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.

Verification word - Sunday

3TPE

3/8 TPE

8. Written, 50 to 200+ words. The Path
Los Angeles comes to finals after two seven game seriesses while Tampa Bay has only lost one game after the first round and they have 3 less games during the playoffs. Do you think Tampa Bay gets meaningful advantage from seemingly easier path to the finals as they come in more rested? Or is there no stopping the train of the Los Angeles after they fought their way through teams that finished second and third during regular season? How do you think the path to the finals will impact the series and does it change who you favor?

This is always a tricky one for me. I think it all comes down to the team chemistry. Some teams can build mometuem from playing a lot of meaniful, do or die games. A team that keeps winning against all odds, a team that is continuely the team that must win to keep going can go together as a team that refuses to give up. In my mind this gives them a slight edge over ther oppenent. They now how to win when they need to win. Now if this is a team that has trouble closing out a series, and they keep having to save themselves from a come from behind win, that can take a different toll on a team. They might start questioning themselves, do they have what it takes? And for a team that hasn't had to play as many emilination games, they build a certain type of confidence. They feel that they are playing on a different level than other teams. This is theirs to lose. But having too many days off could hurt, they might lose their winning edge. Although rest days are great for the body, it can be a blessing or a curse. In these finals, I have to give the edge to the Panthers. They are riding the high of getting through a couple of tough series, they are bringing the momentuem, but they need to take control of the series early. Get Tampa Bay off their game, make them question their ability to close out this series quickly, and make them wonder if they have what it takes.

Words - 272 - 4 TPE

7/8 TPE

10. Written, 50 to 200+ words. Took Me By Surprise
Pick a one SHL or SMJHL team, that isn’t your own, that did not play as you would have expected at the beginning of the season. Did they do better or worse than you expected? Why you think your expectations were off, can you find an explanation for their performance? Does this change how you view them going into next season?

Honestly, since I've been back in the SHL, I haven't really paid too much attention to the SHL, that'll change now that I'm moving up to the big leagues next season. But my knowledge of the current make up of the SHL is just not up to par. So, me seeing the Tampa Bay Barracuda in the finals, is a surprise. My memories of Tampa Bay are not about being a top team in the league, but a team that had trouble winning games in the regular season. I think it's great that they have turned those tables, well done Tampa Bay!

Word count - 107 - 2 TPE

8/8 TPE