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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?
 
Rikard had huge expectations coming into this season. Following up his campaign last season was going to be hard, being in the top 5 leaders in scoring for most of the season and ending up with 44 points. This year, Rikard had expectations placed on him to anchor the top line for Anaheim, as well as spearhead the powerplay and the penalty kill. While Rikard put up relatively decent point totals, he could not reach the echelons of the upper top tier scorers this season, and his defensive game struggled as well, as he ended the season -15, with only 30 points to his name.
 
Rikard struggled with his fitness in the expanded role he had in his team, as his lofty expectations were not matched this season. Rikard wanted to end his last year in the SMJHL on a high, but it was just not in the cards. So all in all, it was a disappointing season for Rikard, even though he reached his 3rd Four Star Cup Finals in his 4 seasons in the SMJHL. Rikard has already planned to spend his time working on his conditioning for next season.
 
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3. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
It's too late for this go-around of expansion, so hypothetically - should there be SHL franchises in other continents? I saw some interesting European proposals in the PT. Should these - or proposals for any other continent that's not North America -
become a reality in the SHL?
 
While it would be interesting to house teams in different continents, I believe, for the sake of realism, that there shouldn’t be expansion outside of North America. While trying to keep realism of how an actual league would operate, it would be a bit weird for teams to fly halfway around the world for a back-to-back. It would make writing articles a bit weirder, and loses out on the realism that this league has currently. If there is to be expansion in other continents, I believe a few Asian cities would be suitable to have franchises start there, and the iconography and branding would be fun to play with as well.
 
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4. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
Which SHL or SMJHL team was the best team to not make the finals this season and why?
 
In the SMJHL, you can make a case for both Carolina and Anchorage in not making the finals for the Four Stars Cup. While Carolina made it to the conference finals, Anchorage was ousted in the 2nd round to eventual finalists Maine Timber, so the edge in my eyes is with Anchorage. Anchorage was a juggernaut this season in the SMJHL, amassing the 3rd most points in the season, but the statistic that jumps straight out is the double-digit Goals Against. With only 89 goals against, their defensive prowess was in a league of their own. As they all say, defence wins championships, but this season, it was not the case.
 
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6. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.) The world's hottest app is TikTok - which SHL or SMJHL player would have the biggest following on TikTok? What do they post there?
 
(Clean) Andrei Kostitsyn would be my top choice of a player to have the biggest following on TikTok. A kind and pure hearted soul that has come through so much to become (Clean) and honestly, he’s just looking for his brother. All of his TikToks would just be him looking for his brother, and seeking help looking for his brother. The SHL and SMJHL world will all band together to help him look for his brother. He just wants to prove that he is (Clean) and play hockey, while looking for his brother.  It’s a noble cause and I for one support him.
 
 
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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?
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?
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?
d. What is your favorite name from a player appearing in this series? Why do you like that player's name?
e. There are several animal names in this series - which of these animals is the coolest? sloth, hippo, otter, monkey, fox, kirby.
 
A.) Both teams have defensive depth, but I believe Buffalo has the advantage in the defensive side of things between the two finalists. Buffalo kept their goals against in the regular season under 100, with 98, and boasts the top goaltender in the finals in Elizabeth Doyle. These things combined give Buffalo the edge in the defensive game.
B.) Home ice advantage is always present in the finals. With the battle of the coaches in matching lines and strategies, to just being able to rest at home and get the necessary rest and relaxation during the tough and grueling grind of the playoffs will give the home team the advantage.
C.) While toughness is on display in the finals, you can’t bodycheck the puck in the net. Buffalo’s defense gave up the least amount of goals in the season, while helping support the 2nd best offensive in the SHL. Wearing down opponents will be crucial in the series, but I believe the edge in the defensive game and the goaltenders, will overcome the toughness factor.
D.) While Monkey D. Luffy pays homage to a manga I enjoyed reading, Michael Scarn stands out for me as my favorite name in this series. Not only is Michael Scarn a gifted hockey player, he is also the best top-secret agent in the business. Starring in his own movie, Threat Level Midnight, this man can do it all.
 
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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.
 
Hammarberg