Quote:Task 01: (Written, 3 TPE)
You are at the airport awaiting a flight to meet back up with your team after spending the day being honoured as a 'Hometown Hero' in the place where you grew up! Tell us about your day... what did they have planned for you? Who did you see there? What were you given? How did it turn out? ... In 150 words or more, tell us all about this big moment as hometown hero.

Cameron grew up in Halifax as his father coached in another league, that has since become defunct, but this allowed him to watch high quality hockey as a youth. He returned and made his way to the arena he played in as a young player, where he would be presented with a statue at the front of the arena. Small and bronze, but CC2 wouldn't have it any other way. Only his family and close friends there, including some guests from his Deep Dive podcast.Later, at city hall, he is presented with the keys to the city. His last two seasons had caused quite a stir in his hometown, given that it is a close knit community. It was not some flashy affair, and more formal if anything. CC2 later spoke to the community when asked about the experience. "It was surreal. I haven't been honored much in my career and to be appreciated by those that watched me grow up? Priceless."

Quote: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.

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?
I believe this is pretty cut and dry with a case made for the Platoon. WKP has a lot more depth and pieces to play around with. The thing about tactics and the such is that you generally need a solid roster through out to do well. Calgary, although impressive, does not have the fire power to keep up with West Kendall. Though I was wrong about them in my predictions, I don't expect their run to continue much longer.

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?
Mike Izzy is an elite two way center and does it all, logging over 24 minutes a game as a forwards. People may question this since he isn't leading the team in points or anything, but he has been snake bitten. Just because he doesn't convert on all chances, doesn't mean he isn't producing them. He is still an elite face-off taker if anything. Unsung goes to, drum roll please, Driftwood. People don't agree since he has been playing great but overall as a player I notice he is often overlooked. This guy is a premier defensive defenseman in the league and it is a travesty if he doesn't get nominated this season.

4. Which player do you believe will be the difference maker in their franchise winning the title here in S47?
Rex Kirby. Yeah, I know he has only scored 4 points in the 11 games leading up to the finals but he is still a complete stud. He is overshadowed by LKS but is their top pair defenseman as well, logging heavy minutes. He has the potential to break out in the finals and be on the biggest stage. He is playing some heavy hockey right now and putting his body on the line. That's a difference maker.

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.
Major surprise. They have been a model franchise for a while so it isn't quite a shock, but it is definitely a surprise that have gotten this far. Izzy has been an elite 2-way center and has a 'solid' forward supporting cast, though their overall defense is a little suspect. Goalkeeping is a great boon to any team that can manage to keep them in good form. I did not expect them to get through Edmonton, but they did. Oh well. Nola? I doubt many people had them going over them and it left me very confused. Which is moreso on Texas, but it all factors in to contributing to Calgary's success. The Dragons have definitely been a complete surprise in S47 as they continue their magical run.

7. The West Kendall Platoon are back in the finals after a season out of the playoffs and a team that was in serious regression Choose: ('No surprise', 'mild surprise', 'major surprise' or 'in shock') and explain why.
No surprise? I mean they had tough competition in in the east with Buffalo but other than that? Not really. Manhattan got upset by Chicago, but both teams didn't have great underlying metrics heading onto the post-season and Toronto over achieved. The only real hurdle in the way was Buffalo and once they got dealt with? Pretty smooth sailing. They aren't JUST regression pieces and have strong players still in their primes.

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?
Beaujeaux Biscuit. I do not doubt Vilde in a head to head case, but goaltending carry generally involves the team too. If they are at even, Kata has a way bigger load to carry since their team is not as good as Biscuit's. Biscuit has the easier of the two jobs and SHOULD be able to redeem himself after last season's debacle and show that he can be a winner.

Quote:Task 09: (Written, 3 TPE)
Which organization that didnt make it to the finals would you consider to be the biggest disappointment? What do you think are the main reasons why they fell short this season? (Must be 150 words or more)

Easily New Orleans. Some say Buffalo but WKP is a worthy adversary. NOLA dropping dead to Texas? Oof. They were hyped and considered one of the best pt together teams in a long while. They had the raw numbers, underlying statistics and pundits praising them all season long. When all the chips were on the table? They choked. Many expected them to be in the finals and  either win the damned thing or at least make it interesting. What do we get? Them getting blasted in 7 games by a Texas Renegades team that was not a their level all season. Disappointing? This was devastating. NOLA had a 3-2 lead with TWO MINUTES LEFT ON THE CLOCK! The game was about to end in 2 minutes! No power play. No nothing. They let one go in and it's tied and guess what? It doesn't even get to OT because Texas scores the game winner with less than a minute left to go. Disgusting.

Quote: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 don't believe the Platoon need any help whatsoever so this will go to the Calgary Dragons. They went through Texas and Edmonton, both teams have key players but we will select an absolute legend from the Renegades. Louie Garrett is one of my favorite players ever and I believe he would be a great addition to the Calgary roster given his heroics against New Orleans. I think he can play 2C 5v5 and join Izzy on the PP since he has experience on the wing from his days in Seattle. Louie is one of the elite goal scorers of the past decade and is a proven commodity. This forced Nicky down to the third line and can emulate the depth WKP has. Instead of relying on a good 1.5 lines they can stretch it to 2.5. Much closer to WKP's 3. He is coming off a scorching hot regular season and playoff run.

Quote:TASK 13: (*CASUAL MEMBER SPECIAL* Send answer in PM, up to 3 TPE)
Its trivia time with 4 questions related to our Challenge Cup participants!

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