The SB Dragons’ season ended in stunning fashion last night as Whittyquipo was shut out for the third straight game, falling to Lil Nee and the Frost Falcons 6-0 in the elimination game of the semifinals.
This marks a brutal three-game stretch for Whitty, who has now been held scoreless in:
Final regular season game vs. Beef Negative (8-0 L)
Game 1 of the semifinals vs. Frost Falcons (8-0 L)
Game 2 elimination game vs. Frost Falcons (6-0 L)
A Cold Stretch at the Worst Possible Time
Whittyquipo was once considered one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats but this playoff run has raised questions about his ability to perform when the lights are brightest. His Game 2 performance was riddled with missed opportunities: no goals, no assists, and a handful of defensive plays that weren’t enough to slow down Lil Nee’s relentless offense. Lil Nee, meanwhile, was at his absolute best. Fresh off winning his second straight MVP award, he showed why he’s the face of the league, dominating possession, setting up scoring chances, and putting the Dragons away before halftime.
Whitty’s Playoff Curse?
This isn’t the first time Whittyquipo has struggled in the postseason. Last year, he pushed Lil Nee to the brink in a three-game series but still couldn’t close the deal. Now, after being shut out three games in a row, some fans are questioning if Whitty can ever make the leap from “solid regular-season player” to “true playoff killer.” League analysts have pointed out that Whitty has now went 22-0 in his last 3 games, having 22 points score on him, this is a drought nearly unheard of for a player of his caliber.
What’s Next for Whittyquipo?
The SB Dragons are heading into a crucial offseason. With John now on the roster and William and Blizzard out of the picture, the team’s direction is uncertain. Will Whitty remain the face of the Dragons after this collapse, or will the front office look to shake things up in the draft and free agency? For now, all eyes turn to Lil Nee, who advances to the NBL Finals with a chance to go back-to-back as champion. But the lingering storyline will be Whitty’s disappearing act when the Dragons needed him most.