a. They were extremely close last season, losing to NEW in Game 7. I think they need to tighten up defensively. When you look back at some of their games from previous seasons, especially in the finals, you can see that they let in a lot of goals against these top teams. If they want to lift the cup finally, I think they need to minimize chances and really shut the game down.
b. I’m convinced. Buffalo had a lot of success 10+ seasons ago and I think they rebuilt their team correctly. Normally when teams come out of rebuilds, they slowly start to ramp up to where they want to be, however this Buffalo team came into the playoffs as a wildcard team and absolutely dismantled both Montreal and New England. That’s impressive and shows just how good this team can be. And no matter what, if you can get into the playoffs and show that kind of strength, you’re going to be very successful.
c. It has to be Buffalo. I kind of touched on this in the point above, but for a team to rebuild, go through the grind of seeing it through and then finally burst onto the playoff scene and do what they have this run, I think that’s incredibly impressive. I am not taking anything away from Winnipeg, but everybody knew Winnipeg would be one of the best teams in the league and would have a very strong chance at being in the finals. It’s impressive that they’ve been able to have this success for this many seasons, but I must tip my hat to the Stampede.
d. I think I have to take Winnipeg here. I would love for a team like Buffalo to get back on top and win, but I think when you look at the Winnipeg team, and how they’ve continued to have great results in the playoffs, it’s tough to go against them. I’m not sure who is going to be able to stop them. I think Buffalo will take a lot from their series, but I ultimately think they’re going to fall just short.
Task 5 – 3 TPE
I really enjoy writing about this every CW, but it’s always been this god-bear from Winnipeg that has taken out it’s competition, and I will stand by this one once more. In the past seasons there were some potential scenarios where it could have been at a disadvantage (such as in the water when they went up against Seattle), but I still always gave the edge to the bear. Now, the fight happens on the same playing field? No way the bear loses. I think people will often underestimate how strong bears are and just how scary they can be. I don’t think there’s many animals out there that can go toe to toe with a bear and come out victorious – and let’s not forget, this is a god bear we’re talking about. I think a heard of buffalo may tire the bear out a little bit, but this thing could probably just swipe and swat these things away forever. Give me the bear again and let’s see if someone could potentially dethrone this massive beast one year.
07-07-2023, 12:01 PM(This post was last modified: 07-10-2023, 11:35 AM by hockeyfan. Edited 3 times in total.)
Code:
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: wild
Code:
10. Written, 3 TPE, IIHF Analysis (150 words min.)
Write your predictions for this year's IIHF tournament or WJC! Tell me about your team! How far do you realistically expect to go this year? What nations do you want to match up against, and which do you dread?
As head of the Independent Russian Hockey Federation, expectations are fairly low for the squad. Last season, we finished 9th and were the best of the teams who failed to make the playoff rounds. If we do not make the top eight this season, I would consider that a big disappointment. Many of the players that I brought in since I started are still capped SMJHL players, so although I believe our defense has gotten better, it may not translate in this tournament. However, we have a stud group of defenders for the foreseeable future, which is very exciting. Getting a cool goaltender gives us a formidable 1-2 punch in net which is an improvement over last season. Right now, we are looking at other countries who have a similar number of active players as us, such as Latvia, for a team we want to be able to beat, and of course we dread a country like Canada or Great Britain but we accept all challenges!
Code:
12. Written, 2 TPE - The Procrastinator Special! (100 words min.)
Looks like [TEAM] won the cup! (Sorry, Micool.) What was your favorite part of the series? Who won and why? What could the other team have done differently to have a better chance?
Congratulations to the Buffalo Stampede for proving me right in predicting them to go all the way to the cup finals against Winnipeg. Unfortunately, they won which puts me in a negative spot for predictions. My favourite part of the series was seeing Buffalo lose the first two games on the road, then make adjustments to really take it to Winnipeg. The Nikolai Skovgaard OT goal in game 3 changed everything, and the momentum was there for the Stampede to make an improbable comeback against the league's best team. Winnipeg's best players were shut down when it mattered most, so without them carrying the offense, not much could be done for the Aurora.
07-07-2023, 01:54 PM(This post was last modified: 07-14-2023, 07:00 PM by erikvm. Edited 2 times in total.)
1.
+3 TPE = S71 CW Trivia
2. +2 TPE
B. I don’t want to crown them yet but no matter what happens, I am convinced they can win this thing, now will they? I have a hard time believing it but the crazy thing is they beat Montreal and New England convincingly and then beat Philly, they literally have beat the last 2 cup champs. So why can’t they beat Winnipeg?
