Thursday, November 8, 2018

Nine Teams Unveil Third Jerseys

The PHL took a year off from alternate uniforms while switching over to the Duke FitLite uniform system in 2005-06. In 2006-07, alternates returned in a big way, with nine teams introducing new sweaters in the summer of 2006.

Boston, St. Louis, and Oakland's new uniforms are similar to what was worn before the switch. Kansas City's new duds are similar to the previous alternates, but with a new logo. Carolina will wear red for the first time, with a pirate flag stretched across the front, while Edmonton's new jersey is unlike any ever seen in the league, featuring a neon/purple pattern up the left arm with a new logo on the front. Atlanta and Washington will wear alternates for the first time ever, with Atlanta wearing a copper colored jersey with the wordmark "Atlanta" stretched over a red forked tongue, while the Generals will wear camo uniforms. Seattle is the only team to unveil a retro jersey, bringing back their popular Holiday Classic design based on the uniform worn from 1974-1998.

More teams are expected to unveil alternate uniforms for the 2007-08 season.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

2006 Lewis Cup



The Toronto Racers’ appearance in the 2006 Lewis Cup Final was thanks in large part to the play of 20-year-old Mark Davis. However, the Championship series did not start out as planned for Davis or the Racers. Game one in Milwaukee was one of the largest blowouts ever for an opening game in the Finals, as the defending champs took it 8-1. Despite the loss, Davis was given the starting job again in game two, but after the Choppers lit him up again for two goals on their first two shots, Rex Hull had enough and but Jussi Sykko back in. Sykko, determined to regain the starter’s job permanently, played one of the best games of his career, while Murdock, Reid, MacDonald, and Igor Kharitonov each scored in what turned out to be a 4-3 Toronto win.

Though he confirmed Sykko would have the net for Game three, Rex Hull still defended his young goalie, Davis. “He is clearly a very talented goalie, I think the pressure maybe got to him a little bit.” Game three in Toronto saw a packed Queen Elizabeth Arena that seemed to be shaking from the noise. Just prior to the playoffs, the Racers’ ownership announced they were in the beginning stages of securing a new home for the team by decade’s end, making every big game at the “Q” even more special. The crowd didn’t seem to faze the Choppers early on, as Adam Wyrzykowski opened the scoring on a breakaway. Milwaukee had a chance to increase the lead just a minute later, when Brad McNair had a breakaway of his own, but Sykko stretched out his left pad to make an incredible save. It would be a key moment, as the Racers began the onslaught early in the second period. Darren Reid scored, followed by Andrew Cox. Sean MacDonald scored after that to make it 3-1. Milwaukee pulled Matt Darwin with nearly two minutes left, when Murdock scored on the empty net to seal the win. Game four was a scoreless tie right through regulation, as Darwin and Sykko were both spectacular. The game remained scoreless going into overtime. Both teams traded chances back and forth, until unlikely hero Theo Galvin finally beat Darwin to give Toronto a 1-0 win and a chance to win a championship in game five.

With the cup in the building, game five went into overtime again. Milwaukee was desperate for a goal to stay alive. Joe Murdock nearly had the cup winner near the end of the first overtime, but it was Darwin’s turn to make a spectacular save. In the second extra frame, Brad McNair beat Sykko just under the glove to keep the defending champs in the series.

Game six was back in Toronto with the cup in the building once again and the Choppers remained confident. “We’ve been here before, we just need to find a way to get back into this.” Said McNair. Despite the confidence, the Choppers were simply out of gas. Sykko came up big once again, while Murdock and Chris Falkner each scored as Toronto took a 2-0 lead. With 20 seconds to go, Milwaukee pulled Darwin, but it was too late. Sykko made two more big saves and the clock ran out as the Racers poured off the bench. For the second time in four years, the Toronto Racers were the Lewis Cup champions. Despite his struggles in the Eastern Conference Finals, Jussi Sykko took the playoff MVP award with six shutouts. “He was unbelievable” said Murdock. “He came up big when we needed it most.”