Kings Win First Championship; Sweep Jets
It was a long time coming.
In April of 2014, the Kings had just finished the regular season on a 7-3 run, good enough to finish 3rd in the standings with a 10-8-2 record. They entered their first round match up against the 15-4-1 Sharks as the obvious underdogs. The Sharks had dominated the season series 5-0 and so no one thought the Kings would win a game let alone two out of three. But they surprised the league, sweeping the Sharks and putting up a valiant effort against the powerhouse Sting. And although the loss in the Finals wasn’t unexpected, the Kings knew they had what it took to hoist that cup.
That was evident at the start of this season as the Kings jumped out to an 11-1 record, outscoring their opponents 100-51. Although they hit a snag, finishing the season on a 1-5 run, the Kings entered the post season poised on another run at a Championship. They were able to overcome a hot Cyclones team in the opening round, winning the series in three games and getting themselves back to the ‘Ship.
Joining them in the ‘Ship were the Jets.
The last time the Jets were in a Cup Final was back in 2012 when they won the Samson Cup. In the following two years, the Jets only managed a 10-31-1 record. However, with a new look roster and a solid leadership core, the Jets were a pre-season favourite to make the Final. Throughout the season they picked apart defenses with their quick passing and unstoppable possession numbers, finishing the regular season 13-4-1 and three points up on the Kings for 1st.
Despite their control they displayed in their games, the Jets didn’t have an easy road to the Final. The Sharks pushed them to overtime of game 3 before captain, Richmond Fillion, booked the Jets ticket to the Finals.
The Kings took the season series 3-2 and their roster included the league’s leading and record setting scorer, Cody Saunders, but they entered the Finals the underdogs. The Jets had shown throughout the season that their offensive skill and possession was above and beyond that of the other teams in the league, but as the saying goes, “defense wins championships.”
The Kings defense was of championship caliber. The Jets controlled games 1 & 2 from start to finish, but it was the Kings defense and goaltending that set them apart. Austin Owen, Conner Logan and James Langridge excelled at keeping the Jets shooters to the outside and when a shot made it on net reigning playoff MVP, Aaron Lagmodiere, was there to make a timely save.
Not all of it was defense; the Kings forwards were able to capitalize on their chances, putting 7 goals past the Jets netminder, Andrew Courchene.
Despite the Kings’ defensive success, the Jets showed why they were in the Finals to begin with. They outshot the Kings by 15 or more each game and were inches away from hoisting the Cup. Through the two games, including four or five separate occasions in game 2, the Jets had Lagmodiere beat but could not beat the post.
In the end the Kings swept the Jets 4-2 & 4-1 to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Aaron Lagimodiere was named Playoff MVP for the 2nd consecutive season.
2014-2015 Damascus Division Awards
Points Leader – Cody Saunders (Kings) – 84
Goal Leader – Cody Saunders (Kings) – 59 *SBHL Record
Assists Leader – Cody Saunders (Kings) – 25
Top Goaltender – Aaron Lagimodiere (Kings)
Regular Season MVP – Richmond Fillion (Jets)
Playoff MVP – Aaron Lagimodiere (Kings)
Team Awards Cyclones Jets Kings Sharks
Sportsmanship Brandon Brass-Skeet Moe Moe Ducharme Connor Logan Akhil Rooprai
Most Dedicated Jacob Holloway Richmond Fillion Austin Owen Morgan Hobbs
Most Improved Dylan Gagnon Cody Wood Brandan Martel Walker Hobbs
