2008 Playoffs - Round One

Eastern Conference

Long Island (1) vs Detroit (8)

After a fairly successful regular season, the young and inexperienced Mustangs proved to be little match for the powerful Concordes. Nathan Sibley scored two of Detroit’s four goals in a four-game Long Island sweep.

Philadelphia (2) vs Quebec (7)

In a series that was much closer than it appeared, Quebec gave up the lead in four out of five games, including a pair of two-goal leads in a wild game three. Jared Baxter was once again Philly’s best player, scoring six points in the series as the Redshirts advanced in five.

Boston (3) vs Atlanta (6)

Just prior to game one, the Bulldogs announced their black alternate uniforms would once again serve as their home jerseys, not just for the playoffs but full time starting in 2008-09. The team rolled out to AC/DC’s “Back in Black” to start game one, which was then dominated by Atlanta, as was game two, which the Copperheads won 2-0 to take a stunning 2-0 series lead. But Boston rallied in game three, forcing the game to overtime with just 41 seconds left before Jeffery Simpkins won it in overtime. Game four was 2-0 Boston until the third period, when a goal from Jason Ferland brought Atlanta within one. But Mark Davis was solid in net, as Boston held on to tie the series. A 3-0 shutout for Davis gave the Bulldogs the win in game five to give them a chance to close out the series in game six. Down a goal with 28 seconds left in game six, Brendan Marlo tied it up. Then just seconds away from overtime, Mikael Larsson scored to give Boston the win and send them to the second round.

Toronto (4) vs Carolina (5)

Carolina jumped to a 3-0 lead in game one, but two goals from Joe Murdock and one each from Darren Reid and Theo Galvin gave Toronto a huge comeback win. Carolina never recovered, winning only game three at home before succumbing to the Racers in five.

Western Conference

Milwaukee (1) vs St. Louis (8)

The Spirits made their long-awaited return to the post-season. However, they never really stood a chance facing the league’s top team. Brad McNair’s six points led the Choppers to a 3-0 series lead early. After St. Louis won game four, the Choppers finished them off in game five.

Chicago (2) vs Portland (7)

New Shamrocks owner Richard Garfield made one adjustment to a long-standing team policy just prior to the 2008 playoffs, he lifted the ban on facial hair just for the playoffs so his team could join in on the playoff beard tradition. Game one went to Portland on a soft third period goal from center ice. But Kari Nurminen bounced back in a big way in game two, stealing the show with a 2-0 shutout performance. Chicago then won a triple-OT thriller at the Pacifico Center in game three thanks to a big goal from Jonathan Wheatley. Portland then won an overtime epic of their own, with Patrick Diaz scoring the winner in double overtime in game four to tie the series. Back in Chicago, Nurminen earned another shutout while Wheatley’s two goal performance gave the Shamrocks a 3-2 series lead. The Shamrocks then closed out the Cascades in game six, with Nurminen earning his third shutout of the series.

Oakland (3) vs Dallas (6)

In a very closely contested series, Oakland’s budding superstar goaltender proved to be the difference. With the teams tied 2-2 going into game five, Sweet had back-to-back shutouts in games five and six as the Nuggets advanced.

Edmonton (4) vs Los Angeles (5)

Despite a strong year for LA, Kris Nazarenko and the Northern Lights were considered the favorites going in. The Wizards’ tight-checking game held “Naz” to only one point in the entire series, while goaltender Matt Stover stood on his head. LA stunned Edmonton in four straight and after losing game four, Nazarenko threw a garbage can through a glass door in the visitor’s locker room.