that much sense. Personally, if it weren't for the fact that the whole thing would be a confusing mess buried under a mountain of red tape, I'd be up for this.

And, while I'm on the subject of new leagues: no, there won't be a third professional men's hockey league just for the Dockers, Stars, Puffins and all the other big Elejamian ice hockey teams. I get that having an all-star league would rake in all the dough but, to be brutally honest, it'd probably be a bit boring.

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And that should hopefully clear things up. If I've missed any good ones, just send me an email and I should look into it. Either way, I'll get back to the World Cup of Hockey, keeping an eye on our Icy Elephants. Will we get that third star? Here's hoping!

P.S. Please stop sending me memes about the Natanians and Nosts game. They're only funny if it's a massive team (i.e. Valanora, Gregoryisgodistan or the Royal Kingdom of Quebec) who lose by that scoreline. If it's a minor team, like N&N, then it's just cruel.

[Valanora]

Tourist Guide To Valanora

1. Nature - The Elves of Valanora are quite in harmony with nature and have taken great care over thousands of years to maintain that harmony through the preservation of their natural environment. Many Vanorian cities have built around and into the forest of Arrosia, with large sections of those cities being built in the canopy itself of the forests. While industrial and military centers do exist throughout various portions of the continent that the Vanorian people call home, they are often in small sectors maintained by the human, dwarven, or other humanoid species that live in Valanora outside of the native elves. Their connection with nature through passive magical senses also is the cause for formerly barren parts of the continent to have seen flora and fauna begin to regrow there.
2. Magic - As mentioned above, most Vanorians are born with innate natural abilities that are perceived by others to be magic. The most common of these is an unnatural strong immune system that that makes it so that most normal diseases do not harm Vanorians, though the practical immortality of the elves also is believed by outside forces and even some domestic ones to be of a magical origin. There are those however who are born not just with their passive or minor innate gifts but of rather significant powers. Many of these individuals devote themselves to the Temple of Elune, where they train to be priests and priestesses, whose job is not only to spread the word of Elune but to combat dark forces that would attempt to harm Elune's "children", the citizens of Valanora itself.
3. Species - Naturally when one thinks of the Eternal Realm, they think about the elves who call Valanora their home. However elves are but just one of many species that can be found living in Valanora, as there are also humans and dwarves who have immigrated or been incorporated into the Empire as the borders expanded. In addition, there are dragons who are native to the lands even before the elves first set foot on these shores, though they are an elusive and private bunch who prefer to keep to their cave dwellings in the Spine of Arrosia. Of the other major species to live in Valanora, there is the Dark Templara, a once nomadic people who live in the northern plains and coastal settlements of Valanora. They are a people who are hard to find, as they have a magical ability to go into near perfect active camouflage with their surroundings, a type of invisibility if you were. In short, many species call Valanora home, though elves of all sorts are the majority.
4. Culture - Having been a civilization and species that has been around for over twenty thousand years, Valanora has developed a very interesting culture. While the ancient elvish is mostly gone from the public sector, nearly all elves do know it and speak it in private, as it is a language of poetry and grace that is lost in translation unfortunately. Wine is served at both lunch and dinner, though tourists are encouraged to only have a single glass of it a day as the wine made from the grapes here in Valanora is a stronger sort, being of nearly eighty percent alcohol by volume. As a people, Vanorians strive for harmony and perfection, to advance and protect both themselves and the entire world. This grandiose idealism comes off as egotistical to many outsiders but it is almost always meant with the best of intentions. An advanced, intellectual society, they have made many strides in technology, both through normal means as well as those aided by magical enhancements and abilities. In addition, theatre and other arts are quite popular in the nation, with theatres and galas usually having over a years waiting list for their popular shows.
5. Sport - Last but certainly not least in this brief guide is the reason for some of Valanora's popularity in the modern times, that being the sporting culture that has taken root in the nation. Seen as a great way to facilitate team building and community cohesion, sport was quickly adopted into Vanorian upbringing, and the drive for perfection and success has seen that create some of the best sportsmen and women in the sporting world, as the titles won by Vanorian clubs, national teams, and athletes shows. Vanorians also love to host sporting events, inviting the world to come and sample their world for months at a time, with interesting architecture in the stadia and arenas put on display, as well as gracious elven hospitality. Sport has become one of the most thriving industries and passions in all of the Eternal realm and you would be hard pressed to find a Vanorian of any species that does not have some sort of opinion of interest in it.

[Valanora]

Matchday Four

Group A
Valanora 6–1 Averyickan City
Tobiasia 0–3 Cosumar

P Group A                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valanora                                     3   3  0  0   13   5  +8    6
2 Cosumar                                      4   2  1  1   10   6  +4    5
3 Tobiasia                                     3   1  0  2    7   8  −1    2
4 The Redvale                                  3   1  0  2    5   9  −4    2
5 Averyickan City                              3   0  1  2    4  11  −7    1

Group B
Nephara 2–2 Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Qasden 0–0 Savojarna

P Group B                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec                      3   2  1  0    8   4  +4    5
2 Qasden                                       3   1  2  0    2   0  +2    4
3 Nephara                                      3   1  2  0    3   2  +1    4
4 Savojarna                                    4   0  2  2    1   4  −3    2
5 Dylecte                                      3   0  1  2    1   5  −4    1

Group C
Aquitayne 1–4 Novaya Zemlya
Botten 1–5 Neu Engollon

P Group C                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Chromatika                                   3   1  2  0   10   9  +1    4
2 Novaya Zemlya                                3   2  0  1    9   4  +5    4
3 Neu Engollon                                 4   1  2  1    9   8  +1    4
4 Botten                                       3   1  1  1    7   9  −2    3
5 Aquitayne                                    3   0  1  2    2   7  −5    1

Group D
Tomikosan 1–1 Natanians and Nosts
Free Republics 0–5 Elejamie

P Group D                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Elejamie                                     4   3  1  0   17   6 +11    7
2 Anthor                                       3   2  0  1    7   5  +2    4
3 Free Republics                               3   1  0  2    1   7  −6    2
4 Tomikosan                                    3   0  2  1    4   5  −1    2
5 Natanians and Nosts                          3   0  1  2    4  10  −6    1

Group E
Solitary Goats 0–1 Vilita and Turori
Esparmuran 2–1 United Bermuda

P Group E                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Norrehavn                                    3   1  2  0    8   7  +1    4
2 Esparmuran                                   3   1  2  0    7   6  +1    4
3 Vilita and Turori                            3   2  0  1    7   5  +2    4
4 United Bermuda                               4   1  1  2    4   6  −2    3
5 Solitary Goats                               3   0  1  2    4   6  −2    1

Group F
Lorenthia 6–3 Sontarion
Mercedini 2–1 Devonta

P Group F                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                                   3   3  0  0    9   4  +5    6
2 Devonta                                      4   2  0  2    5   3  +2    4
3 Lorenthia                                    3   1  1  1    6   4  +2    3
4 Mercedini                                    3   1  1  1    4   4   0    3
5 Sontarion                                    3   0  0  3    5  14  −9    0

Group G
Unified Sunrise Islands 1–0 General Dicking Around
Prusy Krolewskie 0–0 Gregoryisgodistan

P Group G                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Gregoryisgodistan                            4   2  2  0    5   0  +5    6
2 Cosneolta                                    3   2  1  0    2   0  +2    5
3 Unified Sunrise Islands                      3   1  1  1    1   1   0    3
4 Prusy Krolewskie                             3   0  2  1    0   1  −1    2
5 General Dicking Around                       3   0  0  3    0   6  −6    0

Group H
Lisander 4–3 Nova Anglicana
Kaboomlandia 6–4 Ilyseum

P Group H                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kaboomlandia                                 3   3  0  0   14   8  +6    6
2 Nova Anglicana                               3   2  0  1    9   6  +3    4
3 Ilyseum                                      4   2  0  2   10   9  +1    4
4 Lisander                                     3   1  0  2    8   9  −1    2
5 Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkunland      3   0  0  3    4  13  −9    0

[Tomikosan]

\Sport-Mitei\ ~ Reported by true sports fans, EVERY WEEK!

World Cup of Hockey 32 Campaign: So Far..............

This is Tomikosan's first ever time in an international hockey tournament and the last two matches have been played. Currently, we are ranked 4th, losing and drawing one game. Then again, it's our first time in the game and we have to focus on winning and doing our best as well as getting in the good position. We have three matches left and it feels that the Hockey-loids could starting winning and grab the first three points since they are peer pressured by our trolls and haters waiting to let them down. Guys, if your reading this, we're not expecting highly on you. We just want your team to keep going and push harder until the end.

So, how are the first three matches going? Well, lucky for you, we have the scores for you as well as player interviews and thoughts from you, guys! First one is the Free Republics.

Matchday 2

Period         P1 P2 P3 FS
Tomikosan      0  0  0  0
Free Republic  0  0  1  1

For the first match, both teams fought hard. So hard in fact the first two periods ended with no goals at all. Just the saves made by Gakupo Ledannes and Luther Murphy and a whole lot of hitting and poke checking. Manfred Hauptmann gives all his best to keep the puck out from their side. The same that can be said for the Republican defencemen.

However, near the end of the third period, with 30 seconds on the clock, center Karl Kreuztmann hits a slap shot right past Ledannes and scores the last minute goal for Free Republics. It's all thanks to wingers Alvina Carlsson and Kerstin Kohler for assisting him with a goal. E.M. and B.A. Kagamine once try to score like that but it looks like they hit an invisible wall deflecting against the attacking line.

Post Game:

Dremira Hollington (Coach)- This is no luck! They win it all! I know it's cliche but the Free Republic give them 110% and follow the rules 'Work Hard, Play Hard'. We, on the other hand, did the same as well. It's just that they are slighty better than us. But hey, just because we lost, doesn't mean we cry! We still have four matches to go and we're not giving up easily! Tomikosan may not be the best, but don't expect the Red Patriots giving you an image of fairytales and everything else.

Matchday 3

Period     P1 P2 P3 FS
Elejamie   2  1  0  3
Tomikosan  0  1  2  3

In the second match, this is highly unexpected. Out of all things we have imagined, our team managed to draw against a legendary team. Didn't believe us? If so, do you remember what we said about Elejamie in last weeks magazine? Well, guess what? It's a tie. A bloody tie, of course. How did they do this is shocking but we're not complaining.

The first period is no question about it. Right winger Anatoly Kasputin scores a powerplay goal just after the ref sends Frandle Sorensen to the penalty box for slashing her stick to him. Then, less than five minutes later a mistake by Ledannes gives Elejamie two goals to nothing. Another right winger Bill Harrison grabs his first goal of his campaign with the help of Lupe and left winger Lucas Madgwick. It may seem to be a disaterous performance for the Hockey-loids and us.

The second period is where it gets interesting. Elijah Kagamine skates through another defence players George Lincoln and Greg Warren and back passes to his twin sister Boniface Kagamine. Boniface fakes a shot and makes a wrist shot to Antonio Cervantes, which he saved with his stick and clears away from the danger zone. Lincoln takes the puck but just as he can pass to Kasputin, center Bobby MacArthur-Sinclair swoops in and hits a powerful slapshot to make Tomikosan two goals to one. This could have been the greatest goal ever scored in his entire career! Unfortunely, Francisco Solano adds the score 3-1 in the second period. Bummer.

The best moment in matchday 2 is the third period. At the start of the game, Yuan Xin immediately grabs the puck and zooms through all of the players and wrist shot through Cervantes's legs, who couldn't react to a sudden attack. It's now 3-2. He must have felt absolutely proud of himself. The Ice Elephants are holding desperately for a win as both sides proudces shots after shots.

The real miracle happened when the clock is only a minute left. Solano and Hauptmann get into a fist fight after he slams Keane to the boards, causing a mass brawl between the two sides. In the end, Hauptmann knocked Solano cold and the ref sends both defencemen to the penalty box for five minutes. Just as the face off begins, Hollington pulled out Ledannes and send Kagetoshi Sakamoto as an extra attacker. Center Cerin Meloten skates to our side to put the puck in the net and secure the win by 4-2. Just as when you thought he scored Meloten made a mistake and falls down, missing a goal and and loosing the puck. Sakamoto quickly grabs the puck and the Hockey-loids advance to the attacking score. A quick passing game from the Kagamine twins and MacArthur-Sinclair confuses both Lupe and Keane before Bobby Elijah back passes to Sakamoto, who produce a laser shot to Cervantes. The game ended with a shocking draw of 3-3.

Just an unbeliveable moment in tonight's game, folks! It is simply amazing to watch!

Post Game:

Elijah Malky Kagamine (Left Winger)- This is one of the toughest matches ever but we never expected to pull of a draw like that!

Matchday 3

Period     P1 P2 P3 FS
Tomikosan   1  0  0  1
N&N         1  0  0  1

We didn't have anything to say about this. The only notable thing about it is a goal by Elijah Kagamine, assisted by Boniface and Pete Rodgers. The next match would have to be win against Anthor, who are the Ducks. Yes, I'm not kidding. The Ducks. 'Cause if we mess with one duck, we'll have to deal with the other players as well.

Post Game:

Gregorz Poltic (Fan)- We understand it is our first time, and that is okay. But everyone, even the players and managers, know we would have to win the first match!

Well that's it folks! This campaign not so bad, honestly. Who knows if we enter the tournament again we would try to reach the round of 16? Only the diehard fans know. We will come back with the next issue after the Anthor game. Until then, farewell!

[Kaboomlandia]

Phoenix 6, Ilyseum 4

"Welcome back to Reaper Coliseum, Valanora! Today, we have the Kaboomlandia Phoenix looking to move to 3-0 with a win over Ilyseum. Dylan Brady getting the start in goal for the Phoenix, Modred Brandr for Ilyseum."

"Both teams getting settled into the game here, four minutes in now. Casey Lindsay sweeps behind his own net, throws a pass out to his own blueline where Philips has it. Adrian Philips head-mans it for Tyler Martin, who crosses the blueline and skates with it into the corner. Martin back to the line for Nash, shoots, blocked by Kay. Tyler Martin digs it out, over to Philips, he shoots, great save by Brandr, Martin scores! Tyler Martin bangs in the rebound and puts the Phoenix on the board!"

"First period is half over. Wine Caratacos turns over the puck at centre ice after losing it in his feet, Zack Murray steals it, but he's hooked up by Caratacos and that's going to be a penalty. Caratacos is arguing with the referee, since that is not usually called in Ilysee hockey, but the Phoenix are off to the power play."

"Phoenix power play setting up now. Puck comes back to Herndon at the blueline, slapshot goes wide. Zack Murray collects it behind the net, out to Bryson Martin at the left circle. Martin drops back for Herndon, over to Strachan. Derek Strachan shoots, blocked away by Brandr, Linden picks the puck up, swings around behind the net, HE SCORES! Kennedy Linden with a great wraparound on the power play makes it 2-0 for Kaboomlandia!"

