Saturday, August 10, 2024

1983-84 WCLH Season

The biggest news in the league was the Lethbridge Cougars had a great start in their first 25 games, all nothing but wins which they had a total of 90 wins (including 60 wins in 1982-83 and the last 15 games in 1981-82 seasons) until the Abbotsford Forest Kings broke that streak with a 3-2 game that shocked many hockey critics everywhere didn’t think that the Cougars would lose. The Cougars had a hard time as they only won 4 out of the last 25 games; many hope they can turn it around come playoffs.

League President James Name successfully banned Lite-Sonic pants from the league following the tragedy that ended Moose Jaw Wings Paul Phillips's career in the 1982-83 season. James Name also stated in the WCLH that white pants are banned, meaning that any team doing any rebranding in white is banned from recolouring pants.

After breaking the Cougar's winning streak, the Forest Kings got an excellent last 25 games of the season (18-5-2) to take first place in the West division. The Cougars battled the last 25 games in a rough way to finish Medicine Hat Hawks second. One point behind the Cougars is the Billings Trains. They had second place in the bag, but their last 10 games were very poor (1-8-1), and they finished third. In fourth place is the Medicine Hat Hawks, as they were almost on the outside of the playoffs spot, but the Hawks made some real key wins to finish the season in fourth place. Rounding off the West are Chilliwack Alpines taking fifth, Surrey River Dogs sixth, and in last place the Nanaimo Sharks.

After four years of missing the playoffs, the Saskatoon Cats are back in a big way. Led by Nathen Faulk's leadership, the Cats finished not just the East division but also the league with a big 80 points (38-8-4). It is their first time since the pre-CHIA history to ever finish at the top of the league; the last time they did it was in the 1970-71 season. Finishing second place was the Fargo Owls, which was an improvement from last season; however, they lost all of their four-game season series with the Cats. Many fear they could hurt them come playoffs, but the players have high hopes for a deep playoff run. The Portage la Prairie Magic takes third place but recently are in a heavy situation come playoff time; many fear that the Magic could be heading into rebuilding mode if they lose the first round for the fifth straight time, “we need to win the first round that is our goal, we can do this, we will work hard to win the first round.” Magic captain Zachary Natyshak said after team practice. Taking forth place the Swift Current Battalion, they had a bad hangover in the first 25 games, but they turn it around in the last 25 to get the last playoff spot and hope to head back to the Jade Trophy final like they did last season. Rounding off the East division are fifth-place Moose Jaw Wings, sixth-place Brandon Buffalos, and taking last place in both the East and the whole league are the Kenora Pioneers.



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