TASK ONE: Pick either of the teams currently in the finals. Which player had to overcome the most adversity to get where they are at now? What did they have to endure before finally getting their crack at the Cup? Must be 150 words and include two specific situations that player experienced en-route to the Cup finals, whether this season or at some point during their career.

The player who had to go through the most adversity is the Detroit Falcon's own, Connor Blackwell, a center. The first thing he had to go to that slowed him down was dealing with Scarecrows alum Tigole Bitties, Teddy Cuddles, and Tor Tuck when they came down to watch the Falcons vs Scarecrows series. The alumni did many things to try to take his head out of the game. For example, the three recorded a tape of them running a train on his sister. This of course agitated and messed Blackwell up in the head. However, he used these emotions to better his play and make the finals. Another hurdle that Blackwell had to leap over was his incredibly unattractive looks. On draft day, it was rumored that he would go undrafted because no general manager could look at his face without crying. However, Blackwell proved that he was talented enough to be drafted and the Detroit Falcons risked their vision and chose the young star. However, the Falcons made sure that his head is covered by a paper back or other device of the sort at all practices and team events.

TASK TWO: Who is your choice for the unsung hero of the S38 playoffs up to this point? Must be at least 150 words and include at least two statistics in support.

My choice for the unsung hero of the S38 Playoffs is Manhattan Rage forward Ace Redding. Redding has been an absolute force for the Rage and has truly done it all in these playoffs. Redding has been extremely impressive in all areas of the gane and has truly proved himself as a complete player. Ace Redding has been one if Manhattan’s better scorers in this postseason, racking up a gand total if 18 points for the Rage. While being a player with high offensive firepower, Redding has also been easily the most physical and gritty player in these playoffs. He has been an absolute force, steamrolling opponents left and right. Redding racked up a total of 92 hits in 20 games, which is an unbelievable rate of 4.6 hits per game. With that pace in a 50 game regular season. Redding would have racked up an unbelievable 230 hits. With this absolutely fantastic display of all around greatness, I would even argue that ace Redding should be the MVP if the playoffs. His play was impossible to handle for other teams and he was a huge difference maker in the Rage’s cup win

TASK FOUR: What rookies or young players are looking to make a name for themselves during the Finals? How have they contributed to the team on the way to the Finals? Must be at least 150 words, and include two statistics.

Mike Izzy, a sophomore winger for the Calgary Dragons will be trying to make a big name for himself as a great all around player in the S38 Challenge Cup finals. Izzy is a great all around player, much line Rage forward Ace Redding. Izzy is a physical beast and a great offensive player and has been very impressive for such a young player making his first deep playoff run. Izzy has been clutch with his goal scoring, potting in 6 playoff goals, one of which was an important game winner. He has also been very physicao, racking up 61 hits and 26 PIMS, making him a big presence on the ice. He has been hard to handle with his physical play, and he proved himself as one of the best third liners in the entire league at this young of an age. Izzy has such a high ceiling and he will only be going up fron here.

TASK SIX: You’re the coach of a team in the finals. What changes would you make to the roster, lines or strategies of the team to give the team a better chance at winning the series? Must be at least 150 words.

If I was the coach of the Calgary Dragons, I would make very few changes. However, one change that I believe may be beneficial for the Challenge Cup Finals is moving up gritty forward Mike Izzy to the top line. This may seem strange, however, his physical play an dgrit would be a huge help to the team. First, it would make a lot of room for superstars Joe Kurczewski and Randy Randleman to do their thing and put pucks in the net. With the hard work from Izzy, the two stars would have way more space out there to light the lamp. Another reason that I would move Izzy up is to combat the physical play if Rage forward Ace Redding. Redding is a huge problem fir any team with his outstanding physical play. I don’t see anybody on the Dragons who can stand up to that besides Mike Izzy. Mike Izzy’s Physt play could prove to be an equalizer to Redding and may be able to contain the beast that could cause some huge problems for the Dragons. More ice time would also let Izzy beat down and wear down the opponent, something that is important for every cup winning team