<s>Task One:</s> too slow, couldn't do

<s>Task Two:</s> DONE - Pm'd

Task Three:

<s>Task Four:</s> DONE



I know I could have done WAY better on this, but I noticed the PbP for game seven start literally minutes after I opened up to do it... so I super-rushed it.

<s>Task Five:</s> DONE

Biggest Games

The biggest game for the Montreal Impact was game three against St. Louis, in the opening round of the playoffs. Although it might seem early on, it was in game three that Montreal, already up two games to none against the powerful St. Louis team, was able to prevent St. Louis from any hope of winning back home ice advantage in the series. In a 3-2 win which saw Ciarelli play phenomenally – arguably the difference in the series – the Impact continued to shock the league with their performance. They also forced the Scarecrows to need to win four straight to make their comeback – a daunting prospect, and one which they failed miserably. Your star players have to show up for you in your biggest games, and that happened here, with Ciarelli, Flacko and Jesster carrying the load and giving the Impact their ‘David versus Goliath’ victory. The Impact proved this game that they were far from the weaker team; they may not have shone in the regular season, but they were a playoff contender.

However, if you’re trying to talk about unlikely playoff contenders, you can’t help but go to the Vancouver Whalers who oppose the Impact. From ‘pre-season champions never forget’ to the laughing stock of the league, the Whalers shocked everyone as, despite coming dead last in the league, they were able to mimic last year’s playoff success and return to the finals. Only time will tell if they can undo the loss of last year, but their biggest game in achieving their current slot has to have been their battle against the Kelowna Knights – specifically, game 4. After splitting the series away, the Whalers were able to go up to a 3-1 lead in this game – a game which featured poor play by both goaltenders. Despite talkative forward Abodobe’s two goal effort, the play of Beau Ballard, VLAD McZehrl and Priozhkov was enough to overcome the Knights. This wasn’t the last game of the series, but it was arguably the one that put the knife in the proverbial coffin.


<s>Task Six:</s>

Showdown: Jesster vs Ballard DONE

The showdown at centre comes between Evandrus Jesster, one of the premier prospects expected to go number one overall -- number two at the absolute latest. Jesster took the league by storm this year by hitting the ice with a much more refined set of skills than any first year SMJHL’er has any right to have. Ballard, on the other hand, is a returning veteran who is no stranger to pressure games, having been a member of the Whalers one season prior -- in the Whaler’s losing effort against the Detroit Falcons.

In comparing their statistics alone, Ballard is the more impressive of the two, but it’s by a narrow margin. Ballard is known more as a playmaker while Jesster acts more as a pure sniper - however, their fortunes seem reversed this season as Ballard has six goals compared to Jesster’s four, and they’re tied at eleven points apiece. What gives Ballard the edge is a plus six rating compared to Jesster’s one, and a more physical game. However, Jesster has been the more disciplined of the two -- taking no penalties whatsoever.

Looking at who will prove more valuable in the coming series, the obvious answer would be Ballard -- his play has been narrowly superior to his opposing centre, and his experience in this sort of pressure situation suggests he’ll be able to respond in kind. However, Jesster’s shooting percentage has been miserable and snipers are known to score goals in bunches. I predict that Jesster will find his scoring edge against the Whalers, and very well could be the difference in the series -- taking nothing away from the excellent play of Ballard, but it will be Jesster who takes his team forward. He has more to prove to his critics, more hype to prove he’s worth, and he simply hasn’t been playing up to his usual standard thus far.

<s>Task Seven:</s> DONE



Evandrus Jesster's Post-Season Signature

<s>Bonus:</s> DONE

Jesster from Ciarelli