2000 Playoffs

Appearing in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, the Dallas Desperados really did not expect to get very far. Dallas had finished 26 points behind their opponent, the Los Angeles Wizards, and even their own fans were just happy to be there. “Realistically, this team will be lucky to win a game” said analyst Kevin Williams. After dropping the first two games in Los Angeles, the Desperados did indeed earn their first playoff win in game three thanks to a big third-period goal from Kyle Clark in front of an excited sell-out crowd. In game four, AJ Vernon was the hero in overtime when he beat Jim Cochran from a tough angle to tie the series at 2-2. Heading back home, the Wizards now felt the pressure. “We just need to stick to our game and we’ll be fine” said Adam Lawless. Cochran’s shutout in game five was exactly the response needed for LA, as the Wizards now had a chance to take the series in Dallas. Game six was a tight one, with LA severely outplaying the Desperados through two periods, but goaltender Alexei Rolonov kept turning them away. Finally, rookie Antti Pulkkinen scored on a breakaway to give Dallas the lead. Rolonov continued to shut the door as the Desperados held on to force a game seven in Los Angeles. The Wizards once again stepped up their game in game seven, as Viktor Skogg scored twice in a 4-1 LA win. Despite losing the series, the Desperados had pushed the Wizards farther than anyone had anticipated, and in the process, created a buzz throughout the city. “I think what we accomplished here was huge for this franchise” said veteran Jeff Jones. Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Kansas City Twisters had to overcome an early deficit against the Seattle Grey Wolves, but Brett Delaney turned in one of the most dominating performances ever in a playoff series, scoring 12 points in seven games as the Twisters outlasted Seattle in seven games, while Minnesota spoiled Milwaukee’s return to the post-season in six games, and Chicago defeated California in five to end the Nuggets’ time at the Golden State Coliseum.

In the Eastern Conference, the New York Civics were a confident team entering their first-round matchup against Detroit, a team making their first playoff appearance since 1992. But the Mustangs quickly shattered that confidence with two big wins at Broadway House to take an unexpected 2-0 series lead. Back in Detroit, the Civics scored early in game three, only to give up three fast goals early in the third period as the Mustangs won the game 3-1 to take a chokehold on the series. “We didn’t expect to be in this position” said captain Aaron Duplacy. “No team has ever come back from 3-0 before but that doesn’t mean we can’t be the first one.” In game four, Duplacy backed up his words with a two-goal performance in a 2-1 New York victory to salvage the series. The Civics were still alive and had a chance to extend it to six when game five went to overtime. Through two extra periods in game five, goaltenders Jason Wyley and Jeff Pelton turned the contest into a goaltending duel. Early in the third overtime, Andrei Alexeev finally ended the marathon when he knocked in a rebound to complete the upset for Detroit.  It was the first playoff series victory for the Mustangs since 1989.

In other Eastern Conference action, Washington took six games to eliminate Carolina, Philadelphia upset Toronto in five games, while the defending champion Royale took out Pittsburgh in five games.

After defeating the Racers in five games, The Redshirts moved on to face the Vincent Ducharme and the defending champion Montreal Royale. Powered by Brendan Carnes’ two goals, the Redshirts stunned the Royale in game one with a 3-2 victory. The Royale bounced back, however, taking games two and three before the Redshirts tied the series with a 4-3 overtime win in game four. The Royale suffered a devastating loss in game four, as Ducharme suffered a knee injury on a hit from Alex Leblanc. Though it was a clean hit, Montreal still hinted that they would go after Leblanc. Game five went into overtime once again, with Jared Baxter proving to be the hero for Philadelphia, giving them a 3-2 series lead and a chance to complete the upset at home in game six. With his team facing elimination in game six, Ducharme attempted to return to the lineup, but only played seven minutes before having to call it a night. Baxter, Leblanc, Jeff Waters, and Jonathan Stafford all scored while Ben Kerrigan made 49 saves in a 4-1 Philadelphia win to send the Redshirts to the Eastern Conference Finals to face the Washington Generals after the Generals defeated the Detroit Mustangs in six games.

In the west, the Kansas City Twisters faced their Midwest rivals, the first-place Chicago Shamrocks. Kansas City went right to work, jumping to a 3-1 series lead after the first four games. With their season on the line in game five, Chicago made a change in net, swapping out Dan Pilford for rookie Jake Likens. Likens played admirably in goal but the Shamrocks once again could not come up with enough offence. The Twisters won 3-1 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lumberjacks faced the Los Angeles Wizards. Viktor Skogg suffered an concussion early in game one and the Wizards managed only four goals all series, as the Lumberjacks headed to the West final for the fourth time in five years.

The Western Conference Finals would be a showdown for the ages, as the Kansas City Twisters met the Minnesota Lumberjacks. Minnesota, the favorites to win the series, took the first two games at home with Jason Crowley continuing his career year with four goals in the two games. In Kansas City, the Twisters also took advantage of home ice, winning game three in overtime, then taking game four in a 5-0 blowout. In game five, Brett Delaney was at it again for the Twisters, scoring a hat-trick while Jason Lind made 38 saves as the Twisters found themselves just one win from the Lewis Cup Finals. With their backs against the wall for game six, the Lumberjacks once again leaned on their captain. Crowley scored twice as Minnesota forced a game seven at home. Game seven was a classic. Lind and Christian Grayson both made save after save as the game remained scoreless after three periods. Late in the third, Jeremy Kitchen took a penalty, giving Minnesota a powerplay. Lind was forced to make nine big saves including a nearly impossible glove save on Brendan Marlo as the Twisters killed the penalty. The game went to double overtime, where Dave Mack, likely playing in his final PHL season, finally ended the game for Kansas City, sending them to the Lewis Cup Finals for the second time in franchise history.

The Twisters would face the Washington Generals, who ended Philadelphia’s magical run in six games. Jake Borman was spectacular in net, while star forwards Igor Zharkov and Rob Wentzel carried the offence. It would be Washington’s second time in the Championship round in three years. “I think this team has grown up a lot and I think we’ll be ready for it this time” said Wentzel.