1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
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?

In my alternate reality the two teams playing would only be altered very slightly.  You see, when I was in the minors I was brought up under the tutelage of Jimmy Slothface and Michael Fox and they managers so as the teams all went down the stretch I was watching the Specters very closely waiting for them to meet us in the finals so I could face those two players in the S52 finals.  It was a close match where they fought tooth and nail, but in my alternate reality they won game 7 and were facing off in a NOLA vs MAN finals.  Everything would be flip flopped.  A power house that has made recent acclaim and the dark horse Rage that snuck our way through consistent play.  It would have been a great send off for this season and herald in a new era of victory for New York once the Rage inevitably won that series as well. 

3. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
By now, you're probably familiar with the attributes on FHM, and you likely have some sense of what type of build you're going to be aiming for with your player. What one attribute are you going to focus on most? Of all the attributes in the game, what is your player going to strive to be the absolute best at? Why are you picking that specific attribute above all others?

Phineas Gold is going to be the screening master. Everyone can shoot a puck, or deke a defender, but against the new goalies anything is fair game.  In a world where goalies almost never let a puck in and the players are just trying to get faster and flashier, you need some people to just bunker down and be big.  Phineas is not looking to be that fancy goal scorer.  I am looking for deflections and screening those goalies so my team can excel and make it back to the championship round once again.  Someone is going to have to be good at getting in the way otherwise all your scorers become just perimeter shooters hoping on luck.

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?

No one plays like Phineas Gold plays.  This rookie has had a great season supporting his teammates on the third line.  In the regular season he did not commit one infraction and kept his team from having to go on the penalty kill.  I see this player eventually gearing up to get the future MVP awards for either the regular season or the playoff season.  Quietly supporting his team and getting goals when it matters the most.  He started off their playoffs with the first goal and I am expecting him to make the same kind of plays to get his team going in the finals.

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?

Against.  I think part of what makes a final a final is the idea that you are playing in two home stadiums.  The crowd is loud and forces you to notice them.  While this can definitely sway the emotions of the players it is actually even more important for the fans.  If we want people to take the SHL league seriously then you can’t discount the people who pay money to come watch these teams play.  If we asked these teams to travel for 1-7 days to another location, take off time, and watch our games then we are delusional.  People want to pay to watch games in the same seats that they did while growing up.  They care about the team and want to be there to support them.  You put it in some neutral location and we might as well be the Olympics.  Fuck that.

14. Written, up to 5 TPE Pick up to 5 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words to qualify.

1. Head GMs JayWhy and Grapehead have been GMing for a while, whereas Co GMs Luketd and DaftRaincloud are newer to management - which team's front office staff (including coaches) do you think will provide a strategic edge (lol as if such a thing exists in STHS) in this series?
JayWhy for sure.  While his team does have Luketd they also have Alaska.  Alaska has been playing 3d chess this season while the other teams have all been playing Go Fish.  Our team changes up our lines when the going gets tough and even pulls in the occasional Hail Mary.  You want to know how Buffalo lost? Their lines never changed. Edge MAN.
2. Manhattan has been rocking a pretty evenly-distributed ice time for forwards (35-33-32) whereas San Francisco is going a bit more top-heavy (40-40-15). Which approach do you think is better for a fierce Challenge Cup series?
Manhattan has producers on all three lines.  If we can trust our top pairing defense to beat their top two lines, which we do, then you can bet Manhattans third line is going to be taking a bite out of the Pride in every game.  We don’t rely on one or two stars.
3. The Rage and the Pride have, in my opinion at least, two of the best logos in the entire SHL. Which team's logo do you like more and why?
I actually like the first incarnation of the Rage the best.  The new incarnation is simple, sweet, and really screams MESS WITH THE BULL AND YOU GET THE HORNS.  The Pride logo looks like a nice kitty cat that I want to take home while I am drinking beer and red bull out of my cup win.  Manhattan Rage all the way.
4. What is your favorite player name on either of these two teams and why? (not favorite player/user, just focusing on their player name)
I miss my man Tokek “the snake” takashak or whatever his last name is.  It’s just such a fun little name how could you not be enamored with it?  It both has a certain ring to it and just rolls off the tongue with ease.  Combined with the fact that he is supposed to be a literal lizard makes it for one of the best bios/names ever.  Bring him to the furry league.
5. Would you rather: (a) a chainsaw lesson with JayWhy, (b) a private Gritty meet-and-greet for you and Luke, © an all-you-can-eat grape buffet experience with Grapehead, or (d) an hour session where DaftRaincloud shows you everything from his internet history?
If JayWhy can teach me how to wield a chainsaw with such precision that I can make art with my newfound skill then JayWhy all the way.  It can double as a lesson for how to take my anger out on people who would disrespect the cause.  Does it also come with a free lesson on how to dispose of bodies? Can someone check for me?