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?


It was hard for me to pick what one I wanted or even how I wanted to go about it. So I decided to do New Orleans vs New England because the Wolfpack had a fantastic season and I feel like if Hamilton didn't make it, they would have out of the east. In the case of New Orleans, I feel like without the fuckery that was "3rd line with no C" they would have ended up getting by the LA Panthers and who knows from there, Cain as a goalie has a tendency to do well and having only 1 goalie might help them past Edmonton, a team running the switch between Tuck and Emiko. I do see the series going 7, this time Joe can rest his soul as Johannes Leitner falters for the Wolfpack and the Specters take it in overtime. That breaks the game 7 curse for the Specters too.



2. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
With everyone getting a free redistribution this offseason, S54 is quite wide open at the moment. Before those redistributions take place, who would you anticipate being the top team(s) for next season?

For this, I need to break it down starting with.
New England, the Wolfpack had been howling for a while about how deep their roster is and after last season's debacle of missing the playoffs to a Toronto team that had a magical season, they have emerged. With the addition of Big Ben Blue in net I only see this top team getting better.

Hamilton, the first Challenge Cup champions in the FHM era deserve a spot on this list. In spite of the fact that this team has long been hated they have had a strong roster since the mid S40s and have shaken all the doubters with this cup. Look for them to Challenge the wolfpack for 1st in the east like they did in S53.

Edmonton, the Blizzard when all the way to the finals with a roster that is built for the playoffs. Top end scoring, proven solid defence, and star goaltender Tommy Tuck backing them in...who is retiring, so the Blizz went and picked out another top goaltender in Emiko Specter and she is proving fantastic spitting the starts here in both the season and playoffs.

New Orleans, not many are going to like this one, and it is true that of the four picks they seem the weakest but the specters have always had a top end forward core, bringing in Oliver Cloutier gives them that boost. The defence might be a bit shaky but having Aleistar Cain in net should help to keep them confidant.


8. Written/Graphic, 3 TPE (150 words min. for written option)
The arenas in Edmonton and Hamilton 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.

In an attempt to put all of the fixings on the first Challenge Cup of the FHM era, and to combat their provincial rival, the Edmonton Blizzard are debuting their own official team food. Championship "Chilly" Cheese Fries. That's right, but don't let the name fool you, these delectable Kennebec fries are smothered in a hearty chili made locally in Edmonton. Covered in the best cheese made from Albertan cows milk, this meal will have you ready to capture that Challenge Cup like all of your Blizzard heroes. $8.99 for this massive bowl is sure to get people buying it up. It also helps when team and playoff scoring leader Tony Pepperoni has been known to consume three bowls before each game. With 20 points in 15 games leading up to the Challenge Cup finals the Blizzard have come up with a clever slogan. You can Eat like a Champion.


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?
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?
c. Assemble your ideal fantasy team out of players in this series - F, F, F, D, D, G. Explain your choices.
d. Blizzard... snow... ok debate time - do you like snow? yes or no? why or why not?

a. Tony Pepperoni gets my nod. Guy had a fantastic regular season with 57 points in 50 games while posting over 100 hits, in the playoffs he leads all players with 20 points proving that he can turn it on when it matters most. Look for this guy to make waves each year.

b. Each team has their strengths and can out work each other provided they play to their game on any given night. Hamilton has a strong, physical game that can wear you down in the playoffs. With everyone having an extra gear its not that wild to think of them wining by slowing the game down. Edmonton meanwhile is quite up tempo and will be looking to win the footraces. Its a tale as old as time, size vs speed.

c. F,F,F,D,D,G Kill Me Flacko Lagerfield has to be one of the forwards. Top scoring player in the regular season with 71 points. Tony Pepperoni is more than solid as a high end scorer as well. Robert Phelps rounds out my forwards as a veteran guy who can get the job done. Each forward is positionally sound at each different forward spot as Flacko is a LW, Rob is an RW, and Peps is a true C. On defence I wanted to find someone solid so I grabbed Karlstrase Scholz (The modified B looking letter in his name is pronounced as an s) Complete defenceman41 solid points, a high takeaway to giveaway ratio, physical, and can eat big minutes. Next, with positioning mattering I needed a d man for the right side and had to take young Gabriel Johnson whos 47 points make him look lethal on the power play while being solid defensively. Goalies are always controversial but I like to keep the one from the same team as your defence, so I went with the younger Emiko Spector over Kryyst. Whilst she didn't have as many starts this season her numbers were studly and I think they wouldn't drop farther with more starts. Moreover the communication with the defence is a huge deal.

d. Snow, some love, some hate, no idea how everyone on site feels but for me, I love it and here is why. The calm, serene quietness of the world when there is a small blanket of white snow everywhere is beautiful. No birds, if its cold enough no water, barely even makes a sound when you step in it. Life just feels like it slows down and relaxes, the slate clears and all.

16. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 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: Squally