"First period is winding down, Ilyseum trying to get one on the board before the end of the first period. Last minute of play here, puck is dumped behind the net by Yngvi where Conchobhar Somarliðr picks it up. Somarliõr behind the net, back to the blueline for Yngvi, shoots, and scores! Björn Yngvi cuts the lead in half!"

"The horn sounds at Reaper to end the first period, and the Phoenix have a one-goal lead thanks to a Linden power-play goal."

---

"We're back for the second period at Reaper Coliseum now, Phoenix up by one. The puck is dropped, Matthias Günther wins the draw back to Patrick Clooney, Clooney up to Coderre who enters the zone. Maxime Coderre stops at the half-wall, flips the puck across to Aaron Richards, shoots wide of the net. Coderre there for the rebound, throws it back out in front, Günther is right on it and scores! Matthias Günther restores the two-goal lead!"

"After the goal just 16 seconds into the second period, Ilyseum pressing to try to get a goal here in the fifth minute of the second. Kay head-mans it for Brynjarr, tries to get it over the line but picked off by Leland Anderson and off they go! Leland Anderson with Mikael Samsonov two-on-one. Over the line, Anderson fakes a shot, crosses with Samsonov, quick pass on the off-wing, Samsonov shoots, SCORES! What a goal by Mikael Samsonov, it's 4-1"

"It looks like that's going to be it for Modred Brandr as he allowed four goals on 18 shots in the first 25 minutes of the game, and Eadric Peredur will come on in relief. Ilyseum needs to get it going here as they're in a three-goal hole early in the second period."

"Twelve minutes into the second period now, Peredur is playing well in relief. Phoenix are completing dominating Ilyseum here at Reaper Coliseum, and another odd-man rush for the Phoenix, Adrian Philips with Kevin Bore jumping into the play. Philips fakes, flips the puck to Bore...WHAT A SAVE BY PEREDUR! Somehow the Ilysee backup goalie gets a glove on that while sprawling to keep it a three-goal game!"

"Five minutes left in the second period, Mikael Samsonov in the box for tripping, power play about to expire. Face-off is deep in the Phoenix end, Tyler Martin taking the face off. The draw is won by Martin, Herndon gets the puck, over to Clooney, who flips the puck high and out, and now Mikael Samsonov has a breakaway out of the box! Samsonov in, fakes to the backhand, scores! The kid from the Republic of Kaboomlandia has just made it 5-1!"

"Two minutes to go in the second period, Aaron Richards passes the puck back to Strachan, crossing with Herndon at the blueline. Strachan fakes a shot, over to Herndon, one-timer, he scores! It's a total blowout in Valanora, it's 6-1 for the Phoenix!"

"The second period is mercifully over, and the Phoenix exploded for four goals in those 20 minutes to make it a 6-1 game after 40."

---

"We're back in the third period, with Ilyseum fighting for their playoff lives. Even though Nova Anglicana shockingly lost to Lisander 4-3 earlier today, Ilyseum needs to come back in a game where they trail by five goals entering the final frame."

"Six minutes into the period, Ilyseum trying to throw everything they have at Dylan Brady but the Monster is unyielding. Beorhtsige has the puck on the left side, flips it for Caratacos, shot just went wide. Clooney's clearing attempt is blocked by Brynjarr on the right side. Thor Brynjarr throws the puck out front, and it goes off a leg and in! The bad-angle shot hit Scott Herndon's skate and went in, and Ilyseum has new life!"

"Ilyseum charging now, looking for a goal to continue the comeback attempt. Sindri Njáll has the puck and hits Math Ingimárr and he's on a breakaway! Ingimárr races in, shoots, stopped by Brady, rebound is jammed in by Ingimárr! The Ilysee cut the lead to three!"

"Phoenix playing back on their heels now and allowing Ilyseum to try their frantic comeback! Björn Yngvi, shoots, stopped by Brady, rebound whacked in by Kay to make it 6-4! Blair Mitchell is going to use his timeout here to try to get his team calmed down here, because we've just seen a supposedly insurmountable five-goal deficit turn into two in the space of six minutes! Dylan Brady is going to stay in, but the team needs to get back on their feet and they need to do it quickly."

"Four minutes left, Phoenix running around like headless chickens out here and Ilyseum is controlling the third period, looking to cut the lead to one. Njáll shoots the puck, just wide. Lindsay gets to the puck, checked off it by Ingimárr who throws it to the front of the net. Njáll takes another whack at it, Dylan Brady makes the save, and now everybody's jamming away at it, Brady gets pushed back, and did this go in? The Ilysee players are celebrating, the Phoenix players are protesting, and the referees are going to review this one to see if it went in. And now the video is coming on...and oh, this looks like a close one. The referee waved it off on the initial play, so Kaboomlandia has the benefit of the doubt here."

"And here's the decision."

"After further review, the review was inconclusive. The call on the ice stands. No goal."

"Phoenix dodged a bullet there, still four minutes to go, though."

"One minute left to go in the game and Ilyseum is giving it everything they've got. Kay shoots, kicked aside by Brady but right onto the stick of Brynjarr...STOPPED BY BRADY! WHAT AN EFFORT!" Somehow the big goalie managed to get a pad in the way of that rebound shot! 40 seconds to go, Caratacos back to the point and making all kinds of trouble. Back to Kay, shoots, off the outside of the post! Brynjarr into the corner for it, back to Kay, another shot just went wide. Caratacos has the puck now, shoots from a bad angle, off of Brady, HOW DID THAT NOT GO IN? Somehow Dylan Brady felt the puck on his back and reached completely behind him with his glove to stop it!"

"Ten seconds left, six-on-five. Matthias Günther wins the face-off, Kevin Bore passes it to Derek Strachan, who flips it high out to centre, and that will do it for the game! Some tense moments in that third period, but Dylan Brady made a few massive stops when it mattered most. Up next is Nova Anglicana, and with the Phoenix's playoff spot already assured, this game will decide who joins them in the playoffs from Group H."

[Mercedini]

World Cup of Hockey Special
MD4 Quick Review: Mercedini vs. Devonta
@ Valanora

After a long BYE day, Mercedini took full advantage of their rest days and came back with their first win of the campaign, which means Mercedini are now within touching distance of a knockout rounds and it sets up a nail-biting end to the group, with three nations fighting out for the final qualifying spot. The match drew the attention of the crowds as many knew that these two would be likely to be fighting for the second spot (after Abanhfleft), so this match would be the one likely to settle the group. However, with previous results differing from the narrative and the surprise unknown of Lorenthia emerging from the group, it isn't wrapped up yet but the result should indicate the direction the group is going. With Abanhfleft already through and Sontarion already eliminated, three nations fight for one spot, so as we go into the final match day, let's analyse the final matches and see if things can be made any clearer.
Going into the final round of fixtures, Mercedini will play Sontarion while Lorenthia will play table-toppers Abanhfleft. With Devonta playing and losing their final game, they wait with baited breath at the other two matches as they hope Mercedini and Lorenthia slip. We won't jump to too many conclusions but we predict that unranked Lorenthia will lose to the seeded Abanhfleft and Mercedini will beat winless Sontarion to clinch the second spot on the last match day, although the result can still go any way you can think of. We will wait until the result is finalised, we wouldn't want anymore hashtags would we?

I was very pleased with the performance today, especially against a team with the stature of Devonta's. I'm happy to get on the scoresheet and to get the win we needed to hopefully ignite our campaign. We've worked very hard for the past couple of months and we hope this time it will pay off. The domestic hockey league is something that we definitely need to entice the next generation so hopefully we can take the next step as a hockey nation and qualify for the knockouts. We've got Sontarion next, which is a golden opportunity to make our mark on the tournament. A win would mean the world to us and to our nation. Me and the boys will be training hard for the next match and I hope our efforts will pay off. Third time could quite possibly be the charm!

FINAL
Mercedini 2 - 1 Devonta
(0-0) (1-1) (1-0)

---

C. James, 2nd 10:01 (A. Ante & S. Sycamore)
Z. Arthur, 2nd 18:13 (L. Carpic)
M. Morton, 3rd 9:47 (P. Pollock & L. Carpic)

With that, we will call it day here in Valanora where Mercedini recorded their first victory of the the campaign. Mercedini now have the potential to get another in a couple of days against already eliminated Sontarion. A win would definitely put them ahead of Devonta but our progression could all hang on how Lorenthia do in their match against Abanhfleft. Many will say Abanhfleft will breeze over the unranked side, however they did pick up points against us in their debut, so anything is possible!

[Elejamie]

"... Over to Sports now, where John Daverson has the news about Elejamie's last Group D game. John?"

That's right, Steve! Good morning, Elejamie! The Icy Elephants, hoping to make a comeback after a disappointing 3-3 draw against Tomikosan, manage to make their place in the Round of 16 as they thrashed the Free Republics 5-0. The Free Republics, whose last appearance was in the 25th World Cup of Hockey, were mid-table going into this match, thanks to a 1-0 win over Tomikosan and a 2-0 loss to Anthor. However, despite having a bye day to freshen up their skills, they were whitewashed by a tough Elejamian side that showed little compromise. Here are the highlights.

The first period started off simple enough, with Alvina Carlsson very nearly scoring on the first shot of the game less than two minutes in; a wrist shot that hit Antonio Cervantes' pad, which lead to him pouncing on the puck to force a face-off. In fact, about thirty seconds later, we saw the first penalty of the game, with Bill Harrison being sent to the box for a couple of minutes for hooking Uwe Eisenhower. However, despite having the man advantage, the Free Republics weren't able to put the puck past Cervantes, only managing three shots throughout the entire power play. Halfway through the period, Aaron Andrews won the face-off and passed it to James Han who, after skating around the back of the net, passed it to Ethan Swinburne, who managed to knock it in off the one-timer. Although the Free Republics came very close to levelling the scores, with a Marina Calabresi shot that hit the post and was caught by Cervantes, not much else happened in the first period and, when it came to an end, Elejamie were leading 1-0.

The second period was when things started turning up. Five minutes in, the Free Republics grabbed their only penalty of the game when Carl Andreasen was given a minor penalty for slashing Ethan Swinburne. Although Elejamie weren't able to score on the power play James Han would get a goal of his own - with some assistance from Swinburne and Greg Warren - just as Andreasen returned to the ice, slotting the puck in between Luther Murphy's five hole. That was when things were starting to heat up for the Free Republics as they scrambled to get their first goal of the night. Erza Ponorac's wrist shot was caught by Cervantes. Aubert Mathieu tried a bit of deking but his shot hit the post, with Adam Keane clearing the puck. And Alvina Carlsson's shot probably would've gone in had Nedeljko Knezevic not been off-side. With less than three minutes left on the clock, Anatoly Kasputin scored the third goal of the night for the Icy Elephants thanks to a bit of clever deking that made the puck go in stick-side; Lupe and Cerin Meloten were credited with the assist. Although the Free Republics tried valiantly to put one past Cervantes, it was no use and, at the end of the second period, the score was 3-0 to Elejamie.

The third period was another hard-fought period. The Free Republics would've pulled one back five minutes in had Cervantes not just managed to get a glove to Kerstin Kohler's snap shot. Shortly afterwards, Kohler would try again but, much like the last time, it was saved and we saw another face-off. Despite the Republicans' best efforts, it was the Icy Elephants who'd score the next goal. With six and a half minutes left to go, Pael Atenar managed to extend Elejamie's lead with a blocker-side slap shot that just managed to scrape the post on its way in; Mike Cruickshank and Danilo Barajas were credited with the assist. Although the Free Republics had a chance to pull one back when Francisco Solano was given a two minute minor for roughing, Antonio Cervantes still managed to be a thorn in the Republicans' sides. With less than a minute to go, Republican coach Bianca von Stiphout pulled goalie Luther Murphy for an extra attacker. However, before they could count their losses, Elejamie would bag one last goal with five seconds remaining, with Lucas Madgwick stealing the puck from Carlo Corver and passing it to Paul Morton, who gently tapped it into the net just as he reached the hash marks. Even though they didn't have much time in their efforts to grab a consolation goal, the Republicans tried anyway on the last shot of the match; Karl Kreutzmann wrist shot that bounced off Cervantes' stick. However, when the klaxon went shortly afterwards, Elejamie not only emerged the 5-0 victors but also Group D winners

In a post-match interview, head coach Michael Madgwick said "After that Tomikosan game, where I didn't know what was going on in that third period, we managed to get ourselves together and produce some quality ice hockey. Toni was the best player out there, being cool, calm and collected, especially after that surprisingly tough game yesterday. James scored a couple of good goals. And Anatoly, Ethan and Pael got a good goal each. Overall, I'm very pleased with our improved performance. Here's hoping we can carry it on after a few days off."

"Who do you think will be joining you in the Round of 16?"

"Anthor. Tomikosan know how to play good ice hockey and I could see them giving Anthor a run for their money? But will it be enough to launch them into the next round? Not really, no."

In a different post-match interview, Elejamian goalie and first star Antonio Cervantes said «While the Tomikosan game was a bit of a blow for me, showing that I should've taken Coach Madgwick's advice and let Peter [Berg] or Pedro [Cervantes] replace me, I will say that it lead me to do a little bit of practice. Which was why I was more on my toes and essentially a stone wall for our opponents. Now that I've said what I've needed to say, I'm going to sit out the first Round of 16 game and let Peter take to the ice.»

In the other World Cup of Hockey game, Tomikosan could only scrape a 1-1 draw against the Natanians and Nosts, with Elijah Kagamine scoring the only goal for the Hockey-loids. However, as you can see here, the Group D table hasn't really changed from yesterday. Elejamie still occupy the top spot and, no matter the result of the Anthor-Tomikosan match, they won't be losng their spot. Speaking of Anthor, they're still in second place as they go into their final game. The Free Republics sit comfortably in the middle, needing a massive win and an Anthor loss to make it through to the Round of 16. Tomikosan are in fourth place, where they need to win by at least four goals to advance to the next round. And, bringing up the rear, we have the Natanians and Nosts, who have been eliminated from the competition with a single point from one draw and two losses.

And so, as Elejamie enjoy their bye day and get some practice for the next round, we take a look at the other matches. The Natanians and Nosts will see if they can come home with a single win as they play the Free Republics. However, that pales in comparison to the big game between Anthor and Tomikosan, a match that will decide who'll be joining Elejamie in the Round of 16. Will it be the Ducks, who'll be off to their second consecutive Round of 16? Or will the Hockey-loids pull off a shock win? Find out in a couple of days on Puck Drop!

Meanwhile, in Group A, hosts Valanora and Cosumar have already secured their place in the Round of 16 thanks to a couple of wins today. The Ice Dragons managed to shut out Tobiasia 3-0 but the Calcuttas were the centre of attention when they thrashed Averyickan City 6-1...

