VIP status again for the third straight year for the Challenge Cup finals! This will be my second time getting the VIP treatment while also playing in the CC finals for the Edmonton   The last time this happened was during S49 where we ended up capturing the CC so hopefully history will repeat itself when we're facing the Hamilton   I am definitely going to games 1 and 2 in Edmonton because I am part of the Edmonton   and have called this place home for a few years now. The atmosphere is amazing and I am looking forward to eat a lot of pepperoni subs this time around as Tony has constantly bugged me to try em but I've never gotten around to it. I have a lot of friends and family members who want to be in Edmonton for the CC so I will run up SD's tab with plane, hotel and "miscellaneous" expenses which I am truly grateful for him covering all the costs!


In an alternate reality we would have the LA     taking on the Buffalo   Both of these teams were eliminated in the second round these playoffs but in the alternate reality they have managed to make it to the Challenge Cup finals! Both LA and Buffalo in the alternate have not dropped a single game in the S51 playoffs heading into the Challenge Cup finals and all of their players are performing at ridiculous levels. Each team is averaging around 5 goals a game and only allowing an average of 2 goals per game. The unfortunate thing about this final is that one of these teams will have to lose after having a phenomenal playoff run. I am predicting that for the alternate reality Challenge Cup finals that the Buffalo    will take home the Challenge Cup in 7 games but each game will be a close and hard fought battle. This is just one of the many alternate realities that physicists and other smarties have discovered and I would like to go to the reality where the Edmonton    are in the finals again.

The thought of two teams who are about to embark in a best of 7 series teaming up together to fund-raise for both cities is hard to fathom but here we are! The Edmonton   and Hamilton    will look to help raise money for families who are financially struggling to get their children into the game of hockey. As we all know hockey equipment is not cheap as you have to purchase skates, hockey sticks, helmets, knee pads, shoulder pads, chest protector and the list goes on. The fundraiser activity that both teams will hold together will be a friendly exhibition match where all proceeds from the game will go towards purchasing hockey equipment for those families who are in hockey. The jerseys from that game will be auctioned off as well after the game. Both teams will mesh before by meeting with several families and talking to them more about what it was like growing up playing hockey and each family will get the chance to play a bit of hockey with players from both teams. 



If i was to put money on a player from Hamilton or Edmonton to win a regular season individual award in a future season it would have to be Tony Pepperoni from the Edmonton   I can see him capturing the Sarmad Khan Trophy (League MVP voted by the players). Tony has dominated in S51 by scoring 25 goals and getting 41 assists to lead the entire SHL in points by with 66. Tony has not slowed down in the playoffs as he has produced so far 7 goals and 8 assists in only 11 games in the S51 playoffs. Tony Pepperoni will be one of the key players on the Edmonton   if they look to capture their 2nd Challenge Cup in 3 years. Tony is emerging as one of the SHL league superstars and S51 might have been the season where the rest of the league has taken notice of him. Look for him to continue dominating the SHL for many years to come. 


A. Between the goalies of Tommy Tuck from the Edmonton   and Geezus Krysst from the Hamilton   I will have to give the edge in net to my boy Tommy Tuck as I have had the benefit of seeing him all year long and I know he can be a brick wall in net. Both goalies have been playing superb for their respective teams but my gut tells me that Edmonton will have the advantage when it comes to goaltending. 

B. I have never heard a coach tell their players to not be physical (especially in the playoffs) so I would tell the Edmonton   to continue being physical and impose their will on the Hamilton   Edmonton has always been a physical team with all their heavy hitters and to suddenly change their play style now would not do them any good. Keep being physical on them but they need to remember to be disciplined and not take any unnecessary penalties.  

C. My X- factor skater in this series would have to be Boruvka Banananak from the Edmonton   He is currently tied for second in team scoring for the   with Jordan Von Matt with 9 points behind Tony Pepperoni. Boruvka plays on the second line for Edmonton and not many people are giving him enough recognition in the SHL. Look for Boruvka to be one of the key contributors on Edmonton's side if they wish to capture the Challenge Cup for the second time in three years.  

D. My favourite player name between both rosters of the Edmonton   and Hamilton   would have to be Hugh Jazz on Hamilton because it just cracks me up whenever the in game arena announcer or play by play commentator say his name. For example "Hugh Jazz" just took a beating behind the net can sound very ludicrous taken out of context for those not aware of Hamilton's right winger. 

E.  From the many different options presented before me I would have to choose c) Have Tor and Tommy Tuck me into bed at night. I have gotten the privilege of being on this Edmonton team for a few years now and these guys have been a blast to be around and for me to get the chance to be tucked into bed by both of them just fills me with desire. I just hope that i am sober enough to remember this moment after we hopefully capture the CC once again! 


PM'd