2007 playoffs

[Morris Mott]

***BEST OF 5 SEMI-FINALS***

The Calgary Vipers lead the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks 2-0

The Gary-Southshore Railcats & the Winnipeg Goldeyes are tied 1-1

NOTES: The Goldeyes almost came back to tie Gary in game one, leaving a man at second base, after scoring 1 in the bottom of the ninth... only to come up short 4-3. The Goldeyes then won game two 7-0.

The Vipers used a single big inning each game (5 in the 3rd inning in game one, and 5 in the 1st inning in game two) to hang on for a pair of wins.

[BCRantzilla]

DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD!

Fargo gets swept! No matter what happens with my Goldeyes the rest of the Gary series, I can take solice in Fargo getting humiliated by one of the teams Siminuk refuses to even aknowledge as a legit NL team. So much for "stupid and hopeless franchises in Alberta" eh Dougie 'ol boy?

[Morris Mott]

Yup...

Fargo is out thanks to the same Vipers team 99% of NL fans were writing off. I've read that Calgary was "lucky" to win the first half and had declined so badly over the second half that they no chance to win even a single game against the surging Redhawks.

I, however knew they would not roll over... they had too many good players on the team (D.Brinkley, the .400 hitter; Nelson Castro with 38 doubles and 124 hits;Carlos Duncun's 139 hits and 82 RBI's; Kazuaki Minami going 10-5...etc). I always knew the Vipers would do good in the playoffs. Who knows, they may even win the whole thing.

Now all those dozens and dozens of Calgary Vipers fans in attendence(just joshing ya...lol) for each game... good luck in the championship, and I hope to see you in Winnipeg for the Finals!!!!!

[BCRantzilla]

Yup...

Fargo is out thanks to the same Vipers team 99% of NL fans were writing off. I've read that Calgary was "lucky" to win the first half and had declined so badly over the second half that they no chance to win even a single game against the surging Redhawks.

I, however knew they would not roll over... they had too many good players on the team (D.Brinkley, the .400 hitter; Nelson Castro with 38 doubles and 124 hits;Carlos Duncun's 139 hits and 82 RBI's; Kazuaki Minami going 10-5...etc). I always knew the Vipers would do good in the playoffs. Who knows, they may even win the whole thing.

Now all those dozens and dozens of Calgary Vipers fans in attendence(just joshing ya...lol) for each game... good luck in the championship, and I hope to see you in Winnipeg for the Finals!!!!!

Actually Fargo's attendance wasn't much better than Calgary's. (An "announced" 2500.)

As for the series, Siminuk's biggest achilles heel has always been his ego. (See the Red Hawks' complete collapse against Gary in 2005 after amassing the greatest regular season in NL history.) If he gives his opponent zero credit, his team falls, almost on cue. This of course is when he isn't facing Winnipeg and everyone knows that he has a blood feud like hatred for Sam Katz, Katz's entire family and their neighbors and THEIR families. This is why the Red Hawks have owned us this decade. Rick Forney doesn't see the Fargo series's as life or death the way Siminuk does and they play accordingly and guess who has dominated the last 5-6 years?

That said, the Red Hawks didn't give the Vipers a lick of credit going into this series. Calgary has some of the best offensive players in the NL as you mentioned so I won't cover the stats and frankly, their offense was better than Fargo's pitching was this year. (I guess Simi had problems getting pitchers after the Brandon Culp fiasco in 05 eh?) I think this was a huge reason why Calgary laid down for Fargo in the season ending series. Fargo played like their season was in jeapordy and because they dominated Calgary in a series that meant nothing to either team, they decided that the Vipers were dead. HUGE MISTAKE. That said, Fargo hasn't gotten it done when faced with opponents like this not named Winnipeg very often so we should have seen at least a 5 game Calgary win coming.

[nlfan]

I listened Simi's comments after losing Game 2 and he did give the Vipers credit; he also admitted his team wasn't "stepping up." Simi is actually pretty good about that since he can afford to be.

Even the Fargo fans, at least those who've been posting in my forums, have been congratulatory. Of course there's been a whole lot more discussion about this from the moment the game ended from both cities (and the rest of the league).

[nlfan]

That said, Fargo hasn't gotten it done when faced with opponents like this not named Winnipeg very often so we should have seen at least a 5 game Calgary win coming.Uh... the records (http://www.nlfan.com/league/results/) is more unclear on that count too.

'93 - Lost to Saints
'94 - Beat Explorers - Championship #1
'95 - Lost to Saints
'96 - Beat Goldeyes, Lost to Saints
'97 - Lost to Goldeyes
'98 - Beat Goldeyes & Saints - Championship #2
'99 - Beat Schaumburg, Lost to Goldeyes
'00 - Beat Goldeyes, Lost to Dukes
'01 - Lost to Goldeyes
'02 - No post season (only time to date)
'03 - Beat Flyers & Goldeyes - Championship #3
'04 - Lost to Saints
'05 - Beat Saltdogs, Lost to RailCats
'06 - Beat Goldeyes & RailCats - Championship #4
'07 - Lost to Vipers

Simi's Post Season Totals:

vs. Goldeyes: 5 - 3
vs. Others: 6 - 7

vs. Dukes: 0 - 1
vs. Explorers: 1 - 0
vs. Flyers: 2 - 0
vs. RailCats: 1 - 1
vs. Saints: 1 - 4
vs. Saltdogs: 1 - 0
vs. Vipers: 0 - 1

He's neither as good against the Goldeyes, nor as bad against the rest of the league, as you suggest. Only the Saints have been a consistent nemesis for him.

