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**JamesT** · 08-31-2020, 02:18 PM

Code:
1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)

Reflection on your season - how did your player fare on the ice this season? Did you meet or surpass your individual player goals or did you come up short? Whether you excelled or disappointed - what can you attribute that to? What will you try to do better next season?

This season had high expectations for the Edmonton Blizzard

as we brought in a bunch of new faces to help us compete for the Challenge Cup. For myself I set a career best with 18 goals and producing 46 points in the regular season (my previous high was 43 points in S53) We had offensive powerhouse in Bo Kane and Theo Morgan who provided much needed scoring depth to our roster. Each of our three forward lines had an offensive threat and made it a nightmare for opposing teams to try to defend against. We finished the regular season tied with Buffalo for 80 points and both getting the President's trophy.

However, the biggest disappointment was when we lost to the NOL Specters

in game 7 of the Western finals after having a 3-2 series lead and playing on home ice. With the expansion coming we are going to lose at least two players from our team so the Blizzard

will have new faces for S56. Also next season will be my first year of regression, but I am excited to re-allocate my TPE after getting a few seasons familiarized with FHM.

(192 words)

Code:
2. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)

This offseason will be extra exciting, as it features the rare expansion draft! Write about how you think the expansion draft will play out, either for one or both of the expansion teams or from an SHL team's perspective.

With the expansion draft coming for S56 there will be two new teams joining the SHL, but that means every team will be losing two of its players. I will be giving my thoughts on the Edmonton Blizzard

perspective as we are likely to lose Theo Morgan and Bo Kane as they played exceptionally well for us this season and the expansion teams are going to need some firing power with those two. There was a mock expansion draft posted and it saw Bo Kane and being taken in the first 10 rounds and rightfully so.

But, with players leaving there will be new opportunities for other players to rise to the occasion and fill the void that Bo and Theo provided for us. We also have plenty of high talented prospects in our system and I am sure in the next few seasons will get called up and make an immediate impact for us. For myself I am entering my first year of regression, but I can re-distribute my TPE and am definitely excited to do so now that our team has a better understanding on what attributes are the best to focus on. The Edmonton Blizzard

will continue to be a dominant force to be reckon with in the SHL for many years to come.

(217 words)

Code:
3. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)

It's too late for this go-around of expansion, so hypothetically - should there be SHL franchises in other continents? I saw some interesting European proposals in the PT. Should these - or proposals for any other continent that's not North America -

become a reality in the SHL?

In my opinion there should NOT be SHL franchises in other continents outside of North America. Similar to the NHL, we should stick to having teams in NA. However we could have exhibition or have some teams go to Europe to play some regular season games over there only if the club wishes to.

My biggest issue would be that the travel in the SHL can already be hard on a lot of teams and if you add in going to Europe that would increase the mileage that would wear on the players bodies. Also the fact they would be farther away from family and loved ones if all teams had to go to Europe to face off against European teams.

(121 words)

Code:
4. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)

Which SHL or SMJHL team was the best team to not make the finals this season and why?

The SHL team that should've made the finals this season was the Edmonton Blizzard

because we tied with the Buffalo Stampede

for 80 points in the regular season. We brought in two offensive weapons in Theo Morgan and Bo Kane who each put up +65 points in the regular season. We also swept Texas in the first round of the playoffs and had a 3-2 series lead against the Specters

but we ultimately fell short in game 7. I know many people had a Blizzard

vs

finals as fans would've loved to see the teams who both won the President's trophy to battle to see who is truly the best team in the league.

(115 words)

Code:
13. Written, up to 4 TPE Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words.

a. Both of these teams have stacked defenses - which team do you think has the defensive advantage in this series?

b. In the two regular season matchups, each team won once at home. Do you expect the results to reflect a home ice advantage in this series?

c. Based on FHM player ratings, New Orleans has higher average ratings in bravery, aggression, and fighting? Will that toughness have any impact on this series?

d. What is your favorite name from a player appearing in this series? Why do you like that player's name?

d. There are several animal names in this series - which of these animals is the coolest? sloth, hippo, otter, monkey, fox, kirby.

A. The team that has the better defensive advantage would have to go with the New Orleans Specters

Many believe that Rex Kirby is one of the top defensemen this season as he produced 44 points in the regular season and has an impressive 12 points in 13 playoff games this season. In my opinion NOLA has better depth on their blue line compared to the Stampede

as they were able to halt the Blizzard

firepower and eliminate them in the western finals.

(82 words)

B. Having a sample size of two games in the regular season is not enough to determine whether home ice advantage will play a part in this series. Both of these teams have gone through a lot since then and have adjusted their play style throughout these playoffs. Also in the playoffs there is more focus on match ups and line juggling so the lineups aren't necessarily the same as when these two teams faced off in the regular season.

(79 words)

C. I do not believe that toughness will have an impact in this series because people do not fight during the playoffs (for the most part) and aggression from what I have seen only leads to more penalties. Bravery has been seen as an important attribute but with how skilled the Buffalo roster in offense and defense that could be the ultimate determinant factors for this match up. But that is why we decide the game on the ice, so we will see once this series is finished.

(86 words)

E. The best animal name in this series for me would have to go to New Orleans Specters

"Rex Kirby" I grew up playing video games and Kirby was this cute pink squishy character and I thought he was very cute. I don't know exactly he is (according to google a pink alien) but he looks like something you just want to hug and squish its cheeks. That is why Rex Kirby is my favourite animal name in this series.

(79 words)

Code:
16. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is now 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: Thanos

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