Pain - PR

The Michigan Pain have a case of the championship blues. Most teams are
probably muttering "cry me a river," but in fact the Pain as a team and a
managerial unit are going through the motions. As of late the players have
come together to replace the beginning of the season with a nice stretch of
wins. Stomping notables like the Aces (P.S. don't mess around, or Paille
will put you out 5 games again) , Patriots, and giving a school lesson to
the smart ass Flames who spoiled Banner night in Michigan at the home
opener. The point here is that the Pain are waiting for the playoffs as
there mentality suggests that the regular season is long and meaningless. GM
Elliot has even got a case of the "Mondays." "Lately it has not been
business as usual. I have paid minimal attention to the league, and have not
examined other GM offers to the extent that they deserve. I think it is only
natural after two remarkable seasons to go on a mental vacation." It should
be noted that the Pain have won in the last two seasons but have never
finished on top of the conference. It begs the question how much does the
regular season impact the road to the cup.

Offseason Impact

The Michigan Pain lost corner stone defencemen Roman Hamrlik to free agnecy.
"Unfortunatley we could not retain Roman's services due to the fact the
Clubbers offered a exceptional price that did not meet our budget. He will
be missed." That was said a few months ago by GM Elliot but the defence is
one of the tops in the league without their heart and soul.
Also in the Free agnecy process GM Goodlet of the Spirit munched on a few
sour grapes. After the loss to the Pain in the finals that was billed an
ugly series from the standpoint of the players on the SPirit, GM Goodlet
bids aggresively on Pain players. "I have a good memory for these types of
things, I will have my day and raise his salaries" GM Elliot responded.
It seems the trading of young star Ryznar for Tallackson was a risky move
that paid off. He is second on the team in scoring in his rookie year.
Another surprise is the emergene of Yonkman on defence. HE has become a
solid d-man in his own right.

This season is already shaping up to be another dog fight in the West. The
Wheaties are right however, the President trophy winners are at the top of
the class but have to wait the whole year to take the exam. This goes for
every team; many teams will not even look the same come the trade deadline
(aka Misconduct/Flames/Wheat King). So the Pain will just have to wait; wait
for the time of the year that turns a sleepy city into a frenzy. A time of
the year that excites even a back-to-back champion. The TFHL Cup Playoffs.

Michigan Press