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 S53 playoffs have unfolded differently. What happened in that reality's playoffs and who's in the Challenge Cup over there?

There is nothing I want more than to have an alternate reality when it comes to this year's playoffs. I have to admit it when I say that I was really, really excited about this year's chances. The Los Angeles Panthers are filled with key players at each position and had one of the best finishes to the regular season. Unfortunately the first round was tainted with the NOLA line mix up, which ruined the way people looked at the series. It was a situation where if LAP didn't win, everyone would have freaked out. Next up we go against Edmonton and EVERY single game went to OT with the LAP getting extremely unlucky and losing in every single game. What a rough pill to swallow, at least give us one win but a sweep!? So in my new reality we don't have the NOLA mix up happen, and LAP still beats them because we're awesome. We also destroy Edmonton in a 5 game series (at least) and go on to make sweet love to Hamilton in the finals and win it all.

183 words

4. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
With new tools at our disposal in FHM, we may eventually see some new awards enter the fold. Create a suggestion for a new SHL award. What kind of achievement is the award given for? Who's the award named after? Who would've won the award this season?

Well, because the playoffs are so fresh in mind I'll have to go with an award based off of our first round series with New Orleans. One of the arguments that was made about why the offset lines were so bad in game 1 and game 2 is because it gave New Orleans momentum heading into game 3. Apparently, momentum really matters when it comes to the Franchise Hockey Manager's sim engine and it is something that every team planning lines and statistics needs to be aware of. In the case of naming the aware after a player I have to go with Aleister Cain of New Orleans because the goalie was lights out amazing and nearly won them the series himself. So in this case the formal name for the award will be the Aleister Cain Momentum Award and it will be given to the player who carries his team from win to win because the FHM sim loves him so much.

163 words

6. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
Come up with a program of intermission entertainment for one of the games of the finals. What's the between-period on-ice entertainment the fans will enjoy? The goofier the better, go crazy.

In the case of trying to create some entertainment in the finals, my thought is to of course focus on the teams at hand. Now, with every sports team you have a mascot and if we were to look at the two mascots we would have a Hawk for Hamilton and either a Fox or perhaps a wolf for Edmonton. I think it's a fox but I'm not entirely sure, but it doesn't matter as it doesn't change my idea. All right, so we need to have a battle to the death (fake death) between the Hawk and the Fox. So you lower the arena lights and get some flash fun color lights in there. You have the Hawk swoop in and down at the Fox, while the Fox does some sick moves to get into a position to get the Hawk. Then at the climatic part of the performance, both the Hawk and Fox attack one another, killing each other as all the lights in the arena turn red and real blood is poured over the audience. Should be a hell of a show.

185 words

7. Written/Graphic, 2 TPE (100 words min. for written option)
Even though the Panthers fell short this season, the LA influence has been felt around the league and execs in Hollywood are paying more attention to the SHL with the hometown team making waves. If your player could have a cameo in any tv show or movie, what show/movie would they choose? (for the purposes of this PT you may choose a show/movie that already exists just uhhh pretend they re-shoot it with your cameo or something idk).

Finally, I get to write about my one true love in the SHL, the Los Angeles Panthers. So for this PT I have to think of a cameo to be in for my player, which is the goaltender for LAP, Knox Booth. Now, if you've been following my writing/story for Knox you'll know that he's involved in his own murder investigation. With that being the case he definitely needs to be on an episode of CSI. We need to see a breakdown of the murder scene and all the clues left behind so that Knox can use them to find the real killer and seek revenge!!

106 words

13. Written, up to 4 TPE Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words to qualify.

a. Who is the best player in this CC finals? Plenty of good candidates: Lagerfield, Phelps, Kryyst, McIntry, Pepperoni, Scholz, etc. Who's your choice for best player and why?
For me there is only one true answer when it comes to naming the best player in the finals and that's Tony Pepperoni. First of all, what a name! The guy strikes both fear and love into the hearts of all those that hear it. Second of all, he's a producer. You want a player to count on? Get Pepperoni.

b. Based on player ratings, EDM has the advantage in speed and acceleration and HAM has the advantage in balance and strength. Which team's physical skills will give them the edge in this series?
At this point you have to believe that Hamilton is going to take it all. It's clear that the team has an amazing management team who has assembled a hell of a squad so I believe that Hamilton will have the edge when it comes to this series. Yes, Edmonton has been given some sort of luck, but all luck runs out eventually and it will for Edmonton in the finals.

c. Assemble your ideal fantasy team out of players in this series - F, F, F, D, D, G. Explain your choices.
So right off the hop I'm going to go with Barrett Blackwood of Edmonton due to his point producing in the offseason, he's been a beast and he'll be one for my fantasy team. Next up on forward I'll select Hercules Rockfeller, also from EDM due to his offense and wicked name. To round it off on center I'mma take Jon Forty-One, why? Because I want the EDM chemistry and clearly they're doing something right. On defense I'm going with Hamilton's Tig Murphy and Jax Duggan, they're comfortable with each other and reliable. Lastly in net I want Geezus Kryyst, look, he's the lord and savior and you don't leave God on the bench.

d. Blizzard... snow... ok debate time - do you like snow? yes or no? why or why not?
There is one day and one day alone that I like to have snow on, and that's Christmas. The best kind of snow is that white, fluffy kind, you know- the type that is fun to play in and can be made into snowmen? Other than that snow can go fuck itself. It's a huge pain in the ass to drive in, or even walk your dog in. The only benefit to it is that it looks pretty, and the only time it looks pretty is when it first falls. After that it gets all muddy and gross. Say no to snow!


16. CW TRIVIA
1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is now completed through a Google form linked below. Make sure to spell your answers correctly or you will not get credit. Post your verification word in your CW post

- Verification word is: Yesplease


TPE = 16