“It is perhaps the ultimate irony that the Heroes' best game is simultaneously their worst. The good news? For the first time since creation, the team did not lose! True, it was a 1-1 tie and not a victory, but you have to start a non-losing streak somewhere, right?

Unfortunately, that's about all that went well for the team. Dalvo the Ogre was lost on the very first block of the game for the duration of the game. Thoro was hit so hard that not even an apothecary could save him from death. Strider and Eben will miss the next game from leg injuries which will cripple them for life, and Jem's concussion makes her a question mark for near-future action, also. At one point we were down to 5 players still able to play in the game, with two stunned on the ground and two others on their backs wondering if they'd still have a job tomorrow.

But enter Noghri, the unsung hero. He's been atrocious all season long, spending more time lying down on the job so to speak than hustling on his feet. The first 3/4 of the game today seemed much the same. Yet he singlehandedly saved the team's tie from being flushed. A well-aimed blitz ko'd the ballcarrier, and then his intimidating winking kept two opponents from concentrating enough to pick up the ball. Noghri decided to grab it for himself (after a series of bounces from somebody greasing the ball so nobody could keep hold, ricocheting everywhere) and raced around the sideline, finally heaving the ball for all he was worth to a dead area of the field. Time's up! Game over! He wasn't the MVP, but he preserved his job!

But not with this franchise. I'm afraid our 35k remaining fans have seen the last game of this historic franchise. The cost of recruitment is just outstripping gate fees, so our owner has pulled the plug. Perhaps these players will someday find employment on another team, possibly even Heroes III, but for now it's adieu, adieu, parting is such sweet sorrow...”