1. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - Verification Word: parm


2. Written, up to 4 TPE -

a. An LAP team that was disappointed in a S63 finals loss is back again to face a TBB team that has been hungry for their chance in the entire FHM era. Who are you taking as a winner and why?

I'm taking LA in this one. Both teams are good and deserve to be there based on their seasons and the work they put in, but LA has been on the brink for a few seasons now and I think the addition of 2k Luukas Lilja is going to put them over the top this season.

b. Tampa Bay’s top forwards have been absolute power houses on this run, totalling 102 points across their top 6. If you’re LA, how do you line-match against two lines that are on an absolute tear?

I think you have to try and find a team system that works to slow down their offense, those players are going to get their points regardless, but if you can limit them to 1-2 goals a game and then outscore them using your own offensive skill you should have a chance to win.

c. L.A.’s D pair of Kierkegaard and Kahnwald are maintaining a shocking 2 more GF/60 than GA/60, despite playing more than 21 minutes a game including PK time. If you’re Tampa Bay how do you get around these two? Hope to outlast them in endurance, or look to more depth scoring?

Those are two great defenseman who are hard to play against. If I'm tampa bay I try and dump the puck in and put a body on them in the corners on the forecheck in hopes of wearing them down and forcing them to look over their shoulder and maybe make a few mistakes, get some turnovers and capitalize.

d. TBB’s roster has racked up many more shot blocks (294) than LAP has (188). Do you see this as a good thing? Is this an iron willed team that’s willing to lay down their bodies to get the job done, or do you think it paints a picture of a team that can’t maintain possession and has to find another way to keep the puck out. Maybe a bit of both?

Probably a bit of both, but could also be that they played stronger teams in their previous match ups and faced more shots against that LA, allowing TB to have more block opportunities. They could also be playing the type of game where they allow shots from the outside and that could increase shot and subsequently block totals even if the chances are lower quality.

4. Written, 3 TPE, Do You Touch It? (150 words min.)

I think a common superstition in the SHL at least from a GM standpoint is if your winning games you don't change anything. No line changes, strats, etc, if your winning you just let it roll until you lose two in a row or your team really plays poorly. I've seen teams go from game 1 of the playoffs to the final game of the cup finals without making a single change and win it all. Sometimes the sim likes what you're doing sometimes it doesn't, then it does you don't mess with it, until you have to. I think this was probably more of an sths thing than an FHM thing, but I know as a 35 season GM who won 6 cups and went to 9 finals, if my team was playing well I didn't change anything to try and make it play even better. The sim is fickle, only change when you have to and if you win two or three in a row and then lose, dont panick, see how it goes the next game with no changes, if you lose again, maybe tweak but if your confident just let it roll and play the odds of the sim.



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

I would add WIDTH. That's right, how wide is your body and more importantly how wide is your ass when in front of the net screening the goalie. I think this would be a fantastic stat or attribute in the sim. You want to make a guy who's a huge net front presence, literally, then you would max out the WIDTH category. This would effect the sim along with screening to screen the goalie, get deflections, maybe even make you stronger or heavier on your skates and maybe even a larger target to receive passes and throw hits. Man this is a great idea, width, who has the widest ass in the league, what a fantastic stat this would be. I'd max it out in juniors.


17. Written, 3 TPE, A Few Of Your Favourite Things (150 words min.)

My player is from Iceland, which was many know is a beautiful mythical land with lots of old norse lore and mythology. They say elves and dwarves still exist there and even have special laws protecting lands where they say elves inhabit. I know it seems ridiculous but it's pretty cool. They also say trolls are real there. What an awesome place. A rugged land where anything can exist. Iceland has a big norse history, like thor and odin and all that stuff. The people are very connected to the land and the old gods. Also they have some awesome nordic metal. Personally I am really into the Iceland metal band named Skamold. If anyone reads this and likes metal check it out.