---

Period			P1	P2	P3	FS
Free Republics		0	0	0	0
Elejamie		1	2	2	5

Three Stars: Antonio Cervantes (23 saves, save % 1.000); James Han (1 goals, 1 assists); Ethan Swinburne (1 goal, 1 assists)

[Savojarna]

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Goodbye Rundblad! Savojar Coach Resigned

Stormguard, VAL - Following a 0-0 against Qasden in the final group match, which we can see as a decent ending to an unlucky campaign, Savojarna's coach Fredrik Rundblad announced in a press conference last night that he will not be leading the Savojar squad into WCoH 33. "Looking at the group, we did not do exceptionally bad and I am proud of my team. But there are things which make me believe that the team needs new impulses, and that my way of playing hockey was not what Savojarna needed. I will voluntarily resign immediately from all my posts with the SHFB", Rundblad announced at the post-game conference. The team was stopped unluckily in the matches against Dylecte and Nephara, both times together with heavy criticism against the referees. But in the end, there were only two points and even worse, only one goal on the board. Rundblad's decision was met with mixed feelings back home. Social media commentators both lauded his braveness to resign after a disappointing campaign and criticised that he wouldn't try to build upon the showing of his team against two top teams of the Multiverse.

There was speculation about a new coach, but the SHFB remained silent about this. When inquired, SHFB National Teams Coordinator Hans Mikkelsen only responded that the Federation would inform the media as soon as there was a replacement for Rundblad. Apparently they were also taken by surprise, disproving rumours that Rundblad was pressured into the resigning by the SSA. First candidate launched by the colleagues over at Framfarir was former CASK coach Calle Johanson, but given his lack of success with the Army team this seems highly unlikely. On Twitter, there was speculation whether the team may get a foreign coach, but there is so far no sign of this happening and some more radical SSA forces would probably see their image of Socialist superiority challenged by this move, which makes it rather unlikely unless we get an offer from a Socialist Brother State. But then again, the SSA has a history of being rather surprising in its personnel decisions. Other candidates include Thierry Sandvik, who was assumed to be the new CASK coach before Fridtjofsson took over, and Vladimir Tikhov, the long time coach of Partizan Novaya Russica who resigned after a dispute with the leadership of the club over the transfer of Johan Bryzhnev.

We will keep you updated for the new coach, who will likely be revealed before the Olympic Games or before WCoH 33.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

The Summer Storm won against a rather unexplainable opponent.
Ryo seemed rather focused on the game, even if it was barely all that worth to talk about.
The Sunrisian's type of play was rather uninspired, their opponents weren't very noteworthy, specially on the smarts department...
And then a spark popped up in the back of his mind.
If this is what the national hockey team was playing, surely his cybernetic efforts would be key to making the Sunrisians good at the sport.
"I fail to see why we had to watch this." Yo crossed his arms, staring at his brother. "It's rubbish."
He then realized. "Oh, for Arceus' sake. You're not suggesting that."
"Why not?" Ryo smiled. "Having a hockey team for the Nova Settlement would certainly help things out."
"Well..." Sato peeked away from his book. "Ryo's the president and he's been on a good run."
"Just think about it." Ryo pointed out. "An ice hockey team would really diversify our efforts up here anyway."

It wouldn't take too long (in fact, a couple of phone calls and a hefty money transfer) guaranteed a former NSI.HOCKEY 3 side that had recently promoted to the second tier then known as the Mink Island Minx, playing mostly as the unknown rival of the Mink Islanders' team moving up.
...They moved up. In fact, they have gone into space as the Nova Settlement Machine.
This was, in all fairness, the second time the team moved, as they used to be from Darveston and had backing from the Islanders Club.
The Hibiki Zaibatsu, the new owners of the team, explained that their acquisition of the team was in order to increase interest of potential new inhabitants of the land high over the skies.
Additionally, it had to be explained that there would be no real conflict of interest as there would be no hankering with other people's cyborg implants if they did end up having to face the Machine.
The major news however was that it had been a while since a team had moved and suddenly, smaller markets started to fear relocation, specially those on the third and fourth tiers.
Partick Blizzard, one of the older sides that had recently been relegated had been shaking at their home and interest from Partick on keeping the team there had been moderate at best.
Lengerblitz Towers, Florianópolis Catarinenses and the Rider Falls Mavericks all had decent numbers at the third division, but promotion to the second stage of the pyramid had bundled them with former greats such as the Hayden Whalers, the Lylat Flyers, the Byrd Bruins and specially the Madjorie Castors.
St. Paul Saints, hidden in the middle of Carnival Island, had a history of losing teams to other places, the more infamous case being the Mets' move to Matthew City.

Surely enough, the following day, another team was on the move and once again, St. Paul (or São Paulo, as the usual Carnival folk called) had lost another team.
The Saints were joining the Machine on the sky, as the Dulcinea Suns, now making part of the Summers Conglomerate.
The newly relocated Aurora Reign (formerly out of Victoria, also at the Southern Sunrise) officially joined the Sunrisian Challenge League, the bottom of the pyramid.
Having to start from the bottom was deemed "acceptable", even if the storied team had already lifted three titles at their original league. They added that "competition was certainly bigger at the USI.HOCKEY system than at home".
With them, came another Southern Sunrisian team as the Hellebourne Hounds left the Southern Sunrisian Hockey League in favour of the new setup, citing better opportunities for the organization.
The same day still saw another storied team join the competition as the Memet Fuel sealed a move to Pearl City, renaming themselves the Breakers.
At the end of the week, the SSHL saw the Kickflip Grind, the Youngstown Shaymins and the Hart Hitmen leave. Additionally, a former expansion of the league, minor team Adessa Trojans joined the USI setup instead.
Southern Sunrise would also be represented in the league by the South Town Mallards, the Rapsville Encore and the Nestsopolis Diamonds.
The ESHL remained strong, losing only the Platform Moon Comets and the Georgetown Fighting Saints, the latter joining the USI.HOCKEY system as the Georgetown Geordies.
The WSHL ended up not affected by the USI.HOCKEY system's expansion wave, although some of the teams from the Liga do Leste, all based after the traditional Western Sunrisian territory would end up complaining about the Santa Jolteona Jolteons, the Santa Vaporeona Vaporeons and the Porto Velho Corsairs.
Didn't help the Jolteons' nickname had been used by a team at Porto Velho for years now, only to back away from any sort of litigation thanks to the USI.HOCKEY side being based after the Santa Jolteona football club.
The end of the week saw two new sides join the league as football club Upper Skyforce pushed out a hockey side as well and decided to join the set-up.
Meanwhile, the WSHL would see another team step into their dependencies as Vila Nova saw the debut of the Calania Green Wings. The owners happened to be the former owners of the Bradford Wings' team from the old days (who later moved to Londonpool), although the team's history remained separate. They also had recently sold their ownership to the owners of the Heart of Londonpool team, renaming the Londonpoolian side to the Londonpool Garnet Wings.

Nina Meyer was happy from all that. If anything, her... well... accidental father would rest eased by knowing his sort-of-daughter had made hockey into a behemoth of the likes that only football could counter.
At least, that's what she hoped she was doing.

[Cosneolta]

Cosneolta Sports Rarely
World Cup of Hockey: A Debut To Remember

With all the sporting attention in Cosneolta fixed on the Baptism of Fire. We thought we would take time out of our tad to talk about the Cosneolta National Hockey Team and the tremendous debut they are having in Valanora. Made up by a roster of part-timers and free agents, the team went into the tournament unranked in their group which contained headline names such as: Gregoryisgodistan, Unified Sunrise Islands and Prusy Krolewskie. They currently sit second in their group behind Gregoryisgodistan with one game left to go in the group stage, with GGS already playing all of their games and Cosneolta still left to play their final game against USI, Cosneolta have the opportunity top the group with would be pretty unprecedented considering they are an unranked team in their first World Cup of Hockey. There's also the chance that Unified Sunrise Islands will beat Cosneolta and snatch the second qualifying spot at the death. There is plenty at stake going into the final round of fixtures, so let's take a look back at their journey so far:

---

MD1
Prusy Krolewskie vs. Cosneolta

Cosneolta's first step on their journey was against the third best ranked team in the group, many went into the game not anticipating anything from the match and came to have a good time, soak up the culture and perhaps see their team score a couple of goals in the process, but I don't think anyone expected what happened with minutes left in the game.
Cosneolta came with one game plan and one game plan only; park the bus and hopefully nick a goal on the break. Highlights of the game were few and far between but that didn't stop the Cosneoltans from singing their hearts out with a couple of beers in hand. One notable chance came from a Cosneoltan power-play from a Prusy foul, a shot from an attacker hit the post but nothing came from the chance. Prusy Krolewskie had chances themselves but overall it was a dull half.
The game opened up a bit more and that's when the ranked side really showed their might in the match. Chances came and went for Prusy, a dangerous spell came when one of the Cosneoltan players received a five minute penalty, leaving Cosneolta a man short. Nothing came from the man-advantage which summed up the game as a whole. No goals scored as we entered the third and final period. Action in the final period of the game came to a head and both teams seems to wake up to the prospect of winning the game. Being the ranked side, the experience showed for the Prusy players, passing and shooting almost at will onto the Cosneoltan goal. Prusy then got penalised for two many players on the ice and that's when the game really hotted up. With about 12 minutes left in the game, Cosneolta seized their chance and forced the puck into the net for their first competitive international goal, silencing the Prusy Krolewskie crowd and sending the Cosneoltan fans into euphoria. The horn sounded to signal the end of the game, giving Cosneolta an historic victory over a team many expected to be steamrolled by.

FINAL
Prusy Krolewskie 0 - 1 Cosneolta

MD2
Cosneolta vs. Gregoryisgodistan

Next up for the minnows, was the highest ranked team in the group. Both teams had won their matches beforehand and faced off in their second match to see who would take control of the group. Unfortunately for the fans, but rather spectacularly for the Cosneoltan fans, the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate which means the unranked team nicked a point from the seventh best team in the world, a truly spectacular feat. Chances were spearse with both teams employing an extremely defensive tactic which meant the match had 0-0 written all over it. With both teams having one shot on target throughout the entire match, it was always going to be tough seeing a goal in this match. The part-timers held their own against the group's top seeds and even managed to avoid injury (something which is rather commonplace in matches involving Gregoryisgodistan), so thumbs up all round for the Cosneoltan team. Not much to speak of in the end, it finished goalless which meant Cosneolta came out with three points after playing two ranked sides!

FINAL
Cosneolta 0 - 0 Gregoryisgodistan

MD3
General Dicking Around vs. Cosneolta

Finally, Cosneolta played a much more winnable match against their fellow unranked side in the group, General Dicking Around. Their name may suggest what they have been doing throughout the tournament as they are currently without a win throughout the entire tournament. With their previous results in tow, many were now much more expectant of a good result in this match and they were rewarded with it in the second period. Magreta Kandikova with his second of the competition gave Mercedini a lead whch they never squandered. A third clean sheet in as many games for Cosneolta, they go into their final game with their destiny in their hands. If they pull it off, it will be astonishing!

FINAL
General Dicking Around 0 - 1 Cosneolta

[Neu Engollon]

“Good evening, Neu Engollon and to our International viewers. You’ve got the NETV 7 Sports Update on your set or device. I’m Karl Demais and I'm live from the Ironbound Colosseum in Longview, Valanora, where the Ibex are still competing in the 32nd World Cup of Hockey.

So, it's been looking dismal in Group C as the Ibex keep taking it on the chin...and in the throat...and the gut, and the...You get the picture. It's not been pretty. The bright spot is that we can still say they have just a gleem of a chance as most of the other teams are also getting pummeled by each other. Novaya Zemlya is certainly the strongest team in the Group one could argue, but right now, it's Chromatika who holds the top spot after most of the teams have completed their 3rd match, with the Ibex having been through the grinder on their 4th game. Chromatika has less games won, but more points in this draw/tie heavy laden group. It's rare to see this, but it happens, especially in hockey where ties are more common, and it can put national fans through a wide range of emotions.

Neu Engollon is done with group play having only to sit out the last group stage day as a bye for them. The only way they can possibly make it out is if the other group leaders do horribly on their next games and those below the Ibex also maintain their lackluster records. That's a big 'IF', mind you, but from what our behind the scenes team is telling me, it's remotely possible. What remains is that it is now completely out of the Ibex hands as to whether they can continue on to the Cup playoffs or not. Their fate rests solely with the performance of the other teams in the group now as we prepare for this evening's games. This is by no means a high point of Ibex hockey, but those uber fans need to hang on to this glimmer of hope. That hope rests in Botten and Aquitayne defeating their opponents in the last group games.

The shocker for many was seeing Aquitayne bow out so soon. They are a team that is not only higher ranked than the Ibex, but also had much higher odds of performing well and advancing than the in-flux Neu Engollian team that is still trying to find its feet after the re-organization. It has been confirmed that the Aquitaynians have no solid chance of locking in one of the two top spots to advance out of the group after their 4 to 1 defeat by the Zemlyans. Not that there's much rivalry there, but for Ibex fans to gloat on this would be incredibly premature as we may see the Ibex handed their plane tickets home tomorrow.

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. When we come back from this quick sponsor break we'll go play by play with highlights over the 5-1 victory over Botten. Stay tuned to NETV Sports 7..."

[Prusy Krolewskie]

An orange revolution in Prusy Krolewskie part IV

The characters
Nicolas Kardashian: Previously known as Nicolas Cyrus. Founder of Golden Goal Sports Bar & Grill and ex-prime minister of Miley World.
George Parros: A Southerner billionnaire, businessman and activist who's funding an orange revolution in Prusy Krolewskie.
Włodzimierz Krzynówek: A public attorney (or defender) from Prusy Krolewskie. Nicolas Kardashian choose him to lead the orange revolution funded by George Parros.
Karolina Sidorkiewicz: A reporter for Evening News on PrusSat TV network

News presenter: There was a large rally for democracy in Malbork this afternoon, let's talk to our reporter Karolina Sidorkiewicz live from Malbork.

Karolina Sidorkiewicz: This is huge, this is huge! More than 20,000 demonstrators are rallying on Stare Miasto street in front of the Malbork castle with large orange flags calling for democracy and an end to Prince Zygmunt VIII's authoritarian regime and scanding "demokracja" and "rewolucja". Let's talk to Włodzimierz Krzynówek, a public attorney who'se the instigator of the movement that he calls an orange revolution. Mr. Krzynówek... Mr. Krzynówek... I'm Karolina Sidorkiewicz for Evening News on PrusSat...can you talk about your "orange revolution?"

Włodzimierz Krzynówek: Sure... You see that? You see that? The people wants some change! We are tired of Prince Zygmunt VIII's oppressive regime, we want democracy! If Prince Zygmunt VIII really care for his people, he will abdicate and organize democratic elections. Prusy Krolewskie needs to be a democratic republic and not a monarchy anymore. Monarchies are obsolete. The people needs to be in power, oligarchies are obsolete, the time when a small minority of people ruled the world is over! The people in power! The people in power!

Karolina Sidorkiewicz: Wow, you want like real elections?

