first (16 TPE)


Joorgustraad DuBolk had an... alright season. For this season, he focused way more on the defensive aspects of the game, but done under protected minutes. This is exemplified by the fact that Joorgustraad had a Defensive Game Rating of 81, 2 higher than the next highest. Everything else was pretty meh all things considered. Given departures that will happen for the Anaheim Outlaws this offseason, Joorgustraad will be taking up way more minutes this coming season. As for how he'll perform... who's to say. There are rumors going around that he wants to play in a more offensive role, with the media finding DuBolk at the practice rink practicing his shots and positioning. It's going to be a work in progress, but he's shown great strides in his offensive game. Over the offseason, he'll continue to work on his offensive skills until he's ready for the show. It's quite the grind.


I feel like the SHL as a whole really isn't built to go outside of North America. It seems like the way the league is set up, we wanted to have the league is to be closer to the NHL rather than doing some crazy locations. Compared to, say, the ISFL, we're more about trying (and failing) to emulate realism, compared to having teams that are literally across the continent. So would the league add a european team? Not really, in my opinion. There really isn't a reason to expand to europe considering we still have a bunch of places we can still expand to, but I am personally open to a european team.


Probably the Anaheim Outlaws. Considering they were finalists last season, and they still retained most of their core, they should have come out swinging. However, they had issues in their round one series against the Quebec City Citadels. Despite that, the Outlaws did fairly well in the regular season, but definitely lagged in the last bit of the season. It culminated in a loss to the Citadels, but it was definitely after a rough stretch. it's gonna be a rough road ahead for the Outlaws given the departures they will face this season, but they will try to look at it head on.


a) I think that distinction goes to Buffalo. I feel like it's way too obvious: they are a fucking machine. While the Specters have an incredibly good defense, Buffalo is just too good as a unit to get over overall. Because of that, they'll be tough to beat, but it's not gonna be a steamroll despite what people might think.

b) I think that is an accurate statement as to how the series will go about. Both teams are potent in their play, so an effective back and forth series would be expected. Who takes the last game is up in the air, but... I gotta give it to New Orleans. Just a hunch, but I think they could pull it off.

c) If there is one thing I can advocate for, it's that grit is the single most important stat for the SHL. Buncha teams nowadays try to just shove the puck at the net, but don't try to shove each other. The grit the New Orleans Specters have demonstrated is great, and it will be a key factor in this series.

e) The coolest animal in that list is the otter, in my opinion. I'm an engineering major, and otters can build shit. That's more than enough for me for the most part, but you gotta hand it to them, they know building, and i think we can learn from them to build the best buildings and such.


With the Buffalo Stampede's series win, I think the series MVP goes to my man Monkey D. Luffy. Dude is a fucking stallion in the sim, and has been a good friend for the longest time. He tied for the highest point totals in the playoffs, and had the highest OGR rating in the playoffs. He was, as always, a vital part of the Buffalo offense, and it's quite obvious to me that he's the series MVP. He's setting himself up to be one of the best players the team has ever had, and I wish him nothing but the best.


aha