NationStates Jolt Archive

Let's have a World Cup of real hockey, played on ice as God intended.

Anyone interested?

Big Bobby Clobber
Greenland Hockey Commissioner


STANDINGS FOR THE CHERRY CUP: FIRST ROUND FINAL STANDINGS
[code:1:656c336d34]
Group A G W D L GF GA Pts
SterlingIce 5 4 0 1 12 6 8
Kalaallit Nunaat 5 3 1 1 11 8 7
Quinntonia 5 2 2 1 11 9 6
Kaze Progressa 5 2 1 2 15 14 5
Tranquillitis 5 1 0 4 12 17 2
Wildthings Realm 5 0 2 3 5 12 2

Group B
Timway 5 4 0 1 17 15 8
Soviet Haaregrad 5 3 0 2 19 13 6
The Gulf States 5 3 0 2 18 14 6
Iansisle 5 2 1 2 19 18 5
Tanah Burung 5 1 1 3 4 10 3
Daistallia 5 1 0 4 11 18 2
[/code:1:656c336d34]

SECOND ROUND FINAL STANDINGS
[code:1:656c336d34]
A Pool G W D L GF GA Pts
SterlingIce 7 6 0 1 25 13 13
Soviet Haaregrad 7 4 1 2 18 19 9
Kalaallit Nunaat 7 2 3 2 19 17 7
Timway 7 2 2 3 18 20 6
The Gulf States 7 1 2 4 20 23 4
Quinntonia 7 2 0 5 11 20 4

B Pool
Iansisle 10 6 1 3 30 26 13
Kaze Progressa 10 5 1 4 32 30 11
Wildthings Realm 10 3 2 5 19 25 8
Tranquillitis 10 4 0 6 20 28 8
Tanah Burung 10 2 1 7 16 26 5
Daistallia 10 2 0 8 20 32 4
[/code:1:656c336d34]

"Not every international sporting competition needs to be called the 'World Cup' of whatever."

Ben Wright
Sporting Bureau

The Nation of Chibuppi is drawing up plans for its own Hockey League. The capitol city of Deejums will have a team, name TBA, as will the cities of Wannahump, Beagleton, New Biltmore, Justin, Navotny and, perhaps, the Port City of Kinney. We will be putting out a news item as soon as negotiations are finalized in these cities. Let the games begin!!!!
Yours, Carson Slapshot, Commissioner/Chibuppi Minister of Public Fitness

Maybe it should be called the World Championship instead, for something a bit different ;)

Count the Progressans in :D

Sure, we'll teach some people how to skate and take part. Just think of us as the Jamaican bobsled team of the competition.

Bump!

Let's call it the Don Cherry Cup!

Yes! We would love to send a team.

Wildthing's Realm will be proud to send it's squad to this competition.

Bump!

Let's call it the Don Cherry Cup!
Yes, the LORD Don Cherry's Cup. Quinntonia is in! Hockey is like a religioen here, and considering that we are a theocracy, that is saying a lot.
OOC-I..... AM..... Canadian!!!!
Did anybody see Tutu play his first NHL game?
WWJD
Amen.

WWJD? Strap on some skates!

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

Ha, never noticed that.

Yes, it's from Slap Shot, of course. Go Hanson Brothers!

I heard that the WHA was starting up again. Old-time hockey's back, maybe.

Anyways, sign up for the Cherry Cup. It could sure use a Soviets team!

Timway will also sign up.

*body checks thread back to page one*

We'll send a team.

The following countries think they have what it takes:

Kalaallit Nunaat
Kaze Progressa
Tanah Burung
Daistallia
Wildthings Realm
Quinntonia
Timway
Soviet Haaregrad

Any other takers?

The Rogue Nation of SterlingIce would definitely like to get in on some hockey action.

SI

Tranquillitis, having much experience with ice and ice related activities, would love to join.

The Tranquillitis Moose have revealed their jersey prototype to the world.

http://manitobamoose.mywinnipeg.com/img/prod/prod63large.jpg

The home/white one is similar. Where ever white appears on the jersey, it is replaced with black for the home/white jersey.

*cues the Hockey Night in Canada theme*
Beware the Haaregradia Fulcrums.

OOC: Named after the MiG 29 of course, logo coming soon

Our nation is the protectorate of 6 Canadian provinces. Of course we can't refuse an opportunity in international Ice Hockey.

Meh? Americans. Can't see outside their own bubble.

Meh? Americans. Can't see outside their own bubble.

Who?

The Quinntonians are THE SAINTS! We play a very physical and fast-paced speed type of hockey with huge emphasis on goaltending and offense. Much like say...... Colorado or NYI or even Edmonton back during the good days. The only problem is.. is that all these teams were relatively weak on defense. And, I say relatively because they still all had excellent defensive lines, but all had far more emphasis on the other two areas. How is this going to be decided? I think Quinntonia got Bronze in the last winter Olympics for hockey. Lost only one game, and it was the qualifier for the final!!! Damn!
WWJD
Where
Would
Jesus
Deke?
WWJD
Amen.

bump

SI

Americans, Mr. Belmore, sir? None are present in this nation!

I'd like to get this under way this coming weekend, so you have until Friday to sign up.

bump

SI
WWJD
Amen.

Is no one else going to sign up, are we talking about a Quinntoian sweep?
WWJD
Amen.

Eager to reverse humiliating Iansislean reverses in the Winter Olympics, the Ianapalis Gulls, Iansisle's premier ice hockey team, have signed up for the tournament after taking the Klapston Cup last month (4-1 over the Fort Dawes Stormers).

http://www.inthecrease.com/resources/major/wchl/san_diego.jpg

The Saints will go all the way! They are out for blood! But, in a nice Christian way. (We will still cream you, but legally)
WWJD
Amen.

Sergei Naumov, Martin St. Amour, and the rest of the Gulls have other ideas!

http://www.sandiego-online.com/issues/february00/images/gulls.jpg

We have 12 countries signed on, so let's get the Cherry Cup under way.

The format is based on the IIHF world championship: Teams will be divided into two groups of six each, which play a round-robin (each team plays everyone else once).

The top three teams from each group advance to the A pool, taking their points from matches played against each other with them, but dropping their points from matches against the other teams. They then play another round-robin, facing each other team in the A pool once. All will then have played 10 games, and the top point-getter is the winner of the Cherry Cup.

Teams that do not make the A pool will play a round-robin of their own in the B pool, keeping all points earned in the group stages. By using this format, no one gets knocked out early: even if you have no chance to win you can keep playing.

At the conclusion of the tournament, we'll have some rankings that can be used to influence results in future tournaments. But for now, results will be determined by the roll of dice. I'll roll a dice and you get the number of goals rolled: if i roll a 2, you score 2 goals etc. If a 6 is rolled, that means you score zero. If a 5 is rolled, there is a chance for knock-on goals. You score 5, but i'll roll again and if a 5 is rolled for a second time, that means another goal, etc. This way most games will have 0-5 goals per team, but there is a chance for higher-scoring results.

Results will be posted on this thread, and i will edit group standings into the opening post.

