Bob Kudelski

The Fall Classic league finals have been played, and man oh man, things got crazy! I was feeling pretty confident with my Bruins heading into the matchup with @schwartz and his Blackhawks. Especially after defeating @annatar who is arguably the best online SNES player. But Schwartz is a highly skilled veteran who always gives me trouble. We had split our season series which included a 6-2 Chicago win. On top of that, I saw that he had been playing a few warm up exhibition games against other strong players. So I was not taking this series lightly, at all. Games 1 to 4 (Chicago goes up 3-1 in the series): Sure enough, the Hawks came out firing on all cylinders. I quickly found myself trailing in the series 3-1! Schwartz was playing ridiculous. Dangling through the zone, pulling my D out of position and threading cross-crease passes for easy one timers. His manual goalie control was insane. He read all my one-timer attempts with enough time to get over for the save. Things were not looking good. I would have to win 3 straight to win the championship. Game 5: (Boston fights back to 3-2 in the series): I knew I had to get really serious if I wanted to win this thing. So back in Boston for game 5, I was somehow able to put together my best game of the series. I was able to take this one by a score of 5-1. Game 6 (Boston scraaaapes another one out to tie the series at 3-3): Now with Schwartz up 3-2 in the series, things got extremely intense. Game 6 was an absolute defensive battle. It was 0-0 heading into the 3rd period, when I took three penalties with less than 3 minutes left in the game. I managed to get to OT, still down a man, when Cam Neely was able to break loose and pot the gamewinner. Boston wins 1-0 in OT! Phew! Game 7 (most insane finish in the history of Classic League): Series tied 3-3 and I knew I had a good chance to win on home ice with the powerful Bruins. But this game was the complete opposite of game six. Lots of goals! The game was tied 3-3 with 4:23 left in the 3rd. This is when things got crazy. Chicago took over and potted three goals, including an absolute dagger by Joe Murphy to put Chicago up 6-3 with just 1:10 left in the game. I began to accept my fate. Another loss in the finals, as I've done many times in Classic league and Dynasty league.... But then what happened? I just said F it. I won the draw and went straight to the net. This was the sequence of events with a minute remaining in game 7: Wesley scores with 1:00 remaining. 6-4 CHI leads Oates scores with 0:25 remaining. 6-5 CHI leads Moog pulled for the extra attacker Neely scores with 0:15 remaining. 6-6 tie game! Overtime went back and forth until finally, Neely buried a one-timer for the win. Boston wins 7-6 in OT, and completes the epic comeback in both the series and the game. Wow. I'll post the game winner video later if I remember to open the state and capture the replay. I have to hand it to Schwartz. He played as well as anyone I've ever seen. He was giving me fits. I probably did not deserve this win. I felt really bad for Schwartz. I've been on the other end of these epic collapses many times. But probably nothing as drastic as this. Luckily, Schwartz is the man - he's got a good head on his shoulders and he's one of the best guys you will meet in this community. So congrats to Schwartz, and thanks for one hell of a series! I hope to see you in NYC bud!

Wow, it DOES look like LA didn't get the extra attacker there! I figured Hrudey was just taking his time skating to the bench and making the change.. But based on your embedded video, I only see 5 LA skaters! Weird. I think the Boston bench was cheering the Neely hit on Carson. And for what it's worth, I personally go with a lineup of Gretzky - Carson - Sandstrom. I know it's weird, but I don't like Robitaille. For some reason I just can't score with him. I find him slow and weak and his shot just doesn't work for me. Go figure. I do like your idea of the two person commentary with a player, or both players, watching their own series.

This was fun to watch. Thanks again to @kingraph for putting this together. A few comments after watching: You were asking why @annatar put in Jimmy Carson for Gretzky. I think it's because Carson is actually a top player in SNES. He weighs 212, with 85 shot accuracy, and 65 shot power. Gretzky is too light, and has no shot at all. You'd have to ask annatar why Carson over Sandstrom at center. Maybe he prefers a right handed shot at center, and there's not much to separate the two players, other than bit harder shot from Sandstrom. LA #23 is in fact corey millen. You asked why I put in Juneau at center on the PK, after Neely got a penalty. Usually I wouldn't bother to sub out the auto-sub (Dave Poulin). But for this series, I knew for sure I didn't want Poulin in there. In retrospect, I guess I could have moved Oates over to C, so I would have had Ruczika (LW) and Oates (C) out there on the PK. Will keep this in mind for the future. I can't believe how many goals Sandstrom scored in the same fashion - by cutting in off the wing and going far side (at least 3 or 4). I saw it coming every time and couldn't get the goalie over in time. Annatar really exploited that. As with most SNES games and series, there were a few missed opportunities that could have drastically altered the course of the series - like a shot sailing over an open net, or a non-call on a breakaway bodycheck. I was very fortunate to take this series in only 5 games.

This is amazing. Little correction though - It’s actually the conference finals.

Working away today, while listening to some @kingraph and @angryjay93 play-by-play of the @Troy and EA matchup. I think my emails today will contain some random and unintended '94 references!

You know what, YOU suck!

That's really great that you got a well-known and recent NHLer to embrace the tourney. Do you think he will also be at KO94 in NYC?

Great interview. Thanks for sharing! It's such an iconic box art. It really sucks that he had to pay $10,000 for a painting that he was only paid about $5000 to do in the first place.

Great season fellas. I was impressed by all the new SNES guys getting the majority of their games in. It's nice to have some new blood come into the league. There's a lot of good talent and potential there too. It's too bad @hotelcalifornia didn't make the playoffs. If he were in the other conference, I think he would have easily made it, and would have a good shot to win the conference. On a personal note, I still didn't get that elusive 30 win mark, but I think I won my first scoring title with Cam Neely. Led the league in goals, points, shots and PIMs. A true power forward. Good luck in the playoffs!

Far from the most impressive hit I've ever seen, but I appreciate your enthusiasm.

The player creation / point allocation idea has too many challenges IMO. You should just draft existing players. It would be easier and more fun. Another option would be Kingof94 rules. i.e. one player picks the teams and the other guy picks which one he plays with.

Ok, so probably just those first 5 guys I listed that are now NHL regulars.

I think you can bold a few more guys that have made the NHL: Brendan Lemieux (played all season so far with Winnipeg) Tage Thompson (played all season with Buffalo) Christian Wolanin (played 10 games last season, and recently called up to Ottawa and stayed in the lineup despite return of Chabot and other D-men from injury). Lias Andersson (played parts of this season and last with NYR) Rasmus Andersson (played all season with Calgary) If "made it to the NHL" means played 1 or more games, there are lots of others that should be bolded: Logan Brown, Chris Bourque, Carter Ashton, Matt Hackett, Philip Samuelsson, Ryan Bourque, Jarred Tinordi, Christian Thomas, Alexander Nylander etc.

This post has been very unsuccessful.

Following @kingraph's lead. I'd really like to schedule games with my last three opponents, so I can finish my season. Only 6 days left! @combustiblecam (MTL) x 2 @dethrox (STL) x 3 @stheds2000 (WSH) x 4 I can be available most nights after 10pm EST. If it has to be earlier, let's schedule something. Respond here, Discord, PM, etc. Thanks!