By the time you read this blog post, I’m most likely on my way back from my 40th college reunion (and yes, there will be plenty of blog posts about it this week).
I’m racing back because tip-off for the Albany Patroons’ Game 2 playoff matchup against the Capital Seahawks. And the Patroons must win today’s game … as well as the Game 3 decider on Monday – to advance against either the Raleigh Firebirds (who knocked us out of the playoffs last year) or the Frederick Flying Cows (who WE knocked out of the playoffs last year).
But right now, the Capital Seahawks are playing like world-beaters. They knocked off the Virginia Valley Vipers – a good team, mind you – in two straight. And they took Game 1 of the three-game series against Albany last Thursday night, 95-93.
But I look at it this way. The Patroons have been in this position before. And they’ve rallied to win. A couple of years ago, they lost the first game of a best-of-three match to the Kokomo Bobkats, only to take the next two victories on the Armory floor. And even going back to 2019, when the Patroons lost Game 1 of the TBL finals to the Yakima Sun Kings, Albany rallied back and took Games 2 and 3 – and the TBL championship.
So this can be done.
Let me rephrase that.
This WILL be done.
Because I didn’t race all the way back from Central New York for Game 2 …
If I didn’t have a feeling, deep down in my gut, that the Patroons could pull this off and force a Game 3.
Let’s make this happen.
Bring the pots and pans and make lotsa lotsa noise.
We’re gonna do this.
Mark this down.
UPDATE: We didn’t do this.
The Capital Seahawks played us up and down the court, and their lead kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger. In the end, the Seahawks won 105-89, not only ending the Patroons’ season, it marked the third consecutive season that a team celebrated a playoff series win on the Armory home court.
I’m disappointed, for sure. I’m pleased that we played as well as we did throughout the season, and that we made the playoffs as well. And the series against the New York Phoenix was epic.
But this is why playoff games are held. Teams advance, while others get knocked off.
Okay, now I can put away all my gold and kelly green wardrobe.
Besides, now it’s Pittsburgh Steelers season. I just heard we signed a new quarterback. 😀
Chuck The Writer 
Ah yes, The Ayahuasca Kid.
Rumor has it that the Steelers landed him with the promise of a personal shaman and a custom sweat lodge dressing room.
Here’s hoping he can shake those butterflies and get his head back in the game for the season opener.
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