The Ninja Pandas are no strangers to regular season and playoff success and they once again proved that by cementing their status as the top team in the regular season, clinching home-ice advantage (choice of game time) for the entirety of their playoff run.
"It's nice to finish first and be recognized, but we play for the Championship Belt and we know how tough it is to get to the final game", said captain Matthew Tang.
The Pandas had a slow start to the season, losing three of their first four games before signing free-agent holdout, Kyle Sutherland and banishing another holdout player, Benjaming Tran to Robidas' Island for the season.
Those slick moves combined with top-notch goaltending and a stellar penalty-kill unit throughout the season propelled them to another 1st place finish.
Then Ninja Pandas will open their playoff run with a two-game matchup with the nWo Wolfpac.
Blades of S...er, I mean, Be Sharp sniper Andrew Sammut recorded a goal and added an assist to boost his total points for the season to 40, enough to claim the scoring title for the season.
It's been a remarkable turnaround feel-good story for Sammut, who was also banished to Robidas' Island for several seasons before making his return to the HNX post-Covid and slowly regaining his scoring form.
With the help of a heavy clapper and a keen scoring sense, Sammut potted 25 goals (including 2 GWGS) and 15 assists, while amassing only 4 penalty minutes all season.
His team, Be Sharp, will draw Jolleybees in a first-round matchup starting next Sunday at 9:45 pm.