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*CptSquall* · 10-27-2022, 04:00 PM

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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. Seattle is back in the finals for the second time in a row. While last season was an unexpected run led by a miracle goalie performance-- this season's appearance comes at no surprise to those who watched their offseason closely. What roster changes do you think have put Seattle in this position again? Do you think it's enough for them to finish the job this time around?

b. Manhattan has charged from a ninth place regular season finish to an Eastern conference championship and a shot at the Challenge Cup. I don't think that it's out of line for me to say that not many saw this coming. How do you think they got to this point? Who's performing better than expected? Do you think they have enough gas to complete the Cinderella run?

c. At this point in the playoffs, Manhattan has played four more games than Seattle. With the schedule as tight as it is in the playoffs, do you think that extra hockey will affect them? Could it be a positive that MAN has been in a near constant routine of game days while SEA has seen a bit more rest? Or do you think that wear and tear will start to show on MAN if this series goes to 6 or 7 games?

d. In many ways this seems like a battle of who can stay hotter longer. Both teams have PDO ratings as high as 110 while barely having any players that dip below 100. Seattle and Manhattan are both on absolute heaters of strong goalies and high shooting percentages. What do you think is driving this, and who do you think can keep it going longer? Who comes out on top?

A: I believe Seattle has been building up to this for a long while. Last season seemed only slightly premature. It takes amazing goaltending to make it all the way here. This time, i believe the Argos have it. The continued growth of many of the young players on the team is a huge part of their continued success.

B: When it comes to the Rage, i believe it is fair to say that they have gotten here on the back of two things. First of all, they have been slowly developing throughout much of the S60s to have a strong playoff team. The other factor is for this run to the finals specifically, a place they have not been since S52, when they won it all. That other thing comes in a pair. Lev Lebedev has 20 Goals in 22 games AND 19 Assists! Take him away, and Manhattan probably are not here at all. Two is Name Redacted playing out of his damn mind.

C: Its a hard one to answer. For the Rage, this is a lot of hockey and they seem to be relying on a few top end talent players to get this far. On the other hand, the Argos made the finals last season as well and fell short. So many games so soon after one another could be just enough to keep Seattle as tired if not more so that Manhattan.

D: Yet another question that could break either way. Seattle was here last year, and whilst they have been getting luckier so far, they are a top team having finished 5th with 90 points. Manhattan made it to 9th with 79. One would not be in trouble for assuming that, at a base 100, Seattle has a higher floor. However, the Rage's Centers in particular have been major scoring threats, moreso than the Argos players in general.

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4. Written, 3 TPE, Tough to Swallow (150 words min.)

In your opinion, who was the best SHL or SMJHL team to NOT win the Challenge Cup / Four Star Cup? Who was on that team, and why do you think they deserved to win it all? What round did they lose in and how? Was it bad luck? A hot opposing goalie? Inexperience?

Of course I am going to be massively biased here. But one unfortunate team that doesn't get much talk outside of their own community from back then is the S58 Toronto North Stars. One of if not THE strongest team that franchise has iced. The S58 North Stars finished 3rd in the league with 98 points. Scoring was lead by Bobby "Fast" Lane and his 78 point pace. Both him and Ruslan "Sparkplug" Zaporozhets smashed in 36 and 37 goals respectively. Harry Carpet was in his prime and backed up by Scoochie Scratton, this team was no pushover. They made it to overtime of game 7 against arch rivals the Buffalo Stampede, coming a goal away from making the Challange Cup Finals.

What killed it for them? 9 of their players were below 100 PDO. Of them, Taylor Johansson was the most snakebit. Managing 4 goals and 5 assists on a PDO of just 90.9. To say nothing about Ruslan Zaporozhets losing his scoring touch, matching Taylor's 4 goals with only 4 of his own. If that team played at a more normal PDO, they would have taken Hamilton at least to the edge, if not beat them entirely.

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5. Written, 3 TPE, Hotel Rooms (150 words min)

During the playoffs it’s not uncommon to have to spend several days on the road in the same city. Whether you’re in the playoffs or not, who does your player share a room with on the road? What do you get up to? Are you the type to drag around a PS5 everywhere you go, or are you the first to hit the bar after the game? Are you a night owl or an early riser?

When it comes to goalies, of course they tend to share hotel rooms. After all, the sagely advice of "Don't mess with your goalies" is adhered to for a reason. Thus, August Von Hecht and Brady Trussler share rooms when on the road. Both have their odd habits of course. For example, Brady has no problem whiling away at video games like Madden almost constantly. August is usually out trying to find a Rave to get absolutely blasted at and pick up chicks along the way. This keeps him up most nights and makes him nearly last to get on the bus to arrive at the arena. When he isn't doing that, or ends up with an extended stay somewhere with a poor night life scene. August will do his best to tag around with whomever seems to be doing the most fun and exhilarating things for their stay. Usually he gets on well. Some nights he even takes over the Hotel bar.

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9. Graphic, 3 TPE, Fall Fashion

Some players like to make a statement with this clothing on their way into a game. Is your player known for this? Show me your player walking into a game in their craziest outfit. Is it some weird costume? A full designer getup? Something else entirely?

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20. Written, 3 TPE, Championship Leek (150 words min.)

If you were the judge of a Leek competition, what would you be looking for? How would you choose the championship Leek? Aesthetics only? Is taste a factor for you? How do you weigh each factor in your decision? Tell me, in 150 words, how you would define the perfect championship winning Leek.

As a farmer irl i can tell you with confidence about Leeks. Leeks have such a subtle taste. Often they don't highlight the dishes they are in, though they provide a bounty of nutrients. To judge a Leek, lets look at it from the perspective of a Fall Fair esq crop growing competition like ones for Corn, Pumpkins, and the like. A Championship caliber Leek would be one that is large and healthy, with consistent colouring from the mild white bottom to the deep evergreens of the tough but nutrient dense leaves near the top. One could of course look to taste it but Leeks are not like many full flavour vegetables, so it is best judged as a prized crop. Perfect for soups, though you may not notice it at all. After all, they are a mild, sweet, onion like taste that can almost be achieved more successfully with Shallots. For that reason, Leeks are often underrated but damn delicious.

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