Group A
Kalaallit Nunaat
Kaze Progressa
Wildthings Realm
Quinntonia
SterlingIce
Tranquillitis

Group B
Tanah Burung
Daistallia
Timway
Soviet Haaregrad
The Gulf States
Iansisle

Schedule:
Game one: 1 v 6, 2 v 3, 4 v 5
Game two: 1 v 5, 2 v 4, 3 v 6
Game three: 1 v 4, 2 v 6, 3 v 5
Game four: 1 v 3, 2 v 5, 4 v 6
Game five: 1 v 2, 3 v 4, 5 v 6

Nice simple results process :D I used six-sided dice when I did my Global Golf Tour... planning on starting that up again... ;)

We have now trained 20 people to skate on ice. Our team is named the Cassowaries, after the large, slow, awkward flightless bird. The Cassowaries look forward to our thrashing at the hands of countries that actually know how to play hockey.

The Dominion of Kotterdam would like to submit the Salem Habitants to the competition.

Ahem...

Go, Habs, go!

Rt. Hon. Scott Haley
Prime Minister
Dominion of Kotterdam

Dum-da-dum-ta-dum.

Count the Caer Pugetia Corsairs in as well.

Game one results:

Kalaallit Nunaat 4 Tranquillitis 2
Kaze Progressa 5 Wildthings Realm 1
Quinntonia 1 SterlingIce 2
Tanah Burung 1 Iansisle 1
Daistallia 3 Timway 4
Soviet Haaregrad 2 The Gulf States 1

President Ti recieves the news of Daistallia*s defeat during the national celebration and begins cursing a blue streak to make a marine DI blush!

The Rogue Nation of Sterling Ice have nicknamed their team the Hippopotami after the animal our nation is most known for and which adorns our flag. Not only that, but the National Olympic Committee feels this name adequately conveys their grace on the ice.

SI

Sorry Kotterdam and Caer Pugetia, I'd already started it when you signed up. Next time, OK?

Nothing tranquil in the ass-whippin' the Greenlanders gave to Tranquillitis. Yup, it's the year for Inuit hockey players.

Big Bobby Clobber
Greenland Hockey Commissioner

From the Daily Kangaroo:

COOL AS ICE - Progressan Ice Hockey Stars Show White-Hot Form

Kaze Progressa's ice hockey side started the Cherry Cup in the best possible way with a 5-1 defeat of former field hockey darlings Wildthings Realm.

The Progressans took the lead after just 83 seconds. Aeuaka Lamieulin's one-timer was brilliantly saved by the glove of the Wildthings Realm goaltender, who hung on for the face-off and the line change. Kiwlo Kamikli immediately set up Muw Mquazna for a one-timer shot from an awkward angle from this face-off, and he knocked it superbly past the keeper's stick.

The Wildthings were quick to respond, causing significant problems for goaltender Fayu Nunkaznal. Eventually their inability to beat him caused one defender to snap, elbowing Lamieulin. Kamikli scored from the resultant power play after several good saves earlier. 2-0 at the end of the first period.

In the second, Wildthings gained a glimmer of hope when Nulio Maujes, caught out of position, left the pass for a one-timer wide open, and Nunkaznal stood no chance stopping the shot into the roof of the net. But straight from the face-off, Kamikli picked up the puck dashed down the right wing, beat a defender and wristed the puck home.

Innumerable chances were created in the rest of the second period before Kamikli completed his hat-trick with a shot from just behind the blue line with two seconds remaining in the period. And Ziw Auwqla, the 17-year-old prodigy, completed the rout late in the third period after replacing Waiza Mziu, who sustained a slight chest injury after a huge hit, in the fourth offensive line. Mziu is likely to be back for the second game, against Quinntonia.

Kamikli said after the game 'It just all went right for us today, and I went for everything... and it just clicked. I don't know if I deserved a hat-trick, but I guess three of my shots found the net so maybe I did!'

Daistallia Daily Post Headline:

Nation Curses Timway, Newly Elected President Ti Demonstates How!
(followed by a photo of President Ti*s reaction)

The Cassowaries arrived in Greenland aboard a blimp, as is usual with Tanah Burung sports teams. Three players were immediately hospitalized for severe chills on stepping off the blimp. The rest rushed out to buy sweaters for themselves and were able to play.

Game one came against the Gulls from Ianapalis, an experienced side with an iron determination. The Cassowaries went in as underbirds, and were outplayed badly. Several Gulls literally skated circles around Cassowary players, which one Cassoawary described as "mean, those show-offs." But for all the Gulls dominance (they outshot Tanah Burung 48-11), they were unable to get the puck into the net.

The reason was the immensely obese Mau Sumo, Cassowary goalie, who made up in bulk what he lacked in speed. Shot after Gull shot bounced off his flab, as he literally filled most of the net. His glove hand had little work to do, with most shots bouncing harmlessly off his gigantic body. Finally the Gulls scored by putting the puck through his legs, which left him confused and disoriented for the rest of the night.

But the Cassowaries got one back when Sebastiao Silva, while waving to his girlfriend in the crowd, accidentally intercepted a pass with his helmet that surprised the Gulls goalie and ricocheted in off the post. That made the score 1-1, and Tanah Burung had surprised fans with a point against a real hockey team.

"I'm thrilled that my boys managed to get away with a tie," said Bjorn Ulvaeus, the Swedish immigrant who coaches the Cassowaries. "They're skating better than I expected. Harly any of them fell down, and Constancio Gomes even managed to skate backwards for a while. Next we'll be working on passing while skating. Several of the boys have already mastered chewing narcotic gum while they skate, so i'm optimistic that they'll soon be playing at a high school hockey level."

Players retired to their dressing room for a well-deserved drinking binge, but hope their hangovers will be cured by the next game against the Gulf States.

Tranquillitis Moose fall in First Hockey Game

Disappointment for Moose fans everywhere, as preliminary reports from Kalaallit Nunaat show that the Moose fell to the host team 4-2. Further details will be given once the Moose release a team roster. The next game is against Wildthings Realm, who were smashed today by Kaze Progressa.

Amen.

[EDIT]

The official roster has been compiled.

The Empire of Tranquillitis - Official Hockey Roster

http://www.moosehockey.com/teams/boxmoose.gif

Tranquillitis Moose

#1 - Adam Hölmqvist, G
#2 - Mikael Stahl, D
#4 - Timothy Jönsson, D
#5 - Sven Olosson, D
#6 - Daniel Larsson, D
#7 - Matthew Salo, F
#9 - Erik Tellqvist, F
#10 - Anders Eriksson, F
#12 - Björn Andersson, F
#13 - Markus Östberg, F
#15 - Tomas Steen, D
#16 - Daniel Nördström, D
#17 - Mattias Axelsson, D
#18 - Gustav Enstahl, F
#19 - Andreas Olafsson, F
#20 - Kristian Dackell, F
#21 - Kristopher Jokela, F
#23 - Anders Nielsson, F
#24 - Markus Bergstrom, F
#25 - Fredrik Ljundberg, F, Captain
#26 - Henrik Källström, F
#29 - David Jakobsson, F
#30 - Andreas Hedman, G
#34 - Magnus Gustafsson, D

That, my dear, is one cool moose.

General Susan Aglukark
President of Kalaallit Nunaat

Results from game two:

Kalaallit Nunaat 2 SterlingIce 0
Kaze Progressa 4 Quinntonia 4
Wildthings Realm 3 Tranquillitis 4
Tanah Burung 0 The Gulf States 3
Daistallia 2 Soviet Haaregrad 7
Timway 4 Ianisle 3

Tranquillitis Nyheter
Tjänande Anden sedan den är 1955

Moose Win Thriller
-Frederik Johansson

The Tranquillitis Moose fought off their disappointing loss last night to Kalaallit Nunaat with a victory today over Wildthings Realm.