Włodzimierz Krzynówek: Yes Prusy Krolewskie needs elections and by the way, the word "Krolewskie" needs to be dropped cuz it means "royal" let's call it the Prussian Republic or Pruska Rzeczpospolita in our language. We need a new konstytucja...

Karolina Sidorkiewicz: A what?

Włodzimierz Krzynówek: A konstytucja... I mean a constitution. We need a new constitution that will say Prusy Krolewskie is not a monarchy anymore, it's a republic and it is now known as Pruska Rzeczpospolita. We need elections and a president that will have 4 years mandates and no more than 2 mandates per presidents. We really need elections. I call for elections, Prince Zygmunt VIII needs to abdicate as soon as he comes back from Valanora! We will demonstrate here everyday until he comes back, let's bring our tents and sleeping bags. Occupy Malbork has started!

Karolina Sidorkiewicz: Wow... an orange revolution... occupy Malbork... thank you for your time Mr. Krzynówek. It was Karolina Sidorkiewicz live from Malbork.

News presenter: An orange revolution... wow! Let's talk about hockey, the Reprezentacja Pruski tied with Gregoryisgodistan. Let's talk to our hockey reporter in Valanora, Piotr Kosowski.

Piotr Kosowski: The Reprezentacja Pruski played against Gregoryisgodistan and the game ended with a 0-0 draw. Gregoryisgodistanis didn't go nuts, no one was murdered, but 2 of our players are injured.

News presenter: Who? How long?

Piotr Kosowski: Mateusz Zgutczynski has an upper body injury and will miss 3 or 4 weeks. And Jaroslaw Jastrzebski is actually at the Travesian Hospital and... it looks like he has a career ending injury but his life isn't in danger...

News presenter: Oooh I'm sorry to hear that. Lets wish them a good recovery. By the way, is Prince Zygmunt VIII aware of the orange revolution in his nation?

Piotr Kosowski: Prince Zygmunt VIII didn't attend the game against Gregoryisgodistan, he stayed in Raynor City with his family and watched the Di Bradini quarter final game between Qasden and Ethane. He could come back to Travesian tomorrow to watch the hockey game against General Dicking Around who does nothing but wasting their time on the ice rink. But Prince Zygmunt VIII didn't comment the recent events in Malbork.

News presenter: Ok thanks for your time Piotr. Let's go to a commercial break and then everything you wanna know about the weather for upcoming days.

Meanwhile in the lobby of an hotel in Puck, Prusy Krolewskie

George Parros: Yo Nick, you saw the news?

Nicolas Kardashian: Yeah, everything goes as planned.

George Parros: yeah... by the way you want me to fund an orange revolution in Great Caledonia and North Hybernia?

Nicolas Kardashian: No, my friend Baron Philip von Röthlisberger is taking care of Great Caledonia. Maybe i'll need you in Castilla y Catalunya if the king of Castilla or the President of Catalunya isn't cooperative but for now, you need to stay in Prusy Krolewskie.

George Parros: Ok when you need me, just call me...

Nicolas Kardashian: Thanks

George Parros: By the way what do we do with Pays den Haut?

Nicolas Kardashian: It's hard to control this barbaric nation. I think we'll ignore them, we won't admit them in my future Union of Socialist Alpine Republics that I'm planning.

George Parros: Ok cool

[Valanora]

Matchday Five

Group A
Averyickan City 3–4 Tobiasia
The Redvale 0–3 Valanora

P Group A                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valanora                                     4   4  0  0   16   5 +11    8
2 Cosumar                                      4   2  1  1   10   6  +4    5
3 Tobiasia                                     4   2  0  2   11  11   0    4
4 The Redvale                                  4   1  0  3    5  12  −7    2
5 Averyickan City                              4   0  1  3    7  15  −8    1

Group B
Royal Kingdom of Quebec 5–4 Qasden
Dylecte 0–0 Nephara

P Group B                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec                      4   3  1  0   13   8  +5    7
2 Nephara                                      4   1  3  0    3   2  +1    5
3 Qasden                                       4   1  2  1    6   5  +1    4
4 Savojarna                                    4   0  2  2    1   4  −3    2
5 Dylecte                                      4   0  2  2    1   5  −4    2

Group C
Novaya Zemlya 2–1 Botten
Chromatika 0–3 Aquitayne

P Group C                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Novaya Zemlya                                4   3  0  1   11   5  +6    6
2 Neu Engollon                                 4   1  2  1    9   8  +1    4
3 Chromatika                                   4   1  2  1   10  12  −2    4
4 Botten                                       4   1  1  2    8  11  −3    3
5 Aquitayne                                    4   1  1  2    5   7  −2    3
*Neu Engollon ahead of Chromatika on Goal Difference

Group D
Natanians and Nosts 1–1 Free Republics
Anthor 7–3 Tomikosan

P Group D                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Elejamie                                     4   3  1  0   17   6 +11    7
2 Anthor                                       4   3  0  1   14   8  +6    6
3 Free Republics                               4   1  1  2    2   8  −6    3
4 Tomikosan                                    4   0  2  2    7  12  −5    2
5 Natanians and Nosts                          4   0  2  2    5  11  −6    2

Group E
Vilita and Turori 1–1 Esparmuran
Norrehavn 1–0 Solitary Goats

P Group E                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Norrehavn                                    4   2  2  0    9   7  +2    6
2 Vilita and Turori                            4   2  1  1    8   6  +2    5
3 Esparmuran                                   4   1  3  0    8   7  +1    5
4 United Bermuda                               4   1  1  2    4   6  −2    3
5 Solitary Goats                               4   0  1  3    4   7  −3    1
* Vilita and Turori ahead of Esparmuran on Goal Difference

Group F
Sontarion 1–3 Mercedini
Abanhfleft 5–3 Lorenthia

P Group F                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                                   4   4  0  0   14   7  +7    8
2 Mercedini                                    4   2  1  1    7   5  +2    5
3 Devonta                                      4   2  0  2    5   3  +2    4
4 Lorenthia                                    4   1  1  2    9   9   0    3
5 Sontarion                                    4   0  0  4    6  17 −11    0

Group G
General Dicking Around 2–3 Prusy Krolewskie
Cosneolta 0–1 Unified Sunrise Islands

P Group G                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Gregoryisgodistan                            4   2  2  0    5   0  +5    6
2 Unified Sunrise Islands                      4   2  1  1    2   1  +1    5
3 Cosneolta                                    4   2  1  1    2   1  +1    5
4 Prusy Krolewskie                             4   1  2  1    3   3   0    4
5 General Dicking Around                       4   0  0  4    2   9  −7    0
*Unified Sunrise Islands ahead of Cosneolta on Head to Head result

Group H
Nova Anglicana 7–2 Kaboomlandia
Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkunland 1–0 Lisander

P Group H                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                               4   3  0  1   16   8  +8    6
2 Kaboomlandia                                 4   3  0  1   16  15  +1    6
3 Ilyseum                                      4   2  0  2   10   9  +1    4
4 Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkunland      4   1  0  3    5  13  −8    2
5 Lisander                                     4   1  0  3    8  10  −2    2
Nova Anglicana ahead of Kaboomlandia on Head to Head result

Seeding

Ps  Group V                                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
 1  Valanora                                     4   4  0  0   16   5 +11    8
 2  Abanhfleft                                   4   4  0  0   14   7  +7    8
 3  Elejamie                                     4   3  1  0   17   6 +11    7
 4  Royal Kingdom of Quebec                      4   3  1  0   13   8  +5    7
 5  Nova Anglicana                               4   3  0  1   16   8  +8    6
 6  Anthor                                       4   3  0  1   14   8  +6    6
 7  Novaya Zemlya                                4   3  0  1   11   5  +6    6
 8  Gregoryisgodistan                            4   2  2  0    5   0  +5    6
 9  Norrehavn                                    4   2  2  0    9   7  +2    6
10  Kaboomlandia                                 4   3  0  1   16  15  +1    6
11  Cosumar                                      4   2  1  1   10   6  +4    5
12  Vilita and Turori                            4   2  1  1    8   6  +2    5
13  Mercedini                                    4   2  1  1    7   5  +2    5
14  Nephara                                      4   1  3  0    3   2  +1    5
15  Unified Sunrise Islands                      4   2  1  1    2   1  +1    5
16  Neu Engollon                                 4   1  2  1    9   8  +1    4

Round of Sixteen Fixtures
Valanora v Neu Engollon
Abanhfleft v Unified Sunrise Islands
Elejamie v Nephara
Royal Kingdom of Quebec v Mercedini
Nova Anglicana v Vilita and Turori
Anthor v Cosumar
Novaya Zemlya v Kaboomlandia
Gregoryisgodistan v Norrehavn

[Kaboomlandia]

Lions 7, Phoenix 2

"Welcome to Reaper Coliseum, Valanora! Today we have a clash of the Group H titans, as the undefeated Kaboomlandia Phoenix will face a Nova Anglicana Lions team that is fighting for their playoff lives! Lyle Mace starts in goal for the Phoenix, Aksu Koivula for the Lions."

"Five minutes in, already a couple chances at each end for both teams. Derek Strachan cuts back into his own end, looking for an option. Up the left side for Bryson Martin, who tips the puck into the zone. Brian Caldwell back for the puck, hits Nick Hall at his own blueline. Hall moving up the left wing side, crosses the blueline and moves across to the middle. Hall to Fleming, to the top of the circle. Fleming fakes, back pass to Shipley, shoots, scores! Theo Shipley on the one-timer, opens the scoring for the Lions!"

"Phoenix looking to get one back near the midway mark of the first period, on a power play right now. Patrick Clooney at the point, over to Bore on the right side. Kevin Bore down low for Rutherford, back to Bore. Kevin Bore, to Clooney, to Martin, quick shot on goal from the left circle stopped by Koivula. Philips, to Martin, back to Clooney, one-time shot is blocked and out, now a race for it and Claude Vernier's going to get their first on a breakaway! Claude Vernier breaking in, fakes, scores! Claude Vernier puts it through the five-hole shorthanded, and the Lions have a two-goal lead!"

"Phoenix need to get something going here, being beaten in every battle here and not looking that good right now. Adrian Philips breaking over the blueline, shoot-in is knocked down by a back-pedalling Lovett and knocked back out to centre for Warner. Dan Warner into the Phoenix zone off the rush, winds, shoots, scores! The Lions have a three-goal lead on just eleven shots and sixteen minutes!"

"It looks like this is going to be it for Lyle Mace, who just hasn't looked good this game in net, surrendering three goals in eleven shots. Dylan Brady will come in and hopefully the Phoenix will get it going in the second period."

"First period mercifully comes to an end, but the Lions have walked all over Kaboomlandia to a 3-0 first period lead, chasing Lyle Mace in the process."

---

"Second period now, 3-0 Lions in a horrible first 20 minutes for the Phoenix. Puck is dropped, Murray wins it back to Lindsay, quick pass up to Linden, but the puck is poked and he's offside, which pretty much describes the Phoenix game right now."

"Three and a half minutes gone, still 3-0 Lions. Phoenix on an offensive shift right now, Wade Blacken has the puck, back to Nash and shoots it deep. Mikael Samsonov for it, behind the net and drops for Anderson. Leland Anderson back to Casey Lindsay, shoots, tipped, off the post! Samsonov back on it, out to Nash at the blueline. Tyson Nash shoots, through traffic, great glove save by Koivula to end the play."

"Seven minutes in, still a three-goal game. Bo Knudsen with the puck at his own circle, banks it off the boards and out to Roberson. Ryan Roberson with a quick pass to Dan Warner, just inside the blueline, finds Justin Reed across the ice. Justin Reed cuts outside on Bore, going hard to the net, Justin Reed scores! It's 4-0 for the Lions and Blair Mitchell is going to use his time-out here. Phoenix were just outworked there in every aspect."

"Eight minutes to go in the second, Kaboomlandia just searching for something, anything to get them back in this game. The puck is shot in deep by Scott Herndon, hits a stanchion and hits the backside of the net. Kennedy Linden has the puck, fighting off Gabe Holt, turns to his backhand. Linden throws a blind backhand pass out in front, Murray SCORES! The desperate pass went straight to Zack Murray, who buries it in the net to break the shutout!"

"Into the last four minutes of the second period, Phoenix trying to kill this penalty to Herndon. Shipley is controlling the puck, switches spots with Hall. Theo Shipley, to Brian Caldwell at the point, looking for a shot. Caldwell, no shot, back pass to Shipley. Theo Shipley walks in, shoots, scores! It's 5-1 for the Lions!"

"The second period is over and it's looking bleak. The Phoenix nearly blew a 6-1 lead against Ilyseum last game, but now they have to come back from four goals down to tie the Lions."

---

"Third period is about to start, and the Kaboomlandia Phoenix are being slaughtered here, 5-1 by Nova Anglicana. We're away now in the final frame, the Kid Line for the Phoenix is now out there. Murray wins the face-off back to Clooney, over to Scott Herndon, quick pass to Kennedy Linden. Linden up the right side, shoots the puck around the boards where Martin has it in the corner. Bryson Martin tied up, kicks the puck to the corner where Murray is there, the battle moves behind the net and Murray wins it. Zack Murray back to Scott Herndon, who shoots, misses the net and breaks a glass panel with his shot! If you ever doubted the power of Herndon's slapshot, you won't be now. This could cause some delays."

"Finally we're back after that lengthy delay, face-off comes outside the zone. Shipley wins the face-off this time, puck goes on the right side for Fleming. Ryan Fleming goes outside on the right wall, tries to get past Strachan and the defenseman knocks him down, legal play. Fleming stays with the play, knocks the puck back to van der Zeijden. Sander van der Zeijden shoots, tipped in by Shipley! A hat trick for the captain puts the Lions up 6-1 in a blowout hockey game!"

"Nine minutes to go in the final period of play, Lions up by five. Luke Watkins over the line with the puck, finds Julian Quinn on the right side. Quinn stops at the half-wall, back to the point for partner Boulanger, over to Bo Knudsen. Knudsen shoots, scores! It's getting ugly here in the Reaper Coliseum, 7-1 for Nova Anglicana!"

"Two minutes left to go, Nash finds Samsonov down the right wing. Mikael Samsonov shoots off the wing, stopped by Koivula. Samsonov collects his own rebound, swings wide, back to Clooney at the point. Patrick Clooney, shoots, scores! It's 7-2, but a goal in garbage time means there's nothing changing."

"The final horn blows, and Nova Anglicana showed up today in a 7-2 demolition of the Kaboomlandia Phoenix. Up next is the playoffs, and with this loss the Phoenix will be playing Novaya Zemlya in the first round."

