In less than 24 hours, I’ll be playing this. When acquired, I’ll be the commissioner of two online leagues as well. EA Sports, I’ve given you a lot of money the last month or so. Please don’t let me down with this one.
The End of an Era
Unfortunate news! When visiting my EA Sports World profile this afternoon, I realized something that killed a little part of my soul. My beloved Financial Panthers were contracted by the powers that be in the EASHL due to a lack of activity.
Granted, I hadn’t been spending much time lighting the lamp online lately due to school and work commitments, but I was really hoping to get in some more games in over the summer. It was a lot of fun to be a part of a team like that, combating against people all across the PSN to see who was the best around.
So, now that the team has gone the way of the Coyotes been disbanded, I’m joining up on a team Jambie, Moffatt, and whoever wants to follow me from the Panthers squad.
R.I.P. Financial Panthers. December 2010 - April 2011.
There is a new team on the prowl in the EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL). Friday January 21, 2011 marked the founding and debut of the EASHL’s newest team, the Financial Panthers.
The season opened for the Panthers with a heart-breaking 1-0 OT loss. Following top notch defense through the first three periods, a missed check each by Captain (also founder and General Manager) Brett Smith (C) and Alternate Captain Kieran Blair (D) opened up an odd-man rush that yielded the game’s only goal.
Captain Brett Smith decided to shake up the lines heading into the second game of the homestand against New York. He shifted Blair from the defense to centerman, while moving himself to the right wing. This new line combination featuring the always pinching Blair proved to be the magic elixir to give the Panthers some offense as they won the game 3-1.
On a rush up the right wing, Blair unleashed a laser past the New York goaltender 2:58 into the 1st period providing the first goal in franchise history, as well as the first goal in young Blair’s career. Of the goal, the power forward Blair said “I came down the wing, knew I had a step on the d-man - and just rifled it top shelf. Put that one on the board for the Financial Panthers, it’s the first of many.”
He wasn’t the only rookie to feature in the offense for the Panthers. Their captain Brett Smith added his first tally of his career at the 19:08 mark of the 1st period. “It was a great feeling,” Smith said, who was known for his passes during his junior career with the London Knights. “I picked up the puck and smiled all the way to the bench. Let’s not forget Blairy’s pass. Beautiful drop. It would’ve been a shame if I didn’t finish.”
The 1-0-1 stretch at the First Bank of Springfield Arena is nothing for the Panthers’ to hang their heads at. They have demonstrated an outstanding dedication to 2-way hockey.
With more players in negotiation to join the team, the future is bright for this young team. Many roster spots in the first two games came from their farm club, Team Discovery Channel. It will be very interesting to follow the development of this team.
Brett Smith covers the Financial Panthers for bdot10.tumblr.com.
Follow Brett Smith on Twitter: @BDot10
