Andreas Kvalheim had a terrible Season 57. Coming into the season with three consecutive point per game seasons and three consecutive Dar trophies, Kvalheim had hoped to keep these streaks alive, but he didn't even come close to accomplishing either goal. With 55 points, Kvalheim just barely surpassed his point total from the previous season which had 16 fewer games. He was particularly poor at even strength, where he only managed a point every other game, and was actually the worst of Texas's centers in point production. Things weren't much better on the defensive side, where his takeaway and shot block numbers fell off a cliff. Of course, some of that was due to Texas becoming a stronger team, but Kvalheim's defensive game definitely took a hit this past season. On a team basis, the Renegades continued their upward trend and came close to winning their conference. In the playoffs, they won a game for the first time since S47, but their post-season run still ended after just 5 games.

There was a clear top 3 teams at the top of the SHL this season. The top two teams, Chicago and Hamilton, both made the Cup Finals. The third team, the Buffalo Stampede, barely missed out of the finals, losing in game 7 to the eventual cup champion Syndicate. The Stampede were the only team capable of challenging Chicago and Hamilton for the cup this season, and they were by far and away the best team to not make the finals. As Buffalo has the most young talent of these three powerhouses, they probably have the most room for improvement and I won't be surprised to see them back in the finals next season.



a. The season series between these two teams was tied 3-3. Do you think either team has an advantage in this series or do you see it as a true toss up?
Neither team has the advantage in this Challenge Cup Finals. Chicago and Hamilton are the two best teams in the SHL, and there isn't much separating these two teams in terms of talent. Both teams have dynamite offenses, and while I'd give Chicago the edge on the blue line, Hamilton probably has the better goalie in A Jobin.

c. Which of these two teams' brandings do you prefer? Take into account colors, logo, name, location, and anything else you consider relevant.
The Syndicate have the better branding and its not even close. Hamilton has one the worst logos in the league in addition to a bland color scheme. Hamilton's also a pretty bad city. On the other hand, Chicago's logo is quite good, while the black and yellow color scheme is a classic and is one my favorites.



kaisen