[-Anthor-]

Jewel Is a Diamond against the Red Patriots!
A stellar 4 goals from Jewel sets the Ducks over the Red Patriots to advance for the second straight time in the World Cup

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Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus (@Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus)(TH)
^{Baltha 13, 601AE 11:09 AM | Vaumort, Anthor}

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Aric Langely celebrates as the Robertson scores the final goal of the game with 1:14 to goTH photo

Vaumort, Anthor(Herald) — For the second straight year, Lucius Horn has shown his Ducks can do better then the expectations have led us to believe; he marched his Ducks into Tranquility Park last night to face off against Dremira Hollington's unranked Red Patriots and utterly destroyed them, in what was eventually the largest win in Ducks international play history.

Heading into the match, I myself along with a few others who follow the Ducks and are also fans of the AIHF were expecting your average weekend night hockey match - Horn had been caught several times in the days leading up to the match with press interviews, being questioned on if he'd be using the match as a chance to rest some of his more senior players, like Deschamps et al, and he stated he would be, saying he was going to be adjusting his tactics to possibly give his depths in Line 3 and 4 some more ice time to hone their skills and gain them some experience before the upcoming playoff game, which while not a certainty, was taken as a pretty much guarantee. Follow that up with later word that Deschamps and Bohatec were scratches for the upcoming match, replacements coming from the lower lines, and then at the bottom filled in by Michael Travnieck and Jason Lay; I'll admit, I was a little worried. Sure, the Red Patriots are unranked and have done an other wise unimpressive run in this current Cup, but we seemed to have displayed a tendency to play it a little too close sometimes in some unneeded matches, and I was worried this would be one of them. However, I think Harold Jewels heard my inner worriness, and settled it down neigh immediately following the initial faceoff.

Harold Jewel, wow. We knew he would be special to watch in this Cup, but man did he really flesh out that word in his own right in this own match; he set a Anthoran record for the amount of goals scored in a match by a single person, previously held by none other then Poindexter, with four thrilling goals, two in the first, one in the second and the final in the third to round him out. He also had an assist on Robertston's final goal of the game towards the end of the last period, and he had some pretty solid footwork for a forward throughout the entirety of his play; the rest of us were expecting a snooze fest that may run away, but he took it as his time to shine.

The Red Patriot's center Bobby MacArthur-Sinclair won the initial faceoff against Robertson, and some quick-firing passing followed in short order and it seemed to be like the Patriots were probing the Ducks defense; but Michael Brice wasn't going to let them continue on and he laid down a hard check on Boniface Alanna Kagamine, and Deschamps came in from behind to steal the loose puck away, firing it off towards Kersey, who would later get it on to the Robertson before he dumped it away. The first highlight of the match came from a long pass down the boards from Deschamps to Poindexter and Poindexter taking an expertly aimed slapshot that Jedidiah 'Gakupo' Ledannes somehow batted away with his left mitt, only for Harold Jewel to recover the puck, skate around the back of the goal and dodging Pete Rodgers, and tucking it right into the goal under Jedidiah's left leg for the Ducks first goal, with 11:14 to play still.

The Ducks didn't leave much room for an early equalizer, the Patriots surged to try and counter attack but a hit from Robertson and a steal of the puck, wiring it down to Jewel who was waiting in perfect position and took a high shot at the net and placed it right in past the goalie's head to put the Ducks up two nil. As Horn rotated in his secondary lines, the Patriots tried to put some pressure on the less-experienced Ducks, but they weren't having it, Tyler Jubbs playing expertly in his first second line appearance on the ice this Cup; he managed to get some decently placed shots on the net, and finally got himself an assist when he did a nice flick-over to Harold Jewel who scored the his second period goal right under the legs of the Patriot's goaltender.

Graham Robertson himself was impressed by the youngster leftwinger's performance, my in-house reporter managed to catch the Duck's captain for a few questions, asking "Graham, a very impressive victory for you tonight, alot of it coming on, or off I should say, the stick of Harold Jewel, how do you think the new addition to the team is contributing?"

"I think he's contributing with everything he has to offer, he's always very hard working at the team practices, is on time and never leaves early and when it comes to the matches, well you've seen it yourself, he pays off very well. Plus it's nice to have someone besides me and Austin scoring!"

The Ducks rode out of Tranquility park for a celebratory dinner to celebrate qualifying for the World Cup playoffs for the second straight time, but the hard work ahead wasn't forgotten. Lucius Horn on his team's next steps said "You know, tonight, we're going to celebrate our hard-earned and fought dividends coming towards us, we practiced hard, and we made it. Now, come tomorrow morning, we're going to be back in the practice ring at six in the morning, we're going to grind out and hone our skills until we simply outclass our opposition. Cosumar is a internationally prestigious team, it's going to be a tough, fun match as will be any of the other matches once we win against the Ice Dragons."

"How glad are you that you're playing the Ice Dragon's and not the Ice Elephants?"

Lucius refused to answer that one, but I'm told he walked away with a smile. Regardless, I like many others will be heading to the playoff game tonight, cheering on our Ducks!

Gnaeus Tanicus Vopiscus contributed to this article.

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411561 comments

^{FAVORITE THIS DISCUSSION}

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RingLord18 · 1 minute ago
WOOOO, playoffs here we come!!! Dragon-slayers we will become this week!!!

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Wainright · 4 minutes ago
Thank god we aren't against Elejamie off, at least we stand a chance to advance into the quarter finals! Pfft, what am I saying, we're gonna wreck it up this Cup, this match against the Patriots just showed a spark of the fire the Ducks are capable of!!

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JakinOverton45 · 4 hours ago
I hope Nephara does what we couldn't this week; I'm not too worried about the Ducks, it's going to be a fun match against Cosumar, but we're going to be the ones coming away with the W there.

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[Neu Engollon]

“Good evening, Neu Engollon and to our International viewers. I'm, Karl Demais, your host here on the NETV 7 Sports Update. We're live from the Ironbound Colosseum in Longview, Valanora, where the Ibex have just miraculously snuck under the gate of the Group stage to advance to the Round of Sixteen in the 32nd World Cup of Hockey. I have the Head Coach of the Ibex with me now, Andre Manon. Andre, so many questions...Where to start?"

"Let's not start from the very beginning, Karl."

"Ha! No, no...So, how has the transition been from being a star player with the Ibex to a coach for the national team? Do you feel like you have the management skills and tasks down? Do you get the respect you feel you deserve?"

"Well, to be honest, I was looking forward to a year of retirement before diving into another project, especially hockey related, but when they approached me to head up the team for the upcoming season, it was tough to turn them down..."

"They being the Ministry of Athletics?"

"And the NEHL, who also has a hand in the organization. They nominally fall under the Ministry, but they are also their own animal, of course. Anyway, I wasn't expecting to get back in to hockey so soon. I'd done my stint in both the NEHL and foreign leagues and was ready to settle a bit, look at corporate sponsor deals and whatnot while I decided on my next course of action. But, here we are...As for respect - absolutely the team respects me and Ernie Volkzein, the assistant who was also my teammate before retiring with me this past year. We've all worked to make it a very cohesive team effort and we've all been supportive of each other. I'm just one part of a greater unit and that's how it should be."

"So they don't bristle at taking orders and discipline from guys who were their teammates not long ago?"

"Well, there hasn't been much need to discipline these guys. The Ibex are pretty self disciplining and it has more to do with peer pressure than anything. There's just not a lot of personality conflict or ego on our team, and I don't want to throw shade to the Goats, the national rugby team, but I do know that's a whole different animal there. Those guys need a strong arm sometimes and they have it in Coach Cosento. Different attitudes, maybe? I dunno..."

"Right. Moving on. Let's focus on the journey to get to this Round of Sixteen stage. How do you feel it went? Because from outside eyes it was rather rocky."

"It was rocky. I'm not going to deny that, Karl. We're making that transition and its been tough. Some of the guys miss Coach Liu and Siegler and some of them are kind of glad they're gone, or at least ready to start a new leaf. Diving into the World Cup though is a tough way to smooth that over and make that transition. The Cup is unforgiving and there's no takebacks. Errors made on the ice will only reflect to what we can do differently towards the minor tourneys and improvement for the following Cup the next year. We have literally had to hit the ice running this year with the dramatic change in both leadership and strategy."

"So, how do you all feel about your opponents in the Group Stage?"

"You know what? They were all tough in their own way. I think this is the first in a long while where we didn't see any team as a gimme or an easy win. Every game has been a struggle in different ways. We just have had to rapidly adjust and there are issues with that. We aren't the once dominant force that we used to be. But...we're the underdogs. In every game, whether it's Chromatika, Aquitayne or the super tough Novozemlyans, we just have to go on spirit and moxie and our basic skills, of course. That's what we ultimately have to fall back on. Not any superior strategy or star players, because not one of our Ibex wants to be a star out there. They want to be an inseparable part of the team."

"Well, understandable. How do you think your chances are going in to the first game with Valanora, the hosts and top ranked team? Quite a seeding there."

"Ha...hehe...Well, what can I say? We got a bum draw? It's probably the steepest odds out of any match up going towards the playoffs for this Cup. We're certainly the David to their Goliath.
Truth is, if we wanted to put our hands on that Cup, odds are we would've had to face Valanora sooner or later. Might as well be now, right? If we can't face this challenge now, what's the point of putting it off until later? It's do or die. The rivalry has been there from the last couple Cups we've competed in that we've faced them, both in group and playoff play. It always seems to come down to the Calcuttas for our continued survival in the World Cups. Every one of the Ibex knows that and they're steeling themselves for that very minute that we hit the ice against them. There's no take backs, there's no do-overs. You do what you do and it better be the best you can squeeze out of every pore of your being. There's no margin for error when it comes to facing the best teams in the multiverse."

"That seems like a pretty dire locker room speech."

"That would be pretty ludicrous if we assaulted the team with that apocalyptic type thinking, ya?...No, we're a bit more upbeat in our pre-game huddles and preparation than that. Ernie and I make a great team and we tell it like it is, but we boost those guys up as best we can. They ain't dumb. They know where it's at without us hammering it into them and they're going to put in their best game no matter what we say or don't say, anyway. Uh...I need to get back to the team, bud."

"Andre, thank you for speaking with us."

"You bet, thank you, Karl."

"We'll go back to the studio. Thank you for staying tuned into the NETV Sports 7 Update. We'll be back with a full preview of the Calcuttas and some post-match review of the Botten game, the Ibex most dramatic win of the Cup so far and the one that put them over the top for contention to get out of the group stage, plus some predictions for the top competing teams in the later stages of this Cup. All that after this sponsor break."

[Esparmuran]

Stack sacked after shock exit, left stranded in Valanora

5.50 k.

National Herald/nationale Herolden - A Commonwealth of Crowns Herald Affiliate

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Tanja Knudsen

Vrå, Esparmuran

After finishing up this years disastrous World Cup of Hockey, Espar head coach Jimi Stack has been fired.

"They're looking for someone else now. I'm out of a job." Stack told us on Skype shortly after the team tied against Vilitia & Turori.

The Espar Recreational Community has not announced a replacement coach yet.

"With all respect to Jim, we believe that in order to finally become World Cup of Hockey champions, we must seek new management." said the team owner, Savannah Spurling, after the plane holding the Espar team touched down onto home soil.

Well, the team minus Stack.

Last night, after the team headed back to Esparmuran, images online began circulating of Stack covered in rain outside the Icewind Doom Palace in Ianisle, Valanora, and rumours spread that Jimi had been left there on his own. We asked him if he really was stuck in Ianisle.

"Yeah, I'm still here." He said, continuing the Skype call. "I'm in an internet cafe right now. I can't leave, There's no flights here that go to Esparmuran, virtually nowhere does. I have no money on me to pay for a private flight home. I found an ATM, but most of my money's been transferred out. The ERC actually took my money out of my personal account. I don't know what to do."

Jimi Stack was 41-5-14 with the Espars. Visit our website nationaleherolden.ep to view the full Skype call.

[Novaya Zemlya]

WCOH: ROUND OF 16 PREVIEW

LONGVIEW Novaya Zemlya is getting ready for the knockout rounds of the 32nd WCoH. Their opponent in the Round of 16 will be Kaboomlandia, who came in second in Group H. All signs point to a very close, hard-fought series, seeing as the two teams are currently 8th and 9th on the world ranking, and both teams finished with a 3-0-1 record in their respective groups. It is certainly a tougher matchup than many Novozemlyans had hoped for. At the media availability this morning, center Denis Yemelyanov lamented the MD3 loss against newcomers Chromatika.

"Looking back, it should not have happened," he commented. "That was a game we should have won, which would have given us a higher seeding and an easier matchup in the Ro16. But it is what it is, we have to make the best of the situation. If you want to go deep in a tournament you will run into good teams sooner or later, might as well start now."

The Kaboomlandians find themselves in a similar situation. After three straight wins they suffered a humiliating defeat in their last group game against Nova Anglicana, losing 7-2. Does that mean the Novozemlyans have a psychological edge going into the series? Yemelyanov was not convinced.

"I didn't watch the game, but teams at this level are mentally strong," he said. "They will bounce back. In fact, it probably would have been better for us if that game ended 4-2 or something. Now, the Phoenix will have something to prove next game."

At the men's level, Novaya Zemlya have only faced the Phoenix once before. It was during the group stage at last year's WCoH in Hannasea, a close game that ended in a 2-2 tie. In addition, the two nations have met once at the World Juniors. That time, Kaboomlandia came away with a 3-2 win back at WJHC 9 in Vermark. Another interesting connection is that Kaboomlandian Paul Saxton is head coach of the Novozemlyan U20 national team. As such, he has had a hand in the development of several players currently on Novaya Zemlya's WCoH roster, such as Valeri Kalagin, Foma Khabalov and Plamen Mikhailov.

Aside from the Chromatika debacle, the Novozemlyans have had a good showing in Group C, with decisive wins against the two strongest opponents, Neu Engollon and Aquitayne. The last game against Botten, a narrow 2-1 win, was considerably less impressive, even though Fyodor Ryzhkov in a post-game interview claimed he had "dethroned King Gustav XI". The team got a little too comfortable midway through the game, according to Denis Yemelyanov.

"We got a 2-0 lead and I guess we thought we had it in the bag," the centerman said. "We got sloppy, and then in the third they scored and got within one, and we became nervous and disorganized. Anton Lopatin came up with a couple of big saves. We managed to get it together towards the end and got the W. Still, it was closer than it should have been and we need to compete for the full 60 minutes in the upcoming games. When we do, we have a chance against any team out there."

[Abanhfleft]

Lex Talionis, Part Thirty-one

Apartment 131
Ivarson Apartments
Hunsen, Valeria, Anglatia

The past few months had been a difficult time for Bisera Haralampieva, and it had both nothing to do and everything to do with her being, at least in football terms, a citizen of Pridnestrovia.

