[Shoryuken]

1980-81 - Things got so tight financially that coach Monte Miron was fired with seven games remaining in the season because the team could no longer afford to pay him. He was replaced by one of his players, Mike Mesic, who led his teammates to a 2-5 record down the stretch, followed by a quick first round departure from the playoffs as Seattle was beaten by Portland four games to one.

One former team employee told me that the season was like "a low-budget version of Slap Shot in the front office", complete with an owner who kept a well stocked liquor cabinet, and his "trophy wife" who made personnel decisions. Did I mention that the organ player was blind, and used to listen to the radio broadcasts to know when to play? Unfortunately no one told him there was a seven second delay in the broadcast.... seriously.

Pure gold