The game was a hard-fought gem by both teams, who were deadlocked until the final 1:32, when Moose forward Henrik Källström notched his second goal of the tournament, sending the Moose to a 4-3 victory.

Coach Gustav Alexandersson was pleased with his team's effort. "We played pretty well, got a lot of good scoring chances, and [goaltender] Adam [Hölmqvist] kept us in the game."

It looked like it would be a long night when Wildthings took an early 2-0 lead, with goals 33 seconds in, and at 4:10 of the first period. Mattias Axelsson's powerplay goal resulted in a 2-1 lead for the Wildthings after the first period.

The Moose clawed back in the second to take the lead. On another power play, Tomas Steen's shot from the point was tipped by Ljundberg, which evaded the Realm goalie. Then, with 5 minutes remaining in the second, Markus Östberg took a nice pass from Ljundberg, and snuck the puck through the legs of the Realm goaltender. The Moose took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.

The third period saw great defensive play, as both teams hoped for another goal. Wildthings Realm got it first, when a tricky point shot beat Hölmqvist up high, knotting the game up at 3. However, with just 1:32 remaining, Källström stole the puck from the Realm defender at the Moose blueline, and made a nice move on the breakaway to put the Moose in the lead. Despite final pressure with the extra attacker on, the Moose managed to keep their lead and gave them their first win of the tournament.

The Moose are now 1-0-1 in the tournament. Their next game is against a high scoring Kaze Progressan team who have already scored 9 goals in the tournament, only allowing 5. Hopefully the Moose can continue their winning ways.

Match Summary
[code:1:32c6716f99]
WILDTHINGS REALM 3
TRANQUILLITIS 4

1st:
1. Wildthings Realm, <player> (Unassisted), :33
2. Wildthings Realm, <player> (<player), 4:10
3. Tranquillitis, Axelsson 1 (Jokela, Dackell) PP, 15:41

2nd:
4. Tranquillitis, Ljundberg 2 (Steen, Larsson) PP, 6:02
5. Tranquillitis, Östberg 1 (Ljundberg), 16:12

3rd:
6. Wildthings Realm, <player> (Unassisted), 10:11
7. Tranquillitis, Källström 2 (Unassisted), 18:28

POWERPLAY:
Wildthings Realm: 0-5
Tranquillitis: 2-4

GOALIES:
W - Hölmqvist (1-0-1), 26 Saves
L - <goalie> (0-0-2), 33 Saves

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Wildthings Realm - 29 shots
Tranquillitis - 37 shots
[/code:1:32c6716f99]

An interview with Cassowary goalie Mau Sumo:

Q. A 3-0 loss to The Gulf States. Are you really disappointed?

A. We thought we had a good chance. I figured, hey, Gulf States. Is it the Persian Gulf, or the Gulf of Mexico? Either way, they can't know too much about ice hockey, right? Tropical, like us, right? But actually, they could skate backwards and everything. They're a pretty good team. I had to smoke a joint just to keep up my courage!

Q. Is that legal?

A. Huh? Well, it didn't exactly enhance my performance, dude.

Q. No. You let in three goals after holding the Ianapalis Gulls to one.

A. Yeah, it seems like maybe i've got a problem. You see, i can't see my feet over my belly, and they seemed to twig to that. All three goals were between my legs.

Q. The five-hole?

A. No, just a three-hole. But i've been practising and i think i've worked out, if i put my stick there, it'll stop those shots from going in. So i'm optimistic about the next game.

Daistallia Daily Post:
What Is Wrong?
Daistallia went down to another defeat today in the international Don Cherry cup tournament. People from around the nation are wondering what has become of the hockey team. (details page 9)

Another Heartbreaker

Iansislean team sports again let down fans; Gulls fall to Timway 4-3

IANAPALIS, Iansisle -- The sense of defeat and sorrow was palpable in Jerry's Sports Bar on MacDunn Street in the capital city as a room-cramming press of people dressed in blue and orange huddled around its motion-picture box to watch the Gulls skate their way to a crushing loss.

The 4-3 heartbreaker came the day after the Gulls failed to capitalize on a weak Tanah Burung side, coming up a goal short of the victory despite assistant captain Martin St. Amour's goal which put Ianapalis up 1-0.

In last night's game, the Gulls struck first again, with captain and center B.J. MacPherson centering a pass to leftwing Kevin St. Jacques for a 1-0 lead. However, Timway wouldn't be held back, as their right wing broke past defenseman Jamie Black and put a shot past Sergei Naumov.

However, a Timway second-liner was sent to the penalty box early in the second period, letting the potent Gulls powerplay sweep to the offensive. Right winger Mark Woolf put a shot past the Timway goalie for Ianapalis' second lead of the game. Towards the end of the second, Martin St. Amour struck for his second goal of the cup, putting Ianapalis up a dominant 3-1 heading into the final period.

But that's where in fell apart for the Gulls. In the last twenty minutes, a weary Gulls side was vastly outskated by Timway, who outshot them 17-3 in the last period. Sergei Naumov, usually an all-star, looked like a fish out of water, only saving fourteen shots as Timway headed to the final minute up by one.

One last Gull push seemed to radiate hope, as Martin St. Amour broke through with help from a Sergei Visegorodcevs check. However, his last second snap shot, which headed for the top-left corner of the net, was gloved by the Timway goalie as the final horn sounded.

From the Daily Kangaroo:

REMEMBER GUYS: DEFENDING IS PART OF HOCKEY

Kaze Progressa came out of a frenzied match with Quinntonia sharing the spoils after a 4-4 draw.

The side were left consistently exposed at the back, but just like against Wildthings Realm impressed in attack. Within the first three minutes, Kamikli had given the Progressans the lead from a one-timer into the bottom right corner from a face-off, but the Quinntonians - spurred on by their fans chanting 'Where Would Jesus Deke?' - equalised on 5:45 from a power play. The two sides exchanged goals in the final three minutes of the period, making the score 2-2.

Two of the exasperated defenders, Iajai Maujin and a mysterious Quinntonian [OOC note: because I haven't seen a squad list... I know I haven't posted one either, just mentioned a few names in my first RP...] started fighting early in the second period, but their five minutes in the sin bin seemed to actually strengthen the defense. Ironically, seconds after the penalty ended, the Quinntonians took the lead for the first time, after Maujin's clearance was touched up for icing and the resultant faceoff led to a goal.

Maujin, ironically enough, scored the equaliser late in period two from a power play, shooting from just in front of the blue line with enough anger released on the shot to make saving the shot a task risking permanent injury for the goaltender. Six minutes into period three, a similarly powerful shot from Muw Mquazna gave the Progressans the lead.

Quinntonia piled on the pressure, but were denied countless times by goaltender Fayu Nunkaznal before the Quinntonians pulled their own goalie three minutes from time. They didn't need to for long though, as they scored from the first play with six skaters with a neat passing move opening up an easy chance. Somehow both goaltenders survived the late rush for goals, leaving the final score 4-4.

Analysts see the Progressans as among the favourites for qualification, but Tranquillitis in their next match could be a very different test.

