FHM Ottawa Senators Historical Challenge, 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 2

Franchise Hockey Manager 6 is a text-based hockey management simulation game by Out of the Park Developments. It’s a lot of fun, and I find it super realistic. I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a good way to kill time while social distancing.

In the game, you take over as GM and/or head coach of pretty much any hockey team on the planet, and make roster moves to bring your team a championship. The CPU plays the games for you, but you craft the team.

One of the coolest game modes is the Historical Challenges, wherein you take over as GM of a team at a particular point in their NHL existence, and attempt to relive or rewrite history. For the purposes of this play-through, we’ll be taking over the Ottawa Senators in the Fall of 1996, and attempting to win a Stanley Cup no later than the spring of 2007.

For the purposes of this little exercise, I’m going to play through this mode, trying to win a Cup for the Sens, with help from you - yes you - the readers! At the end of every edition, I’ll ask you questions about key roster moves, and make it based on how you respond!

We’re going to take this on a month-by-month basis, with a new instalment coming out every week, so make sure you let me know in the comments what you want to see, and any suggestions you have to achieve this goal! I want to make this as interactive an experience as possible, so I really want to hear from you!

Let’s roll into Round 2 of the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Most of you are pretty confident in our second-round date with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Game 1 goes to the good guys! Taking advantage of home ice, the Sens earn a hard-fought 4-3 win. Alexei Yashin scored twice, while Eric Daze and Chris Phillips combined for two more.

Senators lead series 1-0

For the first time in modern franchise history, we have a 2-0 series lead! Byron Dafoe was magnificent, stopping 40 of 41 shots. Offensively, Jozef Stumpel led the way with two goals, to go with another from Glen Wesley, and we take Game 2 by a score of 3-1.

Senators lead series 2-0

Everything’s coming up Sens, as John Madden is on track to return soon, after missing over six weeks with a broken hand.

A 2-1 win in Philadelphia leaves us one win away from our first modern series sweep! Dafoe was stellar again, while Yashin and Bret Hedican both scored in a 2-1 victory. On the downside, Daniel Alfredsson is suffering from some back stiffness, and will have to miss some time.

Senators lead series 3-0

Alas, no sweep to be found here. Pavel Bure found the back of the net in Game 4, but the Flyers were one better, earning a 2-1 win to stay alive.

Senators lead series 3-1

It’s over! Jeff Friesen is the overtime hero, and the Sens take Game 5 by a score of 4-3, to advance to their first Eastern Conference Final in modern franchise history! Friesen ended the night with two goals, while others came from Miroslav Šatan and Bryan McCabe. Dafoe had another stellar evening, turning aside 28 of 31 to help his team advance.

Senators win series 4-1

Around the league: In the Western Conference, the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche dispatched the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues, respectively, to punch their tickets to the Western Final!

Eastern Conference Final Preview: Ottawa Senators (44-29-9) vs Pittsburgh Penguins   (49-21-12)

Season Series: 2-2

Lineup - Senators:

Extras: Boyle, St. Louis, Alfredsson (injured), Madden (injured)

Lineup - Penguins:

Extras: Hecl, Smith, Park

Top Scorers - Senators:

Top Scorers - Penguins:

Goaltending - Senators:

Goaltending - Penguins:

Notes:

Despite an even season series, we’re back to being the underdogs against the Penguins. As good as we’ve played through two rounds, Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Co. present the biggest threat to our Cinderella run thus far. Though we do have an advantage on the blue line, and Byron Dafoe has been exceptional, this will be a tough one. Can never count out our firepower, though.

Who heads to the Final?