1. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1.5 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is completed through a Google form linked below. Make sure to spell your answers correctly or you will not get credit. Post your verification word in your CW post.

Wheeler

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. 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?



I think that this is definitely a different team than we saw last season around in the challenge cup finals. I think that last season Manhattan was largely riding an extremely hot goaltender and good defence, but they were not quite getting the offence support that they needed to get by a well rounded Seattle team. This time around they are much better offensively and that gives them a better chance to stick with Seattle and not rely just on goaltending.



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?



The Seattle squad is definitely a very much similar squad to last season. There have been no massive changes and the only hit seems to be that they might be slightly weaker due to regression to their top core members. However, this did not seem to stop them in the regular season and they once again finished at the top of the league this season, very strong both offensively and defensively.



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?



I think if someone would have figured out how to shut down Max Manning during his historic season, it would have happened long ago during the regular season. No one managed to figure him out and he went on to set goal scoring and point records in the SHL and did not stop when it came time for playoffs. Lind has also been trucking to a lesser extent, and Seattle will have to rely on their solid defensive core to try to shut him down, which I think is possible.


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 say Seattle wins it again this season, maybe because I am biased, maybe because the finals happened a week ago and I already know that they we did indeed win again by the slightest of margins. I think Manhattan had a much better team this time around and had a much more legit shot at winning it all compared to last season where they were carried more by hot goaltending and very good defence.

3. Written, 3 TPE, New Year New Me (150 words min.)

What is your player's New Years resolution? What aspect of their game do they want to work on in S69 to help them reach the finals next season? If they did make the finals this season, is it because of something they resolved to work on last season? If so, then what's next?

For my players new years resolution and for this upcoming season, even though they are dealing with regression, their resolution is to still continue to be on of the premier defencemen in the SHL. Although they are into their 5th season of regression, that hasn't stopped them from being selected for the all-star game for the past 3-4 seasons in a row. 50 points will be hard to attain, but Jonas does believe that he can crack 50 again and continue to help whichever team he is on as he is heading into free agency this season. Another thing to work on might be to have the same strong defensive impact without taking as many penalties as he did last season. Less than 30 PIM would be a good goal to start with. Jonas would also aspire to keep physically strong and balanced as he believes that is what has helped him achieve the success that he has up to this point in his career. The HOF is still the goal!

7. Milestones, up to 3 TPE

Claiming 3 TPE

4. Written, 3 TPE, Dream Series (150 words min.)

Many teams have rivals they'd love to trounce in a playoff series. Maybe you as a player have another specific player you'd love to beat to win the cup and lord it over them for the rest of their lives. Tell me who you'd love to play in a playoff series and why! Why would you love to beat this team or player? What would it mean to you or your team? Keep it friendly. 

Well, dating back to my days back in LAP, I would love nothing more than to be able to trounce the Hamilton Steelhawks of old in the playoffs. The only time we were going to be able to meet was going to be in the finals, and the first time we met them there in my career, we came so close, pushing them all the way to game 6, but ultimately falling short. It was exciting because they were such a powerhouse at the time and the way the league was going, they were not a very popular team and so I believe we basically had the rest of the league cheering us on in that series, a series we were not really even supposed to make it to in that playoff run after upsetting a very strong Chicago team in the conference finals. After that season 63 clash we did not really get a real chance to meet them again as they finally started regressing, but we still went on to win the challenge cup in S65. So ya, it probably wouldn't feel the same in the future but I wish I could go back to the past and beat that Hamilton team for the cup.