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1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
While these two teams are no strangers to the Cup finals, we did see some very interesting things this season. Looking back, what do you feel was the most surprising part of the season?

To single out the most surprising part of the season for myself, I would tend to say the explosion of two franchises onto the scene (Texas and Toronto).  The Renegades for one were the best team point wise in the league and improved their point total from last season by 19 points. While the Stars on the other hand improved by 24 ponts in the standings good for third best overall.  But both of these triumphs have been a long time coming as both teams kept getting better and better each season.  How about them Pride!  Pretty sure almost everyone and their moms placed the San Francisco Pride franchise dead last in the league.  But no, and that's where my biggest surprise cimes from, the Pride managed to muster up 46 points in the standings, now it still places them way down the ladder in the standings at 17th overall, but the point gap between themselves and the last overall team (New Orleans Specters) was a grand total of 20 points.

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2. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
Oh no, the head honchos of the league are worried that there aren't enough story lines for the finals! Therefore they're changing the rules for the finals. The home team will get to choose to either a) play the whole game with 6 skaters on the ice at a time or b) be immune from penalties/offsides/icing. Whatever the home team chooses, the visitors get the other perk. Which one are you choosing, given the choice and why?

This is a really funny one, my first and gut feeling tells me to take the immunity which is option "B".  Go ahead and play with extra player but by the end of the first period you might not have enough players left on the bench to lineup on the ice.  I will exploit this feature and injure as many players as i can or at the very least, scare the "beegibees" out of any players left they will not want to play! Then I will get all the breakaways I please or simply stand next to the opposing net and push the goalie out of the crease.  Hey anything goes right?

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7. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.) or Graphic, 3 TPE
These are two very storied franchises, what is each team's all-time top 3 forwards, top 2 defensemen, and top goalie? Why did you choose them? For graphics people, make a graphic showing both team's starting lineups and some key stats.

Well lets start out with the Buffalo Stampede, looking at their all time leader board the forward that stands out for me would have to be Viktor Marius.  Keep in mind the Stampede file hasn't been updated since June but Marius is tied in first with "single season record" in goals with 28.  Is in second place in points with 59 and also in second place when it comes down to his plus minus ration with a +27.  One stat that pops out for sure is the hitting department, holds 3 of the top 5 spots with seasons of 223, 223 and 227 hit seasons. 

I will choose another player from the Steelhawks franchise this time,  seeing that I will no doubt hit the word count and only got one player in!  For Hamilton I found the all time scoring leaders and a top the list is legendary Joe McKeil.  He played a whopping 1119 games and amassed 867 points in doing so.  He is alos the leader in goals and assists no surprise here.

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12. 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. Hamilton finished 13 points above Buffalo in the standings this season. What is one thing that Buffalo can do to give themselves a leg up despite this?
Yes the 13 points are huge, but not sure if many guys no this, Buffalo came out flat and stale out of the gates to start the season, if re were to remove those 1st 15-20 games I think they are right on par with the mighty Steehawks.  So no need to make up excuses for them.

b. Hamilton was 3rd in the league in GF this season. Buffalo was 2nd in GA. This begs the age old question: what will win out, a great defense or a great offense? Why?
I am torn in this belief because I do think defense wins championships but I am a sucker for that high octane offense.  So I guess if i were to coach either team and have their abilities in my corner, my answer is simple, play to your strengths as simple as that!

c. Which of these two teams' brandings do you prefer? Take into account colors, logo, name, location, and anything else you consider relevant.
Wow, this will be difficult but ultimately I have this to say first.  Both brands and logos are great, the colors too are awesome, but in the end I have no choice but to go with  the home town favorite, no I am not from Hamilton  and have never been or at least spent time in the city, but I am a  Canadian boy,  eh!

d. It's all come down to this: game seven overtime. Which four players are you sending out to win the game for you. This is in a fantasy sense, so feel free to mix and match from both teams. 
Well this will be fun to read around the league.  My 5 guys I choose to send out in a crucial game 7 are Aaron Wilson and his 9 game winning goals, Theo Morgan with his 8 game winning goals and the last forward would be Michael Scarn who picked up 7 this season.  On defense I send out Augustus Wang and Samuel Michaud, 2 of the best puck movers and also have great sticks to kill opposing plays dead.

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15. Milestones, up to 3 TPE
New this season, Milestones are folded in with CW. So just link your Milestone claim as task 15 for up to 3 TPE towards your 16 total.
SHL Milestones: https://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php?tid=114645
SMJHL Milestones (for senddowns): TBD

Milestone +2

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16. Written, 3 TPE
I loved this as a mPT when hotdog did it last season, so I'd like to bring it back as a permanent fixture. After all, we could all use a little positivity every now and then. Say something nice about another member or members, no word limit.

Well this not gonna change, want to thank @Briedaqueduc among others for helping me out in the very beginning of my SHL use/player career.  Great guy and really helpful.