Chicago is my
Kind of town, Chicago is
Challenge Cup winners

Lassi Suhonen
Won a Challenge Cup before
His rookie season

Tez goes for a walk
Berserkers watch through Discord
Does he get kidnapped?

Pat orders pizza
Tez says, enjoy your pizza
Patty says, "you too"


The best team in the SMJHL to not make the Four Star Cup Finals was clearly the Newfoundland Berserkers. Yes, yes, I know - they finished last in the entire league. They got outshot and outscored and outplayed for most of the season. But the Newfoundland Berserkers played with a hell of a lot of heart. They played with passion, ferocity, love, care, tenderness, kindness, ambivalence, and omnipotence. They left it all out on the ice, and when it mattered the most they showed up and eliminated the Maine Timber and gave the Quebec City Citadelles a run for their money. Captain Lassi Suhonen couldn't be more proud of his boys.


When looking at comparable players between the SHL and NHL, there are many things to consider. For example, the talent level of the player, their play-style, their contract, their legacy, etc. A common comparison would be between players who are used similarly - either in similar roles or who play similar minutes. Far less common, though, are comparisons between players who don't play at all. This is where Lassi Suhonen of the Chicago Syndicate comes in. Suhonen managed to etch his name on the Challenge Cup before ever playing a game during this season's Finals, and for that reason he is comparable to NHL player Michael Frolik. Sure, I hear you. Frolik is much older. He has had much more success in his career. He is better looking. He makes much more money (the conversion from SHLD to USD isn't great). But what you're ignoring is that he hasn't played a game this season for the Montreal Canadiens, making him very similar to Lassi Suhonen. The similarities between the way these players have played on the ice this season are shocking, and we'll see if they can keep it up.


The S57 Challenge Cup finals turned out to be a very competitive affair. Well, not that competitive - the Chicago Syndicate eliminated Hamilton in just 5 games en route to the first Challenge Cup in franchise history. The player most valuable to them, who they couldn't have done it without, is goaltender Tibuk Soonika. After being shelled in several of their games throughout the finals (and the playoffs leading up to it), Soonika stood tall and guarded his net ruthlessly, ensuring that his team always had a chance. A veteran and locker room leader, "Tib" was clearly the most important player on the ice. An honourable mention goes out to Patric Twist, though, who was chosen in the expansion draft - we couldn't possibly have done this with you.



beefyoshi




12/16