CW TASK 1: (Written, 3 TPE)
Both teams in our challenge cup series come in with a healthy set of talented young players. if you were to choose a player from either teams SHL roster or there prospect pool with a (start date of S45, S46, S47 or S48) to build your team around, who would it be and why? What qualities on or off the ice make them 'that guy' and how do you think they would shape the image of their franchise? (150+ words and *tag any player involved in this task)

When looking at the rosters of both Buffalo and Winnipeg there is one player that stands out as a talent that I would love to build a team around. [S46] Center - Monkey D. Luffy @TnlAstatine, is a sure fire top end center prospect that will look to be a staple in the Stampede offense for plenty of years to come. Luffy has been training hard in the the off season and in the SMJHL and is coming in to the SHL boasting a very strong 849 TPE. After posting two very successful seasons in the SMJHL during the S46 and S47 campaigns, Luffy didn't really take the next step like he would have hoped for in his final SMJHL season. Luffy wasn't able to surpass his old totals after being traded to the Anaheim Outlaws. Luffy still has a lot to prove but a player with that much talent is hard to miss on and we look forward to watching him excel in his first season with Buffalo.



CW TASK 3: (Written, 3 TPE)
For most of us S48 is over and now its time to sit down with your GM's for a season end review! talk to your GM's about what youve accomplished, what you are strong at, what you need to improve on and what would you like your role to be moving into S49. Task must be 150 words or more. (*Tag your GM’s)


With his rookie season now complete and not really putting up the numbers Zadina is used to posting during a season, he will look to really hit the gym hard this season and come out flying for the S49 season. We had the chance to sit down with Zadina to ask him what his plans for the off season would be and what he has said to his GM's and where he would like to improve his game.

Reporter: "Hey Filip, we know you didn't have the success you would have liked to have but you were a young rookie, what have you spoken to you GM about improving on next season."

Zadina: "I know I have an offensive touch and I know I can shoot the puck. I really want to work on the other aspects of my game so that I can climb my way up the depth chart and be an impact player nightly."

Reporter: "Which areas specifically did you talk about?"

Zadina: "I really want to focus on my skating and my puck skills, I want to be able to control the puck and make plays, not just bang home one timers."

Thank you for your time Filip.

@tweedledunn @Grapehead




CW TASK 05: (Written, up to 4 TPE)
Pick up to 4 challenge cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth '1' TPE. Each answer must be '50' words or more.

1. Put together a challenge cup fantasy team using the 2 teams in the finals as the player pool. This fantasy team must include at least 1 young player (S44 or higher) and in 50+ words discuss your choices.

Viktor Marius
Jason Visser
Lil Manius
Gary Grease
Slip McScruff

I believe that this 5 man fantasy line up gives me a lot of power house offense up front, With Marius, Visser, and Manius. I also believe I have okay scoring with Grease and McScruff but also have a very high hitting team which will help gather those points.


2. This series boasts an interesting matchup at the blue line between star studded defenders! Which includes Troy McClure III, Gary Grease and Slip McScruff from Winnipeg.. & Buffalo's Tatu Makela, Connor Tanner and Charles Walker.. which group do you expect will outshine the other and why?

I have to lean with the blue line of the Buffalo Stampede this challenge cup. I just believe it has the ability to compete with the defensive side of the Jets, but also has the chance to outshine the Jets in the points departement. Obviously that isn't a sure thing but I like the offense the Stampede have carried this playoff run.

3. Winnipeg making it to the finals was an unexpected surprise. What were some of the main reasons why this franchise was able to persevere into the leagues most important series.  (*tag anyone involved)

I believe a big part of them going so deep in the playoffs was the player I said would need to step up in an earlier task. Viktor Marius I believe was a crucial part of the run that the Stampede took and I believe that he is easily what took them to the next tier.

4. Buffalo has made it to the finals in 2 of the last 3 seasons. Who or what has been a primary reason for the recent success of this franchise. (*tag anyone involved)  

I think it just comes down to depth, they have a great team but can produce the entire way down the line up. As long as they can keep this core together they will continuously be a power house among the SHL and will have at least 1 or 2 more chances at bringing home another title.

5. Both franchises come into the series with a hot Cedric! Between Winnipegs Cedric Moreau and Buffallo's Cedric Robinson which emerging netminder has the advantage over the other in this series?

I have to lean Cedric Robinson, both goalies are very good between the pipes but Moreau is going to have to face a very powerful Stampede offense. I just think that in the end the rubber and high quality chances Moreau will see will be the undoing of the Jets.


CW TASK 10: (Written, 3 TPE)
CHALLENGE CUP HISTORY reports will be viewed instead of commericals for those watching the series online! pick any previous challenge cup finals from before your current player's time in the SHL and in 150+ words talk about the series including who won and in how many games, and who were some of the better players in that series. [include link to archives]

Looking back at the previous Challenge Cups I think I will always look back at the S41 Finals as one of my favorite and one of the most exciting finishes in Challenge cup history. With the series tied 3 games to 3 and in the 3rd period and the West Kendall Platoon down 3 to 4 against the Los Angeles Panthers one player needed to step up. John Langabeer of the Platoon decided to make his mark on SHL history with only 5:33 left in the 3rd period Langabeer fired home a shot to tie the game late in the third period, but that wasn't all. Only 11 seconds later Langabeer walked down the wing and Ripped home his second goal of the game giving the Platoon the lead and there first Challenge Cup since S5. If you go back and ask Langabeer it is still the one moment in his career that he says he will never forget and always looks back on as his favorite moment.