Milestone Claim for 2 +2

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 think there were definitely a few surprising parts of the season for me though obviously the cup finals matchup was the least surprising thing ever. Obviously having New Orleans play so terribly that they were dead last was a big surprise as while everyone knew they'd probably not make playoffs they would maybe be better than they played for sure. I think overall the biggest surprise though is looking back and seeing Toronto fall into the top 2 of the draft order after making playoffs because of some monumental trades done from ML and the franchise. He has put that team in a great place to succeed for a long time but having a team that good pick 1 and 2 is just so unheard of. On top of which having 2 of the worst teams in the league not even have their 1st round picks during seasons that they played that terribly is pretty few and far between.
160 words


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?

For me as a player there is a lot I could do to definitely help the success of the Los Angeles Panthers in their pursuit to making the finals. First of all I will continue to train into my prime as I am on the cusp of reaching 1700 TPE and still have a good amount of time left before regression. I am coming into my prime during the right time to help lead the team to that next level and help push our depth at positions to multiple lines of star power instead of being driven by 1 super line. Overall we are on the right track and with a little help in free agency mixed with our super stars and elite prospects continuing to do their thing we will be in the finals before long competing with the other best teams in the league for a shot at that cup. It's only a matter of time.
158 words

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?


I think the Toronto Northstars were the best team to not make the finals this season because of their dominance in the best division for a lot of the year. While yes they ultimately came up short of Hamilton in the Great Lakes they were only 5 points back when no one saw them doing that. Mixed in with how young they are and how good they played and Toronto is looking mighty scary for the future as they're already this damn good. I expect they could make up that 5 point difference on HAM going forward and probably break 100 points very soon if not next season in the standings.
111 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?
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?
c. Which of these two teams' brandings do you prefer? Take into account colors, logo, name, location, and anything else you consider relevant.
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.

A. Buffalo can definitely easily make up a 13 point difference in the finals. (they did not but hypothetically) Buffalo's defense was a much better unit than Hamilton's this season so taking advantage of that and slowing down the slightly better Hamilton offense would be the key thing to focus on if you were going to pull anything off. 58 words

B. Great offense is going to win out in the end when it is this close from both teams. Now if Buffalo's offense was mediocre and Hamilton's defense was subpar to mix in with those stats it would be a different story maybe but when both teams are just that good all around having them be 2nd and 3rd makes little to no difference. 63 words

C. I think Hamilton has the better branding overall and definitely the better logo and name to me. However, Buffalo's colors are better and more unique to me so I would give them the edge there as well as Buffalo just being a big time sports city and while Hamilton is on the outskirts of Toronto, not many people would know that outside of Canada without google. 66 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.


There are so many people in this league I could never thank enough for everything they do for me and have done in the past. It really is an amazing place with so many amazing people from all over the world. I don't even know where to start and I know I will inevitably miss people so I apologize so much because honestly CW is long and I'm doing it last minute.

@slothfacekilla@FuzzSHL you 2 have been my ride or dies on here for a good little bit now (sorry Badwolf) and I couldn't think of 2 people I would rather have for that role. You guys have been so wonderful and make me love coming back every day and have been through it all with me as I ramble and rant about everything. 

@JKortesi81@Steelhead77 you 2 are my mentors and I could never thank either of you enough for the things you taught me. A lot of good and some bad (looking at you Joe  ) and have also been 2 of my closest friends on here since I joined the site almost 4 years ago. 

@Gumbaman@overdoo@ACapitalChicago@sve7en You each make Carolina such a wonderful place to be a part of and I love seeing how y'all are able to succeed in this league and continue to grow into the leaders this site deserves. So proud of all of you and can't wait to see what each of you accomplish in your different paths. 

@Festinator@canes2112@GCool@Count Chocula@RomanesEuntDomus@SewingWithNancy@Inf1d3l@ThisSeemsFishy

There are many others in LAP as well I'd love to tag but I want these tags to actually work. You all make being a GM so wonderful and I love having you all on the team. You each are like family and I am so happy every day logging into discord knowing I am going to get to talk to y'all and no matter what my day will get better because of it each and every time. <3