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.
Chill

4. Written, 3 TPE, Winter is Coming (150 words min.)
Unlike their rivals, who have literally never been bad, the Blizzard were deep in the doldrums not too many seasons ago. Now that they've reached the mountaintop, how did they pull off such a strong rebuild? What can other teams currently facing hard times learn from their success?

EDM had a great strategy. A few seasons ago they were in the bottom of the league as they sold assets and looked to do a complete overhaul and rebuild of their team. From there they made some really smart draft decisions and trades to move around aging pieces and bide their time to rebuild. I think it really came down to their drafting decisions. They received a ton of active players in the S65-67 draft and were able to entice other active players to their roster while they were in FA. I do not know much of the behind the scenes actions of EDM but from an outside perspective each season they were getting progressively better in tactics and overall player ability. I think it's when they took Elric from the New England Wolfpack that their roster really came together and started contenting as each successive season beyond 70 saw them markedly improving.

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. Two new finalists mark the end of a dynasty in the west and the return of an old heavyweight in the east. Pick either of our finalists, and tell me what about them impresses you the most!
Edmonton of course. I bet on them in the beginning of the season to win the cup and they came back and did not betray my expectations by making it all the way to the finals. I did really want it to be a slugout between New England and Edmonton, but alas the sim gods had another plan to bring the Forge back for their every other season assault on the Cup. I think Edmonton has reached a prime that will be hard to dethrone as the new de facto number 1 in the West and we will be seeing a lot of them going forward.

b. The Forge have won a cup with this core, while the Blizzard are sniffing this air for the first time in a while. Who would you rather be - the veteran team that's been here and won it before, or the hungry youngsters taking their first shot at glory?
There is something to be said of veterans seeing this an something that is a reality and therefore are coming at it with the strength of memory. As a veteran myself I know what it takes to ride to the cup as New England did it in 28 games. Each one was a battle and while we won the cup it was tiring. Yet to be able to challenge the cup again is the dream. THe youngsters might be hungry but that means they could make mistakes, you need veterans to temper a team.