C. Buffalo has to be more impressive, even with Winnipeg’s dominance, they came out of a rebuild and swept 2 serious contenders and then beat Philly in 7, they came out of nowhere, and destroyed everyone’s brackets, but it has been amazing to see, way to go Buffalo, I can’t wait to see what happens.
5. +3 TPE
Let's break down this fight between a giant space bear god and the buffalo herd.
Size and Strength: Assuming the giant space bear god is significantly larger and more powerful than a regular bear, it would possess an advantage in terms of physical strength and imposing size. This could allow it to overpower individual buffaloes with relative ease. Advantage Space Bear.
Buffalo Herd Dynamics: While individual buffaloes may not match the space bear god's raw power, buffaloes are known for their herding behavior and their ability to work together to protect themselves. A large herd of buffaloes charging in unison could potentially overwhelm the space bear god, utilizing their combined strength and coordinated attacks. Advantage Buffalo.
Special Abilities: The space bear god, being a deity, may possess supernatural or magical abilities that could greatly influence the battle. These abilities could include elemental manipulation, energy projection, or even control over life forces. Such powers could give the space bear god a significant advantage over the buffaloes, allowing it to unleash devastating attacks or protect itself from harm. Advantage Space Bear.
I think the giant space bear would win, but I think it would be closer than people think, but the fact that the bear is a diety kind of implies the fact the buffalo would lose.
3. Guess Who's back +3 TPE
Winnipeg has been undeniably dominant offensively throughout the playoffs, and I don't think that anyone can deny that, but I think it's a mistake to overlook their defense or say that their defense needs to be 'patched up.' To begin, Montagne has long been one of the best goalies in the SHL, even with a sub .900 save rate, with a 60% win rate in the playoffs throughout their career. I have full faith that she will stand firm this season in goal. Not to mention the defensive juggernaut that are the Aurora defenseman, headlined by All Stars Christian Kinsinger and Jay O'Neil, have made other offenses quake in their boots. Holding other teams to less than 30 shots a game in this shoot happy league is definitely an impressive feat that shouldn't be overlooked. That said, the Aurora defense is definitely the weaker part of the team and they will need to step up in order to secure the bag in Winnipeg's 3rd straight finals appearance, but, as they say, the third time's the charm. (176 words)
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.
4) +2 TPE
Code:
12. Written, 2 TPE - The Procrastinator Special! (100 words min.)
Looks like [TEAM] won the cup! (Sorry, Micool.) What was your favorite part of the series? Who won and why? What could the other team have done differently to have a better chance?
The Buffalo Stampede are the winners of this season's Cup! At the start of the series it didn't look like it was going to be very competitive. Winnipeg had taken a 2-0 lead at home and were looking to be dominant in both phases of the game; offense scoring 5 goals in both of those games, and defense holding firm as well. The third game of the series is where it got exciting. Buffalo got the home crowd into it early with a goal just 15 seconds into the game. Then it was more of a snooze fest. It ended up going into overtime 1-1 and Buffalo scored to get a much needed against the favored team to avoid going down 3-0. This is where it turned into my favorite part of the series, because the underdog proceeded to run the table. If it's not my team that's the favorite, I love seeing the underdog win. Being down 2-0, and then not dropping a game the rest of the series was fun to see. And winning in overtime was definitely the turning point, that's what got the team juiced up.
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.
Word
Code:
Code:
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.
i think the winipeg aurora need to be very physical and dominate all of the game not just the start not just the end and buffalo is a very good team but isn't on their level so Winipeg just needs to stop them before it gets out of hand, in my opinion, they have been the better team the last few years but cant get the last step. 68 words
Code:
b. Buffalo, fresh off a rebuild, crushed their way through the first two rounds of these playoffs after coming in as a wildcard, scoring two consecutive sweeps against two of the best teams in the East. Have the Stampede convinced you? If so, what sold you?
Buffalo has no convinced me because they haven't beat Winipeg yet and Winnipeg is going to be their hardest opponent by far, but in my opinion if they take the game to like game 6 or 7 that would be very good as they are still an upcoming team as you said fresh off a rebuild. 56 Words
Code:
c. Two very different teams took two very different routes to the Cup Final: which of them impressed you more? Why?
Buffalo impressed me the most because they are a wildcard team unlike Winnipeg who is on a finals appearances streak that doesn't seem to ever end. both teams had very good roads to the finals this year but Buffalos was just a bit more surprising with all that taken into account, I do see their end over now. 58 words.
