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

There are thousands of alternate realities out there but the one I saw had a crucial difference to the reality we know. The Manhattan rage roll up their sleeves, they get the job done and lift their second straight challenge cup in front of their home crowd in Madison Square Garden. There was no reason to believe that they couldn’t do it, sure they finished 4th in the division and were going up against the monsters of the east known as the New England Wolfpack but they had done the exact thing last time out. The Chicago Syndicate were a top team and Manhattan found a way to stick it out and win it all. All the cards seemed to be lining up for that reality as well. After going 3-0 down in the series, Manhattan would charge pack, winning both game 4 and 5. The reverse sweep looked like a reality until New England found a way to rally back in game 6.

If Manhattan closes out that series, they go on to win it all.

2) 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?

The free distribution will cause great shake ups in the league and a great potential of new kings to rise has emerged. I say that the Manhattan Rage, the New England Wolfpack and the Buffalo Stampede will be the three teams to see in the east. There is enough talent on all three teams that makes me believe it will happen that way though the east as an entire conference will be tough to call. Chicago could also make a run at that title but they are more likely a darkhorse candidate. In the west, its the Panthers that still stalk over the crown but both Edmonton and San Francisco also have a huge opportunity to strike. Edmonton in particular have already proven this year that they have the talent and players to go far enough to win now with this distribution, who knows what will happen to their fortunes. Too tight to call in the west

4) 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?

NSFL Welfare Claim

5) Just like everything else in S53, IIHF is going to be an exciting mystery for us all! We've seen the introduction of a new format (all 14 teams in one group) and it's bound to be a very exciting tournament. What are your predictions for IIHF this season? What team or teams do you think have the best shot at taking home the gold? How do you think your team will fare?

There is a team that has been slowly building their powerbase for a long time in the IIHF. A team that has had success elude them for so long due to a revolving carousel of moving parts. A team that always had potential to go far but was denied at every chance. Now though, a new era has dawned for them with the birth of the FHM era. New, young and hungry players have emerged to lead this country to a title and they want that power, that glory, that prize for themselves.

To count the ways they have suffered would be too numerous to count. Overtime disappointments, finals apperances that went nowhere, early exits that only exacerbated player and coach frustrations. Their country demands a trophy and they are tired of waiting but now they have the team to go far. That team is Finland and with studs all around the ice, it's about time they took home a gold medal.


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.
Best player in CC Finals . For me its Tony Pepperoni. A man who has given up just about everything for the sport he loves. A man who just wants one more chance at the challenge cup. He had an outstanding season with 57 points and all he wants is to lead the Edmonton Blizzard to glory one more time.

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.

Armada

16/16 TPE