Six months ago, when Pridnestrovia had invaded the island of Nordskania, an island in which Anglatia had a lot of vested interests, the Anglatian people had reacted violently against the invasion of an island in which they had a number of regimes friendly to them, chief among them the anarchist Community of Revolutionary Nordskania and the fascist State of Nordskania. Pridnestrovia then declared that they were invading Nordskania “for the sake of the Nordskanians,” which didn’t make a lot of sense to Bisera until she found out through the news that Pridnestrovia and the old communist regime in Nordskania used to call themselves “fraternal socialist allies,” and now, because of the numerous Rose Rebellions tearing the land apart, Pridnestrovia had decided that it was their sworn and solemn duty as Nordskania’s “fraternal socialist allies” to restore order to the country, and the Pridnestrovian invasion of Nordskania had then served as the trigger for Anglatia to begin landing her own armies in the country to defend their own allies.

Bisera could hardly care about what Stepan Stepanenko did to his country, but because she had decided to represent Pridnestrovia (at least in international football), Bisera now became a convenient target for all those Anglatian nationalists who wanted to show to everyone that their country was the best above all the rest, and soon hate mail began pouring into Hunsen and Bisera’s doorstep. The hate mail then escalated into death threats, with people telling her to go back from where she came and get killed in the mountains of Nordskania. Frankly, Bisera had never experienced something like this in her whole life, which was why she was so unsure of what to do.

At least the people of Hunsen stood beside their Pridnestrovian. The people of Hunsen remembered that Bisera had been the player who had made sure that their team would win its first title in so many decades and the one who had made it possible for them to play in the Imperial Super League for the first time in their history. The people of Hunsen stood behind Bisera Haralampieva during this tough time, and even though the team itself was divided between the monarchists and the socialists and just about every other ideology in between, they were able to set aside these differences and stand alongside Bisera most of the time.

The staff of Hunsen Loggers FC, Bisera’s club, also made their arrangements with regards to Bisera’s safety. Casper Raptis, the owner of the Loggers, had called upon favors within the Hunsen Police Department to provide both the team in general and Bisera in particular with additional security every time they went out all across Anglatia to play. Erik Hanokssen, the Loggers’ manager, had also moved Bisera’s accommodations from the usual apartment right in front of New Loggers Park to some swankier digs right across the streets from the Hunsen PD’s headquarters. Bisera appreciated the help and the protection, but she also never tired of reminding both the staff and the police that she was sure that she was in no real danger. The Huesca Cartel, courtesy of Bisera’s friend Amy Pena, who had offered protection to Bisera in the days immediately following the Pridnestrovian invasion of Nordskania, had seen to that.

Six months onwards, with the Pridnestrovian advance stalled at the gates of Puloko and the forces of Revolutionary Nordskania gearing up for a massive offensive against the invaders, Bisera Haralampieva was still nowhere in the clear when it comes to the attention of the Anglatian nationalists. Nowhere had that particular fact been clearer than in the past few hours, when Hunsen had hosted Patierre’s Imperial Saint Rainier for an Imperial Super League match. Bisera could barely even remember the result; she didn’t know if Hunsen or Saint Rainier had won or if both teams had drawn, but she did remember that whenever she would touch the ball, the Saint Rainier fans would let out a constant stream of boos which didn’t let up until she passed the ball to someone else. The Saint Rainier fans also had a few select chants just for her, chants which included classics as “Off with your head, off with your head, Bisera Haralampieva, it’s off with your head” and a new chant made specially just for her. Its lyrics included gems like this:

“Behold the communist, who’s now on top of our to-kill list.”

All in all, it had been a tough day for Bisera, but nothing that she wasn’t used to now. Six months onwards and all the chants, insults, name-calling, catcalling, and threats were now old hat to her. She was also able to shut up the haters with a goal of her own, assisted by Stella Makelainen, but whether it was the winning goal, a meaningless goal on top of a mean trouncing of the oppositions, or just a measly consolation goal she couldn’t recall, nor did she particularly care. All she was really looking forward to doing now was to get back to her apartment, let her hair down, put her feet up, and have a long and dreamless sleep.

Bisera unlocked the door to her apartment and then closed it by kicking it her foot as she dumped her bag and her boots on the couch. She then reached behind her and pulled away the rubber band keeping her hair tied up on a bun, releasing her long black locks, which she shook as she made her way to the kitchen. She opened her refrigerator and took out a bottle of cold mineral water, and as she drank the cool water, she pondered on what had happened during the game. The hate from the Saint Rainier fans was understandable for her; after all, Patierre had once been in the grips of some kind of communist government or insurgency, and only the intervention of the Anglatians had finally rid them of the communist threat. Sure, Patierre had ended up becoming a colony of Anglatia after that, but for the people of Patierre, it seemed a small price to pay in exchange for the Anglatians ridding their country of that blasted ideology.

A noise made Bisera turn away from her musings and towards the table in the middle of the apartment kitchen. In her haste to get something to drink, she hadn’t noticed that there was someone else in the room with her. Bisera knew that she should have been afraid in a situation such as this, because the last time that there was an intruder in her place, she had almost been raped and had been saved only by the timely intervention of the Huesca Cartel. Perhaps it was because she knew that Amy Pena’s people were watching over her that Bisera didn’t feel as afraid as she should have. “Who are you?” Bisera asked as she closed the refrigerator even though she knew that it would have provided her with some cover if ever the intruder attempted to shoot her.

“Really, Bisera, I’m surprised that you’ve forgotten about me already so quickly,” a familiar female voice replied from the table. Bisera turned on the lights, and the intruder was revealed to be Audra Jaakola, a person whom Bisera was not expecting to see, especially in the present circumstances.

“Audra!” Bisera exclaimed. “How in the world did you get in here?”

“Like I told you before, Bisera, I thought you knew me well, at least before I went into my voluntary exile,” Audra replied. “And, before you say anything else, yes, I know about your Huesca protection. I think you should ask your friend Amy Pena for better protection because the men who were supposed to be watching over you decided to have some dinner, which is how I was able to get in here without them raising any alarms to you. I’m actually surprised by the quality of your protection right now, B. I would’ve thought that the Crows would have bowled over people like this, but somehow the Crows are the ones who ended up retreating back to Jugoskania. Well, the world doesn’t always work the way you think it does.”

“What are you doing here, Audra?” Bisera asked. “And where the hell have you been? You look like you’ve been through hell and back.”

“I have been through hell and back,” Audra said simply, and Bisera soon noticed that she was caressing her pistol absentmindedly. “And you wouldn’t believe the things that I’ve seen. I’ve gone against your Pridnestrovian friends, Bisera, and I think I killed a fair few of them. I also saw the Crows turned into pawns by Darya Zharkov and her Blue Roses in her attempt to take the Red Strip from the Pridnestrovian paratroopers who had occupied the place in advance of their invasion, and I also saw the results of the Pridnestrovian missile attacks on us. And I’m sure that you’ll find this last one hard to believe, but I met a bunch of Pridnestrovian soldiers, and they looked like people I knew like Britt and Erin and you. Some of them even looked like your teammates in the Pridnestrovian national team like Pavyluchenko and Poroshenko. And this is the most screwed-up thing about all this: I met the commander of these Pridnestrovians, and she looked like me. I mean it was like I was looking at a mirror except my reflection could walk and talk and she was a communist!”

“Okay, I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt with that one,” Bisera mumbled. “But still, the question remains: what are you doing here? Why aren’t you with your boyfriend in Otavice?”

“Let’s just say that I have some unfinished business to attend to,” Audra said, standing up and pointing her pistol at Bisera.

“Are you really going to kill me, Audra?” Bisera asked in a braver voice than she felt at the moment. “Are you really going to kill the last person you have an attraction to who’s still willing to talk to you even after all the shit you and your Crow friends have done?”

“I’m not going to kill you, Bisera,” Audra replied, still keeping the pistol pointed at her former teammate. “You’re way too important for me for that. But I am going to ask you a question, and I’m going to give you just one chance to give me a truthful answer or else. Where’s Britt?”

Bisera blinked furiously as she tried to compose herself. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Audra,” she finally replied.

Audra snorted. “Did you really expect me to fall for that, B?” she asked. “So you want to play games with me, eh? Well, two can play that game. Come with me, B. I want to show you something.”

Bisera would have liked to shout to Audra, “Screw you!” and get the hell out of there quickly, but since Audra had the gun and Bisera had nothing except her fists, she was at an immediate disadvantage and she knew it. “Lead the way,” she told Audra instead.

“No, no, you’re the one who lives in this place,” Audra replied. “I’ll tell you where to go and I’ll be right behind you to make sure that no funny business happens. Let’s go to your bedroom, B. I have a surprise waiting for you there.”

Something about the way that Audra said those words made the hairs on the back of Bisera’s neck stand up, but still she made her way to her bedroom as Audra commanded. And sure enough, when Bisera opened the door to her bedroom and opened the door, she received the shock of her life even though it wasn’t exactly what she was expecting to see in the first place. Lying on her bed, passed out and unaware of the rest of the world, was Shae Victoria.

“Audra, what the fuck have you done with Shae!?” Bisera demanded as she ran over to Shae’s unconscious form and began checking for signs of life and abuse.

“I’ve done nothing to her just yet,” Audra replied calmly as she pushed Bisera away from Shae and took one of the pillows in her gloved hands and held it over Shae’s head. “But right now, Shae’s life depends on you telling the truth, Bisera, so make sure that you tell the truth or else Shae’s blood will be on your hands whether you like it or not. Think wisely before answering me, B. Now, where’s Britt?”

“Audra, why are you doing this?” Bisera asked in reply.

“I told you to think wisely before you answer me, B,” Audra said. “You didn’t think before you spoke. Now, Shae may just well die because you didn’t think before speaking.” And then Audra put the pillow over Shae’s head, smothering her. Shae was too out of it to even struggle against her getting suffocated.

“Audra, stop it!” Bisera demanded. “Shae doesn’t have anything to do with this! You don’t have to kill her just for Britt! Leave her out of this! All right! I know where Britt is! She’s in Riuwiee, right in the middle of the Huescas’ turf! She and Erin are heavily protected! There’s nothing you can do about them without getting yourself killed!”

That answer finally seemed to satisfy Audra. She removed the pillow from Shae’s face and threw it aside. “Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” she asked Bisera. “I knew you’d come and see sense in the end.”

“Jesus Christ, Audra, one day, your obsession with Britt is going to be the death of you!” Bisera shouted as she ran over to Shae’s side to check that she was still breathing.

“All right, B, now that we’ve established that you know where Britt is, and that I want Britt, this is what I want you to do,” Audra said. “The Crows may be the only people who know how I feel, but some of the decisions they’ve made recently aren’t exactly the ones which I would’ve made if I was in their shoes. All right, I’ll cut to the chase. I want Britt. I want to disappear, but before I do that, I want to have Britt with me. And since you’re the one who has access to Britt, Bisera, you’re the one who’s going to bring Britt to me. No funny business, though. If I see any of your Huesca friends around where I’m going to tell you to bring Britt then the deal’s off. And just to make sure that you’re going to do what you’re told, I’m taking Shae with me.” Audra pressed the point by picking up Shae in her arms and carrying her like her bride. “As for you, Bisera, if you go back on this deal, I’m going to tell the Corsairs where you live, and there’s nothing that your Huesca friends can do to stop them from having their way with you. Good night, B.” And with that, Audra left Bisera’s apartment.

“Shit,” Bisera breathed out. She had not been expecting things to blow up this suddenly. Like the whole Huesca-Crows war and the Pridnestrovian invasion of Nordskania, things had now been blown widely out of proportion. People who didn’t have any business getting involved in this war was now part of it whether they liked it or not. Shae Victoria didn’t deserve to get dragged into this war, but Audra had now made sure that Shae was now a pawn in this war. The two girls whom Bisera had worked so hard to save from all this shit, Britt and Erin, were now in danger once again. There was now only one thing left to do now even though doing it may well cost everyone their lives.

Bisera took out her smartphone and called a number. “Yeah, it’s Bisera, Amy,” she said. “Listen, we’ve got a problem. A very, very big problem, by the looks of things.”

“I’m listening,” Amy Pena said all the way from Riuwiee. “Tell me what you need me to do.”

[Elejamie]

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WCoH32 Round of 16 Match-ups

Yes, I'm going to repeat something I did for the last competition. No, I'm not going to do my Analyses and Predictions, my usual post when we make it to the Quarter-finals, at the Round of 16. Yes, I'm going to say who I'll think go through in the end.

Anyway, now that's out of the way, I'm going to give a round-up of all the teams in the Round of 16 and how they managed to get there. And, indeed, the group stages, were a bit of a wild ride. Some of them are teams you'd expect, like Valanora, Quebec, Novaya Zemlya and, of course, us. However, there were a few teams that surprisingly didn't make the cut. Esparmuran, for a start. Aquitayne, while not a world-beater, looked like they could've made it to the play-off stage. Same goes with the United States of Devonta. And, in fact, there were a couple of teams - Chromatika and Cosneolta, to be exact - that looked like they were going to pull off a Ficiscia and make it to the Round of 16 on their very first go; sadly, they didn't, but it would've been interesting to see what would've happened if they did. Either way, we're down to sixteen teams and now I'm going to explain how they got on in their groups. Let's get started.

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Valanora vs Neu Engollon

Valanora, unsurprisingly, swept their group. Although their bye day was on the first day, this proved to not be a problem as they won their first game against Tobiasia, 4-2. Afterwards, they grabbed a slight 3-2 win over Cosumar that was enough to take them to the top of the table. However, there was no doubt that they creamed Averyickan City. How do I know? The Calcuttas won 6-1. Yes, I know what you're thinking. Eventually, they finished things off with a 3-0 win over The Redvale to secure their spot at the top of the table and, with that, a spot in the next round. But, seeing as Valanora are one of the greatest teams in the world and they're playing on home ice, there's no doubt that this was going to happen.

Neu Engollon, however, are lucky to have made it out of the group stage. Granted, it was quite a tough group to begin with, as they also had Aquitayne and Novaya Zemlya to deal with but no one knew how bad it would get. They had a tough time to start with, having lost their opening game 3-0 to Novaya Zemlya and drawing 4-4 with newcomers Chromatika. A 0-0 draw against last-placed Aquitayne didn't help matters and, should they lose or draw against Botten, then the Ibex would have to kiss that Round of 16 spot goodbye. Fortunately, they managed a 5-1 victory over Botten although, sadly, they still remained in third place, just behind Chromatika and Novaya Zemlya on goal difference. Then came the miracle to end all miracles. Chromatika would go on to lose 3-0 to Aquitayne (who, at that point, had already been eliminated) and drop down to third place, behind Neu Engollon on goal difference (-2 compared to the Ibex's +1). And now they're hoping the miracle doesn't wear off.

Abanhfleft vs Unified Sunrise Islands

Abanhfleft (aka Abahnfleft) were the other team to have swept their group. Quite a surprise, really, seeing as I figured they would've gotten a tie in at least one of their games. Either way, let's go through it. Their first game went as you'd expect, a narrow 3-2 win over Mercedini. Then came a 1-0 win over the United States of Devonta. However, it was game three that the Fleftics showed some raw power as they steamrolled Sontarion (not to be confused with those potato-headed aliens from that TV show) 5-2, which was swiftly followed by a bye day, just to get some extra practice in. It paid off and, after a 5-3 win over Lorenthia, they were crowned Group F champions. Not bad.

