Task 1: (3 TPE)

Verification: Strongo

Task 2: (4 TPE)

a. Manhattan comes into this series with a much more balanced attack than their previous playoff run carried by a scorching hot Lev Lebedev. This time around they have nearly seven players chugging along at a PPG clip. Is this a different beast than last season's Rage? Why or why not?

Well last playoffs, Manhattan was clearly a 3 player team. It was probably their depth that faulted them. However, this playoffs they have more players that have stepped up and produced. They have almost 3 lines all firing at the same time, which is a crazy difference. They are absolutely a different beast and a team harder to game plan against because there isn't one clear line to shut down. (70 words)

b. Seattle returns to the finals with a roster that's very similar to last season's champions. So why would they lose this time around? This squad has proven they can do it, so what's changed? Do you think this team can do it again?

It might not be something on their end that changes. They are facing the same team, but it's clear that Manhattan is taking the experience from last season and building on it this season. They are way more balanced and everyone is going at the same time. I think Seattle is relying a lot on their two best players and they might run out of gas if they don't get help. Also, Lilja is not tearing the league apart this time around. (82 words)

c. The play of Max Manning for Seattle and Thomas Lind for Manhattan has been a key factor in their respective teams' playoff runs. Do you think they're both able to continue performing at the spectacular pace they have thus far, or do you think someone is able to figure out how to shut them down? Is that the key to this series?

Both players are good enough to work around any game-planning the other team tries. While I expect both to produce, I think Manning might have more trouble because outside of him and Podcalzone, the other Seattle players have been relatively quiet. That means Manhattan can pay more attention to Manning. For Lind, because a bunch of Rage players are playing really well, Seattle can't really just key in on Lind because the others will take advantage. It will be key to keep Manning productive, but also to get his teammates going as well. (93 words)

d. With all that being said it's round two of SEA vs. MAN. Who wins this time? Regardless of any other stat in this series-- who do you think wins it and why? Last season Manhattan was the upstart without any experience, but here they are again to face the same behemoth Seattle team. Make your pick.

I think Manhattan takes it. Repeating is so tough in hockey and Seattle tasted victory already. Manhattan has that bitter defeat still in their mouths and that will drive them more than Seattle, who has already won it all. You can see it by the way the whole Rage roster is clicking, while Seattle has mostly been carried by two players. I'll take the team who had to watch the other team celebrate and take their dream away. (78 words)

Task 3: (3 TPE)

After a successful regular season and becoming the highest scoring team in SHL history, we were expecting big things in the playoffs. We got through Round 1 and felt really good going into the series against Buffalo, but unfortunately we fell short. That one hurt...

Next season, we need to see success in the playoffs, no bones about it. For me, I'm getting older, but there's still some game left in these legs. I'm going to make sure that I can still produce on the offensive side of the game. I'm playing with some elite players and I don't want to hold them back when we're in the offensive zone. I want to continue working on my passing and want to refine my shot to find those openings in the goalie. On the defensive end, if I can just keep working on positioning, it should make up for the lost foot speed.

This off-season is important for me and the team. I don't have many good years left so it's imperative I work hard to keep my game sharp. For Toronto, we're all in. Again. We need to see this through to the end.

(194 words)

Task 4: (3 TPE)

There is only one team that I always want to see fail. There is only one team that I can't stand ever losing to. If I had any say, I would relegate this team to the shadow realm. If you ever give me a choice of a team to beat, it's the Calgary Dragons.

If I could only eliminate one team from the playoffs, it's the Dragons, no question about it. I even hate the thought of them making the playoffs in this hypothetical situation, but if I could be on the team to knock them out and end their dreams, I'll take having them make the playoffs. However, even better would be beating them in the final game of the regular season when they need a win to make the playoffs. Whatever I can do to make their franchise face endless sadness and despair, you can sign me up.

This is a rivalry from all the way at the beginning of the SHL and it will never die. I will always root for the demise of the Dragons and if I can be a part of making that happen, all the better.

(193 words)

Task 7: (3 TPE)

S68 Milestones