1. This reality is just one of infinite realities existing alongside this one in parallel. Take us over to one of those realities in which everything is the same but these S52 playoffs have unfolded differently. What happened in that reality's playoffs and who's in the Challenge Cup over there?

I'd have to think of one that's sadder than this one for me, personally. Let's rewind to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where after four games, the Chicago Butchers are up 3 games to 1 on the Manhattan Rage.

Let's say the Butchers put this one to bed in 5 and not even flirt with a three-game collapse. They, instead of the Rage, face the Buffalo Stampede, and it goes the full series length to 7. They build a 3-1 lead then, and have a minor two-game collapse to put them in their first elimination game. Unfortunately, the hammer comes due, and the Stampede go back to the Finals. Because the miracle never happened in the East, SimonT decides none shall happen out in the West, either. The Specters take Game 7 out West, and we are now looking at another Buffalo vs New Orleans championship. Yeah, that would be a fun way to round out the SimonT epoch - a rehash of a recent title bout. Sounds about as fun as Wilder-Fury III five months after they just had a fight that was stopped in round 7.

4. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
The Most Generic Prompt of All Time - what is your player looking forward to in the offseason? What are they planning on doing? Training? Relaxing? Testing free agency? Whatever it is, let us know!

My player is going to be on the training grind for most of the offseason, and especially come IIHF time, win or lose in the Challenge Cup. At this point, he still has the postseason to think about. At the time of writing, he has to win one more game to get to the offseason victorious.

Age is starting to take its toll, and any boost will help him not just survive longer, but thrive longer, especially with the transition into the unknowns of FHM. A victorious return to Inverness before IIHF would be great. For now, the offseason is far from his mind.

Free agency has never been on the cards for McIntyre. Manhattan is home. It will be home for as long as they want to keep signing him up for contracts. It will probably be home when he someday finally has to hang up his skates. There may be some planning for that, though the only market he has an eye for is the one run out of Wall Street.

5. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
Which player from the Rage or the Pride would you bet on to win a regular season individual award in a future season? What player and what award? What makes you think they'll live up to their potential and take home the hardware?

I'd put money down on Peter Larson winning the John McBride. I'd have to look for this season. For a future season, that beast of a man in net has done wonders for the Rage in the Challenge Cup Finals. Goals allowed of 2, 2, 1, and 0 across the four games so far, and standing on his head for a legendary Game 4 performance was the stuff kids emulate. Granted, SFP's penalties helped, though it's no small thing to stay cool with the biggest spotlight in sim hockey melting your crease. In a clash of excellent goalies in these Finals, Larson has been better.

6. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
The SHL is taking a stand and trying to do its part in reducing its carbon footprint. One of the proposed ideas is to eliminate back and forth air travel during the Challenge Cup and Four Star Cup finals and instead hold all 4-7 games in one neutral, rotating location a la the Super Bowl. Are you FOR or AGAINST this idea? Why?

I'm for this idea. Especially for this Challenge Cup Finals series, going back and forth, coast to coast, New York to San Francisco, and with the two teams not caring much for home ice anyhow, a neutral site series would be great to ease that travel burden. I'm aware the league may not ultimately take this action as fans would be largely stuck in a compromise that doesn't work for either of them. They wait this long for their team to get to the Challenge Cup Finals and they have to go halfway across the country? That would be a major live ticket turn-off.

8. Written/Graphic, 3 TPE (150 words min. for written option)
The arenas in San Francisco and New York certainly don't need any gimmicks to get people into the stadium for the series, but the arenas want to make sure they're pulling out all the stops on the big stage. Help the concessions department of one of these two teams develop a new product, with marketing specifically pertaining to this finals series, to be sold at the arena during the finals. Describe the product and the marketing in 150 words or create a promotional poster showing the product, its name, the price, etc.

The Manhattan Rage made their first Challenge Cup Finals since Season 38. What I propose is a poster, lining up the players from the championship roster then and doing a side-by-side, or even one on top and the other on bottom, showing how the team has evolved since then. Line up the forwards by line, defensemen by pairing, the goalies by starter/backup, and make for sure the old man, Aittokallio, gets a comparison of his mug then and now. There could also be a version where each modern player has is lined up with or beside the past player they are closest to. It'd be nice to get comparisons of the Aittokallios of old from their playing days vs where they are in management now and with how Jax compares. With how the series has gone, it would make for a great "echoes of the past" memento. This special championship edition poster would be sold for $30.

17. Casual Member Special

Sent