With the nation in a cricketing slump following a series white-wash (including an innings and 16 defeat) by colonial possesion Ceyloba (and half the first team fighting Italians in Libya), Walmingtoners have been tuning-in to the current ice-hockey competition.

Interest has been quite high -after all, it sounds like something to do when the weather's just not cricket- with most of the nation backing the luckless Ians, for want of their own team.

(Rugby was their first choice, but within moments of meeting the towering British Lions team, most of the diminutive Walmingtonian squad had lost their enthusiasm for international competition)

Of course, the fact that this "tuning-in" has been done by wireless has done little to help the residents of Norbray, north western WoS, in their efforts to play their own local matches. Lumberjacks and north Atlantic fishermen with cloth tied around their feet have been seen whacking rocks across frozen lakes, with the aid of extended-grip cricket bats.

None the less, Walmington's first team declared its foundation this weekend. Perhaps some day the Walmington Red Bears will have somebody to play.

..Or at least to explain what a "puck" happens to be.

[/interference]

Game 3 results:

Kalaallit Nunaat 2 Quinntonia 4
Kaze Progressa 4 Tranquillitis 3
Wildthings Realm 0 SterlingIce 2
Tanah Burung 1 Soviet Haaregrad 3
Daistallia 2 Iansisle 4
Timway 2 The Gulf States 5

With two games remaining, here is the over-all picture:

[code:1:c27511a17c]
Group A G W D L GF GA Pts
Kaze Progressa 3 2 1 0 13 8 5
Kalaallit Nunaat 3 2 0 1 8 6 4
SterlingIce 3 2 0 1 4 3 4
Tranquillitis 3 1 0 2 9 11 2
Quinntonia 3 1 1 1 9 8 3
Wildthings Realm 3 0 0 3 4 11 0
[/code:1:c27511a17c]

Where are the Wildthings? Off comtemplating field hockey glory, I guess! They're headed for the B pool. High-scoring Kaze Progressa, SterlingIce and our own feisty warriors have the edge, but anyone else can go on to the A pool.

[code:1:c27511a17c]
Group B
Soviet Haaregrad 3 3 0 0 12 4 6
The Gulf States 3 2 0 1 9 4 4
Timway 3 2 0 1 10 11 4
Iansisle 3 1 1 1 8 7 3
Tanah Burung 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
Daistallia 3 0 0 3 7 15 0
[/code:1:c27511a17c]

Looks like Soviet hockey is in good shape: they've dominated this group. Tanah Burung can still mathematically qualify, but they won't. Daistallia is even worse. Gulf States, Timway and Iansisle will fight for the other two spots.

Damn. A loss to those Bible-checkers. I thought the fix was supposed to be in! Play the next game hard and rough, Old Time style. Hey, switch that tape recorder off before I--

General Susan Aglukark
President of Greenland

The Cassowaries were celebrating after scoring their second goal in the Cherry Cup. "Sure, we lost," said Coach Ulvaeus. "But a goal, this time scored by one of our players on a shot at the other team's net: well, i'm thrilled at the team's progress."

Hero of the night was Simon Belo, who tipped the puck into the net after a mad scramble in the Soviet Haaregrad crease. After managing 18 shots on goal, the Cassowaries have high hopes that they will score again in the next game.

Parties Break Out Across the Commonwealth
Gulls potent offense slam slumping Daistallia; Gulls cruise 4-2

IANAPALIS, Iansisle -- Iansisleans at last had something to cheer about, as their beloved Gulls skated to an easy 4-2 win in Daistallia today.

The Gulls jumped out to an early lead for the third time in three games, as Kevin St. Jacques tipped a Sergei Visegorodcevs shot into the goal in the second minute. However, Daistallia quickly struck back, scoring twice in the final six minutes of the first.

However, the Gulls, which had been punchless while down in the last few games, came back. Mark Woolf and Martin St. Amour added powerplay goals in the second, bringing the score to 3-2 Ianapalis. Sergei Naumov made the lead hold up, and B.J. MacPherson scored an insurance goal in the third to ensure the Gulls' victory.

(OOC: No time for a report, I'll include some Kaze names I saw in other RPs (ie. the 4 in his report of the game with Quinntonia)

[code:1:5f5019422f]

KAZE PROGRESSA 4
TRANQUILLITIS 3

1st:
1. Kaze Progressa, Maujin (Kamiliki), 13:24 PP
2. Tranquillitis, Olafsson 1 (Bergstrom, Jakobsson), 18:29

2nd:
3. Kaze Progressa, Kamiliki (Unassisted), 1:07
4. Kaze Progressa, Kamiliki (Mquazna), 3:30
5. Kaze Progressa, Mquazna (Maujin), 17:41

3rd:
6. Tranquillitis, Jokela 1 (Dackell), 5:53 PP
7. Tranquillitis, Källström 3 (Ljundberg), 19:02

POWERPLAY:
Kaze Progressa: 1-3
Tranquillitis: 1-4

GOALIES:
W - Nunkaznal (2-1-0), 23 saves
L - Hölmqvist (1-0-2), 22 saves

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Kaze Progressa - 26 shots
Tranquillitis - 26 shots
[/code:1:5f5019422f]

All of Daistallia wonders how Coach McGurk came to be the head coach for this miserable team. :?

Looks like our frigid climate is paying off

The Haaregradian National Team, the Fulcrums is doing the nation well, dominating the Don Cherry Cup through a mixture of strong defence and "blitzkreig" style offense.

Here to talk about their strategy is Haaregradian coach, Vladislav Federov.

<interview with head coach to come when I am less tired>

The Hippos may not score a lot, but we play a mean defense! Then again, I'm curious, doesn't a hippo pretty much fill up a regulation net, just like Garth Snow in unrestricted pads?

SI

Two for three. Nice.

Gulf States is around "The Gulf" - waterway not in RL which is center of TGS island, jutts from NE coast.

Although we got land on Hudson Bay, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Plus the Great Lakes...

(ooc: oh, i know. just having some fun with my players' woeful ignorance of geography, hockey, proper dental hygiene etc :wink: )

Thousands of citizens from Cav chartered planes and flew into Haaregrad to go to the live games. Dressed in their grey and teal, the Cavish poured their souls into rooting for the Haaregradian team.

In Cav, sports bars and the like were packed shoulder to shoulder every night the Haaregradians played. Millions of Cavish enjoyed the games and had only good things to say at the water coolers the day after the games.

Haaregradian ratings for the hockey games are setting records that will likely last for many years. 150 000 000 sets tuned into game 3, with more expected for later games.

From the Daily Kangaroo:

TOP: But Third-Period Cruising Worries Fans

Kaze Progressa moved to the top of their group after a nervous finish against Tranquillitis.

The Progressans took the lead after an unusually-long thirteen-minute wait, scoring from a power play after Kamiliki, facing a tough angle, wheeled the puck back to the defence. Maujin's fierce one-timer was always too good for Hölmqvist.

Five minutes later Tranquillitis drew level after a slick passing move set up an easy chance for Olafsson past Nunkaznal, who then denied Bergstrom brilliantly with the last shot of the period.

The Progressans seemed to be woken up - in particular, Kamikli. He scored 67 seconds into the second period on a breakaway, and in the fourth minute of the period did it again.