In general, Simi's toned down a GREAT deal from the first few seasons. He still has an incredible drive, but he's not as intense as he once was.[hr]Whatever the case, Viper fans are excited about their chances. Fans in the Peg are hoping for a "Canadian Cup." Whatever the case, it'll be an interesting championship series.

[BCRantzilla]

I listened Simi's comments after losing Game 2 and he did give the Vipers credit; he also admitted his team wasn't "stepping up." Simi is actually pretty good about that since he can afford to be.

Even the Fargo fans, at least those who've been posting in my forums, have been congratulatory. Of course there's been a whole lot more discussion about this from the moment the game ended from both cities (and the rest of the league).

Actually, you misquoted me, a FEW times. If you are going to pick my comments apart like that you should actually look at what I actually said.

1. I said that Siminuk and the Red Hawks didn't give Calgary a lick of credit going into the playoffs/series. What came after I did not account for.

2. The statement about Fargo's playoff record in recent years was in regards to everytime they took their opponent lightly and/or gave them zero credit going into their series with them. The 05 championship series was a very classic example and the first of two seasons in a row where Siminuk went on extended tirades in the media about how stupid the wild card was and why the wild card winner had no business being on the same field as the Red Hawks. (Paul Edmunds had loads of fun with his VERY scathing post game tirades about the wild card during the 06 playoffs.)

3. Fargo vs Winnipeg. I stated very clearly that, Fargo has owned us in THIS decade. The Red Hawks have won the last 4 regular season series and every single Moosehead Cup since its inception. (I hate that stupid trophy for reasons unrelated to the rivalry as I don't think any trophy other than a league or individual player award should be presented on the field.) Oh and Fargo's record vs the Fish in the post season in this decade is a very decisive 3-1. OWNING us means we have never been able to finish them at any time in the last 5 + years. Owning a team isn't just mopping the floor with them, it is letting them come close but never letting them finish the job. (See the Lakers being owned by the Celitcs for nearly 30 years for a reference.)

4. Doug: He hates Winnipeg and Winnipeg hates him and everytime he's here he makes sure we know it and that he likes it that way. I never bashed him for it but I did want to make the point that the current Goldeyes don't view each Red Hawk series like a playoff series the way Fargo does. (I don't think Rick Forney has any anamosity towards anyone to be honest, he's too laid back from my dealings with him.) They treat their games with us like Game Five every night but we treat games with them like it's KC or Edmonton or Gary in the sense that yes we need to win as many games as we can but these games aren't any more special than the others on the schedule. Part of me wants that back but the rest of me likes the fact that Forney seems to be more focused on the big picture.

Now that THAT is out of the way, we got beat by the hottest pitcher in the NL tonight and beat good, even if we were able to keep it close. Luckily for us, we have had success with everyone else the Railcats have sent our way in this series so I do feel confident that we can win tomorrow and get ready for the first all Canadian NL final in many years.

[nlfan]

I stand corrected.

Now, unfortunately your Goldeyes may have given away the series with three wild pitches in the bottom of the 7th. Quite a series for the "Iron 9."

[BCRantzilla]

I stand corrected.

Now, unfortunately your Goldeyes may have given away the series with three wild pitches in the bottom of the 7th. Quite a series for the "Iron 9."

You love every second of it don't you?

[BCRantzilla]

Well it's over now, Gary takes it 5-3. You just can't have a bad inning against a team this good and we proved it today. Cudos to Gary for winning both halves and the playoff.

Now we will see an intriguing matchup of great hitting against great pitching.

[nlfan]

Having had the Saints lose the AA championship yesterday... in game 5... for the second year in a row against the Cats, no. I'm not gloating about the Goldeyes loss even if misery does/would like company. And you'll find I made other posts (in my own forums) saying it was a terrible way to end the season. There ARE people outside of the Peg who wanted to see the Fish overcome being shorthanded at the end of the season --they made a great run.

But Rant... if YOU don't like my posts keep your insults to yourself (and your own inbox). You pointed out my errors and I acknowledged them, maybe you can do the same without trying to bypass swearing filters.

[Morris Mott]

Well, it was fun while it lasted, but now Gary moves on. I was looking forward to getting in one last game at Can-West Global park, but that is not to be.

Congrats to Gary, they proved why they lead the NL in wins this year. I'll be sure to follow the finals against Calgary still.

[BCRantzilla]

Having had the Saints lose the AA championship yesterday... in game 5... for the second year in a row against the Cats, no. I'm not gloating about the Goldeyes loss even if misery does/would like company. And you'll find I made other posts (in my own forums) saying it was a terrible way to end the season. There ARE people outside of the Peg who wanted to see the Fish overcome being shorthanded at the end of the season --they made a great run.

But Rant... if YOU don't like my posts keep your insults to yourself (and your own inbox). You pointed out my errors and I acknowledged them, maybe you can do the same without trying to bypass swearing filters.

Had you said, "tough break in the 7th" I would buy that. Instead you ran smack.

As for my PM, I asked you a question as you have been very condesending towards not just me but damn near EVERYONE who dares post in your presence. Again, go back to your own board if you have a problem with what I have to say. Until then, keep it to yourself.

[Morris Mott]

The Calgary Vipers won game #1 of the NL finals, by a score of 7-6. Carlos Duncun hit a 2 run shot in the bottom of the ninth to win it for Calgary, and send 2,194 fans home happy.

Tonight (Wednesday, Sept.12), NL strikeout king, and just announced NL Pitcher of the Year, Willie Glen (12-1) takes to the mound against the Viper's Jeff Groeger(3-3).

[Morris Mott]

Well...sorry for not undating anyone ona game-by-game basis, but the winner is...

The GARY-SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS

Who won 3 games to 2 and are the 2007 Northern League champions!