1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
Reflection on your season - how did your player fare on the ice this season? Did you meet or surpass your individual player goals or did you come up short? Whether you excelled or disappointed - what can you attribute that to? What will you try to do better next season?

This season was interesting for my player. The Rage decided to switch me between first line and second line for the entire season trying to find the optimal pairing and line strategy. I think Phineas is in an interesting place where his offensive skills have hit a plateau for a tiny bit as I spent this season working on defense. I think if I look back I did not pass my expectations of consistent improvement and actually took a step back even though my abilities went up. I would have liked to have all 4 milestones but at least my hitting is getting up there. I think what I was disappointed in and what I am going improve is my presence in front of the net. I'm already getting shots on net but I need to really start getting them in. If I increase my agility and acceleration I plan to be even more deadly as no one in this game is playing garbage collector quite like I do.

2. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
Well, dang. Your team didn't make the finals this season - my condolences to you. Are you and your teammates planning on watching the finals even though you're not in it? If so, what are your watch parties like? If not, are you still following the finals or trying to ignore it completely? What are you and your teammates doing together (if anything) instead of following along?

Immediately after MANs round one exit there were several moves made to the roster as the GMs decided that they wanted to go all in for the next season. After the trades we're announced the team was immediately excited to get back in the ice with the new members to try and get that synergy going. Having lost in the first round twice in a row, the Rage are not excited to watch the finals. Since we have tasted the cup recently we know what it's like to be there so we are not about to be the dreamers who watch the game with glazed over eyes. All we care about are the results. Who do we have to beat next year? We lost out on the prize this year with a strong team that just didn't have the final push. Always look forward and never behind. New York state of mind.

Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
S54 IIHF Predictions - with one FHM IIHF season under our belt, we've got a bit more of a sense of how the tournament might play out in the new sim engine. What are your predictions for the S54 IIHF or WJC tournament - how do you think your team will fare this season? Who do you think are the biggest contenders to take home the hardware and why?

If anyone could have beaten the USA they would have done it by now. All of our dominant players are still in the system and the backups are ready to go at any time. People have tried poaching our guys but we remain dedicated to the red white and blue. We won last season and it looks like we are shaping up to be just a strong. Unfortunately this does not transition to the much more chaotic WJC where the playing field is more even. Even though we have strong prospects we will just have to see how they fare vs a very powerful diversity of nation's. Canada is right behind us though and seems to always lead from the other packs. If I wanted to choose a team that could be a sleeper it would be Great Britain. With some sneaky line strats they could find a niche that will get them into that final game. USA still wins though.

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.
a. These are absolutely two of the best goaltenders in the league in Cain and Kryyst - which team has the advantage in net in this series?
Cain is an absolute beast in the net as he has proven over the past few seasons to be the highest earning goalie in the league. This has led him to Stonewall a few excellent teams if he gets his game going. With the NOLA defense leading the way against an aging HAM core I am looking at Cain to be the deciding factor between victory and defeat.

b. There are two Johnsons in this series - Gabriel (HAM) and Darnell (NOLA). In fact, the two used to host the Johnson & Johnson Podcast together, but they're now on the ice as bitter rivals. Which team has the better Johnson?
I think I am going to give the edge to Gabriel here as he has just performed so consistently for HAM in the fantasy leagues and on the ice.  If you compare the two it's really a no brainier as Darnell has fallen off quite a bit on his game and now posts numbers that look like he is going to replaced in the lineup soon. Lookout NOLA as this baby power isn't going your way.

c. The Specters won both regular season matchups, but Hamilton finished with better team stats overall. Do regular season head-to-heads provide an accurate forecast for a playoff series? (answer predictively if it hasn't happened yet; reactively if it has.)

I think it has a pretty strong indication of particular matchups. It shows the overall strength of the two teams and sample size as to what lines work where. It's a starting point that NOLA just needs to capitalize on while HAM has to strategize around.  I think NOLA takes these games, while not a 4-0 victory, it's going to be a bit more decisive and end before game 7.

d. If SDCore offered you an all-expenses paid week-long vacation to either New Orleans or Hamilton, which city would you choose to go to? (tough choice I know lol.) How would you spend your time there?
I would go to New Orleans because it is probably one of the most exciting cities in the US. There is a certain panache to it because of the age of the city gives it a unique history. Combine with delicious food, excellent music, and pretty cool architecture I would probably forget that there is a hockey game being played.

16. Chill