1. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1.5 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer.
Verification word: dax

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. Well, Winnipg ''Aurora'' lost in the Finals to Buffalo ''Stampede'' already, so it's even a better topic to talk about now. ''Aurora'' is a great regular season team and often gets to the Finals too, but then they fail. It's pretty frustrating for players, for sure. They definitely think that the next season will be theirs, but it hasn't went that way yet. I think that they might need to improve each of all aspects a bit. They need to improve their offense and defense. Needs to get a better secondary goalie, improve their bench a bit and work ore with their strategies and lines. Work in the off season means a lot once the season starts. (117 words)
b. Buffalo ''Stampede'' went and won Challenge Cup of S71. Did that surprised me? Maybe a little, but not really. This team has an insane front office which will always find a way to be a part of contenders. Great chemistry and all they do is make their team great. They won't listen to the media - they will just go out and compete for that legendary trophy. And I can say that as their previous player. There isn't anything that can stop them if they are in their zone. ''Stampede'' might be the best franchise ever to play in the SHL. If they sign a player, you can be sure that they will make them better. I left with an emptiness when they didn't re-sign me, but I' thankful for them. Great franchise and I'm sure that this wasn't their last championship in S70's. (143 words)
c. Well, ''Aurora'' were more dominant in the regular season. They finished in the first place. Five places and 17 points ahead of ''Stampede''. So, since the Buffalo won it all, I'm more impressed of their run. Yes, as I said above - I was sure that they were able to win it all, but they were the underdogs. You can't be surprised of regular season winners making it to the Finals. ''Stampede'' were the sixth seed and swept their first two opponents in the Play-Offs. Impressive run which might go in the history as one of the best post season for a team ever. (103 words)
d. ''Stampede'' won it and all I can say is that I would've picked them anyway before the series too. Multiple reasons - much better front office, team with a better history and just a squad who's priority is to win each game no matter what when they step on that ice. They don't care if their teammates are somehow involved in some drama or anything else. They go out and fight for a victory. And they did it once again. (79 words)

4. Written, 3 TPE, A Challenger Appears (150 words min.)
Buffalo knows how to make a roster which can compete with every single team. This time their leader was a goalie. They won a championship with a good team game. They didn't have a one or two specific leaders. They just went out with a squad which was ready to fight and give an assist if there wasn't a 100% scoring situation. And it worked. I knew they had that type of power already before they Play-Offs. And my predictions were pretty close. I knew that Buffalo will go far. Yes, I didn't predict them winning a Challenge Cup, but once they made the Finals, I knew it's pretty believable that they will win it all. Winnipeg had a team with specific leaders. They might be similar to Denver ''Nuggets'' in NBA. ''Stampede'' were closer to Miami ''Heat'' in this situation. We all know how did NBA Finals end, but this was a different type of scenario. Well done to Buffalo. Believed that they will make it happen in the beginning already. Definitely deserved it too though.
(164 words)

10. Written, 3 TPE, IIHF Analysis (150 words min.)
IIHF is always hard to predict, but WJC is even harder. I think it will be an amazing experience once again, but Canada and Norway has the best chances to win it all. They both were insanely good last IIHF, but went short by losing in the first round. I think that they won't let that happen again. Germany might fight for medals too, but I think that's pretty much it. I hope that my Finnish fellas will make some noise, but I ain't that confident about that. After last WJC seems that no other nation can compete with British Isles. Hopefully that I can help Finland to get to the Finals. However, I personally think that WJC is very boring, since there isn't a bronze game. Maybe Sweden can fight a bit and bite British Isles, but I think it's a game with one type of outcome. Not anything that other countries can do about their dominance, to be honest.
(161 words)

11. Written, 3 TPE, Civil War (150 words min.)
I think that every hockey player loves to play against their teammates. Specially in IIHF and WJC it's a journey. Personally, I enjoy it. It's amazing to play with them in SMJHL, but I understand that once SMJHL journey is over and SHL starts, you probably won't play with them anymore. So, I enjoy playing against them in WJC, because I know that after it ends, we will all be back in Colorado and play together again. Of course, I ain't making that hard hits against them, but I always give it all defensively and offensively. It's all cool after the game, but we love to test out each other when we are not in the same jerseys. You have to be competitive at all times if you are an athlete. How it will go this WJC? Can't predict, but I know that it will be fun and full of competitivness. Hopefully, Finland will win it all though, haha.
(159 words)

12. Written, 2 TPE - The Procrastinator Special! (100 words min.)
Well, Buffalo ''Stampede'' once again proved that this franchise is legendary and unstoppable. Winnipeg ''Aurora'' won the regular season and were 17 points ahead of ''Stampede''. None of these teams had a cake walk this post season, but Buffalo was much more confident. Buffalo always has shown a dominance. I am not shocked of them winning it all once again. It's hard to say why they won and not anyone else. As a player who has played there, I just can say that this team has an insane front office. They will find a way to be a contender each season no matter what. And I don't think that it was possible to stop them. They might be the best franchise to ever play in SHL.
(126 words)