Code:
d. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Who you got? Who wins? Why?
this one is easy Winnipeg wins by far and it is not even a chance for buffalo, Buffalo got lucky the whole playoff run and now they are going to be verseing the best team in the league and unless winnipeg chokes this should be a easy win for Winnipeg. 50 words
2.
a. Well, first things first, if the Winny Lights really wanted to be competitive this season, they should have called up James Ward-Prowse from the junior league. It's okay that they didn't though, because they apparently didn't need him yet. The offensive dominance has been a dream to watch. With the fresh set of legs coming up in the next couple seasons, this team should have the gas to compete for ages.
b. Fellows have been shouting all year about how easy the East Conference is this year. And this display by Buffalo has proven that. Coming out of a rebuild, they sit 9th in the league in average TPE/player, which is almost 400 less than Winnipeg. I won't count out anything, but Buffalo has a steep uphill battle before they can lift a cup.
3. Listen, hockey has always been and always will be about offense. The defense is just there to support the offense. This game has evolved so much over the years that a defense's main job is basically to just stop the bleeding. If you can hold the opponent to <=3 goals, then you will most likely win. the best defense is a strong midfield. So push your defenders up and focus on controlling the puck. Mistakes will be made, just make sure that you aren't the one that is making those mistakes. Be ready to capitalize on them. Therefore, I truly believe the the Winnipeg Aurora are building their team in the perfect way. All gas, no brakes. Leave the opponents in the dust, trying to process how they got so far behind in just one period of play. With absolutely no bias coming from my own affiliation, this is factually the best way to build a team. I am excited to be called up into the flurry of goals in the next few seasons.
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.
Code:
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: oats
3 TPE
Code:
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. Winnipeg has put together an impressive streak of Challenge Cup Finals appearances, but has no hardware to show for their dominance in the west so far. What do the Aurora have to do differently to get over the hump this year?
b. Buffalo, fresh off a rebuild, crushed their way through the first two rounds of these playoffs after coming in as a wildcard, scoring two consecutive sweeps against two of the best teams in the East. Have the Stampede convinced you? If so, what sold you?
c. Two very different teams took two very different routes to the Cup Final: which of them impressed you more? Why?
d. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Who you got? Who wins? Why?
A) Being the favorite can be tough, when you are the favorite you tend to take your foot off the pedal and play with less intensity. It will be important for Winnipeg to stay in the series emotionally, and stick to playing the game that has got them this far. We know Bufallo will be motivated, and if they steal one game winnipeg better watch out. (65 Words)
B) Buffalo always seems to find a way to play competitive hockey no matter the roster they have and that is a real testament to their core, management and the coaching staff. Buffalo is playing with a lot of heart and emotion right now, and they are going to beat winnipeg they will have to keep that emotional gameplay high, and out will winnipeg night in and night out. (68 words)
2 TPE
Code:
10. Written, 3 TPE, IIHF Analysis (150 words min.)
Write your predictions for this year's IIHF tournament or WJC! Tell me about your team! How far do you realistically expect to go this year? What nations do you want to match up against, and which do you dread?
I don't think there will be much change in the overall standings for IIHF. Sure there is always sim luck that could change the outcome, and move a couple teams up or down. However, IIHF usually follows the averages pretty closely due to larger nations being on the top. Smaller nations struggle as they do not get new recruits, while bigger nations just sit there and wait for new players to sign up. This is why I don't think we will see much change from the top nations. Canada will always be a strong nation, Finland is another strong team, in which you can throw Sweden in there with them as well. I am hoping this season in france we are able to make a little more of a push this season. Since switching from Austia we have not had much traction, but we do have a young core that is coming up and will hopefully make a difference. And lets be honest, everyone wants to match up against the weaker nations. (172 words)
+1 Two very different teams took two very different routes to the Cup Final: which of them impressed you more? Why?
I think you always wanna cheer for the underdogs in situations like this. Unless you’re a dirty Pats fan, you don’t really wanna see the dominant team win it. Buffalo may have actually played well enough to be a high seed, but they simply weren’t and their position within the playoff bracket makes it all the more interesting that they’ve now made it to the finals.
+1 Winnipeg has put together an impressive streak of Challenge Cup Finals appearances, but has no hardware to show for their dominance in the west so far. What do the Aurora have to do differently to get over the hump this year?
Well, you gotta start doing the little things right. Go strong on the forecheck, but make sure you keep up that energy on the backcheck. Every team needs a hero, but you can’t just decide you’re the hero. Gotta follow the flow of the game, but you also wanna control where it goes. And really, at the end of the day, you just gotta get pucks deep, get pucks on net, and win some hockey games.
MWHazard Wrote:i'll playwith anyone
playing with my teammates is part of the intangibles I bring to the table
i play with them a lot.
they didn't like it at first
but after a while, it just felt normal
Justice,Sep 18 2016, 02:09 PM Wrote:4-0 and 0-4 aren't that different tbh
McJesus - Today at 10:38 PM Wrote:FIRE EGGY
HIRE ARTY
07-07-2023, 11:19 PM(This post was last modified: 07-13-2023, 09:27 PM by WubbaLubbaDubDub184. Edited 3 times in total.)
