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Bayley · 01-10-2024, 08:38 PM

GM CW Pass

***SpartanGibbles*** · 01-10-2024, 08:45 PM

GM Pass

***Rangerjase*** · 01-10-2024, 08:48 PM

HO PASS

MrPresident · 01-10-2024, 08:51 PM

HO CW Pass

*Wally* · 01-10-2024, 08:54 PM

Under 30 GM Pass

Rabidsponge21 · 01-10-2024, 08:55 PM

Code:
2. Written, up to 4 TPE - Grab Bag: Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words.

b. Upsets were a theme this year - which of our finalists had the more difficult road to the promised 

land and why?

d. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Who you got? Who wins? Why?

b.) More difficult road - New England - this one is easy to see as they had to play more games and were at the point of elimination during their 1st round match up - Winnipeg has never dropped more than 2 games in a series so far and have the momentum on their side favorably. New England might be more tired for the games to be played and have had to grind it out harder.

d.) Who wins? Winnipeg simply due to the fact they have played less games and shown a bigger dominance when playing their opponents thus far. Now you might say its more impressive that New England did what they did considering who they had to play, but as we have seen in the past - the finals always drains that last bit of gas you have so each drop is needed.

Code:
3. Written, 3 TPE, Haven’t I Seen This Before? (150 words min.)

The secret to success in any sim league is founded primarily in the draft.

You will not go anywhere with your team unless your drafting is close to elite and you show progress to retain that talent. The worst thing about being a part of a rebuild is being a part of the 1st wave of draftees because more than likely by the time the team is good and able to post stats worthy of a hall of fame career, you suffered through the bad seasons while the 2nd wave benefits from being called up when the core is already established. Now sometimes cap timing and free agent can bare some fruit for bolstering a roster - but rarely is free agency something that allows a franchise to turn itself around. You need to know when to acquire picks in a good draft - and spend them in a weak one you see forming. I feel like New England continues to dabble in the 1st rounds when needed - so I think they likely have more longevity moving forward.

Code:
4. Written, 3 TPE, The Char B1 bis In The Room (150 words min.)

The hardest part of a rebuild is knowing when to time it.

Could Montreal of stretched it out and waited to slow burn it and transition bit by bit? For sure - but with a reddit draft looming and teams clamoring to buy some players I think the timing for them was right to just reset it en masse. I will always tell anyone gming that full resets are really hard to pull off. They are really reliant on nailing every draft pick and retaining all parties to suffer through the bad with the promise of eventual good. I am more of a fan of a slow re tool. Sim leagues are something you want to just keep making the playoffs as much as possible as luck can always be a factor at times. I know this sim engine is a bit more rigid so that might not hold quite as true here but it helps with the team reputation as well. You can't hold on forever, but the full reset I think will be make or break for this team.

***blix900*** · 01-10-2024, 08:58 PM

CW Pass

***Jexter*** · 01-10-2024, 08:59 PM

Code:
2. Written, up to 4 TPE - Grab Bag: Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup 

related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer 

must be 50+ words.

a. Two old faces are back in the ring, proving reports of the dynasty’s 

demise were greatly exaggerated! Pick either of our finalists, and tell 

me what about them impresses you the most!

d. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Who you got? Who wins? Why?

2a. What is most impressive about Winnipeg is that many thought that the window was closing for the Old Bears, but no matter how many times you try and teach them a lesson, they get back up. Also impressive is the amount of short-handed goals scored by the Aurora, especially, by the height challenged Lord Farquaad.

(WC: 55) TPE: 1

2d. I have Winnipeg winning this thanks to the great support from their top prospects in Juan Tymer and Langston Hardison-Laurent. Both have been used to go get coffee for the team, letting the Aurora players rest up and able to fully perform every night. I also think Winnipeg’s odd-player situation teams are far superior.

(WC: 54) TPE: 1

Code:
3. Written, 3 TPE, Haven’t I Seen This Before? (150 words min.)

Despite being the 8th and 10th ranked regular season teams in the 

league, our finalists from Winnipeg and New England represent two of the

 most dominant teams over the past several seasons. What do you think is

 the secret to their success? What can other teams learn from them? 

Which one is more likely to be back again next year?

