TASK ONE: Pick either of the teams currently in the finals. Which player had to overcome the most adversity to get where they are at now? What did they have to endure before finally getting their crack at the Cup? Must be 150 words and include two specific situations that player experienced en-route to the Cup finals, whether this season or at some point during their career.

In my humble opinion Mr. Geoffrey Allen from the Manhattan Rage (formerly of the Texas Renegades and Team USA) had to overcome some of, if not the most adversity to get to where he is now.

Allen had spent his whole SHL career as a Texas Renegade and from what we can tell, he never wanted to leave. He is in his final SHL season and very well could have retired as the rare never moved teams player. This did not happen, obviously. A late offseason trade sent Geoffrey Allen and team mate Winston Windsor to the Manhattan Rage where they are now in the SHL finals for one last kick at the can.

If this trade doesn’t put him at the top of the overcome adversity list then remember he also had really bad chapped lips this season and he never once complained. He took those dry cracked lips and used it to motivate him to be that extra offensive talent Manhattan needed to make it to the finals once again

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TASK TWO: Who is your choice for the unsung hero of the S38 playoffs up to this point? Must be at least 150 words and include at least two statistics in support.

Up to this point of the S38 of the Challenge Cup playoffs my unsung hero has to be the one and only Winston Windsor. Windsor was an offseason pickup for the Manhattan Rage, and is in the final season of his storied career. Windsor has 17 points in 18 games so far this playoffs, which is an immense feat for a defensive defender who is amazing in his own end as well, highlighted by his 42 shots blocked.

I don’t think anyone on either team is filling a role as important as he is right now and his playoff experience gained in Edmonton and Texas is sure paying off for the Manhattan Rage.

Windsor is playing like a man possessed and you can tell there is nothing that he want more than t bring home one final cup before he hangs em up one final time. This is why Windsor is my choice for unsung hero


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TASK FOUR: What rookies or young players are looking to make a name for themselves during the Finals? How have they contributed to the team on the way to the Finals? Must be at least 150 words, and include two statistics.

While not the youngest player in the league, Rurik Razin is still fairly young. He hasn’t exactly helped out a ton in the score sheet (2 goals over 18 games so far this post season) he helps out a lot in this physical department. Razin seems to like tossing his body around already having 41 hits to date. Especially considering he has done this in 18 games played, tossing over 2 hits per game while he himself rarely takes a hit.

One thing coaches in this league love, is when a young player steps up and does the dirty work when they are not contributing much on the score sheet and this is exactly what Razin is doing.

Razin is exactly the type of team mate you want to have on a championship team and if his game keeps progressing like it has, the goals and assists will follow soon enough.

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TASK SIX: You’re the coach of a team in the finals. What changes would you make to the roster, lines or strategies of the team to give the team a better chance at winning the series? Must be at least 150 words.


If I was coach of the Calgary Dragons I think my biggest move would be to try and get some of the younger players a little extra ice time. Possibly swap Jagr and Forsberg, or even Izzy and Randleman. See what Randleman can do against some of the leagues second line defenders while their first pairings are stuck dealing with Joe K and Esa Arikkanen. This would also be a great experience for young up and comers like Mike Izzy.

There isn’t much time left in this series for experiments but maybe getting young Thaddeus Prince a start may be good for the overall health of the team. Who knows, Dick Hocolate may be getting a little over worked and tired.

Who knows though as I’m not a coach and I really don’t know much about the Dragons franchise. This is just what I think could help off the top of my head


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