Quote:1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
Reflection on your season - how did your player fare on the ice this season? Did you meet or surpass your individual player goals or did you come up short? Whether you excelled or disappointed - what can you attribute that to? What will you try to do better next season?

This season overall was pretty good for Liam Slate. Liam Slate set a goal for himself of about 30 points.This season Liam Slate was able to surpass his goal and scored 34 points this season. Overall Liam Slate was happy with his performance this season given his role this season. Slate was able to perform on the ice and surpass his goal mostly due to his linemates which was Mattias Birdstrom for most of the season and Mats Marner and Guy LeGrande as his centers. The centers allowed Slate to put up some points and play his game. Next season Liam Slate is going to try and be the “guy” on the team rather than a passenger. With many players leaving, Slate will be called upon to be an offensive threat. Along with that Slate will look to improve his defensive game rating which was lower than he would have liked this season. Next season should be a breakout season for Slate as he looks to get close to a point per game pace.
(174 Words)

Quote:5. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
What are your predictions for the upcoming IIHF or WJC tournament? What team do you think will win/surprise people/be bad/etc.?

My Prediction is that Great Britain will finally get that gold medal they have been after for a while. The Brits have an extremely talented team with some veterans and young players on their squad. Another team I feel with surprise is Japan as they have a lot of good young players that will be making their marks on the IIHF tournament with more training hours like Minamino. Speaking of young players, my World Junior Championship Prediction is that the British Isles team wins the gold medal after winning silver last season. The British Isles have a strong group led by Alexander Roach along with many other players that will help them win. Last season they were not expected to win and surprised many. The team is pretty deep forward wise and they have some good defenseman along with Bloomfield in goal. The British Isles also have really good coaching which helped them last season. In terms of bad teams, I predict Canada will be bad. Canada loses a lot of players to transfers and which means they lack depth. They have lost many players and have trouble retaining them.
(190 Words)

Quote:7. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.) The two finals teams have decided to team up for a fundraising opportunity to benefit both cities. What noble cause will the teams decide to benefit? What sort of fundraiser will the teams hold together? How will the two teams mesh before the finals start?

The two teams would hold a disaster relief fundraiser. Both areas around Edmonton and New Orleans have been impacted by various natural disasters in the past and present (Hurricane’s Katrina, Laura as well as the Fort McMurray wildfire). The team will hold a street hockey tournament to raise money for relief efforts in both areas as these natural disasters still affect the communities deeply. The tournament will star the two teams battling it out in an exhibition match while community members sign up to participate in the tournament as individuals or teams. The two teams overall get along fairly well, but their competitiveness comes out in the game. There were elbows and slashes thrown. Even though the game was for charity, they took it a bit too seriously. In particular Charlie Serpe and Monkey Luffy got into things a bit. Many of the Stampede’s players felt Serpe was acting out of line for a charity event. Some words were exchanged but they kept it tame esp;ecially for the children. Overall both teams had fun, and money was raised!
(178 Words)

Quote:13. 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. Both of these teams have stacked defenses - which team do you think has the defensive advantage in this series?
I would give New Orleans the edge I think. Their defense is extremely strong led by Kirby and Serpe. The majority of the New Orleans Specter's defense core has won a cup with the team last season and they are experienced at winning. Although, I like the fact Buffalo have a young defense core, but they kind of lack the experience for me to give them an edge. I think the Specters defense core gives them a shot at stopping Buffalo’s high powered offense which will be a key to them taking home the Challenge Cup. (90 Words)

b. In the two regular season matchups, each team won once at home. Do you expect the results to reflect a home ice advantage in this series?
I honestly think it will likely play a large factor. If one team can steal a game away from home they will be in great shape to win the Challenge Cup. I feel like maintaining home ice advantage will be key in this series. Home ice is so important especially in the playoffs. I think the Stampede are going ot end up taking the cup due to this. (68 Words)

c. Based on FHM player ratings, New Orleans has higher average ratings in bravery, aggression, and fighting? Will that toughness have any impact on this series?
I feel like toughness will not play a major factor in this series, if anything it will mean the New Orleans Specters are chasing around the Buffalo Stampede’s highly skilled forwards all game. I feel like the game has grown and Buffalo is that type of fast-paced skilled team the game is moving towards. I think toughness has its place, but it will have a minimal impact on this series in my opinion. (73 Words)

e. There are several animal names in this series - which of these animals is the coolest? sloth, hippo, otter, monkey, fox, kirby.
The coolest animal in this series is the hippopotamus. The Hippo is extremely dangerous and scary which makes it kind of cool. Not only can the Hippo move pretty quick for a massive animal, but it will tear its prey apart. There have been humans attacked by Hippo’s before which would be scary to think about. Overall the Hippo is a pretty cool animal because it stinks and is one of the scariest animals on the planet to be face-to-face with. (81 Words)

Quote:16. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is now completed through a Google form linked below. Make sure to spell your answers correctly or you will not get credit. Post your verification word in your CW post.

Dimbi