Quote: TASK 1: (Written, 3 TPE)
Choose one team in the series and talk about the steps they took to make the finals. Was it a free agent signing, or an MVP player, or trades, etc. Must be 150 words.

When everyone else thought the Colorado Raptors were just working on a rebuild, Alaska and Kimmy had a plan. I still couldn't tell you how or why it worked so well, but in the process of picking up several future draft picks, they also rebranded the team for the image of the future. Players like Lillie Jacobs stepped up and powered the team into the finals, proving that they can be successful now, and even more dangerous in seasons to come. Also, the defensive presences on the ice (4 players in the top 10 for shots blocked) and physicality (top 3 players in hits in the playoffs) keeps their opponents in check and, win or lose, the Colorado Raptors can take away one major thing from this season. They traded often, and traded smart, and they  should be proud of what they achieved.

Quote:TASK 3: (Written, 3 TPE)
In 150 words or more write about the top highlight of your season. whether it be your first goal, your first hat trick, first shutout, clinching playoffs, getting a career high in something, etc. Must be hockey related.

I (Barret McCarthy) had an amazing season by most standards. Coming off a rookie season where I was fortunate enough to win the Four Star Cup, I followed it up by breaking into the record books a few times. Highlights of that would be an incredible 5 assist night against Kelowna that helped set the pace towards my breaking the Whalers all time single season assist record, and putting myself into a tie for 4th all-time SMJHL assists in a season with 42 and finished the season with a total of 50 points. I was also able to break into the records for Whalers single postseason shots blocked. Though these records are all impressive, I would never be able to pull it off without such an amazing team to work with. For that Im truly humbled and hope that I didn't just peak in my second overall season for my career.

Quote:TASK 4: (*CASUAL MEMBER SPECIAL* Send answer in PM, 3 TPE)
Question: Before the start of the game little tammy threw 4 reese's peanut butter cups on the ice. 2 of them were skated over and crushed! (Ohhh No!!!)... how many peanut butter cups were NOT skated over?

** Note: To receive credit for this task you must send the answer to me by forum PM.  Do not post the answer in this thread as you will not get credit... Please make the subject of the PM “CW Special” [Earn up to 3 TPE for this task. 1 TPE for participation, 2 additional TPE for the correct answer]

K I did the thing.

Quote:TASK 6: (Written, 3 TPE)
In an effort to improve the product, the league has asked an outside source to look over the playoff lineups and determine which teams could have performed better.. Come up with a new set of lines for one of the teams eliminated in the playoffs, and explain why you made the choices you did. Must be at least 150 words.  

For this task I chose the Montreal Militia, who had an unfortunate early exit, losing their series four games to one. While I feel the lines aren't terrible there are a few minor changes I might make to attempt to improve the team overall.
Lines as of the First Round
Forwards
1 Derek Bohne-Jeff Brogen-Boris Denisovich
2 Kevin Kazarian-Willy Mack-Mason Hudson
3 Pavel Pivonka-Andreas Kvalheim-Daniel Daniil
4 Cody Johansen-Griffith Cadwalader-Hiro Fujikawa
Defense
1 Charlie Schieck-Sachimo Zoidberg Jr.
2 Willie Fisterbottom-Dinars Briedis
3 Marco Raanteli-Milo Momoka
4 Charlie Schieck-Phil Mcrakin

Moving Willy Mack to the first line I feel would make a better option and switching out Jeff Brogen. Sure Brogen might be a slightly better scorer, but Mack has the better positioning and defensive ability versus the opponents top lines, helping to score and prevent being scored upon easier. Also, the move would power the second line slightly better in terms of scoring for Brogen, who may have an easier time against other teams second lines.

On the defensive side, moving Sacimo Zoidberg Jr. off the first line and putting Willie Fisterbottom in his place would make a much better defensive pairing. Defense is the weakness for the Montreal Militia and they need to stack the top line better or they will lose the match-up, and Zoidberg's defensive ability is unfortunately lacking in this regard. Also swapping Dinars Briedis and Marco Raanteli would make a much better combination on the second line altogether and I feel would have given the Milita a much stronger chance to advance in the second round with just a few minor adjustments.

Quote:Task 8: (Written, 3 TPE)
Pick up to 3 topics below to write about! Each topic is worth '1' TPE. Each answer must be 50 words or more.

1. Between both rosters, create an all Challenge Cup starting lineup! (D, D, F, F, F, G) and in 50 words or more explain alittle about your selections.
2. Which GM in the finals do you believe has the tactical/Managerial advantage and why?
3. Between Beaujeaux Biscuit and Artom Zhumbayev which star goalie has the advantage over the other in this series?
4. Choose 1 young player from each team (either on their roster or a prospect of theirs) who you believe will be there teams next great player and why?
5. You want to buy tickets, hotel stay and airfair for one of the games in this series and you have to decide between a trip to West Kendall or Winnipeg.. what city did you choose and why?

2. TML99 has been the the finals before, last year in fact, where his season unfortunately ended in a loss to the Vancouver Whalers. However, he can learn from past mistakes and take his coaching experience and finals preparations into this series, allowing himself an upper hand in readying himself for the final push towards the Four Star Cup.

4. Jakub Novak has made a real difference on the Colorado Raptors lines. despite the loss this season, he is poised to make a strong sophomore showing next season, and could easily be a first or second line winger for any tam. His ability to move the puck and shoot accurately makes him deadly, and though he may not be the fastest player on the ice, he's not afraid to block a few shots for the greater good.

5. Winnipeg seems like an amazing destination this time of year. I can go there and warm up inside the hockey rink from the outside temperatures, and watch some great hockey. And when the game is over, win or lose, I can head back out into the biting cold and purchase a tasy hot chocolate that will be cold long before I reach my hotel room again.