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.

Excelsior

+3 TPE

2. 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 old faces are back in the ring, proving reports of the dynasty’s demise were greatly exaggerated! Pick either of our finalists, and tell me what about them impresses you the most!
b. Upsets were a theme this year - which of our finalists had the more difficult road to the promised land and why?
c. Which of the finalists had the more impressive conference finals victory, and why?
d. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Who you got? Who wins? Why?

a) What has really impressed me with New England they over came the odds.  They were not the top seeded team in the east both standings and TPE wise.  They had a good team no doubt, but they were not the top. They played to their strengths and have received a lot of production from top stars and the support crew behind them. 

+1 TPE

b) I am going to say New England had the slightly more difficult path.  In round one and two, Winnipeg and New England were almost even in difficulty.  Winnipeg played Chicago, who were on their last legs, while New England played Hamilton who are still developing as a young team.  Round 2 Texas maybe a contender but so is Buffalo.  So far their paths are close.  It comes to round 3 where Winnipeg played an overachieving San Fransico Pride while New England played their second cup contender in Philadelphia Forge.  This is the biggest divide in paths to the cup and why New England gets the nod.

+1 TPE

d) I am going to give my nod to Winnipeg.  I think they are the more well-rounded roster and have a little more star power from the crease out.  This is going to be a great series and it could go either way, but when push comes to shove you need to go with the guys who are more likely to win it and Winnipeg is that team.

+1 TPE

3.Written, 3 TPE, Haven’t I Seen This Before? (150 words min.)
Despite being the 8th and 10th ranked regular season teams in the league, our finalists from Winnipeg and New England represent two of the most dominant teams over the past several seasons. What do you think is the secret to their success? What can other teams learn from them? Which one is more likely to be back again next year?
To answer the secret to their success portion of this task it is two paths that have led to the same destination: 

For Winnipeg, they were extremely good at drafting and bringing in players of a similar draft year to grow at the same time.  Creating a super team for a number of years within the SHL.  These players have all remained active and have all been top earners in the SHL giving them a small but one of the better windows to win a cup.

With New England, they have consistently filtered in prospects and top players to keep their funnel strong.  While they may not be as good of a team on paper to some of the other top teams (in earned TPE wise).  They are always a competitive team and have an opportunity to win.  Their philosophy has a longer window to win and allowed a bad pick or two to not derail their chance to win it all.

I think we can learn there is no right answer in how to win a cup, as a lot of either strategy is based on luck that a player stays active and earns.  Both have employed high earners so, the best thing to do is speak with your prospects and ask if they plan on working hard and what they want to accomplish.

As for who will be back next year?  I think both have a good chance of coming back, but regression is hitting Winnipeg harder and New England is growing.  I think New England has the better chance of repeating in the Championship series.

+3 TPE

TOTAL TPE: +8