Task 1

When it comes to line combinations that have helped the team the most, I can think of none better than the Parmborg/Namokato/Kubinec. While Suzuki Namokato's numbers didn't quite match those of his line-mates, his play was solid in both ends of the ice and he was far from an anchor on the line. Parmborg led the team in scoring with two goals and 5 assists, and Kubinec came in 4th with three goals and two assists.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, the top line of Tanner, Rush, and Cody was unable to muster up the offense needed to take out the Militia. While Cody's numbers were somewhat padded on the powerplay, the other two had a disappointing series, with just three assists for Conor Tanner and two goals for Atlas Rush. While they weren't too poor in other areas of the game, these three players were counted on by the Raiders coaching staff to provide scoring and the results just weren't there.

(161 words)


Task 2

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Task 3

1. Detroit Falcons. To be the best, you have to beat the best.
2. Vancouver Whalers. Defending champs? Bring 'em on. Same logic as the Falcons: earn the title, don't just coast there. Though obviously they're not quite as dynamic as they were when the won the 4SC (S48).
3. Lethbridge Lions. A lot of great rookies on this team. As a user with a rookie player, I'd love the chance to meet them on the biggest stage and prove I/we are better.
4. Anchorage Armada. With the Armada you don't know what you're going to get. They're a team that massively underperformed, but they have one of the highest TPE totals of the league.
5. Anaheim Outlaws. The matchup doesn't excite me because I don't know a whole lot about the team and its players.
6. Colorado Raptors. On the one hand, they had a poor year. On the other, it's the same situation as the Outlaws: I'm not really familiar with the Raptors either.
7. Kelowna Knights. They're a team that a lot of people sleep on. I don't know that the Raiders would be able to beat them, especially since they have a few key players that go under the radar like the team.
8. St. Louis Scarecrows. What a top line! Kandinsky, Blackwood, Muller. Scary to think of trying to defend against them in such big games.
9. Montreal Militia. I recall this being a poor matchup for the team. Plus, they have a few players and alumni I really like and I don't want to have to root against them.

(265 words)


Task 4

The easy answer is that I'd want to be on the Militia, since that's the team that won the four star cup. Besides Montreal, I think I'd want to play for the Kelowna Knights. They are a strong team that have improved greatly since season 48, and being able to lineup on their blue line would've been quite the experience. They're a well coached team, one that maybe weren't predicted to get as far as they did, and I think a lot of the players in the locker room are great people. I'm not saying I'd rather be a Knight than a Raider, but there are worse teams to be a part of.

As for slotting into the roster, it's tough to say. I think I would've been good enough to slide into the second pairing, and provide a strong presence on the PK. There's some quality there already, so maybe Barron wouldn't have been a game breaker, but every little bit counts, especially how close some of the games in the finals were.

(174 words)


Task 5

The goalie matchup I've chosen is Biz Nasty vs Mike Hunt in the quarterfinals.

Their regular season numbers were remarkably similiar. Both goalies finished the S49 regular season with an .899 SV%, and they both backstopped teams that made it top-6 to avoid the play-in. Biz, however, had 25 wins to Mike's 19, perhaps due to having played an extra 5 games. But Nasty's GAA edged out Hunt's (2.55 to 2.81).

Looking at advanced stats, they both had a 2.6 Adjusted GAA. Nasty was more dependable, with a quality start percentage of 70.45 to Hunt's 58.97. In terms of goals saved above average, Nasty finished with 18.81 to Hunt's 16.28.

But stats aren't everything. Head-to-head? Before the series played out, my money would've been on Nasty. Credit where it's due, not only did Hunt play phenomenal in the Raiders series, he was a huge reason why the Militia won the Four Star Cup. I can't count the times Kelowna could've claimed that they would have scored on any other goalie, and when you look at his form in the finals, he might have a shout as the playoffs MVP.

(189 words)