Kwik-E-Mart Gougers - 14 Teams in 14 Days

Day 8 - The Kwik-E-Mart Gougers

General Manager - Christian Friedewold

Established: 2003-04

Years Active: 8 (2003-04 to 2010-11)

Lifetime Record: 418-434-93 (.492) 929pts

5th overall in points, 10th overall in winning pct.

Best Finish: 1st (2006-07)

Worst Finish: 9th (2008-09)

Cups: 1 (2006-07)

2009-2010 Results: 7th - 68-72-14  (.487) 150pts

League Records: None

Alternate Logos:

Throwback (2003 to 2007)

Retro

Actual logo from the Simpsons which was the inspiration for this teams name.

The Kwik-E-Mart Gougers stormed out of the gates of the newly created RHL and dominated regular season play as they finished 1st place in the regular season with 194 points. Almost breaking the 200 point mark in their first season would ensure them the number one seed for the playoffs, they finished an impressive 18 points ahead of the second place Gaping Wazooz. They drew the Mullets in the semi-finals who put up a respectable fight but were no match for the Gougers, who eliminated the Mullets 4-2. The finals would pit the Gougers against the second seeded Wazooz and were upset as a very close battle ended in a 3-3 tie. The Gougers would lose the cup on a tie breaker as the Zooz edged them out in goals. 2005-06 was a disappointing effort by the Gougers who missed the playoffs with 135 points and 10th place in the regular season. They showed some hope for the future however,  as they battled in the consolation finals and went undefeated to improved to a final finish of 7th place overall for the season.

2006-07 would be the year of the Gougers as they were playing much better than the previous year. They only finished with 168 regular season points and would enter the playoffs seeded 5th. It looked to be a tough playoff ahead with 4 teams finishing better than them. They first edged out the 4th seeded Chatham Clamhammers 4-3 and then drew the top seed Chinatown Jets in the semis. This one was close as well, but the Gougers prevailed 4-2 and would meet the Oakville Red Wings in the finals. The Red Wings finished the regular season in 2nd but were seeded 3rd due to a tie, they were hungry and were storming to the finals, as they absolutely destroyed both Georgetown teams on their way. The Gougers were trailing the whole series and were able to pull it off at the end and defeated the Red Wings 4-3. The Kwik-E-Mart Gougers had done it, they had captured the RHL Cup!

In 2007-08, GM Friedewold's integrity was called into question as he was on the other side of the vetoed trade dubbed "Black Friday" Despite the controversy, the Gougers were in the playoffs once again in after securing the final playoff spot by just a single point over the Barrie Nordiques. After they swept the Firecats in round one, many thought that the Gougers could repeat and retain the Cup. This could be their chance to put the earlier season controversy in the back of every GM's mind, unfortunately for them, they lost 4-3 to the 2nd seeded Gophers in the semi finals.

2008-09 was Kwik-E-Marts worst regular season effort as they ended in 12th place with only 124 points. This is the 3rd worst regular season finish in RHL history, only better than the Newmarket Dickhandlers 122 points in 2005-06 and last years 120 points by the Alliston 93 Leafs. It is interesting to note that the active participation of the Dickhandlers and the 93 Leafs during those terrible finishes were both investigated by the league. The Dickhandlers were fired as a result of their effort. Friedewolds dedication has never been called into question, and he proved it once again in the consolation as he improved that last place spot to a 9th place finish.

The Gougers missed the playoffs again in 2009-10 by 7 points and would finish in 7th place.

Out of a total of 6 seasons, the Gougers have made the playoffs half of the time, and have been very successful when they have. Freidewold has flown under the radar and quietly has become a very successful GM, and is arguably the best playoff team in the league. The Gougers have played in the second most amount of series and games in the playoffs and have the one of the best records. They have played in 7 series and have won a very impressive 5 of them for a 71.43% series win percentage. No one in the league is better when you discount the Tigers and the 93 Leafs who both are undefeated in their Cup winning years, which was the only time these teams were in the playoffs.

The Gougers have a playoff record of 29-17 (.630) which is the best when you remove the Tigers single playoff 11-2 (.846) record.

The Gougers are one of the least active teams historically on the free agent market, however, this does not mean Freidewold lacks dedication or passion, it simply means he does very well on draft day. This year should be no different, as the Gougers will more than likely draft a solid safe team. Excluding their inaugural seasons 1st place seed, they typically enter the playoffs in the 5th or 6th berth, and as the playoff stats show, this team is a springtime performer. The Gougers should finish in the 5-7 range and all the GM's better hope they don't meet them early in the playoffs.

INTERESTING FACT: The Kwik-E-Mart Gougers and the China Town Jets are the only two original seven teams that have not changed their team name at all since day one. They are also the only two teams left in the league that do not follow the nomenclature of "City Name" followed by "Team Name" (Kwik-E-Mart and Chinatown are not real geographical City/Town/Village names) The Gougers play out of Woodbridge.