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?

I don't know if this was the most surprising, but I heard that Eni set the record for most shutouts in a single season for Buffalo. It's a record that is very impressive, and I offer significant kudos to Eni for accomplishing the feat. I'm not the most familiar with the records or history of the SHL, but knowing Eni, she has made a phenomenal goaltender and deserves the success. It probably helped Buffalo make their run in the playoffs, and they'll be leaning on her heavily in the finals to try to win the championship. Also on a personal note, and in the juniors, my player decided to wake up in the playoffs, producing points at a nutty pace. It may not have been the most surprising or most noteworthy aspect, but I found it really cool to see and a bright sign for my future on both Newfoundland and on Buffalo.

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?

I'd choose to have 6 skaters on the ice at all times. It's basically a permanent powerplay opportunity, so the other team not getting called for penalties doesn't really matter. Plus, the prompt says for the whole game, so that means that even if the home team gets called for a penalty, they still get to play with 6 skaters. Also, if the other team wants to cherry pick with no offsides, you can just leave a skater back in your own zone to defend against them. Icing could be approached the same way, just leave a player back in your own zone to retrieve the puck.

4. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
If you're sitting at home watching the Finals: What do you plan on doing differently next season to help your team reach the promised land? If you're playing in the Finals: Is there anything different you plan on doing next season to continue your team's success?

As a player still in the SMJHL, I think reaching the finals in the SHL will be a difficult challenge. Therefore, my immediate goal will be to win the finals in the juniors and get that kind of high octane playoff experience that I can translate to the SHL. We came close this season, losing in the semi-finals, so the team will have to put in the work to try to get to the finals next season. I'll be working more on my strength so I can play a more physical game, and also try to be more sound defensively and across the ice. With folks getting called up to the big leagues, there's more pressure on me to step up and perform. I think just working harder in practice and working on improving areas of weakness will go a long way in reaching my short term goal of winning the SMJHL finals next season.

5. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
Which SHL or SMJHL team was the best team to not make the finals this season and why?

This is a bit of a biased pick, for obvious reasons, but I think Newfoundland was the best team to not make the finals in the juniors. We had a strong regular season and a strong postseason, with some players at the top of the league in multiple categories, stats wise. But we had very strong depth, and we'll continue to have great depth going into next season as well. We'll just have to make sure to keep playing our best game in the semis so that we can make the finals. Losing Podcalzone will be big, but we have plenty of folks ready to take the next step.

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, I'll shoutout Juke and Ham, I probably would have gone IA a long time ago if they hadn't been on my ass. Whether I'll ever really go to the SHL will be in the air, I don't think I'm active enough to really make the big leagues. Plus getting drafted low means that Buffalo has no real expectations for me, so doubt they'd miss me much. But Juke and Ham have been very nice and helped a lot, the LR is fun to be in and the folks are great. A general shoutout to everyone in the LR, y'all are good people. Tez is not neat tho.

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

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