A round two exit is almost as disheartening for Karl Hefeweizen as last year's round three exit. With Season 40 already in the Winnipeg Jets' sights, this offseason is focused on increased training. An increased emphasis on conditioning with infamous manbeast Big Manious (<a href='index.php?showuser=1478' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Bonk</a>) means that Hefeweizen is spending incredible amounts of time at the gym with his defensive partner. The increased conditioning efforts are for more than just physical gains -- Hefeweizen is looking to solidify the bond with his partner and try to pick up a few tricks. Work ethic, technique, and most importantly diet are playing an increased role in Hefeweizen's overall fitness regimen. It is said that Bonk drank 47 beers before Game 3 of the S37 Challenge Cup finals. When asked if the alcohol had anything to do with his performance in that game, Big Manious' response was simply "No, I was just thirsty." Whether 47 beers is in the cards for Hefeweizen remains to be seen, but there are still plenty of things for him to learn from the grizzled veteran.

Timo Haas has been an impeccable force for the Los Angeles Panthers so far. Let's face it: Haas hasn't had an easy road to the finals so far. He's had to face star studded offenses from teams like the Calgary Dragons and the Winnipeg jets. He's met those challenges with aplomb, tallying a whopping 0.941 save percentage, best in the league by a long shot (next best is Olli O'Koivu with 0.910). Moreover, Haas has posted a stingy 1.89 goals against average. Given the high octane offense of the Panthers, Haas has given the team the confidence to really press the pedal to the metal in their transition game. The Panthers face an uphill battle in the finals, but a lot of their success will rest on the shoulders of the goalie that's helped them get to this point. If he's been able to stymie some of the league's best forwards and powerplay units, then the Eastern Conference may face the same difficulties.

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The Minnesota Chiefs have a star studded cast and there are a lot of likely nominees for their most valuable player: Terrance Nova, Sebastian Strange, Lord Pretty Flacko, Alonzo Garbonzo, and more. I think given the stacked roster on both sides, this series may come down to depth. I think that someone farther down the depth chart, Jonathan Lundberg, might be a key difference maker. Lundberg has logged big minutes on both the penalty kill and the powerplay, the latter yielding a third of his points. He also leads the team in hits this postseason, and that physical presence may have a big impact on setting the tone against the Panthers. The Panthers have made it thus far due to their stellar goaltending, and I don't see any sign of Timo Haas slowing down. The Panthers in front of him have done a stellar job as well, but I think his play has helped them shift their tactics in such a way that he has to be considered.

Sophia Bennett