I think most people would agree that the most surprising thing would be the previous Challenge Cup Champions, the Chicago Syndicate, were not in the playoffs this year. And the craziest thing about that, it is not that they have started a rebuild and sucked all year, is that they finished the season with 88 points and did not make it into the playoffs because of the technicalities or rules that FHM has when it comes to the number of teams who make the playoffs. It is not by the standings of the conferences but rather the standings in your division, and that the top 3 teams in te division make it. Chicago is in a division with the Hamilton Steelhawks, the Buffalo Stampede, and the Toronto North Stars. These 3 teams finished in the top 5 of the league and forced the Syndicate to miss the playoffs unfortunately. Super surprising because of the circumstances. Should be fun to see what happens with this division next season, it will be a battle all season for the teams to make the playoffs. All that talent and competition in one division, makes it unfortunate when you look around the league and you see that teams with a record under 500 made the playoffs and then you, as a 6th team overall in the league, are forced to stay home.

I think playing the games with 6 skaters on the ice the whole time is more beneficial. Yeah, you might be immune to penalties and oher calls that the refs would make with the other choice, but I am already choosing to play the whole game with a powerplay in reality. And looking at the teams that are in the finals right now, both the Stampede and the Steelhawks would be able to completely dominate the other team with an extra guy on the ice. With the amount of depth both teams have and the strength of their Power Play, I think it is a perfect match made in heaven. The only thing would having to worry for the other team late in the game. Always having an extra guy on the ice might cause the stamina to drop a lot faster. So that would mean the stretch passes and the dump ins without icing would be dangerous for the opposition.

I was completely disappointed with the way the season ended for us in Calgary. We did lose to the team that went on to the finals and ended up losing unfortunately but still. I think we have an extremely talented group and I was brought in to help complete the group and bring them over the top and I have yet to do so here while wearing the red and black. With some of our players aging, more and more weight will fall on my shoulders in my opinion and I have to come and perform every game. The season has not been a problem for me as a Dragon, it has been the playoffs where we have struggled. I hope to make it a little easier for Izzy, who is coming in and taking over for Steelhead, who has had a great tenure as a GM in the Simulation Hockey League. As a player, Kaspars Claude has to be more of a complete player and less of a point producing player. I think if I can solidify my performance in all three zones, it would help the results for the team.

Well I already spoke about how it was unfortunate to see the Syndicate not make the season, now let me complete that with saying that I think the Texas Renegades shocked everyone with their play this season. They led the league, not just their conference, the whole league in points with a record of 54 wins, 11 loses and 1 overtime loss. They had a bunch of players perform exceptionally this season and it was the effort by everyone on that team that made the Renegades so successful in my opinion. I thought they were going to win it all, being the most complete team in the league on paper and even proving that throughout the regular season, with the most points as a team, the most goals scored as a team and the 3rd least amount of goals let in against. Just a complete domination of a season, only to be let down and not even make the finals. I think we will be seeing that team around for a while in the league, and would not be surprised if the Renegades win the Cup next season in the SHL.


b) In hockey, I would say a better offense would prevail. In an age of hockey where goals and goals are constantly scored, it is harder o shut a team out that scores a lot of goals than it is to score a lot of goals on a team that does not let in many. And, with the amount of talent the Steelhawks have, it is only a matter of time before they start to tuck them in.
c) I would say the Steelhawks. Colors do not really play a factor for me, as I like the bruins in the NHL and the Stampede have Yellow in their logo. But, I am Canadian and prefer the city of Hamilton compared to the city of Buffalo. So, based solely on the fact that I am a Canadian citizen, I am making this matchup a Canada vs United States matchup and would choose and root for Canada.
d) I am going to take a player from either organization and mix it up. On forward, I am taking Theo Morgan because he is my brother and then I am taking Monkey D. Luffy because of the sig I had made him a long time ago that I fell in love with. They would compliment eachother. Then, on defense, I am taking Augustus Wang from the Stampede because his name sound super cool and then I would take Hugh Jazz because his name is funny.

Kaspars Claude - https://simulationhockey.com/showthread....pid3012078
Earned 5, Claimed 3