TASK ONE: There are two options for this task.

If you are a player in the Challenge/Four Star Cup: How is your player feeling for the Finals? Are they nervous or excited? Are they ready? Write at least 150 words about the few days before the beginning of the Finals for your player and how they prepared for the series.

If not: How has your player kicked off their offseason? Are they traveling? Meeting up with friends and partying? Following the games? Write at least 150 words about the beginning of your player’s offseason. Must include at least one other player.

After Texas narrowly missed the playoffs, Vader took a week off to relax his body and mind after another grueling season in the SHL. He will kick back and watch the first and second round action in the playoffs before slowing getting on the bike, taking some runs and lacing the skates back up again. During this time as well, Vader will continue to watch what he eats as his personal chef will still cook for him like its still during the season. Vader will meet up with Justice and Andrezjeck during the off season as well to do a multitude of things both on and off the ice to get ready for the next season. Off the ice, they will hit the gym together to lift weights and go through an exercise routine together. On the ice, they will do all kinds of drills from stick handling to skating and shooting as well to work on their defensive positioning together. They will also do some other fun things together as well since the group is pretty tight together.


TASK TWO: Who is your choice for the unsung hero of the S39 playoffs up to this point? Must be at least 150 words and include at least two statistics in support.

The unsung hero for the playoffs so far for me is Los Angeles Panthers goaltender, Timo Haas. Through 8 games, he has won 7 of them in leading the Panthers to an upset over Calgary and within one game of an upset of Winnipeg which the Panthers accomplished. His GAA ranks first overall in the playoffs at a 1.89 which is nearly a goal better than the next goalie and his save percentage of .941 is also tops in the playoffs and is .31 better than the next goalie as well. He also has one shutout in the playoffs as well and in those 8 games, has only given up 16 goals.

Coming out of the #4 spot in the west, LA had to have great goaltending in order to make it out of the first round and not only have they gotten that, Haas has led them to the SHL Finals with the very thing you need to win a championship and that is a hot netminder.


TASK FOUR: Unscramble the names of these four players who will be competing in the Challenge Cup Finals. Send the answers to me by PM. Please make the subject of the message “CW Word Scramble” or something along those lines. [Grading: 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer]

waxiaamrinmhceilt

eilrruasstgeglnht

thcaenmhnigscneru

nalzgaoaronzbo

sent


TASK SIX: Finals series always show surprises. Who will have to stand out the most from each team in order to win it? Make a prediction for potential series MVPs. Must be at least 150 words and mention at least one player from each team.

For Los Angeles, Sophia Bennett will have to continue to be a beast on the ice. She leads the team in goals with 7 through 8 games and has the most points as well for the Panthers with 13 and is a +8. While she doesn’t take the body, she opens up ice for her teammates and will have to find that open teammate with her great passing skills. She also leads the team in power play goals with two and power play points with four as special teams play an important role in the playoffs as well.

For Minnesota, goaltender Olli O’Koivu is not only going to have to continue his strong play but also improve upon his .910 save percentage and lower his GAA of 2.68 as the Panthers are playing tough team defense right now. The Chiefs definitely have the offense to score 3-4 goals on the Panthers but Olli the goalie is going to be called upon to shut the door in key situations to help deliver Minnesota the Cup.