The Tranquillitis fans were silent, and the Progressans dominated the second period, Mquazna adding a fourth late in the period after numerous chances were stopped by Hölmqvist. 4-1 seemed an insurmountable lead, but the Progressans became lazy, Eaiqa Mawi-Daiqolaaz giving away a penalty in the attacking zone. Jokela made him pay by scoring on the power play.

Now it was the Tranquillitis players who were dominant, but there was no way through. With just two minutes to go, Hölmqvist was pulled out, and Källström found the net with 58 seconds left. Despite the man advantage and the empty net, there were no more goals, a Maujin shot from behind the red line into the empty net the closest approach.

The Progressans now look likely to qualify, possibly with a game to spare - but still face the hosts and SterlingIce in their next two games, likely to be their toughest games so far.

Game 4 results

Kalaallit Nunaat 1 Wildthings Realm 1
Kaze Progressa 1 SterlingIce 4
Quinntonia 2 Tranquillitis 1
Tanah Burung 1 Timway 3
Daistallia 4 The Gulf States 2
Soviet Haaregrad 4 Iansisle 5

No! We lost! It was a good game however. Better luck next time boys. - random Haaregradian fan

A tie? Curses! We must beat Kaze Progressa! Should be easy, they suck at every other sport.

General Susan Aglukark
President of Kalaallit Nunaat

Another Miracle on Ice?
Gulls skate to a 5-4 upset in Soviet Haaregrad

IANAPALIS, Iansisle -- As one, nearly every voice in the Commonwealth was raised in a cheer, as Gulls right winger Martin St. Amour beat the Haaregradian goalie as time ran out in the third period to propel the Gulls to their second win of the tournement.

It was a bitter and hard-fought game, and sloppy defense in the first and second gave the Haaregradians a 4-1 lead starting the third. However, two Mark Woolf goals and one by Jamie Black pulled the game to a tie within two minutes of the game's end.

After tough luck in the first few games, a victory over the top team in the conference brought an inflated sense of confidence to the resurgent Gulls side.

"I feel like I could take on the world!" exclaimed a pumped up Sergei Naumov after defending Ianapalis' thin lead.

No! We lost! It was a good game however. Better luck next time boys. - random Haaregradian fan

A collective "Damn" was shouted throughout the Holy Empire.

"Looks like we're not supporting Soviet Haaregrad like we should! Let's go out and buy more authentic merchandise!"

All of Daistallia celebrates tonight.

No! We lost! It was a good game however. Better luck next time boys. - random Haaregradian fan

A collective "Damn" was shouted throughout the Holy Empire.

"Looks like we're not supporting Soviet Haaregrad like we should! Let's go out and buy more authentic merchandise!"

OOC: And the economy just keeps rising... ;)

put me in if there's space!

Coach Ulvaeus was thrilled at the Cassowaries' 3-1 loss against Timway. "Another goal, and we completed several passes and managed a record 31 shots on goal," he said. "It's true we won't make the a pool, but we are well on track to our goal of not becoming an international laughing stock."

Tanah Burung hockey players celebrated by sampling rum-laced hot toddies and going skiiing.

The very essence of Quebec Nouveau pride is at stake! Like a challenge to a duel between gentlemen, it would not be feasible or even within the realm of imagination for Quebecois Nouveau to refuse a Hockey tournament! Whenever possible, count us in! We'll take on anyone, even if just for fun and practice! For Future Reference, our team name is to be the Sherbrooke Annihilators.

**OOC:** ALLER CANADIENS!

(OOC at Quebec Nouveau: this Cup is well under way but there ought to be a second. Kaze Progressa will certainly be in it, if there is one. :))

From the Daily Kangaroo:

LATE COLLAPSE SENDS HOCKEY STARS TO FIRST DEFEAT

Kaze Progressa's hockey stars abruptly stopped shining against SterlingIce yesterday, losing 4-1 after conceding three late goals.

The scoreline was somewhat misleading, as the Progressans were level with three minutes left before a power play goal rocked the Progressans. They immediately pulled Nunkaznal and conceded two more goals as a result.

But the Progressans showed a lack of cutting edge in attack throughout for a side so free-scoring in previous games. Their shots, and there were never enough of them, rarely troubled the SterlingIce goaltender, who admittedly played well. He was beaten only by a Mawi-Daiqolaaz power play goal late in the first period, by which point SterlingIce were ahead courtesy of a seventh-minute penalty shot after a horrific Eoqal Maiwlinao foul on a breakaway.

Chances were constantly wasted throughout the second and third periods, although there were near-misses - most notably tournament top scorer Kamikli hitting the post twice. Then came the disastrous Progressan finish.

The match against hosts Kalaallit Nunaat tomorrow now assumes critical importance, importance that may not have been present if the Progressans had taken their chances in this match. Three teams are on five points in the group, amazingly all with goal differences of +2 (the Progressans are second courtesy of their mammoth 14 goals), just behind SterlingIce who now top the group on six points. With no other teams able to make the A pool, a draw will hence be enough for the Progressans, but they will surely not settle for that unless they have to. The controversial comments by their President Susan Aglukark that the Progressans 'suck at every other sport' should surely be sufficient motivation.

Oops- forgot to post rosters. Hm... unlike the soccer World Cup, I don't have a hattrick soccer team to steal names off of :(

*gets to work*

SI

The Quinntonia Saints, after losing the first game and then tieing the second in a scoring frenzy is pround that they have won back to back victories!!!!!!!
TV ratings for the Saints games have been climbing as some very exciting and physical hockey is being played out, and viewership has raeched economy crushing levels as people are using their sick days in record numbers. Last game=312 million.
There has been a mad influx of Quinntonians to watch the game, at last count 150,000 praying in the streets and in the parking lots for a Saints victory.
The players are all becoming known in the players camp for their devotion to Christian ideals and their almost scary obsession with hockey. In fact, they jokingly called taking a puck in the teeth, "taking communion."
WWJD
Amen.

Ignore this one- my previous message double posted.

SI

Game 5 results:

Kalaallit Nunaat 2 Kaze Progressa 1
Wildthings Realm 0 Quinntonia 0
SterlingIce 4 Tranquillitis 2
Tanah Burung 1 Daistallia 0
Timway 4 Soviet Haaregrad 3
The Gulf States 7 Iansisle 6

With a nice win over Kaze Progressa, the Greenlanders advanced to the A pool at the Cherry Cup, along with five other teams. These six will carry their results against each other through, dropping results against B pool teams.

