1. (+3TPE)  Trivia Word:  juiceisloose

2.  (+4TPE)
A. I think this is Chicago’s year honestly.  They have amazing star power up front and great depth to rely on late in games.  I think they will get it done this year, and I don’t know if it will be all that close either.  I guess we will have to wait and see if Atlanta can win their first.
B.  Chicago is great at getting into passing lanes and having amazing team defense.  They always play with their heads on a swivel and their sticks on the ice.  Atlanta is going to have to shift to a carry into the zone style of hockey.  They have the young speed in their top lines to do so, so I think it can be managed.
C.  Discipline always takes on an important role, but more importantly how do the special teams look? If Chicago is taking a lot of penalties, are they limiting shorthanded goals?  How is Atlanta’s power play shaping up?  There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to special teams and how much ice time they get.
D.  I think the balanced attack is the only way to win a seven game series, especially this deep into the playoffs.  Both teams may be a little worn down because of previous physical matchups, but if Atlanta is needing big games from a select few in order to win, it may more adversely affect them.  Depth is an important element to any championship caliber team.

3.  (+4TPE)
A.  I think the key is to play a high possession percentage style of game.  Neutralize their star players by limiting how much they get the puck.  Win face offs, set up shop in the offensive zone, limit rush chances, have strong counterattacks when they do happen.  These are all thing that Quebec can do to succeed at this level.
B.  I think for New Foundland it is important to have your defensemen play a more defense orientated game.  We know their defense can wheel and snipe, but it may be time to adjust and adapt to their opponents.  This may not be a concern for New Foundland, considering they usually try to set the pace of the game anyway.
C.  In the playoffs, I typically go with whatever team is the hottest at the moment.  Quebec has been red hot throughout these playoffs, and it shows with their position.  As far as New Foundland is concerned, a low PDO is of no concern when you have the playoff experience they do.  They have a number of veterans who are ready to take charge and show the young guys how to play through a cold streak.
D.  I think this is one of New Foundland’s last years to compete, so they are going to take full advantage.  Quebec has a number of young players trying to uphold the legacy of those who came before them, but New Foundland has been a proven winning force the past five seasons.  It will be interesting to see how the series shakes up between these two, but I think my money is on New Foundland.

IIHF
16. (+2TPE)
I chose Ireland because I figured it would make sense for a player with the name of Ty Murphy.  I don’t really remember why I chose it specifically, but I think it was because when I went inactive around season 53 I remember Ireland being successful.  The team is struggling right now, but the pendulum always swings back and we have a great group of people running things for our nation.  I think Ireland will surprise some people in about four to five seasons when our young guns rise through the ranks. I won a gold with the British Isles in the WJC, so it would be awesome to win a gold with Ireland in the IIHF.

17.  (+2TPE)
Ty Murphy is from Drogheda, Ireland.  It is a city about thirty-five miles north of Dublin on the East coast.  A few fun facts about Ireland: it used to be its own country/nationality primarily of the descendants of the Celts who moved there in the early 600s.  It was this way iuntil the British began to invade in the mid to late 1100s.  Many of these invasions were religiously charged, ironically, and to this day many Irish people hold resentment towards the English.  They also make a hell of a cup of tea!  My personal favorite is an Irish Breakfast, noted specifically for its strong character.  Go Ireland!


Milestones (+1TPE per the sheet)

TOTAL TPE: +16TPE