3. Written, 3 TPE, Long Time Coming (150 words min.)
Both teams were competent in early S60s but ultimately didn’t end up winning the cup leading both into a rebuild shortly after. Now they are back at the top, looking to end long cup droughts. Making it to the finals isn’t easy and so both teams will want to make this one count. But there can be only one Challenge Cup Champion, leaving the other team to look ahead to next season.For which of the teams you think it is more important to win now and which is in better position to get back to the finals in the future? Why?

Getting to the finals is always the hardest part. Once you’re there, it’s about 50/50 you win! Most of the time you only get one shot, and 50/50 odds aren’t the greatest in that case, but if you can get yourself back there a second or even third time, the odds go up very very quickly that you’ll get at least one. That’s what we’ll be aiming for in Seattle, and I think San Francisco is the more likely of these two finalists here to do it again. In hockey you live or die in the playoffs by how great your best players are, and by how serviceable your worst players are. Both finalists have nearly equivalent stars, but the Pride should be proud of the fact that they have the superior depth, and should, once they make the playoffs next season, stand a better chance to make the finals again, ideally for them, with a Cup already under their belt.

4. Written, 3 TPE, Presidents’ Trophy Curse (150 words min.)
Seattle Argonauts won both the Challenge Cup and Presidents’ Trophy in S68, but no team has won both during the same season since. Yet season 75 Los Angeles Panthers and season 72 Winnipeg Aurora both won the cup after being second best team during the regular season. Do you think that winning regular season has impact on playoffs performance outside of seedings and home advantage? Would you say San Francisco is better of coming into the series with second seed or will Baltimore get more out of their home advantage than any curse could hurt them?

I think it depends on the season, and how long a team has known they’ll be the first seed. If it has been weeks since they’ve not been in the top position, they won’t be able to keep up with the ravenous play of those who have been chasing the whole time. That 2nd seed is the best of the chasers, and they’re hungry. If it was a bitter fight to the end though, and the top seed had to chase, and be chased, that is the best kind of top seed. Seattle will be looking to do that again soon! I however am a strong believer in being the bottom wildcard. If you’re truly a playoff team, and not just the worst loser, Getting that top seed team right out of the gate who could be lazy, and getting the boost of taking out the king is the real way to go, and ride that momentum to the finals.

5. Written, 3 TPE, Haven't I seen this already (150 words min.)
SHL has a playoffs setup that has teams in the same division playing each other for the first two rounds.With only 5 teams in each division it often means that same teams play versus each other season after season. This can lead to good rivalries but also get pretty repetitive. Do you think this is a good structure or would you like to see it changed? Why? You can but don't have to ignore limits of FHM.

I definitely think the first round should be against your division. Nothing gets the playoffs moving like playing one of your bitter rivals in a 7 game series. The second round could maybe see some improvement from a reseeding scheme, which would make some of the second round matchups against divisional teams, bringing an air of surprise, but also perhaps better signifying the true position of each team in the overall league structure. Some divisions are just stacked, and we acknowledge that, and then release them into their neighbouring divisions to take their rightful places. The best teams should be playing the most playoff hockey. It is simply what the people want to see. People want to be shaking in their boots watching their team barely hold on against the giants. And eventually, if they’re lucky, healthy and disciplined, maybe even take them down! Some of the most bitter rivalries aren’t even against divisional opponents, just because of individual incidents, relationships and random one-off series!