Task 1 (3/3)

because it is


Task 6 (155/150)

Switzerland looks like a real threat again this season. They came out strong last season, but it was unclear if they were overperforming or if they were the real deal. Early returns indicate the latter. Canada and the USA will be returning powerhouses, as well as the perennially above average Great Britain squad. Norway could also make a big splash this season, especially if Team Canada doesn’t find a higher gear.

The usual suspects will perform well. Lane, Sharp, Morgan will all put up tons of points. Team GB’s Luca Del Veccio will likely be a shining star on their roster. Team Latvia has some very exciting young skaters like Zebulon Leavitt and Mats Marner who will be a ton of fun to watch, when the team doesn’t make it out of groups. Team Switzerland’s top unit of van der Heijden - Jones - Hartmann has some of the most dynamic play potential in the entire tournament.


Task 12

a. (66/50)
Buffalo is clearly the larger offensive threat. Luffy is still a top tier scoring talent, Hernandivic had a breakout season, and Wang is one of the top offensive defensemen in the entire league. Texas’s strengths lie elsewhere, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But in terms of offense, Buffalo was one of the strongest teams in round 3 and will stay that way going into finals.

b. (89/50)
Buffalo clearly has the biggest chip. They are a part of the reign of terror in the great lakes, but haven’t taken home a championship in five seasons. The Stampede need a statement win to prove they’re still part of the S tier in the Great Lakes, and not down at Toronto’s level a step behind Chicago and Hamilton. Texas has a lot to play for as the first Western Conference team in finals since S55, but I wouldn’t call it a “chip” in the same way as Buffalo.

c. (75/50)
Easily Buffalo’s. The green and gold look great with tons of contrast, the primary mark reads at a distance, the name is fun while still being threatening. It’s a great combination. Texas’s branding is a bit one note, a bit on the nose. There just isn’t a unique pop in the uniforms or primary branding for the team, and their primary mark is a bit too fine-detailed to read from the top of the stands.

d. (67/50)
Oh the answer here is quite clearly Dallas. There’s tons of good food, sights to see, and really fun experiences to have in a huge city like Dallas. The weather will be nice and warm, barbecue and tacos are on every street corner, and every sporting event in the city is a blast. Contrasted with Buffalo--cold, remote, only really known for hockey...I’ll take Texas any day.


Task 13 (116/100)

My series MVP is an outside the box pick--Texas's Lemo Pihl. He wasn't the highest scoring player on the team, nor the most impactful in games 3 through 5. But what he does have are crucial game winning goals in games 1 and 2, which were key to Texas’s early momentum in the series. Without the rookie putting up those critical game winning goals, Buffalo has very real chances to hang onto late tie games and force goalie battles in overtime--exactly the kinds of games that Elizabeth Doyle has proven she can steal. Kvalheim and Wachter put together larger numbers across the series, but the impact of Pihl’s contributions make him the MVP in my eyes.


Task 15 verification word: tribia


Task 17 milestones: +1


Task 1: +3 (3)
Task 6: +3 (6)
Task 12: +4 (10)
Task 13: +2 (12)
Task 15: +3 (15)
Task 17: +1 (16)