PAST

Code:
1. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is 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.

CW TRIVIA LINK

Verification word - Sunday

Code:
3. Written, 3 TPE, Those That Came Before (150 words min.)
When did your franchise last win a Challenge Cup? Write about that team, some of the key players, and what intangibles they had going for them to be able to win it all. If your franchise hasn’t yet won a cup, choose any cup winning team and talk about why you’d like your current team to emulate them. Did they have an all time great roster? Were they scrappy under dogs?

It was a while back, but the New Orleans Specters used to be one of the top teams in the league.  Shortly after the switch to FHM, the New Orleans raised the Challenge Cup in season 54 the Specters were lead by players like Lil' Manius, Nicholas Williams, Joe K, DeMaricus Smyth and Aleister Cain.  This team was a tight knit group and played every game for each other.  They met the Hamilton Steelhawks in the finals and were considered major underdogs, but the Specters had other plans and took the series to the Steelhawks winning the first four games and sweeping the juggernauts that the Hamilton Steelhawks were.  Every step of the way we knew we could do it, and we didn't listen to what everyone was saying about us, we knew that if we played for each other, as a team, we could beat anyone.  And we did. And it was glorious.

PRESENT

Code:
6. Written, up to 4 TPE - Grab Bag: Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words.
a. Los Angeles has been riding their top players for almost a full minute more of ice time than Hamilton has theirs. If you were a coach, do you buy into this strategy? Do you let your top guys leave it all out there every night or aim for the most balanced attack possible?

I have always been a believer in a balanced attack, but the playoffs are a different beast.  Sure, you need everyone firing on all cylinders and you can't have some players playing way too many minutes, but relying a little more on your top line isn't out of the question when you are playing for the top prize.

b. Guy O'Shea and Evangelos Giannopoulos have been absolute block machines for Hamilton in the playoffs with 109 between them. If you’re looking for offense in this series, how do you get around these two defensemen?

When it comes to blocking shots, my player, Lyle Odelein III is a pretty good person to talk to.  Lyle has made a career in getting in front of shots and he always tells his teammates the best way to avoid getting their shots blocked is to take shots as close to the net as possible.  Shots from the point have a much higher chance of being blocked, so, don't take shots from the point.  Easy peasey.

c. Los Angeles’ defense, on the other hand, has not been afraid to join the play and put up points. How do you prepare for a five player offensive attack? How do you counter?

Speed.  Speed is the best way to counter a full on attack.  A solid poke check at the point can initiate a full on rush and leave the team that was attacking in the dust.  No matter who quick those attacking defenders may be, it will take them time to turn around and transition into defense and by that time, the speedy defending team should already be well on their way to an odd man attack the other way.

d. The starting goalies for these teams, Olof Karsikko and A Jobin have been nearly unbeatable up to this point with a 0.937 and a 0.927 SV% respectively. If you’re a player on the other team, how would you get inside their heads so that you can put the puck in the net?

I wouldn't go as far as some players like Steve Avery did, but getting under a goalie's skin is a very good way to get them off their game.  In the playoffs, you have multiple games to try and continue getting the goalies off their game.  A constant net presence is another way to be able to get the better of a hot goalie.  If they can't see the puck, they are going to have a tricky time making that save.  There is no doubt that a goalie can steal a game or a series for that matter so being able to get them off their game is a great way to help your team win.



Code:
11a. Written, 2 TPE - The Procrastinator Special! (100 words min.)
Congratulations, procrastinator!  Through your terrible time management skills, you’ve unlocked a special task! [TEAM] has won it all! Was it an exciting final, or predictable? Did anything surprise you about the outcome? What players performed above or below what was expected of them?

Stop me if you've heard this before.  The Hamilton Steelhawks have won the Challenge Cup.  Another season in the books and another win for the team from the Steeltown of Hamilton.  The Los Angels Panthers were their opponents this time around, which was a very refreshing change, but alas, the Steelhawks took it all again.  It is no surprise to anyone that this was the final outcome, the team from Hamilton has been a top contender for way too many seasons to count and at this point the question isn't who will win the Cup it is will anyone other than Hamilton win the Cup.  Hopefully next season the answer will be yes.


Code:
12. Milestones, up to 3 TPE
Milestones are folded in with CW. So just link your Milestone claim as task 12 for up to 3 TPE towards your 16 total.

2 from milestones


FUTURE

Code:
15. Written, 2 TPE, The yearly IIHF task (100 words min.)
Write your predictions for this year's IIHF tournament or WJC if you care about that more. Will there be surprises? Will any players make their country proud? Who's gonna suck? Be bold!

This prediction isn't all that bold, it would have been a given a few seasons back but as of late, this team hasn't been as dominate as they used to be.  My player, Lyle Odelein III was born and raised in Montreal Quebec, making him a Team Canada player, since the start of his career.  Lyle is coming to the end of his run, this is his 14th consecutive IIHF tournament and who knows how many he might have to go after this.  I am predicting a Team Canada gold medal this time.  Lyle is hungry for another medal and his teammates are too.  Especially his S48 draft mate, Gabriel Johnson who is wearing the C for the Canadians now.  This will be one to remember for the Canadians, and maybe the last kick at the can for a few of these veterans.