Season 56 was another solid season for Andreas Kvalheim, who put up a second consecutive sixty point season for the Texas Renegades. He finished tied for ninth in the league for scoring, an impressive feat considering all the players around him in the scoring leaderboards played for much stronger offensive teams. This offensive output was more or less what was expected of Kvalheim, and he also continued to contribute defensively as well. While his hits and takeaways were down from a season ago, his increase in shot blocks and faceoff percentage ensured he was still one of the top two-way forwards in the league. On a team-wide basis, this season was definitely a success, as the Renegades finally snapped their long playoff drought, making it into the postseason for the first time since Kvalheim's rookie season in S47. While the team got swept in the first round by the Blizzard, the future remains bright for the Renes.

I think Team Norway will be able to surprise in this upcoming IIHF tournament, making it into the playoffs and hopefully making it into the medal rounds. Norway has struggled in recent seasons, losing several key players to regression and retirement, but is looking to reclaim its reputation as an international powerhouse, a small hockey nation capable of punching above its weight class at international tournaments. Norway are led by a trio of 2K TPE players in Kvalheim, van Otter and Scholz. All three were well above point per game players in the SHL this past season, so Norway has the top-end talent to compete with any other country. Kvalheim and van Otter, along with Winnipeg veteran Goku Muerto will lead the offense, while Scholz, who is arguably the best defender in the world, will be the main man on the Norway blueline. The group supporting Scholz will include a group of young, promising defenders including Samuel Michaud, Adam Scianna, and Axel Meszaros along with the veteran Tor Tuck.



a. I'd say the Buffalo Stampede have the better defense compared to the New Orleans Specters. While Rex Kirkby is the single best defenseman in the finals, the Stampede's three headed monster of Darrow, Selich and Scoop is incredibly difficult to best. The Specters' number 2 and 3 dmen are Odelein and Clause, and while they are very good, they don't have the same experience or talent as the Buffalo players.

b. From what I've seen in FHM, home ice advantage is definitely a thing, so I expect these Challenge Cup Finals to be no different. With these two teams so evenly matched across the board, I can see home ice advantage being what tips the scales for the eventual winner, whoever that may be.

c. Aggression and fighting are worthless stats, so I really dont see how this perceived toughness can have any impact on the outcome of the series. Bravery seems to be somewhat more important than the other two, but I doubt the differences between the two teams is large enough to have a tangible effect.

d. I'd have to go with Cassius Darrow as my favorite name as it's a reference to the Red Rising sci-fi/fantasy series by Pierce Brown, which is a highly enjoyable read, especially the first novel. Darrow is the name of the protagonist, and Cassius is the name of another important character.

Verification: shard