Task 1
The top group of players in the playoffs for the Outlaws wasn't a traditional line, rather the top power play unit.  The top group featuring Selman, Mander, Archer, Connolly, and Robinson combined for 5 powerplay goals in the 7 game playoff series.  The Outlaws were over-matched even strength in the regular season match up, a high functioning power play was really the only path to victory.  On the flip side the top line of the Outlaws had some shortcomings defensively.  The entire season Anaheim has struggled at even strength, causing the efficient special teams to be the only thing keeping the team afloat.  Despite putting up solid offense, the top trio was a combined -12 through the 7 game series.  In the end that might have been the undoing for the team, even with the high powered power play the continued disappointment during even strength managed to cancel it out.

Task 2
Top 5 series' this playoffs
1. Anaheim Outlaws vs St Louis Scarecrows 4-3 St Louis win.  With a double overtime game 7, this play in series was a nail biter.
2. Anchorage Armada vs Colorado Raptors 4-3 Anchorage win.  The other play in series also came down to the wire.
3. Montreal Militia vs Halifax Raiders 4-3 Militia win.  First round thriller.
4. Montreal Militia vs Kelowna Knights 4-1 Militia win.  Montreal secures the championship in a one sided series.
5. Lethbridge Lions vs Kelowna Knights 4-2 Knights win.  Knights finish it out in 6 to go to the finals.

Task 3
1. Lethbridge Lions - The Lions came into the league at the same time as the Anaheim Outlaws, giving us somewhat of a rivalry.  A one sided rivalry, because of their lack of success compared to the Outlaws, why not add one more to the list.
2. St Louis Scarecrows - Get revenge for the first round defeat this season
3. Colorado Raptors - The other team to lose in the play in round, should give us a solid chance at taking home the chip.
4. Anchorage Armada - Only team that finished below the Outlaws in the standings, maybe our best chance at a win.
5. Montreal Militia - In order to be the best you have to beat the best, with the Militia winning it all this year we'll have to knock them off.
6. Detroit Falcons - The top team in the regular season, would be a great battle to come out on top of.
7. Vancouver Whalers - Just imagine the riots in Vancouver if the lost another finals.  2011 but twice as worst since we'd sweep them.
8. Halifax Raiders - Who?

Task 4
If I had to play for a different team besides the Outlaws, I might pick a team like the St Louis Scarecrows.  The main reason would be to fit into their high powered offense.  Throughout the entire season the league was assaulted by the top line of Nicolaj Muller, Barrett Blackwood, and Mika Kandinsky.  Muller finished the season as the top point getter in the entire league, with Kandinsky spending much of a time in second place, despite dropping off down the stretch.  The biggest issue with the team was beyond that top line.  The Scarecrows only had two other forwards finish the season with above 20 points.  This lack of depth likely contributed to the lack of playoff success, finishing with a second round exit.  If I was on the team I would have been able to contribute to the offensive effort, potentially more than was shown.  This could have lead the team to a championship.

Task 5
The top goalie match up of the entire playoffs was easily the duel that happened in the finals.  Montreal's Mike Hunt and Kelowna's Alexander Thorstrom both put up incredible efforts being the driving force behind their team's.  Mike Hunt lead the playoffs with a save percentage of .914 and tied for first in goals against average with an impressive 2.46 to propel his team to victory.  Thorstrom's numbers dropped some during the finals due to how the series ended, but he still ended up with a respectable save percentage of .897 and a goals against average of 2.58.  Both goalies even managed to showcase their puck handling abilities, putting up an assist each to help on offense.  Mike Hunt won a couple of games pretty much on his own, recording a single shutout in the playoffs.  Despite Alexander Thorstrom's immense effort he did not manage to put up a shutout.  Look for these two to be top players in the SHL.