S58 Championship Week

S58 Championship Week

Zema
Registered
Posting Freak

#162

04-01-2021, 06:23 AM

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1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)

While these two teams are no strangers to the Cup finals, we did see some very interesting things this season. Looking back, what do you feel was the most surprising part of the season?

I don't think there was a surprise as big as Winnipegs playoff run last season. However, having the Baltimore Platoon make the playoffs over both New England and Tampa Bay was a big surprise. It was down to the wire on who would be making it, but the BAPS made it happen.
Texas was also another surprise. Not where they finished, but just how they did it. The regular season they had was simply nothing short of incredible. Only 11 losses and 109 points is a premier year for them. And they are still improving! I think we are looking at a a future where Texas are about to break the dominance of Buffalo and Hamilton by winning a cup. Which is something that has not happened to a team in the western conference since New Orleans did it all the way back in Season 54.
The future is definitely bright for both Texas and BAP.

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4. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)

If you're sitting at home watching the Finals: What do you plan on doing differently next season to help your team reach the promised land? If you're playing in the Finals: Is there anything different you plan on doing next season to continue your team's success?

I think Alex Oscarsson would simply need to develop his all around game. 19 points in 66 games as a new defense man just recently swapped is acceptable. But he has some holes in his game. His defensive side can be worked on more despite his crazy amount of shots blocked. And of course, just gain more experience. Our window of contention has not kicked in yet so up until that point it will all just be about getting experience and improving my game until we can truly contend for that cup.

But as for the immediate future - next season. I would like to become even more reliable in the defensive facets of the game. Making sure that our goalies Frans Eller and Leo Bloomfield will have an easier time. To also make sure our star forwards can go on the offense while trusting the solidity of our defense. Frankly, I just want to become better.

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5. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)

Which SHL or SMJHL team was the best team to not make the finals this season and why?

Something I alluded to earlier by praising the Texas Renegades for their incredible regular season, I also feel like they deserved something more out of it. They lost in 7 games in the semis and played at a really high level through the entire season. Maybe they wouldn't have bested Hamilton in the finals either way, but they definitely deserved to get a great chance at the cup. If not just for the simple reason of making the league more exciting. It gets a bit tiresome seeing most of the same teams either winning it or reaching the finals. It is time for new kings to take their place.

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6. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)

What's your prediction for this season's IIHF tournament? Which teams do you expect to do well (or not well)? Which players?

Sweden are winning the IIHF this year. After years of good performances against bigger, better, stronger and most importantly deeper teams they are finally getting ready to show what they're going for. Many new faces such as Hobbes, DuBolk and Bjerg are making the jump to the big leagues adding to the older core of Passamus and Wagstrom. This is a very young team, but a young team that is constantly improving. Vilde and Jobin are the goalies for this tournament, with veteran Vilde taking the starter position. When looking at their biggest strengths however, a strong and solid defensive core stands out. And among those mere mortals stand Sven Yxskaft. A player that is fierce, offensively gifted coming from a strong season with the New England Wolfpack he is expected to lead the backline like a prime Dylan Karlsson. This team will be better than many expect. They will even be so good that the Yellow team from Scandinavia turns to gold. You also have Gunnar Söderberg, Sven Svensson, Joseph Fantobens and all the other greats!

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12. 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. Hamilton finished 13 points above Buffalo in the standings this season. What is one thing that Buffalo can do to give themselves a leg up despite this?

Buffalo just has to play a very cynical game. Play hard along the boards, get pucks deep and not be out there for too long are some very important things. They also have to make sure they stay in shooting lanes and block shots to give their goalie the best shot possible.

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b. Hamilton was 3rd in the league in GF this season. Buffalo was 2nd in GA. This begs the age old question: what will win out, a great defense or a great offense? Why?

They say offense wins games, defense wins championsships. It is a very classic old saying that I don't fully believe in, at least when it comes to hockey. You often see teams who are not the best defensively go far on the back of the goalie. This is what will happen, which is why Hamilton will win.

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c. Which of these two teams' brandings do you prefer? Take into account colors, logo, name, location, and anything else you consider relevant.

I prefer the Hamilton Steelhawks over the Buffalo Stampede any day of the week. I find the coloring of Buffalo to be decent, but the logo is very dull as well as the team name. Hamilton have a nice color scheme, great name, a great logo and a great name. They don't have the best in the league, but they are top 5 I would say.

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d. It's all come down to this: game seven overtime. Which four players are you sending out to win the game for you. This is in a fantasy sense, so feel free to mix and match from both teams.

Michael Scarn, Matt Kholin, Alex Selich and Sam Michaud. Some extremely great offensive talents all around with some of the best players in the league that also have a ton of experience. Two from each team, and they get the simmer *rigged buff from having Matt Kholin on the ice. This team will win my fictional team the cup.

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15. Milestones, up to 3 TPE

New this season, Milestones are folded in with CW. So just link your Milestone claim as task 16 for up to 3 TPE towards your 16 total.

SHL Milestones: https://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php?tid=114645

SMJHL Milestones (for senddowns): TBD