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?


Honestly, the most surprising part of the season was the playoff race in the Atlantic. Baltimore getting hot down the stretch and stealing a spot out from under the nose of the Tampa Bay Barracuda and New England Wolfpack was just fun hockey all around. Being able to see the growth of young teams and the players on those teams is such an exciting part of hockey. While we see teams like Hamilton and Buffalo continue domination, it’s more exciting to see what teams might actually be the Hamilton’s and Buffalo’s of the next 10 seasons. Baltimore and Tampa Bay definitely have that chance. Both are loaded with young talent. Going to be exciting to see what happens moving forward. While the playoff spot these teams were fighting for was not really a well-earned spot (as the Atlantic was extremely weak), it was still a super fun ride and will be expanded on next season. 

[155 Words]


3. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
Which players, if any, do you see as locks for the Hall of Fame? As in, if they're career ended today they're in. Anyone on the cusp? Anyone on the right track, but still needs to put up a few more great seasons?

Nat Emerson. He’s hugely underrated as a player. His stats for blocked shots alone are out of this world. He’s one of the best ever to lace up defensively and put up huge numbers while playing for a terrible Baltimore team. He also has a cup to his name. Usually one of the biggest problems for Hall of Fame voters is that the player needs to have a cup. Nat has won with Baltimore in the S40s. The problem for the voters would take points away for not a lot of personal awards. But the problem there is that he’s been snubbed way too many times for awards like the Bojo. As for a few more seasons? Luca Del Veccio. One of the best goalies in the league, putting up huge numbers on a bad team. He will start getting more and more wins as the Platoon grow further. Give it 8 more seasons and he’ll be one of the best to ever do it and follow in the footsteps of the great Beaujeaux Biscuit. 

[175 Words]


6. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
What's your prediction for this season's IIHF tournament? Which teams do you expect to do well (or not well)? Which players?

Czechia is going to have one last hurrah at this point. A lot of the big names are coming to an end with their time on the team. The team still has a lot of firepower and could easily return to form and steal the Gold from teams that might be more poised to take it home. I think that leaning heavily on Michael Scarn will benefit them. I expect Scarn to put up great numbers as he’ll be getting so many chances to score. He’s already one of the best players in the SHL. He can distance himself and show that he is the best player in the IIHF as well. I also expect both of the UK and Ireland to continue doing very well. But the team that should be considered the best of the best is Canada. Always so many talented players on the Canadian squad. Not many other teams can boast a roster as good as they have from top to bottom. Either way, it’s going to be an interesting IIHF. 

[175 Words]


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?

Honestly it’s going to be hard for Buffalo to contend with Hamilton. They just don’t have the firepower that the Steelhawks boast. The most important thing for the Buffalo Stampede to do is to lean on their defense and their goaltending. They have to slow down the fast and agile Hamilton forwards, and rely on Doyle to stop the barrage of shots from the extremely active Hamilton blueline. 

[68 Words]

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?

As I spoke to above, Buffalo needs to lean on their defensive prowess. Despite their great defensive numbers and extremely talented goaltending, I believe that Hamilton’s offense is going to be hard to stop. They are always shooting, always screening, and always pressuring. Just like in football when a defense has to continually be on the field, the Buffalo defense is going to tire and be crushed. 

[67 Words]

c. Which of these two teams' brandings do you prefer? Take into account colors, logo, name, location, and anything else you consider relevant.


Buffalo Stampede. I have always hated the stunted beak of the Steelhawk. I honestly have no clue what a Steelhawk is as well. Their colors are alright but I, again, like what Buffalo is doing more. The logo just pop, has great style, and it’s very old school. I like old school sports logos. While I am not a huge fan of either team in general. Buffalo has great branding and they should be proud of it. 

[77 Words]

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.

You need a strong goaltender. So I would start with Elizabeth Doyle. She’s shown she’s one of the top goaltenders in the SHL and has the fortitude to win you any game. After that I would choose Monkey D. Luffy. One of the premier offensive players in the league, he brings a compete level and scoring touch unlike others. Elijah Jones and Michael Scarn would be my choices from Hamilton. They are both extremely talented. I might even go as far to say that Scarn, in my opinion is the best player in the league. 

[95 Words]


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.

I’m coming off my first season playing top line in Baltimore. I didn’t even know if I would get to that spot at all in my career. Without the guidance of some of the guys on Baltimore, I don’t know if I would even be active. So I just want to shout out the guys on my team.

@JR95 and @Zoone16 Again, from the bottom of my sim hockey league heart. Thank you for taking the chance on bringing me into the team. I'm really lucky to be part of Baltimore. You guys are class acts and I couldn't imagine being part of another team. You're both great friends.
@mastersheep Thank you for always keeping me on task, reminding me of things to do, and helping me with my build. You're one hell of an SHL person, but even more importantly, you're one hell of a person in general. Glad to be in a locker room with you.
@suavemente Dude, of all the people on BAP, I feel like I get you and you get me more than anyone else. Maybe Zoone is in this category as well. But you're just a fun, laid back, and great dude. 
@Jumbobone19and @trashae my brothers, my friends, my rivals, and my teammates. All of those things in one. What a draft S55 was and will continue to be. Love ya guys.
The rest of my Baltimore teammates, I could list you all. I love this locker room and wish I didn't seem like a crazy person to list you all and just rant and rave about how cool you all are. Just, wow. 
And a special shoutout to @caltroit_red_flames. I've been starting my programming career, and without your help this last week I'd have been lost. You're a nice guy with a good heart, just seeing how you talk in Czechia has shown that. I'm glad to be in that LR. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.