Quote:2. 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. 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?

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?

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?

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 managed just 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?

A. Even though I know Atlanta already won its hard to stop a team punching above its weight. That's been Seattle's mindset for a long time, its in a tough western division so it is used to hitting hard and fast. Atlanta is in a traditionally weaker division so they have always had a better tuned schedule to when their hot over when Seattle is. I would have picked Seattle to win it all, just on strength of character.

B. You beat a hot goaltender by rolling a strong 3rd and 4th line but since we don't have that, you put your best grinders and front loaded D men right in his face all night and screen and keep him on his toes. Nothing from the point, just shooting from the slot or from behind the net. Keep him occupied.

C. If you are Atlanta, you play your game. What you are doing is working so you roll with it until it suddenly isn't. If you are Seattle, you look to take away the wings and cut their passing down, they can't get the puck forward then they can't get into those scoring zones.

D. Kinda a trick question here but I don't think it would cause Atlanta to play scared. Its going to cause them to back off maybe but not play scared. Maybe it benefits Seattle if their able to force Atlanta to draw penalties against themselves but its not like either team is flush with guys who take penalties.

Quote:3. Written, 3 TPE, It Gets the People Going! (150 words min.)
There’s been some great Stanley Cup Playoff marketing campaigns over the years. Lots of us probably know the “Because it’s the Cup” series of commercials, for example. Well for the S66 playoffs we’ve really turned on the money faucet and we want YOU to give us the next great playoff ad campaign. Tell me how you’d go about promoting the S66 SHL playoffs in a way that will have people talking about it for years to come.

I really liked Toronto's 'Stand Witness' campaign during their centennial and I think that would have been an amazing ad campaign for the league as well. My dream ad campaign would start out with the origins of hockey and players playing it on a frozen lake in the 1890s, lifting the first challenge cup, celebrating with their fans and family and have it slowly fade in to today. Super imposed with the many Challenge Cup Champions over the years, showing the progression of time as each Captain lifts the cup while fans at home listen on the radio, watch on TV in front of a store, in their living room or in a bar. The voiceover actor saying something like "Time may pass, but the Champions are never forgotten." The end screen fades to black except for an outline of the Challenge Cup and the date of game one of the playoffs in white under it.

Quote:5. Written, 3 TPE, Secret Weapon (150 words min)
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to gain a competitive edge next season! How is your team going to go the extra mile to get wins next season? Is it a secret training regimen? Sneaky equipment modifications? Booby trapping the visiting teams’ locker room? Anything goes.

When you finish dead last in the league and then take stock on how bad you did, of course the first thing you're gonna think about is how to make the opponent's lives a living nightmare. The first is obvious, we can't make them play in Edmonton in winter, that is already our nightmare. So what we have in store is much more evil and that is we are going to hire ninjas who will break into the visiting team's locker room and remove their skate grinding wheel. Just the wheel, and replace it with a harder stone. What this will do is chip the skates of the opponent just enough to cause them skating issues and playing issues. They more than likely will not have packed a replacement sharpening stone for their machine and we certainly won't have a spare on hand for the opposing team. Its just cruel enough and petty enough to work.

Quote:7. Milestones, up to 3 TPE
Milestones are folded in with CW. So just link your Milestone claim as task 7 for up to 3 TPE towards your 16 total.
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Post your claim in the milestones thread for tpe earned per stat, and then link that post in your CW submission. This is done because the person who grades CW will be a different person than double-checks milestones.

+2 TPE for Milestones

Quote:18. 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! Were the playoffs as you expected this year, or were there some surprises? Did anything stand out to you about this season’s final series? Did the engine switch make a difference for you?

I think its time I let the league in on a secret, I don't think I have ever watched or been really interested in the playoffs for any team other than my own since I joined. The engine switch doesn't bother me, though I do miss STHS. Atlanta and Seattle being in the finals, that surprised me a little but not really because having been a member of Seattle I knew it was a matter of time, their a great run team. Atlanta too, they were on the cusp last year and it was great to see them come back and strike while their iron was hot.

Quote:23. Written, 2 TPE, Dreams (100 words min.)
Sticking with the “last prompt is just letting people write about themselves” idea, here we go! I’m curious to know what sort of things you hope for in the world! What are your dreams? Maybe that’s a dream job, a dream house, an opportunity for your kids. I don’t know! Whatever you want to write about. What do you hope for in the future?

Honestly right now I am dreaming about not being in pain. I am a large gentleman so I am in pain a lot from that, its a great motivator for folks who think their getting fat, it sucks. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I am also dealing with a roommate who is having issues with no outlet so it all get dumped on me. I hope it gets better for him so that he gets a healthier outlet for his issues. My dreams are depressing I know and I apologize for that. I have just learned that aiming high sees you cut down and I am tired of trying.