In this alternative reality we are visiting my submitted playoff bracket has been 100% correct so far. Ie, my favorite reality. There were a lot of long and competitive series where they all so far have gone to at least 5 games. And the second round being extra crazy with no series going to fewer than 6 games!

First off we have the the bye round where Buffalo took it home in 7 games against Toronto together with Los Angeles in 5 against Calgary.

In the second round Hamilton took out Buffalo in 6. Chicago kicked out Manhattan in 6. San Francisco ended Calgary in 7. And Edmonton removed New Orleans from contention, also in 6.

And coming through the third round Hamilton moved on against Chicago in 6 games while Edmonton left San Francisco out to freeze after 7 excruciating games.

So as you can see, we have a repeat of last season's Challenge Cup final series! At least from our reality's last season.
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Sven is quite excited about the rule changes that will be implemented in the league during the off season. He is definitely gonna make sure to stay in shape. The early exit from the playoffs this year is still a little sour for him, but the rookies in Vancouver have impressed and he cannot wait to see what next season will bring.

Sven will focus mostly on balancing out his game and play style. Up until now he has tried to be a shooter first but what he really wants to do is play a balanced game, focusing both on offense and defense. He is working with Vancouver's defensive coach to improve his positioning and play-reading skills. And so far he feels like his overall game has really improved. He is out to make his mark on the SMJHL league next season as it is rumored that it might be his last before being called up.
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There once was a team from Vancouver
Which not many teams could maneuver
They keep us in suspense
Without an offense
They might just be playing hungover

There has been some vocal outpouring
Against a team that focused on scoring
They found an exploit
And it wasn't Detroit
It was Hamilton who made Simon boring

The San Francisco Pride's marketing department goes all in on becoming progressive and politically correct by using their team name to promote LGBTQ pride. For the Challenge Cup final series all players and staff will be boasting a complete rainbow themed outfit. From the skates all the way up to the helmets. Fans will be able to buy the rainbow jerseys online and at the kiosks in the arena, and anyone who wears one of these jerseys to a home game will be given a voucher for a free hot dog.

Music from Freddie Mercury and Elton John will be blasting non-stop from the second the first puck drop until the winning team lifts the cup. They have even installed a digital rainbow that reaches over the ice which will be lit and sparkle every time San Francisco scores a goal. As a final touch they've replaced their goal song with a burly voice saying "Marriage is a right for all! And we just married that puck to the back of the net!".
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Quote: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?

I'm gonna go with the Manhattan Rage's front office. While Luketd is newer to the scene, JayWhy has the multi-year experience in the league to really make a difference. He knows what works and what does not. And with a mentor like JayWhy, Luketd has the best GM training a co-GM can ask for.
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Quote: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?

Over time, I believe a balanced time share between lines are important to not overwork certain players, but when it comes to a short 7-game series I strongly believe focusing as much as possible on your top players will give you an edge. You want your best people on the ice as much as possible as they do make a difference.
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Quote: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?

While both teams have nice logos, for me the decision is pretty easy. I really like Manhattan's logo, more so than San Francisco's. It is just a genius logo. It contains famous Manhattan building(s), the M, and of course the big bad-ass bull which are known to "rage" when they see red*. It's a more complex and interesting logo than Pride's.
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* This has been debunked, but is still a stereotype that works.

Quote: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)

There are some good contenders out there for best name, but I have to go with Nathan Explosion. Like, how cool is it to have "explosion" as your last name? It is like when people say "danger is my middle name" to sound tough, but for Nathan it is actually true that he is literally an explosion!
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Quote: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?

I do not really want to see anyone's browser history, and while a Gritty meet-and-greet is tempting, I'm choosing the grape buffet. Mostly because I love grapes, and I would be really curious how they would make a grape buffet look like. But also because I'm sure Grapehead would have a lot of good stories to eat grapes over.
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