CODE
TASK ONE: There are two options for this task.

If you are a player in the Challenge/Four Star Cup: How is your player feeling for the Finals? Are they nervous or excited? Are they ready? Write at least 150 words about the few days before the beginning of the Finals for your player and how they prepared for the series.

If not: How has your player kicked off their offseason? Are they traveling? Meeting up with friends and partying? Following the games? Write at least 150 words about the beginning of your player’s offseason. Must include at least one other player.

Yet another season has passed for Richard Physt and the Kelowna Knights. Yet again we have made the playoffs, only to be bounced in the first round. I think the way we went out, (A 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Vancouver Whalers), left a bad taste in EVERYONE'S mouths and so training has been vigorous. Physt has been out training, having sold the farm as his career is off to a much better personal start, and joined a few gyms. Knowing the mental game is as important as the physical one, when Richard got a text from St. Louis Scarecrow's defenseman DeMaricus Smyth. "Hey Physty, why don't you come on down for the 4 Star finals and watch Those Whalers catch these hands?" How could he say no? Hanging out down south was fun, and with the finals still going on Smyth hasn't been around TOO much. Still, with nice gumbo to keep you healthy and plenty of gyms, Rich has had no problems training for S40.

CODE
TASK TWO: Who is your choice for the unsung hero of the S39 playoffs up to this point? Must be at least 150 words and include at least two statistics in support.

Every playoffs has a surprise along the way, be it a young team, a lower ranked team, or a team that EVERYONE tosses to the wayside. I won't lie, i peeked at what everyone said during the predictions and not many had Los Angeles going very far. Just more exciting options such as the Calgary Dragons for example. With every Cinderella story, comes an unsung surprise. Someone who isn't carrying the team but has the potential on control the outcome. Nicolas Winter is who i believe to be that person. The first reason is that he is the Panther's Second highest scoring center at 7 Points, being spread somewhat evenly to the tune of 3-4-7. This, through 8 games has him nearly Point Per Game. The second reason is 2 Power play goals. It tells me he is a power play specialist and special teams can be all the difference. He is doing this all while living in the shadow of Sophia Bennett, Jean-Luc Reflieux, and Danny Foster as well as the man who is in my opinion the story of this run. Goaltender Timo Haas.

CODE
TASK FOUR: Unscramble the names of these four players who will be competing in the Challenge Cup Finals. Send the answers to me by forum PM. Please make the subject of the message “CW Word Scramble” or something along those lines. [Grading: 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer]

PM. Sent

waxiaamrinmhceilt

eilrruasstgeglnht

thcaenmhnigscneru

nalzgaoaronzbo


CODE
TASK SIX: Finals series always show surprises. Who will have to stand out the most from each team in order to win it? Make a prediction for potential series MVPs. Must be at least 150 words and mention at least one player from each team.

Welp, here we are. the S39 Challenge Cup Finals featuring and ? Well then. This should be exciting. Lets start with Minny. I am going to go with Sebastian Strange, right winger whose 11 points place him third in the league scoring race so far. He is one of many on the Minnesota Chiefs roster who are presenting a strong case to win but Strange seems to do it all. On top of his 11 points Sebastian Strange is third in the league with an amazing 57.44% faceoff percentage. FAR ahead of the forwards on the Panthers. Tied for second in power play goals with 2 the Strange Train has been rolling in ALL situations and looks to be a hazard to LA's health. Now onto the Panthers. This might just be the easiest pick for a final's team MVP. Goalie Timo Haas has been playing Vezina equivalent Caliber here in the post season. A 1.89 GAA, .941% save percentage. If the Los Angeles Panthers LOSE in 7 He should win MVP honors. Haas reminds me of the NHL's J.S.Giguère back in 2003. This man between the pipes is a HUGE reason why the Pats have knocked off both Calgary AND Winnipeg to get here. For those curious Timo Haas' counterpart, Olli O'Koivu, is second with a GAA of 2.68 and a .910% save percentage. CLEAR advantage.

Bonus question: Who scores the Cup-winning goal? (NOTE: This question will be graded at the conclusion of the winning-game sim of the Challenge Cup Finals, even if that happens before the conclusion of Championship Week.)

I am going dark horse. Nicolas Winter for