Task 05: (Written, up to 6 TPE)
Pick up to 6 challenge cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth '1' TPE. Each answer must be '50' words or more.

1. Breakdown this finals matchup for us, how will it play out? who will be the stars of this series, what will the outcome be? (*tag anyone involved)
@”Mike Izzy” is going to be one of the stars in this match-up as he has shown time and time again that he has what it takes to put his head down and grind on behalf of his career and legacy. Now that he is in the biggest of spotlights I think he is just going to work even harder.

2. A major managerial showdown is about to take place Between WKP's (Jr95, Wongy) and Calgarys (Steelhead77, C00kies) which set of GM's have the tactical/managerial advantage in this series and why?
This is a tough one as both general managers have some strong experience that should help them with their tactics. Obviously Steelhead77 is one of the oldest and most experienced guys around. However, JR95 is alleged to have a very intimate relationship with Simon T and I think that could give West Kendall a slight leg up; but it is close.

3. Which player in the finals should be considered their teams playoff MVP and which should be considered their teams unsung hero thus far and why?
The playoff MVP for Calgary is probably Rainbow Dash because of just how many goals he is putting up in the playoffs. At the end of the day, goals are what give teams wins and nothing else matters. On the flipside; you need a player willing to put their head down and work so the team can succeed and Shooter McGavin has been quietly putting up assists so Calgary can win games making him the unsung hero.

4. Which player do you believe will be the differance maker in their franchise winning the title here in S47?
I think that Otis B. Driftwood is going to be critical to the success of Calgary in the title match. First of all, Driftwood is one of the best offensive defensive players in these finals and that alone makes him a threat on the ice. However, I think even more critical is his efficiency with a 20%+ shot percentage. He is putting up solid points without taking an excessive number of shots.

5. After trading off there best players and declaring themselves in a full rebuild back in S45, The Calgary Dragons have made it to the S47 finals.. just 2 seasons later. Choose: ('No surprise', 'mild surprise', 'major surprise' or 'in shock') and explain why.
This is an easy one. I am going to go with no surprise here. I have been a vocal advocate that Steelhead is the best general manager in the league so him working some magic and turning the franchise back around so quickly is not a surprise to me at all, if anything I would say I would have expected him to do so.

8. Star netminders Kata Vilde and Beaujeaux Biscuit have both carried there teams into the finals. Which franchise goalie has a better chance to carry their franchise to a title?
I am going to give Beaujeaux Biscuit the nod here. He has made himself into a household name at the goalie position since my time in the league and I think that says a lot about his talent as a player. Vilde may be more of a cog in a machine whereas I would not be surprised to see Beaujeaux Biscuit shut down the Dragons for a few games and keep West Kendall in a few games all on his own.

Task 11: (Written, 3 TPE)
Writers on the internet have jokingly tossed around the following playoff roster idea: "when a team eliminates another team, they get to claim a player from that eliminated team to join their roster" Pretend the SHL has adopted this rule this postseason. Pick one of the teams in the Challenge Cup final and pick any player from a team that they've eliminated to add to their roster for the finals. Why did they choose that player? How will this player help out? Where will they play in the lineup? (must be 150 words or more, *tag all players)

I like this question because I think it is an easy choice. After Calgary defeated the Edmonton Blizzard they would have picked up Tor Tuck. There has been a not so private love connection between Tor Tuck and several players and members of management on the Calgary Dragons over the years and this would be Calgary’s opportunity to finally get their guy. Tor Tuck is a solid player who is in the twilight of his career but it looks like his talent will last for many more seasons making him an asset to the team that he originally believed would be drafting him. Tor Tuck would slot into the defensive lineup just about anywhere and make an improvement; gladly taking even second line minutes. While he has had some season where he was successful seeing the ice and getting the puck to scorers a new facet of his career has been smashing skulls. This would give Calgary some flexibility on if they want an enforcer out there sending a message to other players or a stout defender who can make plays on the offensive end.

Task 12: (Written, 3 TPE)
Theres no path to the finals without a little bit of adversity. In 150 words or more, write about the adversity one of the teams faced on the road to the Challenge Cup Finals. (*tag anyone involed)
Calgary faced an extremely talented group of teams on their way to the finals having to go through both the Edmonton Blizzard as well as the Texas Renegades. Both of these teams proved to be challenged that took a lot out of the Calgary players and front office due to their needs to prepare and strategize leading up to some hard fought series against teams that have arguably more physical talents and gifts on the ice. If those series were not enough to take their toll on the Dragons they were still plagued by chants about their rebranding fiasco when they traveled on the road throughout these playoffs. A simple misunderstanding got blown out of proportion but mentally drained some of the top minds in the Calgary organization. It is an impressive feat that the team was able to stay together and pull some upsets this far into the playoffs considering the inexperience of the new team


Task 13 being sent.

NSFL PT