1. TRIVIA: Verification word: stick

2.b. Since I have never won the big cup (I did win the J one), I see myself more on the youngster side of things. That firs t time energy, that extra excitement, the nerves. Hopefully they have some veteran presence in there to help calm them, but that is where I would want to be. Nothing like your first time. 60 words

2.d. Edmonton Wins. I don't think it will be easy, but they have that youthful exuberance that I think will pull them through. Justin Time has been playing at a MVP caliber all season, and has kept it up through the playoffs and I believe that he could be the difference in the series. 54 words


4. Written, 3 TPE, Winter is Coming (150 words min.)

The Blizzard did what every team building is trying to do. At least they should be trying it. You get two or three great, top earning players from around three consecutive drafts, they all stay active and hold each other accountable for multiple seasons, they build chemistry over their weaker seasons while all getting stronger together, and then they all peak in the same window and you have your chance at the cup for many seasons as a group. Once you already have a strong main crew that worked up together, attracting the secondary parts to your team through free agency gets much easier. Everybody wants to win, so why wouldn't they pick a super strong team where they have less pressure as they aren't the main guys? Seems easy enough until you realize you need draft or trade for a couple top earners for a few seasons in a row as this is much easier said than done. 161 words