I think the Winnipeg Aurora and the New England Wolfpack have helped build a very consistent winning culture that allows the teams and players to make the most out of the ice time. The Aurora also are able to use a great core of complete players that are active enough to stave off the regression that plagues other players. Winnipeg is also looking to establish a legacy for themselves as newer team, meaning the management and staff work harder to prove themselves. This has allowed to them to build fantastic powerplays and penalty kills that are top notch, especially in playoffs. Once they made the post season, the veterans of the rosters of both WPG and NEW led the way.

I believe and know that Winnipeg will be back (and winning) the Challenge Cup Final next year since they have the best prospects and management (please pay me more bonuses and they definitely are not forcing me to say this).

(WC: 160)
TPE: 3

Code:
10. Written, 3 TPE, IIHF Underdogs (150 words min.)

Predict an upset for this season’s IIHF tournament, and explain why you 

think your chosen underdog matches up well against that specific 

opponent!

This might be a little predictable, but I think that Team USA could have a good IIHF tournament after a subpar tournament last time around when the Americans took 10th in the standings. However, the Americans had a relatively young group of new stars who have gotten a whole year’s worth of more SHL experience. Never bet against the Americans, especially when it comes to facing the European teams like Germany and Great Britain. With the Northern teams of Sweden, Finland and Norway, some of the other teams may be vulnerable to be falling out. I think the USA’s goal scoring under Theodore Svatos will allow them to pierce the great defense of the higher ranked teams like Germany and Great Britain, who have not been known for putting a ton of points on the board. Really, it comes down to oldest and truest way to win the hockey game will come down to out shooting and outscoring the opposition.

(WC: 160)
TPE: 3

Also did CW Trivia as insurance
Verification word: insurance

*Pyro182* · 01-10-2024, 09:13 PM

Simmer Post-Season Pass

***CapnCooper*** · 01-10-2024, 10:05 PM

GM Pass

***Possum Queen*** · 01-10-2024, 10:13 PM

CW Pass

***HoltzFan10*** · 01-10-2024, 10:21 PM

CW Pass

Operation Ivy · 01-10-2024, 10:50 PM

Code:
1.

 CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1.5 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each 

correct answer. This is completed through a Google form linked below. 

Make sure to spell your answers correctly or you will not get credit. 

Post your verification word in your CW post.

Ivy

Code:
2. Written, up to 4 TPE - Grab Bag: Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup 

related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer 

must be 50+ words.

a. Two old faces are back in the ring, proving reports of the dynasty’s 

demise were greatly exaggerated! Pick either of our finalists, and tell 

me what about them impresses you the most!

b. Upsets were a theme this year - which of our finalists had the more difficult road to the promised land and why?

a. Here we are again...I am most impressed with the Winnipeg Aurora. This is a team that throughout the past several seasons, has been a force and consistently finds themselves in this spot. This season though, it felt like many thought they would take a step back with players aging and regressing. Clearly, they didn't let that affect them though as they are now right back in the finals. I am most impressed with their ability to win when it matters most, and that's why they are back here. (88 words)

b. I would say that New England's path was more difficult. They went through some really strong teams in Hamilton, Buffalo and New York. These are some top tier teams, and New England has been up for every task. Most impressive, in my opinion, was their 5 game series win over Buffalo in round 2. This was a really good Buffalo team, and one that I predicted to win the cup. (70 words)

Code:
3. Written, 3 TPE, Haven’t I Seen This Before? (150 words min.)

Despite being the 8th and 10th ranked regular season teams in the 

league, our finalists from Winnipeg and New England represent two of the

 most dominant teams over the past several seasons. What do you think is

 the secret to their success? What can other teams learn from them? 

Which one is more likely to be back again next year?

The consistency from both of these teams is incredibly impressive. I think the secret to their success is ability to retain their home grown talent and top players. Clearly, both Winnipeg and New England are premier destinations for draft prospects and because of that, both franchises can take their time to develop their prospects and call them up when the time is right. I also think another key is how the amount of depth that these teams have had for many years. When one player starts regressing, another steps up and fills in as if nothing every changed. I think that other teams can learn from this and see that it's not just about the season at hand, but that sustained success requires developing talent and then making sure they have the opportunity to contribute and succeed when the time is right. These two teams are truly a gold standard of not only a successful one-season team, but also finding a way to ensure that success stays for multiple seasons following. (171 words)

***hockeyiscool*** · 01-11-2024, 01:43 AM

CW GM Pass

***efischermann*** · 01-11-2024, 02:08 AM

GM Pass

S61 Four Star Cup - Game-Winning Goal in the clinching Game 4

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