TASK ONE: Pick either of the teams currently in the finals. Which game of theirs in the playoffs was the most important/crucial in them getting to this point this season? Must be at least 150 words and include either two statistics or some (reasonable) justification of narrative justifying your choice.

For the Toronto North Stars I believe their Game 5 win against the Minnesota Chiefs was the most important game of the playoffs for them. Going down to a 2-1 series deficit against the much more fancied Chiefs might have flustered some teams but the Stars were able to regroup and after tying the series in Game 4, went into the following game with a lot on the line, and what emerged was a close fought game between two teams who really deserved to have their seasons last a little longer. Both teams left it all on the ice but ultimately it was Toronto who won a very close game and came away with a series lead, and their first position of power of the series so far. Winning Game 5 set them up for a big win in Game 6 to take the series, but it was winning this game with so much pressure on them that allowed them to make their way into the finals the way they did (Game links aren't working in the index so can't find any more stats but I think this justification is reasonable enough).


TASK TWO: Who is your choice for the unsung hero of the S37 playoffs up to this point? Must be at least 150 words and include at least two statistics in support.

One playoff unsung hero worth taking a look at is Corey Bearss. Bearss was a force for the Winnipeg Jets, and while he wasn't the leading scorer on the team, his 20 points in 18 games was undeniably a huge factor in Winnipeg's success. Bearss is known as one of the league's superior two way forward and demonstrates this by dishing out a hefty 51 hits. Bearss is an incredibly clutch contributor also, scoring 3 game winning goals and 2 game tying goals, meaning he can turn his game up a notch in the big moments, something he doesn't necessarily get the credit for when it is of massive importance.. Winnipeg had a lot of big name players like VLAD McZehrl and Luke Fleming who have (rightly) taken a lot of the headlines, but Bearss delivered a very strong performance that played a major part in winning the Jets their first Challenge Cup in over ten seasons.


TASK FOUR: Who is the favorite and who is the underdog of this series? Are they almost even, or is there a big skill difference between the two teams? Must be at least 150 words and include at least three statistics in support.

The Toronto North Stars would arguably be considered the underdogs of this series, if we are to look at the S37 regular season as an indicator of the teams in the finals' ability. The Winnipeg Jets were a hot team in the strong western conference this year, finishing 2nd with
32 wins and 65 points, while Toronto didn't quite fare as well in the east, putting up 25 wins and 54 points. Winnipeg were a much stronger team defensively, being scored on 141 times compared to the North Stars' 169 goals conceded, and were marginally better at scoring them, with 172 goals vs 169 (giving Winnipeg the much better goal differential). It is worth noting however that an underdog in the Challenge Cup finals can be considered a myth; both teams are of significant quality to have gotten this far, and as evidenced by the two team's season match-up which was split equally with a win each, there might not be much to pick between the two teams, meaning the perceived skill difference could be much smaller than anyone gives it credit for.


TASK SIX: Create three questions, one for each of three different players in the Challenge Cup and tag them. Playing in the Challenge Cup? Feel free to answer questions for your task or ask three of your own.

<a href='index.php?showuser=2458' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Symmetrik</a> "Do you think it was trading me away that let the Stars break the curse and finally win the cup, and then manage to get into the finals again so shortly after?"

<a href='index.php?showuser=2327' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-69'>ztevans</a> "How much did the valuable life lessons I imparted to you in Detroit guide you to the position you now find yourself in, playing for the cup?"

<a href='index.php?showuser=1571' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-62'>damienj10</a> "Do you miss me like I miss you? P.s. Hope you win another cup."