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.

Vacation? What time is there for vacation? Zach Evans has begun preparation for the IIHF Tournament. After Russia won the gold medal last season, ending Tommy Tuck’s storybook run for Norway, Evans can now gladly say he has two medals during his time with the Motherland. However, that only makes him hunger for more, as the Russians will return to the tournament looking to defend their gold.

While there, he will undoubtedly congratulate Sebastian Strange on winning the Challenge Cup. It will also be a chance at redemption for his fellow Russians on the Jets roster, Pietra Volkova and Vijay Singh (I’m not spelling your name <a href='index.php?showuser=2267' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-10'>Waters</a> sorry), as well as Jets prospect Maxim Poulin after an early end to Kelowna’s playoff run.

The Russians will also have a little extra motivation, looking to send Maria Maximova off with one last gold medal before she hangs up the skates for the final time. It would be a fitting end to a long-time member of the team and valuable locker room presence.

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.

While the outcome wasn’t what the Los Angeles Panthers hoped for, they had several contributors during their Western Conference title run and Challenge Cup Finals appearance. One player who had a stellar playoff run for Los Angeles and likely surprised with his offensive production was Matthew Leetch.

Leetch has always been a strong defensive-minded defenseman during his career, spent entirely in Los Angeles. However, he’s never been known for offensive firepower. Season 39 marked his best offensive season, with 36 points in 50 games.

However, Leetch turned up his playmaking during the playoffs. In 16 playoff games, Leetch notched 13 assists. He also scored a goal during the postseason, lighting the lamp on a power play during the first game of their series against Calgary.

Leetch also held down his defensive responsibilities, with 22 blocked shots and a +7 in the series. This was especially crucial while on the second pairing with a young, up-and-coming defender in Ben Turska. All told, it was a brilliant postseason for Leetch, but will likely go unnoticed behind the goal-scoring efforts of players such as Sophia Bennett and Nicolas Winter, or Timo Haas’ stellar goaltending.

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.

LOS ANGELES PANTHERS – TIMO HAAS: The Season 34 McBride winner has been sensational throughout Season 39, and that has carried into the playoffs. Haas may have announced his retirement following this season, but it appears thus far he is hellbent on going out on top. He has to be considered a candidate for another McBride but finishing out his career with a Challenge Cup would be a bittersweet ending to his career.

MINNESOTA CHIEFS – TERRANCE NOVA: Terrance Nova has often been overshadowed during his time in Minnesota. Whether it was Lord Pretty Flacko early in his career or Sebastian Strange arriving via free agency, there have always been higher-profile scorers around. However, Nova is still consistently one of the league’s most prolific offensive players, as noted by the fact he has averaged 48 points per season during his seven years with the Chiefs. To knock off the Panthers and Haas’ hot goaltending, the Chiefs will need that firepower.