A DECADE IN THE WILDERNESS
It had been ten long seasons. Ten seasons of heartbreak, near-misses, collapses, and comebacks. Ten years since the South Esk Scotsmen last hoisted the ODBHL Cup back in Season 3. Their fans — fiercely loyal, often irrational, proudly loud — never stopped believing. But no one, not even the boldest optimist in tartan, predicted what Season 13 would become.
This wasn’t just a championship run. It was a saga.
The Scotsmen didn’t just win the Cup — they survived it. Down 3–1 in the Final against the Saint John Kings, a team that had beaten them 5 times in 8 regular-season meetings, South Esk clawed back, game by game, shift by shift, legend by legend, to claim the crown in seven unforgettable games.
And the heroes? They weren't who you’d expect.
THE LEGENDS RETURN: A CUP 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING
South Esk’s victory wasn’t just about this season — it was about history coming full circle.
Back in Season 3, a young core won its first Cup. In Season 13, aged and battle-worn, many of those same names returned to finish what they started.
Joonas Korpisalo – Cup Champion in Seasons 3, 8… and now 13
Nikita Kucherov – 4-time champion, 37 years old, still lethal
Elias Pettersson – Captain, 6G, 11A in playoffs
Rasmus Ristolainen – 4-time champion, warrior to the end
And standing against him this time? Leon Draisaitl, once an opponent in that first victory, now at his side, lifting his second Cup.
THE TURNING POINT: KORPISALO’S FINAL RIDE
Down 3–1 in the Final, starter Yaroslav Askarov was chased. The crowd gasped when the backup gate opened in Game 6. Then they exploded.
Joonas Korpisalo skated in. A legend, wearing the pads one last time.
At 36, he had announced privately he would retire at season’s end. But with everything on the line, he stepped back between the pipes in Game 6… and saved the season.
He won Game 6 in overtime. A Third Cup. Final bow.
“I couldn’t let them go out like this,” Korpisalo said afterward. “This team… they are my brothers. This club is my home.”
He left the ice in tears.
KUCHEROV & RISTOLAINEN: ANOTHER GREAT CHARGE
37-year-old Nikita Kucherov, playing for legacy, delivered 16 playoff points — 6 goals, and a four-game point streak through two elimination games. His 4th Cup in 3 cities.
Meanwhile, Rasmus Ristolainen, battered and bruised, played like a viking king. 4 goals, 4 assists — with 3 goals and 1 assist coming in Games 6 and 7 alone.
“He played like it was his last shift every shift,” said Coach Tremblay.
“I don’t know if he retires… but he’s earned peace if he wants it.”
NEW BLOOD, NEW LEGENDS: SUZUKIS, RAYMOND & THE TRADES
The trades — bold, risky, ridiculed — won the Cup.
Nick & Ryan Suzuki – Combined 19 playoff points, both on goal streaks vs Saint John
Lucas Raymond – Led team in scoring: 11G, 8A
Alexander Alexeyev – First Cup, 91 hits, defensive backbone
Zach Werenski – Deadline warrior, blue-line savior
Moncton fans mocked South Esk for “mortgaging the future.” Tonight, they eat those words.
RIVALRY EPIC: VS SAINT JOHN KINGS
Regular Season: Saint John wins 5 of 8.
South Esk doubted. Dismissed. Mocked.
Finals:
Game 1 – Scotsmen win
Games 2-4 – Saint John dominance (up 3-1)
Games 5 & 6 – OT wins, Kucherov & Ristolainen refuse to die
Game 7 – 5–0 victory. Cup.
Alexis Lafrenière led the Kings with 19 playoff points. But fate… belonged to the tartan.
🗞 MEDIA REACTION
South Esk Chronicle
“Ten Seasons of Pain. One Night of Glory. The Scotsmen Are Immortal Again.”
Miramichi Gazette
“Korpisalo’s Last Stand: One of the Greatest Goalie Moments in ODBHL History.”
Dorchester Daily
“Goodfellow Was Right. Every Move, Every Risk, Every Pick — Worth It.”
🎙 FAN RADIO REACTIONS (106.7 The Highlands FM)
Caller ‘Big Tam from Tartan Bay’:
“I dinnae care if we’ve nae draft picks till 2040. We’ve got the CUP and that’s aw that matters!”
Host: Rob ‘The Rink Rat’ McKevitt
“If you doubted this team, apologize. Do it now.”
🐦 TWITTER HOT TAKES
@ODBHLInsider
“Korpisalo walking into Game 6 like The Undertaker. Legendary stuff.”
@FutureFirstsFan
“I said they sold their future. Turns out they bought a parade.” 😭
@SaintJohnBluesblood
“I’ll never forgive Draisaitl. Left us, came back to beat us.”
🏒 LEAGUE-WIDE GM DESK REACTIONS
John Kenny (Saint John Kings GM):
“They earned it. They stood where champions stand — at the edge — and they did not fall.”
GM McLenaghan (Moncton):
“We built for tomorrow. They built for today. Today… belongs to them.”
🎉 THE PARADE DOWN ROUTE 420
They marched down Route 420 behind the Cup. Bagpipes blaring. Kids waving tartan flags. It ended where it all began — the field where GM Goodfellow once celebrated his graduation.
There were Highland games. Foam axe throwing. Deep-fried shortbread. A mosh pit after dark because South Esk loves their ruthless aggression.
No one went home early. No one wanted to.
🏆 FINAL WORD: A LEGACY FORGED
They called it chaos. They called it reckless. They called it desperation.
They were wrong.
It was faith. It was fury. It was Scotsmen hockey.
After 10 years…
The Cup is coming home to South Esk.
10/21/2025 - 808 words
