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?

Overall, it is hard not to be at least a little disappointed this season. Looking purely at this season's stats, I had 15 goals and 17 assists in 50 regular season games. These are not numbers to be scoffed at, alongside playoff returns. In just seven playoff games, I managed 6 points. I led the Falcons again in points this season, but I certainly did not meet my goals. Compared to last season, where I reached 64 points (the second highest points tally in this "cap-era" of the SMJHL), this season I greatly under performed. I was personally hoping for 50 points, which is certainly a tall order, but I thought would be attainable with our monster first line in Detroit. Turns out, our line struggled for much of the season, which was a surprise to the whole league. Next season, anything over 32 points would make me happy. For what will likely me my final season in the J's, I hope to go out with a bang.


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? (if you're on Hamilton or New Orleans, or either of the 2 SMJHL teams that soon will be playing in the finals - congrats and sorry :p this one isn't for you!)

As a whole team, I would not say that we are doing anything together. I think the fact that we got knocked out first round, combined with our underperformance in the regular season dampened our enjoyment of the Four Star Cup playoffs. We most likely will be chatting while the games are going on, and discussing our thoughts on who will win and who will want to win, but we have nothing major planned. I think there was greater potential for that sort of thing to happen with the Challenge Cup finals, but it is not looking pretty so far. Here in Detroit, we have some ties to the Hamilton Steelhawks, so last season was incredible for our franchise as Detroit and Hamilton won both major cups. This season will seemingly end in despair for both teams. Members of Detroit management that are involved in the Hamilton series are dumbfounded as to how New Orleans are sitting 3-0 up as it stands. I'm sure after that finals wraps up, we will have much to talk about amongst the team. [/align]


4. 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?

One team that I think should do very well is Team DACH. I think they have underperformed in the past, but this year will be hard to stop. They have a number of experienced players now, particular in the forwards. Between Labovitch, Mega Tron, Wagner, Sulfurgold, Harrington, and Hartmann, they have some of the best wingers in the SMJHL right there. A team that I think could surprise some folks is Finland. No Kaarlo will be a blow to them, but with Barkov, Seppala, Timonen, Stratton (on loan), and Topalo, they have the big names that can cause them to go far in the tournament. As for the British Isles, I think this is going to be our year. We looked like the team to beat in S53, but we were unable to perform in the medal round. Just like DACH, we have experience on our side. I know I will be doing my best to turn things around and aim to lead the team in every way that I can. Believe me, I want that gold to make up for Detroit's season in the SMJHL.


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?
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?
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.)
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?

a. Looking at regular season stats, Kryyst had 32 wins in 43 games played, compared to Cain's 23 wins in 40 games. They have a similar amount of shots faced, but Cain has a save % of 90.3% versus Kryyst with 91.3%. The kicker is 2.22 GAA for Kryyst and 2.78 GAA for Cain. Geezus Kryyst has the upper edge against Cain.[/align]

b. I think this answer is pretty clear... Darnell. I'm only joking, Gabe. Gabriel has a whopping 36 assists in the regular season, for a total of 44 points versus Darnell's 9 points. Darnell does have 90 hits vs. Gabe's 60 hits, but Gabe also has 2 more shots blocked and 15 more takeaways. With a +35 for Gabriel, I think he is clearly the better Johnson and should do well in the Challenge Cup.[/align]

c. Seeing what has happened, the answer has to be no. I think most people are stunned at the 3-0 lead of New Orleans as of right now. They obviously have a great team put together with players like Manius, Williams, and Claude, but Hamilton's regular season seemed much stronger. Flacko Lagerfield dominated the SHL again, along with Wilson and Phelps stepping up. I cannot believe that there is a chance that this stellar Hamilton team has the possibility of getting swept by NOLA.[/align]

d. I would go to New Orleans. I have never been to the South in the US before, so that would be my first time down there. The important thing would be trying southern food and eating out a lot. There seem to be multiple museums that could be interesting to visit. Besides that, I would have to go the French Quarter and check out the St. Louis Cathedral. If possible, it would be crazy to go down there during Mardi Gras to get a flavor of the massive celebrations that take place.[/align]


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.

skree


Total: 16 TPE