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.
There are probably a lot of players who had to face adversity, but looking at the Calgary Dragons in particular, Richard C. Hocolate is a player who has faced a lot of long nights on the bench, being the door opener for the legend Hunter Wong. He was a backup for the Calgary Dragons from season 30 through 36, and enjoyed a Challenge Cup in that time, but it probably didn’t feel like he really earned it. Still, he kept being active and adding on that TPE, even though he stayed in Hunter’s shadow. He was a Four Star Cup Champion in Halifax in season 30, and he took that talent to season 37 where it was his first year as a starting goalie, getting the Dragons to round one of the playoffs, but they fell short. It must have not felt good, but still then, he didn’t give up, and has helped the Dragons strong contenders once again by getting them right up to six games in the season 38 finals. Props to him for sticking through it and for being a new fantasy fave goalie. 187 words

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.
Mike Izzy was looking to make a name for himself in the season 38 playoffs, especially in the Finals. He’d made two playoff appearances before, unable to score points in either, but he came to the season 38 playoffs on a mission. The young gun put up 7 points, 6 of those goals (one a game winner) and showed his vets up in hits at 61 total. Though he didn’t get the Cup, it seems he’s going in the right direction and will hopefully spark up a more defense-heavy group of forwards. Looking at the Manhattan Rage side of things, another young gun looking to make a name for himself is Niklaus St. Croix. Croix made the Rage’s roster in season 35 and has stayed on the third line ever since, gaining enough points to help the team, but still with a lot to show. In his first appearance in the playoffs, Croix was able to contend with the vets on the team for hits (53) and shots blocked (20), showing that he can be a defensive force, at least in the playoffs, and deserves to keep growing on the Rage’s roster. 192 words

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.
Looking at Calgary’s team, since they lost this time, I shall now pretend to be good at lines and things. The Dragons lost the last two times they played the Rage, the last time being with their backup, so I see why they kept Hocolate in starting for the Finals (obviously). I'd be more concerned with their defense. When the Dragons played the Rage in the regular season, Bubba Nuck was only playing once in their 5 on 5 line up, but in the playoffs, I'd expect a bigger defense presence against him, since he was playing on two lines, the first and then also the fourth with Wyatt Wollker, two D-men you don’t want to have to go against. I'd also make sure I had my best players on the power play, since the Rage's powerplay was 21.31% versus the Dragon's 15.52%, which can be a significant difference in the playoffs. I see they did make changes to their lines from the last time they faced the Rage to the final games (lines that had been working for them thus far in the playoffs) and had their best players up as often as possible, but I don’t know, man, sometimes line strategy and such can only get you so far. 213 words

TASK SEVEN: Design a t-shirt or a rally towel for one of the teams in the finals. Must include some text (a slogan), the team’s logo and a local sponsor for the giveaway.