The Unified Sunrise Islands were another team that just made it out of their group stage by the skin of their teeth. After taking a break on the first match day, they had a bit of a bad start thanks to a goalless draw against Prusy Krolewskie. A 1-0 loss to the Ice Slaves didn't really help things either. Fortunately, their last two games went a whole lot smoother: A 1-0 win over General Dicking Around and a 1-0 victory over Cosneolta. As a result, they finished 2-1-1, with two goals for and one against. The downside was that Cosneolta also finished 2-1-1, with two goals for and one against. I'm not sure how they decided which one went through, maybe there was a play-off game between the two to see who'd take that spot or maybe the ref flipped a coin after that last game, but either way the USI made the playoffs and Cosneolta didn't.

Elejamie vs Nephara

We were in a group we could've easily swept if it weren't for the Tomikosan match. In fact, speaking of Tomikosan, let me just make a couple of corrections to their report: 1) Francisco Solano's not a defenceman (he's a left winger); and 2) Antonio Cervantes was trying to get the Hockey-loids' goalie away from him (although it doesn't help that Toni pretty much only speaks in Spanish) whereas Cerin Meloten and Anatoly Kasputin, two plays who refuse to drop the gloves no matter the situation, were telling the other guys that they weren't into fighting. I'm not sure if Franny Solano was KOed in that fight but it was clear that he did lose it. But everything apart from that was spot on.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's go onto our matches. And, first up, there was that 6-1 thrashing of the Natanians and Nosts, where Cerin Meloten scored a hat-trick. In fact, he made it look easy. I mean, Anatoly Kasputin, Ethan Swinburne (who's part of the NZEL-winning Metallurg Matochkingrad team, I should point out) and James Han scored a good goal each and Toni Cervantes did a very good job in net, but there was no doubt that it was Cerin's night. After that, we beat Anthor in a very close 3-2 game, with a James Han goal pretty much deciding the match. The 3-3 draw against Tomikosan was a bit of a bummer, especially since we could've done a whole lot better in that game, but we bounced back in style with that 5-0 victory over the Free Republics. Not a bad job but we honestly could've done a bit better, especially in that Tomikosan game.

Nephara, on the other hand, didn't have the greatest of starts. As in, after their opening bye day, their first match against Qasden ended in a goalless draw (much like the other Group B match that day, Dyclete vs Savojarna). In fact, their following game against Savojarna was the only match for them that didn't end in a draw; a 1-0 win for the Gulls. However, a disappointing 2-2 draw against the Royal Kingdom of Quebec (a team they had previously beaten, much to the shock of many) meant that they had to win their next game - whereas Qasden had to lose or draw - to stay afloat. Although they didn't grab that all-important win, thanks to a second goalless draw (this time against Dyclete), it was still enough to launch them into the Round of 16, as Qasden lost their last game to the Ice Knights 5-4.

Royal Kingdom of Quebec vs Mercedini

The Royal Kingdom of Quebec had a relatively good start to the tournament, bagging a 3-1 win over Savojarna on the first day. And, after they had their bye day, they got another 3-1 win, this time over Dyclete. However, the good times didn't last long as they would their drawing in their third game against Nephara (a team that managed to beat the Ice Knights back in Norrehavn, with the Gulls winning 5-4 in their last Group E game). Fortunately, they managed to shake things off by beating Qasden 5-4 to secure their place in the next round. Not a bad run, if I say so myself.

Mercedini didn't have the best of starts, losing their opening game against Abanhfleft 3-2 and a goalless draw in their second game, against newcomers Lorenthia. Fortunately, after that last game, they had their bye day, so they could go and get some practice in. And it looked like they managed to improve their skills as, when they returned to the ice, they beat the United States of Devonta 2-1; however, they slid down to fourth and needed a win in order to make it to the next round. Luckily, that's what they managed to do, beating Sontarian 3-1 to grab that all-important second place spot.

Nova Anglicana vs Vilita and Turori

Nova Anglicana were drawn into Group H, a fairly easy group where their biggest rivals were the Phoenix of Kaboomlandia. And, indeed, they did a job (not necessarily a good one, just a job) in their opening game against Ilyseum, which they won 1-0. Following a bye day, the Ice Lions managed to get the ball rolling with a 5-2 win over Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland. However, as hard as they tried, they were unable to defeat Lisander, going down 4-3 against the Irises. Erm... Ir-ice-is. Fortunately for them, they'd get an incredible last day victory over group rivals Kaboomlandia. How massive? 7-2. Yes, really. A win so big that it knocked the Phoenix off the top spot.

Vilita and Turori, however, surprised everyone when they somehow managed to eliminate Esparmuran. Yes, Esparmuran, the current third-ranked team in the world, are already out of the competition. I know how you're feeling and I'm feeling it too. And word is that Jimi Stack, who had been Team Espar's coach for quite a while, has been fired and is apparently stranded in Valanora, with no money to get home. Of course, I don't think there are any flights to Esparmuran anywhere (not in Valanora and not really over here), but he could at least ask the Espar embassy for some assistance. Still, you have to feel for the poor guy. Someone should start a fundraiser to bring him back home or bring him over here (I hear the Rosetta Royals will be needing a new assistant coach come the Summer) or at least something to get him out of his funk.

Where was I? Oh, yes. V&T had a good start to the competition, beating United Bermuda 2-0. As a result of all the goalless draws in Group E the following day (which was coincidentally the Ice Cat Things' bye day), it was still enough for them to keep the top spot. However, the 5-4 loss to Norrehavn when they returned to the ice was enough to dethrone them, sliding them down to third place. Although a 1-0 win over the Solitary Goats was enough to keep their hopes up, they'd need a win or a draw against Esparmuran to make sure they go through. And that's what happened. Vilita and Turori drew 1-1 and, as a result, made it through to the next round to the shock of many. Including Esparmuran, as I've previously mentioned, who as a result now have to go home without their now-ex-coach Jimi Stack.

Anthor vs Cosumar

Anthor were drawn into our group for the second tournament in a row, hoping to finally beat us. And, indeed, their opening 2-0 win over the Free Republics seemed like it would be a good stepping stone to that goal. Unfortunately, when they played against the Icy Elephants in the following game, the Anthoran Ducks could only scrape a 3-2 loss, with a James Han goal sealing their fate. Fortunately, they managed to look past that and grab a 3-2 win of their own, this time against the Natanians and Nosts (the same one who got thrashed 6-1 by us on the opening day). After a bye day, the Ducks had one last game, which they needed to win or draw to stay afloat. Their opponents? Tomikosan, who needed to win by at least four goals to go to the next round. Unfortunately for the Hockey-loids, Anthor managed to get that all important win - the final score being an impressive 7-3 - and, as a result, made it to their second consecutive Round of 16.

Cosumar didn't have the greatest of starts, drawing 2-2 with Averyickan City (a team that would end up losing all of their other games) but they managed to bounce back with a 3-1 win over the Redvale. A win that put them at the top, if only because Valanora played their first game that day. In fact, speaking of the Calcuttas, they beat the Ice Dragons 3-2, which put them back at the top and dropped Cosumar down to second place. Fortunately, Cosumar ended things on a high note, thanks to a 3-0 win over Tobiasia (one of their groupmates back in Hannasea). As a result of that win, as well as the aforementioned 6-1 thrashing of Averyickan City by Valanora, Group A had already been decided with one game left to go, with Valanora taking the top spot, Cosumar taking the runners-up position and Tobiasia, The Redvale and Averyickan City going home disappointed. Not often you get to see something like that.

Novaya Zemlya vs Kaboomlandia

Novaya Zemlya's WCoH campaign was full of ups and downs. How, you may ask? Although they did manage to beat the aforementioned Neu Engollon 3-0 on the opening day, it was their bye day after the match that did them in? How? They went down 3-2 against Chromatika, a team they could've easily beaten. Fortunately, a 4-1 win over the already-relegated Aquitayne lifted spirits and a narrow 2-1 victory over Botten was enough to land them the top spot, with three wins, no draws and a loss. Not too shabby but, unfortunately, nothing that I can really go in depth with. So let's get onto their opponents.

Kaboomlandia, however, had a strong start to their campaign. To start off with, they shut out Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland 3-0, with goals from Scott Herndon, Mikael Samsonov and Zack Murray. Then came a 5-4 win over Lisander, a tough game for both teams that the Phoenix were lucky to survive. After a day off to relax, Kaboomlandia beat Ilyseum 6-4 to secure a spot in the next round, no matter the result of their final game. If you read what I wrote earlier, you can guess what's going to come next. Still, it wasn't the fact that they lost that saw them go down to second place but, rather, the scoreline. After all, when you lose 7-2, your goal difference will take a bit of a hit and that's what happened to Kaboomlandia; their GD went from +6 to +1. An unlucky end for what could've been an amazing group stage run.

Gregoryisgodistan vs Norrehavn

There's no doubt that the Ice Slaves are slowly but surely entering a state of decline. You can tell how they went from two-time winners to struggling at the Round of 16, having gone out in that round in the 28th, 30th and 31st editions (although they made it to the WCoH29 finals before they lost their series 2-1 to us). Maybe they needs some new and better forwards so they'd have less trouble putting the puck in. Maybe they need some pre-tournament friendlies just to get the blood pumping. Maybe a new coaching staff would work wonders. All I know is that a) they've got a good defence, which is why they haven't really been knocked out in the group stage for a while and b) if Gregoryisgodistan fall again at this stage for a third time in a row then I think it's safe to say that Horse Beater LAL9210 might be out of a job (and life) soon. Either way, let's not talk about their recent failures - as to not upset Lord Almighty Gregory - and instead talk about their group stage performance. Because, as we all know, when Lord Almighty Gregory gets upset, people die.

Gregoryisgodistan was drawn into an easy group but still had problems putting the puck in. As in, they only managed five goals in four games. Their first game started off alright, beating General Dicking Around 4-0 in what could easily be described as a "blowout" by their standard. However, their game against Cosneolta saw the first of two goalless draws for the Ice Slaves. Fortunately, their next game against the Unified Sunrise Islands went a whole lot smoother, with a 1-0 victory that kept them at the top. Unfortunately, there was no big finale as they got another 0-0 draw, this time against Prusy Krolewskie, who were relegated as a result. But, either way, five goals scored and a whopping ZERO conceded... I think it's safe to say that Gregoryisgodistan might be in with a chance this time.

Norrehavn, however, were drawn into a fairly hard group, with their biggest rivals being Esparmuran (who were expected to be group leaders by the end) and Vilita and Turori. However, they still managed to prove their worth. On the opening day, they drew 3-3 to Team Espar, which is a pretty impressive feat. However, their next game against United Bermuda didn't go so smoothly, as it ended as a goalless draw. Fortunately, a 5-4 win over the Ice Cat Things was enough to propel them to the top of the table. After a bye day, which saw them keep their spot at the top, they finished things up with a 1-0 win over the Solitary Goats. Not a bad run, if I have to say.

---

And so that's your lot. Quite a few interesting match-ups, if I do say so myself. Especially the Novaya Zemlya-Kaboomlandia series, which is something everyone should be keeping an eye on, even if it does mean watching the highlights. And, while we're stuck with Nephara again (cast your mind back to the 29th WCoH when we beat them 5-4 and 2-1 in our Round of 16 series), the fact that they did very badly in their group might come as a small relief to us. And Neu Engollon, as previously mentioned, will be doing their best to survive, although the odds are really stacked against them and it would be nothing short of a minor miracle if they take it to three games. Either way, I'm going to stay tuned, watch some quality ice hockey and hopefully get ready to write up my Analyses and Predictions article.

And yes, I know what you're going to ask. And here's my answer: Valanora, Abanhfleft, Elejamie, the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, Nova Anglicana, Cosumar, Novaya Zemlya and Gregoryisgodistan. Chances are that I'll be proved wrong, like Anthor making it past Cosumar or Kaboomlandia besting Novaya Zemlya, but we shall see.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

Mimi ran to her brother-in-law at the meeting room, carrying a little drawing book.
"Ryo!" She yelled, before stumbling at the man, falling flat on her butt as he barely moved. "Ow!"
He laughed, helping her up. "Hi, Mimi. What is it?"
She made a little twirly dance, showing the book.
"I've heard the news that we're having a hockey team here at Nova! So I though of a couple of ideas!"
Ryo looked to the side, chuckling a bit. "I was actually thinking of leaving this with the guys at the Design department..."
"Oh, come on!" Mimi yelled. "Please! I worked hard on all these!"
The cyborg man sighed, but relented. "Fine, let me check it."

He quickly opened the book, taking a look at the first design the girl had made.
Ryo laughed from the first design. "The Nova Settlement Space Cupids?"
"Yeah!" She smiled. "Coming from space, bringing couples together!"
"Sure we can't have a too menacing team, but this is too much." Ryo nodded. "We want the Nova Settlement team to be fierce."
"Fair enough! I have a bunch of other designs for you to look at!"
...
"The Nova Settlement Rave?"
"For all your raving needs! Neon bands and a bottle of Jar 69 not included!" Mimi said.
Ryo crossed his arms. "Aren't you a bit young to think of this?"
"I'm not that young. Plus, that's going to be all the happenings back at Ville des Etóiles!"
"..." Ryo stared at her.
"I mean... OK. No." She sighed. "Next!"
...
"The Nova Settlement ...Friday Night Delights?" He looked at the her, confused. "Ain't that a mouthful?"
"C'mon! It'd be awesome for games at Friday Night!" She nodded, winking afterwards. "Plus, a team of Nova should be quite the delight, right?"
"...I'm not naming them that." Ryo answered with some disappointment. "I thought you had more serious suggestions!"
"Well... Ayumi said they were all great!" She said, buffing. "Maybe she has better taste than you!"
"...Let's proceed, shall we?"
...
"...I like this one."
Ryo had flicked across dozens of designs until reaching one in particular.
Colored in three tones of gray, gold accents and white.
The name? The Nova Settlement Machine.
"R-really?" Mimi asked, surprised. "I-I-I mean, sure! My designs are the finest!"
"I'll give this a shot. Thanks." He said, taking the book with him and leaving.
"HEY!" She yelled as he walked away on a rush. "I WANT SEASON TICKETS!"

[Kaboomlandia]

Playoff Preview: Kaboomlandia vs. Novaya Zemlya

It's playoff time in the World Cup of Hockey again, and for the fourth straight tournament, the Phoenix are in the knockout rounds. This cycle, they're facing Novaya Zemlya, whose path to this point has been strikingly similar to the Phoenix's route here; both teams are 3-0-1, are ranked just one spot apart at eighth and ninth, and suffered their only losses in humiliating fashion: Novaya Zemlya by dropping a 3-2 decision to unranked Chromatika, while the Phoenix were thrashed 7-2 by Nova Anglicana. Let's go into depth about which side will have the edge:

Offense

Both of these teams are offensively skilled, but the Phoenix are expected to have the edge if it turns into an offensive shootout. Though they've been unnaturally quiet in the group stage, the Kid Line of Murray, Martin and Linden are still major game-breakers. The Phoenix essentially have a 1-A and 1-B line with the Tyler Martin line relegated to second place. They've been strong this tournament and Martin in particular is one of the better clutch players in the game. Bringing up the rear, Mikael Samsonov has proved to be very impressive this tournament from the fourth line. There are some rumours that he may take Aaron Richards' spot on the third line, but as of today nothing has been specifically figured out yet.

