(S9) - PT 5 - Revisiting Expectations

[37thchamber]

This season there was just one expectation for Antoine Delacour. Win the Ultimus. Knowing that realistically, he has maybe one more year after this one where he might still be capable of being a difference maker, there is a sense of urgency. With the talent on the Hawks roster -- Delacour has pointed out that he is no longer the team's best defensive back, for example -- it would have been a huge shock if they had failed to reach the playoffs. Winning an Ultimus is not a simple task, though. Looking at the state of things, they will have to overcome an improving Yeti side in the conference championship, and assuming they manage that, they're going to be up against either the Otters or the Second Line. Two games away from achieving the ultimate goal, and yet it still feels miles away. It's still too early to make a call on this one, but there is a general feeling in Baltimore that this is the team's best shot in six years, and if they fall short, they might not have another one for a while.

New expectations are that the Hawks beat the Yeti, but will likely face a strong opponent in the Second Line for the Ultimus. Delacour estimates the chances of a Hawks win in such a scenario are "probably around two to one", but nobody is ruling them out.