Final standings, first round
[code:1:f12b43889d]
Group A G W D L GF GA Pts
SterlingIce 5 4 0 1 12 6 8
Kalaallit Nunaat 5 3 1 1 11 8 7
Quinntonia 5 2 2 1 11 9 6
----------
Kaze Progressa 5 2 1 2 15 14 5
Tranquillitis 5 1 0 4 12 17 2
Wildthings Realm 5 0 2 3 5 12 2

Group B
Timway 5 4 0 1 17 15 8
Soviet Haaregrad 5 3 0 2 19 13 6
The Gulf States 5 3 0 2 18 14 6
----------
Iansisle 5 2 1 2 19 18 5
Tanah Burung 5 1 1 3 4 10 3
Daistallia 5 1 0 4 11 18 2
[/code:1:f12b43889d]

A Pool starting standings
(includes only results versus other A Pool teams)
[code:1:f12b43889d]
A Pool G W D L GF GA Pts
Timway 2 2 0 0 9 5 4
Kalaallit Nunaat 2 2 0 0 6 2 4
SterlingIce 2 1 0 1 2 3 2
Soviet Haaregrad 2 1 0 1 4 5 2
Quinntonia 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
The Gulf States 2 0 0 2 3 7 0
[/code:1:f12b43889d]

B pool opening standings (includes all results)
[code:1:f12b43889d]
B Pool
Kaze Progressa 5 2 1 2 15 14 5
Iansisle 5 2 1 2 19 18 5
Tanah Burung 5 1 1 3 4 10 3
Tranquillitis 5 1 0 4 12 17 2
Wildthings Realm 5 0 2 3 5 12 2
Daistallia 5 1 0 4 11 18 2
[/code:1:f12b43889d]

The second round schedule will be the same as the first:
Game one: 1 v 6, 2 v 3, 4 v 5
Game two: 1 v 5, 2 v 4, 3 v 6
Game three: 1 v 4, 2 v 6, 3 v 5
Game four: 1 v 3, 2 v 5, 4 v 6
Game five: 1 v 2, 3 v 4, 5 v 6

From the Daily Kangaroo:

BEATEN AT THE DEATH

Kaze Progressa were agonisingly dumped into the B pool last night by a last-ditch goal against hosts Kalaallit Nunaat.

The Progressans silenced the home crowd three minutes into the match when hard-shooting defender Maujin's fierce one-timer came off the inside of the post and in. The hosts' response was just as quick, scoring from a breakaway.

The match went back and forth enthrallingly throughout from then on, only superb goaltending keeping the scores level. Finally, with just under three minutes to go, the hosts, aware that if everything else stayed the same they would require a win, pulled their goalie. Just as with the Tranquillitis game, the Progressans conceded a goal under these circumstances before they could find the empty net, and in the cruellest of ways - an off-target wrist shot catching the stick of Aqwal Muzino, taking it past Nunkaznal's glove hand. The hosts euphorically celebrated their good fortune and closed out the last 90 seconds to qualify.

The Progressans have the marginal consolation of topping the B pool opening standings, at least according to the official tables. However, Iansisle are actually ahead of them, their identical goal differences of +1 meaning goals for is the next tiebreaker - and Iansisle have scored 19 goals, six of them against Gulf States in a 7-6 thriller yesterday. The Progressans were, until this point, the top scorers in the competition. The table effectively sums up the Progressan hockey story.

A win! A palpable win!

The Cassowaries managed their first-ever win on ice, dumping fellow sad-sacks Daistallia 1-0.

"Those other times I said I was happy? I was just putting the best face on things," said coach Ulvaeus, giggling constantly. "I was all prepared to say how pleased I was that we scored another goal, for a total of four, and then somehow the other guys managed not to score at all! Well, needless to say, it's the greatest moment in the history of Tanah Burung hockey."

Mau Sumo in goal has sharpened his reflexes and seems to be emerging as a competent goalie. He made one artful save with his glove hand, snagging a bullet of a slap shot. And the rest of the Cassowaries played graceless but successful lunch-bucket hockey, snarling things up, landing repeated body checks, and high sticking when the ref had his back turned. "It was dirty, but we'll take it," said Mau Sumo. "I still can't believe it! We won!"

The Cassowaries have ordered an extra-large dope stash for the party tonight.

In an amasing display of hockey gone horribly right, the Quinntonian Saints hold the Wildthings Realm to a double shut out!!!!!!!
This is made all the more remarkable becuase of the fact that the Quinntonian defense was seen to have completely collapsed after the first period. When the shots on gaol were Quinntonia=12 Wildthings=16.
But, then the Quinntonians seemed to give up and the Wildthings just went nuts on the Quinntonian weak spot, making 64 shots on goal by the end of the game. During the first intermission, the Quinntonian goalie, Pastor David Y. Moses was seen kneeling, praying for success. The coach immediately asked the entire team to lay hands on him and pray, he was later to say that he just felt led to do tha, he'de never done it before. After that, the next two periods should have buried the Quinntonian team, but, miraculously, Pastor Moses just always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, one time even saving a vicious one-timer without looking by getting trapped in the space at the bottom of his left skate. The Wildthings realm was justifieble frustrated, after outplaying thm for the rest of the game to come up with the goose egg, but their goalie saved 29 Quinntonian shots, not a small feat.
WWJD
Amen.

Hippos Advance! The streets are filled with oppressed people, happy that the nation's promise of bread and circuses has been fulfilled.

SI

Uniginia will be sending a team

The first cup is under way but the second will hopefully happen, so we welcome you for that. :)

BUMP!
WWJD
Amen.

Second round, game one:

A pool
Timway 3 the Gulf States 3
Kalaallit Nunaat 4 SterlingIce 5
Soviet Haaregrad 2 Quinntonia 0

B pool
Kaze Progressa 0 Daistallia 4
Iansisle 2 Tanah Burung 1
Tranquillitis 1 Wildthings Realm 2

After a thrilling game of speed, scoring and finesse, the Greenlanders came out on the losing end against SterlingIce. President Susan Aglukark has called for a tougher style in the next game.

"Kick some teeth in!" she shouted at hockey commissioner Big Bobby Clobber. "Win one, old time style!"

I've started a sign-up thread for the second Cherry Cup at http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=85462

From the Daily Kangaroo:

FOUR STEPS TO HELL

Kaze Progressa's humbling decline in hockey hit new lows last night with an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Daistallia.

The Daistallians, who had lost their previous match to no-hopers Tanah Burung and possessed the worst record of the group stages, came out all guns blazing for this match, and scored after just 68 seconds on a breakaway. They doubled their lead late in the first period on a power play, a slick passing move leaving Nunkaznal totally exposed for the easy finish.

Nothing went the Progressans' way, Kamikli hitting the post twice - the first was on a power play while the second led to a counter-attack leading to the third goal. Nunkaznal was left cruelly exposed for the fourth as well, a low shot easily penetrating his five-hole.

Sweeping changes are expected, including the inclusion in the third defensive line of teenager Mauiq Lintarsi, for the match against Wildthings Realm - a team the Progressans destroyed 5-1 in their first match. It is almost universally expected that if the Progressans cannot win this, heads will roll.

After their miraculous pull out after the pathetic performance in the last game, the Quinntonians were really hoping to pull it all together in a historic meeting a "Summit" some might call it of hockey teams between the Quinntonians and the Soviets. The game started off really well but there was a horrible incedent late in the second, when both teams being scoreless, Quintonian forward and Assistant Captain... um... Bill Espisito was slashed in the arm and was sent out with a wrist injury, our leading scorer, it was a mighty blow to the Quinntonian club. The obviously shaken Quinntonians, still reeling from the loss of their top scorer, proceeded to let in two pathetic goals in less than a minute thirty. They quickly recovered and played a conservative style of hockey for the rest of the game, holding the Soviets scoreless and coming away with the loss. The Quinntonian Coach, Chaplian and Captain did congratulate the Soviet goalie on his shut-out by presenting him with a goalie-stick autographed by the entire team. Way to be a class act guys.
No news on when Phil.. I mean Bill will be back in the line-up.
WWJD
Amen.

