In the end, the best team won as Downton Flyers a 27-point winner over their FHL Finals opponent to take the Buffalo Pro H2H Points League title for 2023 while only losing three weekly matchups all season.
A terrific effort on the part of not only the playoff-seeded teams but the consolation ladder teams as well, an entertaining and competitive season put forth making next season even more anticipated.
The second half of the ESPN FHL 2023 Buffalo Pro H2H Points League Finals begins this afternoon at 12:30 EST and as expected League leader Downton Flyers is in the lead and has gone ahead of Buffalo Winter by nearly a baker’s dozen worth of points.
Not surprisingly the Winner’s Consolation Ladder combatants Team Beaulieu and Team Alex have practically mirrored the Winner’s bracket scores and admirably team Doughty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap after barely missing earning a playoff seeding has taken the overall lead in points while mired in the Consolation Ladder.
Presently the eight consolation-seeded teams have the opportunity to use the ladder games as a “mini-training” camp for team managers, exploring the tools (waiver wire, watch list, injured reserve, begin next season’s roster) available using them to gain insight to improve next season’s entry.
My first attempt at managing an ESPN FHL team did not result in a playoff seeding but it is when I learned and gained valuable experience utilizing the waiver wire to be able to increase my overall point total by switching out players not generating points.
The NHL has scheduled all 32 teams to play today creating the opportunity for team managers to have the ability to ice a full roster including the unpleasant task of selecting which players sit on the bench this Saturday.
This afternoon is the second last home game of the regular season here along the Lake for our Buffalo Sabres and we face off against the Hurricanes as Carolina comes to town for a 12:30 luncheon game.
Mr. Levi wins debut
What we all wanted to see came to fruition last night as Mr. Levi posted a .939 save percentage allowing two goals at even strength and stopping all four shots during the Rangers’ lone power play for his NHL debut victory.
It took New York nearly six minutes before registering their first SOG and with an obvious non-call on a cross-check to the back of the neck that prompted Mr. Ray to comment, “I guess we know how they are calling the game… they’re not.”
The Rangers’ only other shot of the period came off an attempt from Mr. Vesey that Mr. Levi took care of with his quick glove, a minute later Mr. Peterka scores finishing off a tic-tac-toe play with Mr. Quinn and Mr. Cozens for the one nothing lead.
During a delayed penalty Mr. Power was attempting a shot when an astute official whistled the play dead posing the question of when the Rangers had possession, all for naught as both the Sabres and Rangers come up short on the game’s three power plays.
Buffalo’s second goal was a thing of beauty as Mr. Greenway accepted a nice up-and-over the defender flip pass from Mr. Mittelstadt then one-handed beat two New York defenders and puts the shot right above the glove and arm of the Rangers netminder.
Mr. Skinner’s Overtime winning goal was no less spectacular as he nets his 32nd goal of the season after splitting Mr. Zibanejad and Mr. Tarasenko who were attempting to defend him, past defenseman Mr. Miller with a greasy wrister to win the game.
Buffalo Sabres versus New York Rangers
Not since Mr. Barrasso arrived from the Massachusetts high school system into the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres have I been this excited about a goaltender playing his first game in the NHL for the Sabres.
It would seem unfair to put high expectations on an incoming rookie goaltender and to envisage Mr. Levi as the heir apparent in net becoming the final piece for this corps of young talented and highly skilled players to cement them into their playoff destiny.
It is not unfair at all, the Sabres and their fans require Mr. Levi to be more than capable, more than solid in net, more than what we have become acclimated to from the last half a dozen netminders who have played valiantly but ultimately came up short.
Listening to this young man speaking articulately and intelligently about goaltending coupled with his infectious anticipation and excitement for tonight’s debut I cannot help but become more enthused and no matter the outcome versus the Rangers, Mr. Levi, “our goaltender” is here.
The Buffalo Pro H2H Points League FHL Championship begins tonight with anticipation of the League’s Leader from the East Division Downton Flyers continuing their domination and securing this season’s Championship.
The West Division champion and third overall in the League Buffalo Winter endeavors to skate through the top two teams with one down and the challenge of winning versus the best team in the League to win their third ESPN FHL Championship.
How did they get to the Finals?
Downton Flyers had lost only three times during the regular season to division rivals Team Fitzgerald (2X) and Team Alex serving the third loss to the eventual League Champion.
In the FHL Semi-Finals a surprising development with Team Beaulieu beating out Doughty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap for the final playoff seeding for the privilege to play the League’s best team in Downton Flyers to start the playoffs.
After the first seven days of the 13-day semi-finals, Team Beaulieu had built a shockingly 30-point lead over the best team in the League and was set up to pull off one of FHL’s biggest upsets when over the next four days the lead evaporated.
Downton Flyers are the number one team for a reason and they fought back and eventually took an over 20-point lead to beat Team Beaulieu to advance to the FHL Finals.
Buffalo Winter opened the season with a loss and played 500 percent Hockey until Thanksgiving where winning the next 11 out of 12 weekly matchups to take over the division lead but only winning one of the last three weekly matchups to earn a playoff seeding.
Buffalo Winter matched against the second-highest playoff seed in Team Alex was another surprise as the favorite Team Alex fell behind ironically as quickly and nearly as far as Downton Flyers had to Team Beaulieu.
Team Alex’s Team Manager played his team well and one or two goals or assists one way or another was all that separated this strong team from advancing as they dropped the matchup by only 5.9 points.
The NHL has six games scheduled tonight as ESPN FHL Finals begin the playoffs with a positive outlook for both combatants as each Division Champion advanced to the finals with comparable offensive statistics with Downton Flyers having the edge in goaltending.
Buffalo Winter 