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. Both Winnipeg and Philadelphia have taken the long road of drafting and development to find themselves in the Challenge Cup Finals. Winnipeg in full scale rebuild, and Philadelphia in the expansion draft. Each began nearly 10 seasons ago. From your point of view, which build is more impressive? Full scale teardown to challenge cup, or expansion draft to challenge cup?
b. Winnipeg's Mikko Rashford has been an unstoppable assist machine with 25 in 20 GP. If you're looking to shut down Winnipegs offense, who do you target? Rashford, or goal scorers surrounding them? Do you double down on guarding the scorers and letting a pass-first player take a shot, or do you go heavy on the passer and hope nothing squeeks through?
c. Philadelphia's BASE PACK has made over 500 saves in 17 GP. If you're a Winnipeg team looking for a weakness to exploit, do you think this is one? Does this signify an exhausted goalie that you can pepper with shots and eventually break the dam? Or is BASE PACK just an on-fire goalie that you need to find another way around?
d. As always I ask... who you got? Usually when I analyze teams for this segment I see a contrast in results or deployment or something I can latch on to, but these look like remarkably similar teams at this point in the playoffs. So who wins? Why?

A: Each gives you a different perspective and challenge. With Expansion, you don't fully know what you are going to get. But odds are that you'll find some developed talent to pull in. Still have to create a brand and identity, but that is a small problem. Full teardowns come with the caveat that you'll probably only have one or two guys to build around. Both start from little and build, both are equally impressive.

B: Game plan can be simple. Clog the passing lanes and try to keep them to the outside. Rash is gonna pass so even the goalie knows. Anything that gets through can be read ahead of time. Additionally keep the shooters out of the high danger areas will reduce their effectiveness.

C: Base seems to be on top of it all. However if you can get any goalie to move side to side or laterally, you'll make it harder for them to both be set for the shooter and have time to read their incoming shot. smart, quick passing plays that catch them moving is best. Wont be easy as any good defence will do their best to not let you get any good looks.

D: My money would have been on Winnipeg. Simply they have had more than just this season on top and made a deep playoff run last season. Not saying that its a guarantee. But they just seem to have learned more of those hard lessons young teams have to by losing out before getting over the hump. That said, Philly is no pushover making this a tight, fun series coming up.

3. Written, 3 TPE, Chemistry Lesson (150 words min.)
Tell me about who your linemates were this year, and how the season went playing together. Why do you work well together? Why don't you work well together? If there was anyone on your team you don't play with but you'd like to, who is it? Why? If you're a goalie, tell me about your bond with your goaltending partner!

@Hoovuh George Walsh is a wild ride man. He has his set day plan and goes about it. Only really ever eats Teriyaki Chicken and Fried Rice. To be honest, no clue if he loves it or hates it. On the ice he gets it done. In position, square to the shooter, not afraid to come out and meet them. Lucky too of course, luck of the Irish and all that but you have to be good to be lucky and lucky to be good. His sense of humour is solid, but August is one to talk being German. We probably get along due to the copious amount of beer August drinks before every game after shutting out Nevada. Past that, neither of us do too much. Especially on the road. Walshy eats his food, Hecht drinks a two four, and they flip through channels on the tube. It isn't much, but goalies are crazy.

5. Written, 3 TPE, Fire and Light (150 words min)
Last season I loved the anthropormorphic boats vs. bulls question because people came up with some really fun answers to read, so I'm going to ask it again with the Forge and the Aurora, even though these teams' have less concrete branding. Tell me who wins in a fight: an enormous god bear made of colourful rays of light, or a massive magma monster with a giant hammer. The arena and the rules of the fight can be whatever you desire. Get creative!

Full, creative control. Alright. My god, it would be one hell of an interstellar fight i promise you that. OKay, i know on face value this seems like it should be one sided. A God Bear made of Light......How do you fight that? Give the Giant hammer similar powers to Thor's hammer Mjölnir. Magical and can hit ANY type of matter due to the shear strength of our Magma Monster. Don't forget, these two titans are almost the size of celestial bodies! The Bear's claws are each made of different types, and therefore colours, of light. Means some of these should be able to cut our Magma Monster in spite of the heat generated. Who would win? Not a clue. I did not design this fight to have an end, only to outline how it could even be one. Now that we know that. Imagine the insanity that would be witnessing such a battle. You'd die as a mere mortal, watching.

8. Graphic, 3 TPE, Commemorative Puck
Your fans want a keepsake! Design a puck that commemorates your teams' season 69! Include a slogan that encompasses how it went.



9. Graphic, 3 TPE, Hotel Hangout
Show me a scene of your player hanging out with your road trip hotel roommate. Who do you usually bunk with? What do you two get up to unwind before a game?