+3 TPE
- It's full crisis mode in Hamilton after many players mysteriously fell ill the day after the conclusion of their series against Manhattan, but Gabe Johnson was ready to answer the call and move up to play forward for the team. Johnson has played forward before in his career, notably when he won best rookie at the S47 World Junior Championship playing right wing for Russia. Johnson has great speed and control of the puck, as well as a good quick release, so he can easily fill the sudden void left in the offensive unit of the Steelhawks. Known to be a defensive liability sometimes due to his major lapses in concentration that he is prone to, Hamilton can at least breathe a sigh of relief knowing that won't be a concern. However, of course Johnson having to get pushed forward meant that Noah Andros had to be called up to play in the Hamilton backline, and really nobody wants to see that have to happen to any team...


+3 TPE
- With what's been a wild roller-coaster of a season for Johnson, full of both highs and lows, he has a lot to look forward to during the offseason, namely avoiding all the recent controversy surrounding his team by leaving the continent temporarily. Johnson, along with a few friends, has a small trip around a few nations in Europe planned where he will spend a couple week out of the spotlight and the flames. Johnson is very excited to kick back and take it easy following all the stresses of the last season, as he will just get to drink away his worries with friends thanks to the insanely cheap European drinks and attend a few high-profile soccer matches along the way as well. Johnson is a little worried about having to try and keep his fitness up in spite of all the partying, but he can still relax knowing that a long extension to his Hamilton contract will await on his return.


+2 TPE
- Aaron Wilson without a doubt. Despite only being an early second rounder in his draft class, Wilson has soared to elite levels since his call-up to Hamilton and has established himself as a star player there for years to come. After 41 points in just his second season in the league in S50, Wilson jumped to an astounding 57 points, finishing in the top ten in overall league scoring. Robert Phelps, despite common belief, is not immortal, and once his day comes, Wilson will be ready to take the big spotlight, and I believe because of that he can have a season where he takes home both the Sergei Karpotsev (most points) and Ron Mexico (league MVP) trophies down the line.


+5 TPE
A. Tommy Tuck posted a better SV% during the regular season, but Geezus Kryyst has been lights out during the playoffs. Which team has the advantage in goal for this series?
- Hamilton has to have the edge on goaltending for this series, as Kryyst has been absolutely incredible. While Tuck has been great for Edmonton too, the Hamilton stopper has been an absolute brick wall in net, posting a .934 save % and 2.22 goals against average, making himself likely the surging Steelhawks' MVP for these playoffs.

B. Edmonton averages more hits per game than Hamilton, but also more PIMs - and Hamilton has proven pretty deadly on the power play this postseason while the Blizzard's PK has struggled. Be the coach: should Edmonton stick to a physical style of play or back off a bit in this series?
- Edmonton will likely have to back off a bit. Hamilton has so much offensive firepower in their star players, the Blizzard can't risk giving them opportunities on the man advantage because the playoffs have shown that the Steelhawks will be capitalizing on many of those opportunities. If the Blizzard back their penalty killing unit, however, the physical edge could come in handy.

C. Who is your X-factor skater in this series? Who's got the intangibles? Who's gonna step up for their team when it matters most? Why do you think so?
- Dale Miller has been proving himself to be a key piece in this Steelhawks run, as he is not only the leader in goals for the Steelhawks these playoffs with seven, but he has remarkably scored at least a point in every game of Hamilton's 8-1 run to the finals. Him and linemate Aaron Wilson are known for rising to the occasion in the clutch, dating back to their days in juniors, and they are proving it once again this postseason.

D. Which player name is your favorite from the rosters of these two teams? (not your favorite player, but your favorite name)
- As far as names go, and Edmonton has plenty of good ones, it's pretty hard to top Hercules Rockefeller. Also sporting names that show great creativity, such as Boruvka Banananak, or names that simply roll off the tongue nicely, such as Tony Pepperoni, Edmonton definitely age the name game for this series. Rockefeller especially edges it for me, because nothing says strength like literally having the name of a God.

E. WOULD YOU RATHER: (a) eat a Pepperoni pizza with Tony Pepperoni (debatably cannibalism), (b) get a nice long hug from Teddy Cuddles, © have Tor and Tommy Tuck tuck you into bed at night, (d) do squats with Hugh Jazz, (e) have a tug of war with Tig, or (f) have Aaron Wilson uncover a brand new strategy for your team to use? Why?
- Easily e) the tug of war with Tig. Murphy is getting on with age and is showing himself to be slipping more and more into irrelevancy, making him no match for the young rising stud Gabe Johnson, who is already showing signs of being ready to give the old man the boot and take the spotlight...ok fine that isn't the case at all I'm sorry Tig please don't hurt me it was just a joke I swear.


+3 TPE
- Answers DM'd

Total TPE: 16/16 (CW Complete)