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.
12. Written, 2 TPE - The Procrastinator Special! (100 words min.)
Looks like [TEAM] won the cup! (Sorry, Micool.) What was your favorite part of the series? Who won and why? What could the other team have done differently to have a better chance?
The dust has settled on the SHL postseason and the result is in. The Winnipeg Aurora, despite finishing first in the league for the third time in five seasons by 8 points, lost in 6 games to the Buffalo Stampede. This is the third time in a row that they’ve lost in the finals, coming into the playoffs as the best team in the league in both S69 and this last season, and as the second best team in S70. Something has obviously gone wrong, as normally during a period of dominance like this, the team would’ve won at least one finals series. Apart from game 3, 5, and game 6, the Aurora scored 5 goals or more in each game. Typically, 3 games of 5+ goals would lead to a large advantage and perhaps a series win, but instead, only two of those games converted to wins. So what went wrong? The amount of shots against that were allowed by the defense sealed the team’s fate. The goalies didn’t play extraordinarily, but it wasn’t bad enough to lose the series. However, the average to even good goaltending couldn’t keep up with the onslaught of shots they faced, which lead to another finals loss for the Aurora.
Otrebor13![[Image: Otrebor13.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Otrebor13.gif)
![[Image: 7MO9RpC.png]](http://i.imgur.com/7MO9RpC.png)
![[Image: gdppv5N.png]](http://i.imgur.com/gdppv5N.png)
![[Image: zootshl.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/zootshl.gif)
![[Image: jO2Di2N.png]](https://i.imgur.com/jO2Di2N.png)
![[Image: Voi7GNj.png]](https://i.imgur.com/Voi7GNj.png)
![[Image: 3NfeQdx.png]](https://i.imgur.com/3NfeQdx.png)
![[Image: mmflex.png?ex=6587840c&is=65750f0c&hm=49...0873cbea2&]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/853563288988942356/1109648340339142676/mmflex.png?ex=6587840c&is=65750f0c&hm=497599f2adc01e2e3b6c85b77405abd70ccc8eaeab3360f7435860c0873cbea2&)
![[Image: 9x1vcNx.png]](https://i.imgur.com/9x1vcNx.png)
![[Image: jwpshl.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1029379495326650449/1151494655838531646/jwpshl.png)
![[Image: bgwUtVZ.png]](https://i.imgur.com/bgwUtVZ.png)
![[Image: Oats.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Oats.gif)
![[Image: 401.png]](https://s15.postimg.cc/snkmv5pmj/401.png)
![[Image: S42cup1.png]](https://s33.postimg.cc/byjza26z3/S42cup1.png)
![[Image: r-Wt4-AB350oooo.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/TwGddFcM/r-Wt4-AB350oooo.png)
![[Image: WuTGq5J.png]](https://i.imgur.com/WuTGq5J.png)
![[Image: XUMDqMO.png]](https://i.imgur.com/XUMDqMO.png)
![[Image: KouSaotomeUndraftedSigSmol.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/615245208270929998/802234723967172608/KouSaotomeUndraftedSigSmol.png)
![[Image: xuHy0EF.png]](https://i.imgur.com/xuHy0EF.png)
![[Image: Artermis.gif]](http://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Artermis.gif)
![[Image: image0.jpg]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/364939328046235651/1115157552989208656/image0.jpg)
![[Image: HjWsKHU.png]](https://i.imgur.com/HjWsKHU.png)
![[Image: ohmEd0h.png]](http://i.imgur.com/ohmEd0h.png)
![[Image: apAE8qn.png]](http://i.imgur.com/apAE8qn.png)
![[Image: rankle.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/rankle.gif)
![[Image: 9rbVE0N.png]](https://i.imgur.com/9rbVE0N.png)
![[Image: EePsAwN.png]](https://i.imgur.com/EePsAwN.png)
![[Image: eaex9S1.png]](https://i.imgur.com/eaex9S1.png)
![[Image: loreoh.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/loreoh.gif)
![[Image: eP8F2Ne.png]](https://i.imgur.com/eP8F2Ne.png)
![[Image: xm4idGe.png]](http://i.imgur.com/xm4idGe.png)
![[Image: OgNASDg.png]](https://i.imgur.com/OgNASDg.png)
![[Image: JvdaXOj.png]](https://i.imgur.com/JvdaXOj.png)
![[Image: VGl3CB4.png]](https://i.imgur.com/VGl3CB4.png)
