1. TRIVIA (3 TPE)
Verification Word: crate

2a. I have to say it is definitely nice to have some change and Im not salty about my team yet since I have yet to debut in the SHL. Next year there will be even more change whenn Baltimore makes it! But for now, Edmonton and Philly are the juggernauts and one of them will be lifting the cup. New blood in the finals means new drive and new ambition to etch their names in this cup. Especially this Edmonton team, its been a very long journey, and both these teams earned it! (1 TPE)

2d. The Philadelphia Forge are impressive. It's crazy that I said that about anything from Philly but at least its fictional! That being said, they have what it takes and their drive and determination are certainly amazing. I can see just by looking at this team that they pass the eye test with flying colors. That plus their color scheme it really pops out against the ice, they are definitely forged in fire! (1 TPE)

3. In a league like this where the real players dictate how active a squad is, the window should never really be closed for a great team. The Forge knew this and took advantage of it so good for them. Winning a cup shouldn't be like a last hurrah kind of thing where now its time to say goodbye and close that window. Unless there is a mass exodus for some strange reason, it should be possible to repeat or at least to try. Of course, the sim engine is so variable and anything can happen, but overall the good teams go where they should. Upsets can easily happen but there hasn't been anything ridiculous of late. Thats what made it so surprising that Montreal Patriotes tore it down, and seem more like the New England Patriots now. That was a long window and that one closed so maybe they felt the same lol. Edmonton and Winniipeg can learn something from the Forge's drive, but I think they know this already, as they are perennial contenders in their own right. (3 TPE)