Novaya Zemlya's offense has been fairly good this tournament. Their highest number of goals in a game this tournament was four against an already eliminated side from Aquitayne, but their forwards have sometimes struggled to score, as indicated by the shocking 3-2 loss to Chromatika and a close 2-1 win over Botten that won them the group.

Defense

The explosive Kaboomlandian offense is balanced out by a very strong Novozemlyan defense. The team only gave up five goals in the tournament's group stage, and three of them were in the loss against Chromatika. If Novaya Zemlya can keep the games close, they should be able to eke out victory.

Kaboomlandia's defense, meanwhile, needs to get it together. After a Game 1 shutout over Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland, the team has given up 15 goals in their last three games, with half of those coming against Nova Anglicana. Scott Herndon isn't the dominant physical force he used to be on the back end, and in his last tournament with the team he hasn't looked that good. Derek Strachan is a bright spot on this team and he'll likely assume the No. 1 role once Herndon retires.

Goaltending

Despite Lyle Mace being the goalie of the future for the Phoenix, he just hasn't looked like one this tournament. He's surrendered seven goals in four periods of work, but was chased against Nova Anglicana after three quick goals in the first period. Dylan Brady hasn't looked that bad and will likely start the first game in this series. Blair Mitchell stated this morning that he doesn't want a media circus, saying "We talked it over with Lyle and Dylan and they're fine with the decision. Obviously Lyle would have liked to been better against the Lions, but sometimes you just have an off day."

Meanwhile, Novaya Zemlya has a position of strength in goal with veteran Iosif Bezukladnikov, who is a regular between the pipes for the Novozemlyans. However, it was Anton Lopatin that was the hero against Botten, backstopping Novaya Zemlya to victory in a game they had to win. Either of them could probably start and do fine, but if the Novozemlyans lose goaltending will not be the cause.

X-Factor

For the Kaboomlandians, they need to get the 7-2 humiliation by the Lions out of their heads, and quickly. Novaya Zemlya is a very dangerous team and the Phoenix can't be caught asleep early in the games. Novaya Zemlya is similar; they can't afford to dwell on the 3-2 defeat against Chromatika.

Prediction

I'm going to be bold and say Kaboomlandia in three. Though the series could easily go either way, Kaboomlandia's offense should be eventually able to break through the defensive prowess of the Novozemlyans. I would be extremely disappointed if this series did not feature at least one game going past 60 minutes and to overtime; given how evenly matched these two teams are it would be a disservice not to have at least one sudden-death game.

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
The Road Ahead

The Calcuttas always had a feeling that they would find an easy path to the playoffs once the tournament was decided to be hosted in Valanora, thus sweeping the group stage comes as no real big surprise to the team nor any of their supporters. However in acquiring the top seed in the playoffs, such that they will have the weakest seed remaining in each round should they advance certainly did come as a surprise, as everyone assumed that it would be Elejamie who would show that sort of strength. Alas, Elejamie was not even the other team to go perfect in their group play, that honor went to Abanhfleft, as the Icy Elephants managed but a tie against Tomikosan. You do not see the Icy Elephants complaining however about being the third seed, though given that the foregone conclusion is that they will be making it to the Championship series anyways, it stands to reason that they would take any seed that came their way, so long as it gave them the chance to defend their title.

For the Calcuttas, the top overall seed is also a huge mental advantage, a show of their strength and resiliency, that the defeat to the Icy Elephants two years ago has not hampered their spirits or put out the fires of ambition that burns within the squad. It is a part of what makes the national teams from Valanora great, that innate drive to be the very best at their craft, a sort of perfectionism that goes beyond what most humans seem to have a grasp of. The most tangible way of witnessing that perfectionism, if that is even the most apt word to describe the feeling, is to look at the Calcuttas sister national team in the Marauders and Laborious' Hawk quest to be the best at all things in his life on and off the pitch. To have that innate drive within you that sees you always looking for ways to better yourself so that the obstacles before you are lessened, that your own skill is enhanced not just for a moment but for a lifetime only to be built upon further. This the fire that burns brightly and deeply in all Vanorian sportsmen and women.

It is that fire that will have to see them through a particularly dangerous draw in their first knockout series opponent in Neu Engollon, a side who has had a few shock victories over the Calcuttas in the past and are riding on the coattails of miracles and luck to even be in this far to begin with. Where the Calcuttas ran through their group in a sort of ruthless efficiency, one might even go so far as to call it routine or mechanical, Neu Engollon had to scrap through their last two matches to get the points needed to keep themselves here in Valanora and not departing on the first boat out of the Eternal Empire. A solitary win might suggest that the series is destined for overtime and perhaps in every game of the series, as the Neu Engollon side did have two ties to their record, and their goals against and goals for show a side that can attack at a decent rate but a blue line corps that has their own issues to resolve and to do so in hurry given how proficient our forwards have been in front of net.

What I think to happen is likely a series that goes the full three games, as this Neu Engollon squad seems just chippy enough and with just the right mindset that they do have the capability of taking a game of the Calcuttas if the Vanorian squad is not mentally ready for the sort of game that they will have on their hands. If this squad is prepared, then a sweep in the first two games is also likely, as currently all signs seem to be pointing towards another matchup between ourselves and Elejamie in the Championship series. Though one has to look closely at the other teams still in contention, as Abanhfleft seems to have put themselves together a really good squad right now, while the traditional powers of Quebec and Novaya Zemlya are not to be underestimated either. The biggest draw of the first knockout series might very well be Novaya Zemlya and Kaboomlandia, as the latter's last game defeat saw them drop from the third seed to the tenth, a defeat that will no doubt have left a very bitter taste in their mouth. The group stage is over but this tournament has only just begun.

[Valanora]

Round of Sixteen, Game 1
Valanora 4–1 Neu Engollon
Abanhfleft 0–1 Unified Sunrise Islands
Elejamie 2–1 Nephara
Royal Kingdom of Quebec 1–0 Mercedini
Nova Anglicana 3–4 Vilita and Turori
Anthor 1–2 Cosumar
Novaya Zemlya 1–1(2–1 OT) Kaboomlandia
Gregoryisgodistan 1–2 Norrehavn

[Kaboomlandia]

Novaya Zemlya 2, Kaboomlandia 1 (OT)

"Welcome to Valanora! Today we have some playoff hockey for you, as Novaya Zemlya will take on Kaboomlandia in the first game of the Round of 16! Dylan Brady is starting in net for the Phoenix, while Anton Lopatin is in for the Novozemlyans in this crucial first playoff matchup."

"Very evenly matched game here between Novaya Zemlya and Kaboomlandia, the crowd's really getting into it. Denis Yemelyanov has the puck for the Novozemlyans, Yemelyanov, out to Shelagin on the left side. Dominik Shelagin crosses the blueline, quick shot off the wing is turned aside by Brady. Derek Strachan gets the puck, young defenseman throws it up the left side boards for Philips who tips it up to Martin. Tyler Martin dishes off to Rutherford over the blueline, big slapper from the captain but Lopatin gobbles that up without a rebound."

"Eight minutes in now, both teams still searching for that first goal. Clooney's in behind his own net now, up the left boards but it's picked off at the line by Khabalov. Foma Khabalov carries the puck in deep below the goal line, quick pass out to Yerokhin, shoots, turned aside by Brady in tight. Kevin Bore to it in the corner, battling with Kalagin for space. Kevin Bore gets the puck out to Samsonov, who's been moved up to the third line in place of Aaron Richards. Mikael Samsonov quickly moves the puck up-ice, got Günther with him. Samsonov keeps the puck on the two-on-two, shoots, but it's tipped out of play by Mikhailov and we'll take a break."

"First period is winding down here, into the final three minutes of the period. Dmitriy Chupalov with it, quick feed for Kalagin on the left side. Valeri Kalagin over the blueline and blows past Herndon, but the big man on defense reaches out his stick and the Novozemlyans are going to the power play."

"Man advantage for Bogdan Bobr's crew here, looking to take the lead in a tight first period. Yerokhin wins the face-off and takes control, Kalagin trying to get open against Strachan subbing in on the right side. Krasimir Yerokhin passes back to Andrei Alenichev. Alenichev quick pass for Nemtsev. Nemtsev shoots, blockered away by Dylan Brady. Valeri Kalagin has the puck now, back to Alenichev. Andrei Alenichev, crosses with Nemtsev, quick pass, Nemtsev another shot, stopped, Kalagin rebound in close, how did Brady get an arm on that! Puck deflects out of play and the fans rise to their feet for that wonderful save in close on Valeri Kalagin!"

"The first period is now over in Valanora, and after an incredibly hard-fought 20 minutes, we're scoreless after the first."

---

"Welcome back to Valanora! Tonight we have a great game that's just in the second period, as the Kaboomlandia Phoenix are taking on Novaya Zemlya, and it's been a goaltending duel so far. First period was scoreless, but there were no shortage of chances to break the deadlock, either."

"Second period is well underway here, still scoreless. Valeri Kalagin has the puck, he's looked impressive today. Kalagin up the right side for Khabalov, Foma Khabalov over the blueline and shoots it in off the glass. Kalagin controlling the puck down low, checked off it by Tyson Nash. Yerokhin on the puck now, in behind the Phoenix net. Krasimir Yerokhin passes out back to Khabalov, drop pass for Myshkin. Over to Chupalov. Dmitriy Chupalov shoots through traffic, scores! The Novozemlyans open the scoring on a Chupalov shot that Dylan Brady never saw!"

"Phoenix now down by one, looking for the equalizer. Kennedy Linden has the puck on the right wing, crosses over the blueline waiting for the rest of his line. Change complete now, Linden hits Zack Murray across the high slot. Murray to the top of the right circle, shoots but kicked away by Lopatin. Zack Murray collects his own rebound, swings wide for a wraparound, kicked out by Lopatin. Murray still with the puck, back to the line for Casey Lindsay. Lindsay at the blueline, shoots, tipped, stopped by Lopatin! Martin rebound went just wide! And Myshkin gets to this puck and flips it out of the zone, the Phoenix came very close to tying the score."

"Dominik Shelagin has the puck near centre for Novaya Zemlya, challenged by Samsonov. Shelagin with the quick pass to Yemelyanov and the Novozemlyan centre has a step on Bore! Denis Yemelyanov breaks in on goal, but is taken down by Kevin Bore! Fans and the Novozemlyans hollering for a penalty and it looks like this will be a penalty shot to Yemelyanov! A critical point in the game!"

"Denis Yemelyanov takes the puck at centre ice. He's over the blueline, no move yet from either side. Yemelyanov with the kick fake, to the backhand...stopped by Brady! The big goalie does his part to keep the Phoenix in this game!"

"The second period is over, and Novaya Zemlya leads 1-0. Dylan Brady stopped a penalty shot from Denis Yemelyanov to keep it at one."

---

"The puck has just dropped for the third period and Kaboomlandia really needs to get something here. Both goalies are playing incredibly, Dylan Brady has given the team new life with the penalty-shot save on Yemelyanov, and the offense was alive but just couldn't score. Puck is back behind the Phoenix net, Patrick Clooney watching the play develop in front of him. Bryson Martin skates back and goes by Clooney, rush starting here. Clooney up the left side to Martin, tip pass up to Murray. Zack Murray over the middle, back pass to Clooney. The defenseman shoots the puck in over centre, hits the back of the net where Myshkin grabs it. Linden is into the play now, using that big body to muscle Zakhariy Myshkin off the puck. Linden up the right side boards, back to Scott Herndon with some room. Herndon draws in the defense, quick pass to Linden, shoots off the wing, off the crossbar and out of play!"

"Seven minutes in here, Novaya Zemlya still leading by just one goal. Tyson Nash plays the puck off the boards for Mikael Samsonov, out there on a partial change with Philips and Tyler Martin. Samsonov with the puck, over the blueline and dishes off to Tyler Martin. Martin waits for help, puck goes to Philips on the left side. Adrian Philips shoots, stopped by Lopatin. Samsonov on the doorstep, rebound is stopped! Mikael Samsonov with another rebound, HE SCORES! Mikael Samsonov has tied the game for the Phoenix!"

"Six and a half to go in the third, 1-1 tie here between the Phoenix and Novozemlyans. Gavrilov breaking out of the zone with the puck, up for Radoslav Klepakhov. Klepakhov crosses the blueline, runs straight into Derek Strachan, clean hit but hard, Phoenix breaking the other way. Maxime Coderre has the puck left side, over centre. Up for Matthias Günther over the blueline, quick shot on goal is stopped by Lopatin."

"Two minutes to go, Phoenix getting some offensive pressure here. Kevin Bore has the puck, over to Strachan, one-timer, blocker save Lopatin. Adrian Philips in the corner, kicked out for Tyler Martin who gives it back to Strachan. Strachan setting up, back to Martin on the left side. Martin quick pass to Rutherford, shot just missed from the half-wall. Philips stopped it behind the net, quick pass to Rutherford on the right side...STOPPED BY LOPATIN! That might be the game-saver!"

"The horn goes, and it's still a 1-1 tie, so we have ourselves some sudden-death overtime to play!"

---

"Welcome back to Valanora for the overtime period. The Phoenix have been in three overtime games in their history. First one was in World Cup of Hockey 29 where they lost 4-3, ironically to Valanora, and the other two were in that memorable series in Norrehavn where the Phoenix won two consecutive 3-2 overtime games over Nephara thanks to goals by Tyler Martin and Tyson Nash."

"Overtime is three minutes old here, teams still playing tentatively, not wanting to take huge risks and lose the game here. Clooney has the puck on the left wing, over centre and dumps it in. Darryl Rutherford there for it on the right side, controls the puck and finds Herndon at the blueline. Scott Herndon over to Clooney on the other side, perimeter pass to Philips. Adrian Philips back to Clooney, shot on goal, kick save Lopatin, Martin on the rebound, WHAT A DIVING SAVE BY LOPATIN! The Novozemlyan goalie is on fire today!"

"Halfway through overtime here, both teams getting some chances now. Novaya Zemlya getting a rush now on the right side, Kalagin's got a two-on-one with Yerokhin! Valeri Kalagin waits for Lindsay to go down, quick pass to Yerokhin, great save by Brady! Yerokhin with another shot, Kalagin, SCORES! Valeri Kalagin ends it in overtime for Novaya Zemlya, and the Phoenix are on the brink of elimination!"