Second round, Game 2:

A pool
Timway 3 Quinntonia 4
Kalaallit Nunaat 3 Soviet Haaregrad 3
SterlingIce 6 The Gulf States 4

B pool
Kaze Progressa 3 Wildthings Realm 1
Iansisle 2 Tranqillitis 3
Tanah Burung 3 Daistallia 2

The Greenlanders came away from their Arctic clash with Soviet Haaregrad with a 3-3 tie. Their physical style saw them jam up the crease and muscle in a few goals, but they were unable to contend with Soviet speed and the result came up even. Interestingly, this leaves a four-way tie at the top of the standings between the hosts, the Soviet side, SterlingIce and Timway. Three games remain.

The Quinntonian took Timway in a 4-3 outing on this last game. Quinntonia was resourceful and hard working, trying to recover from their last loss, they played very conservatively and defensively. Their superior size put them at an advantage as they punished the opposition for three periods, and went into the the last half of the third with a 3-1 lead. The physically exhausted Timway club then put in two desperate markers in quick succession only to have the Quinntonian PK line drop in a short-handed game winner during some 5 on 3 hockey.
WWJD
Amen.

From the Daily Kangaroo:

THE ULTIMATE RELIEF

Kaze Progressa snatched sanity from the jaws of embarrassment last night as they came back from behind to beat Wildthings Realm 3-1.

The Progressans, who beat the Wildthings 5-1 in their first match in the cup, fell behind shorthanded after only four minutes, a breakaway solo run leaving the defence stranded and Nunkaznal unable to save either the puck or his team's self-esteem.

But the response was immediate. Kamikli slotted the puck into the bottom corner at the end of a slick eight-pass move straight from the centerised faceoff. From then on, the Progressans were dominant, but somehow could not take the lead, a combination of weak shooting, awesome goaltending and luck favouring the incompetent all conspiring against them.

Then, early in the third period, help was at hand. In a period of play where the Wildthings had their first attacking line on and the Progressans their weakest defensive line, a star Wildthing attacker came to blows with Zaqq Muquizar. The Wildthings were ripped apart, and the Progressans dealt much better with the reorganisation of lines caused by the five-minute fighting penalties. It was during this time that the Progressans scored two goals, from Kamikli and Maujin, and that was that. No more goals were forthcoming despite the inevitable goalie pull.

Goal-fest: Tanah Burung scores 3!

The Cassowaries continued their dominance of Daistallia, the only team they were able to beat in the first round, and managed for the first time in team history to score more than one goal in a game.

With an incredible 41 shots on goal, Tanah Burung mounted the greatest offence they had ever managed, and scored a goal in each period to mark their second win over Daistallia -- which is not coincidentally their second win ever.

"The boys were adequate, which is high praise for a gang that only recently learned to skate," said coach Ulvaeus. "And Sumo in goal was almost skillful. I am now predicting that we we wil acheive our goal to not finish in last place. Go Cassowaries!"

Hippos Are on Fire
The RNoSI Hippos have jumped out to a good start in Group A for round 2 with a pair of wins in their first two games. The normally defensive minded Hippos have seen their offense take center stage with a 5-4 win over Kalaallit Nunaat and a 6-4 win over The Gulf States. Three games left and the Hippos will need to win 2 at the very least to be in contention for the title.

SI

After their miraculous pull out after the pathetic performance in the last game, the Quinntonians were really hoping to pull it all together in a historic meeting a "Summit" some might call it of hockey teams between the Quinntonians and the Soviets. The game started off really well but there was a horrible incedent late in the second, when both teams being scoreless, Quintonian forward and Assistant Captain... um... Bill Espisito was slashed in the arm and was sent out with a wrist injury, our leading scorer, it was a mighty blow to the Quinntonian club. The obviously shaken Quinntonians, still reeling from the loss of their top scorer, proceeded to let in two pathetic goals in less than a minute thirty. They quickly recovered and played a conservative style of hockey for the rest of the game, holding the Soviets scoreless and coming away with the loss. The Quinntonian Coach, Chaplian and Captain did congratulate the Soviet goalie on his shut-out by presenting him with a goalie-stick autographed by the entire team. Way to be a class act guys.
No news on when Phil.. I mean Bill will be back in the line-up.
WWJD
Amen.

We thank you for the gift and hope your Bill will be back on the ice soon. It's good to see our team winning and at least tying again.

Round two, game three:

A pool
Timway 1 Soviet Haaregrad 3
Kalaallit Nunaat 2 The Gulf States 2
SterlingIce 2 Quinntonia 0

B pool
Kaze Progressa 5 Tranquillitis 0
Iansisle 3 Daistallia 0
Tanah Burung 3 Wildthings Realm 5

The Greenlanders tied 2-2 with The Gulf States, managing a final empty-net goal to earn the point after a physical and competitive game. But with Soviet Haaregrad and SterlingIce picking up wins, Kalaallit Nunaat now stands third, one point behind the two leaders.

Another dissappointing loss for the Quinntonians with another scoreles game. GM Bishop mark Matheir says, "I don't understand, we are among the top three or four teams at this tournament, and we have only passably been performing. And now with Bill out, we have our top scorer out. Waitaminute! What are you doing?"
At this, the assembled press conference goes into an uproar when Bill Espisito walks in and takes the stand! "I will be playing in the next game," he says, taking off his wrist splint and throwing it to the ground, "And I have been told by God that I am to go and try my best, whether it is to teach me humility or to lead us to glory, I cannot tell, but I will be there!"
WWJD
Amen.

"I say, they take this rather seriously don't they, Wilson?"
"Yes, I hope we don't end up looking silly, Prime Minister..."
"Mh, yes.. You there! Fill-up my automobile with petroleum distillate.. and re-galvanise my tires post-haste!"

The PM was tired of waiting. Damn fuel rationing!

"I say, they take this rather seriously don't they, Wilson?"
"Yes, I hope we don't end up looking silly, Prime Minister..."
"Mh, yes.. You there! Fill-up my automobile with petroleum distillate.. and re-galvanise my tires post-haste!"

The PM was tired of waiting. Damn fuel rationing!
Huh?
WWJD
Amen.

(The PM and Deputy PM of WoS were in a car, and reacting to your top scorer's speech in which he claimed that God had spoken to him about his hockey.. they were reflecting on how seriously the sport is apparently taken in other nations, and worrying that Walmington might be humiliated in the next cup. ..Then the PM called out to the petrol-station attendant, thus ending the dialogue.
..Y'know, in his Walmingtonian way, after worrying about the nation looking silly to others..uhm..heh, never mind :oops: )

(right..go hockey! and so on.. back to the thread..)

Second round, game 4:

A pool
Timway 1 SterlingIce 4
Kalaallit Nunaat 3 Quinntonia 4
Soviet Haaregrad 5 The Gulf States 4

B pool
Kaze Progressa 5 Tanah Burung 4
Iansisle 4 Wildthings Realm 0
Tranqillitis 2 Daistallia 1

A heart-breaking loss to Quinntonia means that the hosts can finish no better than third. In retaliation, President Susan Aglukark has banned Christianity. Greenland's position will be decided in our final match against Timway.

Meanwhile, wins by both Soviet Haaregrad and SterlingIce left the two tied for top spot. In one of life's little suspense-filled moments, these two play each other tomorrow, the winner to be crowned with the Cherry Cup. Needless to say, Mr Cherry is likely to be seen cheering for SterlingIce against those no-good Russkies.

