Task 1: (3 TPE)

Verification: Strongo

Task 2: (4 TPE)

a. I'm not sure many people would have seen this coming. Two teams that joined the league at the same time, both making the finals and competing against each other for their franchise-first cup. So... who do think wins it all? The first time to the Challenge Cup Seattle Argonauts, that have been dismantling higher seeded teams through their entire playoff run? Or the President's Trophy winning Atlanta Inferno that are back with a vengeance after a S64 Challenge Cup defeat?

Atlanta, all day. I can't trust teams like Seattle who luck their way into the finals on the back of a goalie playing out of their mind. Eventually the dam breaks and it's usually in the finals when everything is ramped up to 100. Atlanta is the far superior team and they have the advantage of not being caught off guard by the underdog. They've seen what Seattle can do and there is no looking past them because they are the final hurdle. Atlanta will win comfortably. (87 words)

b. You can't talk about Seattle's run without talking about the dominant performance of starting goaltender Willie Miller, who has posted a .935 SV% heading into the finals. If your Atlanta, how do you solve this brick wall? If your Seattle, what do you do to make sure your guy stays hot?

Atlanta just needs to stick to their game plan and add some net front presence and they'll be fine. Miller is on a hot streak, but won't catch the Inferno off guard. They're going to throw everything at Miller. Also, Miller is bound to be exhausted from the amount of work he's had to do up until this point. Fatigue will play into Atlanta's favour. Seattle needs to try and give Miller some rest, but all they can try and do is block as many shots as possible. (88 words)

c. Atlanta's big storyline is their incredible depth. They have eleven players that have logged 10 or more points so far in the playoffs. If you're Seattle, how do you try to contain three lines of unending offensive pressure? If you're Atlanta, how do you ensure everyone is able to continue to contribute against such a stellar defense?

Atlanta doesn't need to change a thing. Keep rolling your lines the way they have because they're just better than Seattle. They will control play and give them fits trying to defend them. Seattle hasn't really done a good job containing anything in the post-season, they've just relied on Miller to save them each game. I don't think that is a recipe for success in the Challenge Cup Finals. Atlanta shouldn't adjust their game plan, they're good enough to take this and their depth is the key to that. (89 words)

d. Seattle's powerplay has been on fire contributing 14 goals up to this point, which comes out to almost 30% of their goals scored (50G total) in these playoffs. Atlanta on the other hand have only managed 5 power play goals, which is only 5% of their scoring (59G total). In your opinion-- is this a good thing for Seattle, or a good thing for Atlanta? Maybe a good thing for both? Do you think a dynamic team like Seattle that can capitalize on so many of their PP chances will lead to Atlanta playing scared-- worried about what might happen if they enter the box? Do you think a relentless Atlanta team that is so flush with even strength scoring is going to be too much for Seattle to take?

Most of the game is played at even-strength so I give the advantage to Atlanta. They're going to be too good at even-strength for Seattle which will result in Seattle playing keep up the whole time. They'll need power plays just to stay in the game. Both teams are on an unsustainable rate for and against PP goals so I anticipate it coming back to the mean. Give me the team that's way better at 5-on-5. (76 words)

Task 5: (3 TPE)

This season didn't go as planned after winning last season. After our end of season team meeting we decided that we needed a secret weapon for next season. We were all tasked to come up with one and bring it to training camp when the time comes. I think I have mine...

I want to secretly pump laughing gas into the visiting teams' locker room during the pre-game and each intermission. Nothing crazy, but just enough to get them feel slightly groggy. They won't know what's happening and it can be repeated for every home game because the away teams will just think the team is tired from a night out or whatever. They won't be actively trying to figure out what's going on so we can keep doing for every home game. It is cheating? Unethical? Sure, but we've already won the Cup fair and square, might as well try and have some fun now. We'll have to throw a couple of games at home to keep the flies off us, but I think I have the perfect secret weapon for next season.

(184 words)

Task 6: (3 TPE)

I think a fun curse to have in this league is that no league MVP ever wins the Challenge Cup in the same season.

Winning the Ron Mexico Trophy is something every player wants. It's a sign that all your hard work paid off. It means you're the best of the best. However, if you tie into winning it with not winning the Cup in the same season, it may give some players pause about wanting to win it. This would especially be true for the players who have not won a Cup yet. You want to play well to help your team win, but you're also superstitious. Do you hope that someone else plays better and takes the award? Do you bribe the awards committee to vote against you?

There would also be players that I'm sure would love the honour of breaking the curse. Be the player that wins MVP and then the Cup, but what if it never happens? At a certain point, curses are real. Who are you to break it?

(175 words)

Task 7: (3 TPE)

S66 Milestones