OOC: LOL @ banning Christianity :D

IC: from the Daily Kangaroo again:

PROGRESSANS REDISCOVER SCORING HABIT

Kaze Progressa's ice hockey team have shown phenomenal inconsistency, but they proved competent enough in front of the net in their last two matches.

A 5-0 destruction of Tranquillitis, whom they only beat 4-3 in the first phase, has been followed up by a 5-4 thriller of a victory against Tanah Burung. Kamikli scored two goals in each match, six other players scoring one each between the two games.

While the Tranquillitis match was a walkover, three first-period goals finishing the match almost before it started, the Cassowaries were tougher than expected opposition, going ahead three times during the match (1-0, 2-1, 4-3) before being killed off by two goals in 95 seconds midway through the third period, the second from Kamikli.

Meanwhile, wins by both Soviet Haaregrad and SterlingIce left the two tied for top spot. In one of life's little suspense-filled moments, these two play each other tomorrow, the winner to be crowned with the Cherry Cup. Needless to say, Mr Cherry is likely to be seen cheering for SterlingIce against those no-good Russkies.

Just a question- how are we tied with them when we are 5-0-1 and they are 4-1-1? Regardless:

SterlingIce to Play for Cherry Cup
Despite being billed as a defensive team with a good goalie, the Hippos have been doing it with offense! SterlingIce put a 4-spot up against Timway on Wednesday, including a hat trick by two sport star Mick Starks. It was a banner day for SterlingIce sports as they also got their first ever point in World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 draw. Mick Starks plays wing for the national soccer team.

SI

A heart-breaking loss to Quinntonia means that the hosts can finish no better than third. In retaliation, President Susan Aglukark has banned Christianity. Greenland's position will be decided in our final match against Timway.

Meanwhile, wins by both Soviet Haaregrad and SterlingIce left the two tied for top spot. In one of life's little suspense-filled moments, these two play each other tomorrow, the winner to be crowned with the Cherry Cup. Needless to say, Mr Cherry is likely to be seen cheering for SterlingIce against those no-good Russkies.
LOL! A little harsh even by our standards. However, Bill Espisito gained a Holy Trinity! A hat trick! Scoring the game opener and the last two to ensure the win. We are very dissapointed with our performance in the tournament, but are setting aside $500 million USD to extract all those who need to be removed from the evil nation of KN and feel the freedom of religoin and hockey that is found in Quinntonia. Oh, one more thing. WE'RE BETTER THAN YOU ARE!!! :lol:
Let's get the next cup on the way!!!! GO SAINTS!!

Ha ha! We're going all the way baby! Haaregradian fans scream out in the streets as the bars close for the night.

The Haaregradian team has shown they can hit like Canadians and skate like Europeans. How will the tackle the finals? With victory we hope, best of luck to both teams. - Dimitri Borovski

Round 2, game 5:

A pool
Timway 1 Kalaallit Nunaat 1
SterlingIce 6 Soviet Haaregrad 1
Quinntonia 0 The Gulf States 4

B pool
Kaze Progressa 4 Iansisle 7
Tanah Burung 1 Tranquillitis 2
Wildthings Realm 6 Daistallia 2

STERLING ICE WINS THE CHERRY CUP!

Final standings:
[code:1:f8a403c326]
A Pool G W D L GF GA Pts
SterlingIce 7 6 0 1 25 13 13
Soviet Haaregrad 7 4 1 2 18 19 9
Kalaallit Nunaat 7 2 3 2 19 17 7
Timway 7 2 2 3 18 20 6
The Gulf States 7 1 2 4 20 23 4
Quinntonia 7 2 0 5 11 20 4

B Pool
Iansisle 10 6 1 3 30 26 13
Kaze Progressa 10 5 1 4 32 30 11
Wildthings Realm 10 3 2 5 19 25 8
Tranquillitis 10 4 0 6 20 28 8
Tanah Burung 10 2 1 7 16 26 5
Daistallia 10 2 0 8 20 32 4
[/code:1:f8a403c326]

Although the cup proved elusive to the Gulls, their domination of the 'B' cup was enough to please the crowds back home, and perhaps relieve the humuliation of the winter olympics. Head coach and general manager Steve Martinson has promised a cup next year!

Coach Ulvaeus has pronounced himself "thrilled" with the Cassowaries five-point finish. "To be honest, even one point exceeded my expectations," he said. "We started off barely able to skate, and produced some fine results as we started to find our feet. The close result against Kaze Progressa, when we managed four goals against a respectable hockey team, is my personal highlight."

Tanah Burung earned four points with a pair of wins agaist Daistallia and took one point against Iansisle, losing all the other matches, but the players seeemed to gain confidence as they learned basic hockey skills. Ulvaeus promised the Cassowaries would come back next year as "more than a joke team. But we'll maybe still make a few jokes."

Silver medals, not bad. - Haaregradian Team Captain, Ivan Mironov

Woo! Just had to check here before I headed to sleep. Great job running this- hopefully we can have twice as many teams next time! I'll have a press release and a more formal announcement in the next 24-36 hours.

SI

Congratulations SterlingIce on winning the Cherry Cup!

Kaze Progressa also congratulate Iansisle on their victory over us in what was effectively the B pool final. Their attack was astounding throughout and we wish them luck next time.

Walmington all but erupted in a chorus of "good show!" and "hurrah!" for their Iansislian allies as they secured their consolation prize. The Gulls remain the most popular hockey team in Walmington everywhere except Norbray... where SterlingIce's side is by far the most respected... followed by the Gulls.. followed by probably the plucky Cassowaries..then the luckless Daistallians.. and then what's there name.. the Norbray Red Bears, probably.

THE SAINTS were humiliated by there showing in The Cup and vows to do something about it. They came off a very pleasing showing in the Winter Olympics and just dropped the ball here. the last game, they just seemed to have given up completely and they are ashamed of what should have been a good tourney. But, the SAINTS are going to go back to the drawing board and come back with a younger, stronger team with more of an emphais on offense, as they allowed the most opposing shutouts of the tourney. Congrats to all thos involved, we will continue to pray for you.
WWJD
Amen.

Dictator Declares "Best Day Ever for SterlingIce Sports"
And what a day it was! In the afternoon, the Hippos national soccer team got their first ever win in international competition, beating NASTIC 2 by the score of 2-1. Strikers Edwin Phelan and Gualtiero Spagnuolo scored for the Hippos while Tim "Timber" Kimber gave up only 1 goal for the 4th time in 5 Cup games. Play continues tomorrow in Group 2.

In the night cap, in front of a national television audience in excess of 100 million people (national population: 151M), the Hippos Ice Hockey team won the inagural Don Cherry Cup. Mick Starks has been playing his best at hockey rather than his first love, soccer. After collecting a hat trick the day before, he scored another 2 goals and assisted on another as the Hippos won 6-1 over Soviet Haaregrad, to sweep Group A play. Stunned Coach Xanatosi was at a loss to explain the team's offensive outburst: "I really can't believe the guys played this well! I mean, we got, what, 20 goals in 5 games? That's crazy for this team. Wow! I just can't believe it. The guys did awesome!" The Hippos have already signed up and hope to compete for the next Don Cherry Cup.

SI