Task 1
We count down the most exciting games of the S35 Four Star Cup playoffs:

5. Round 1- Game 4: Montreal Militia vs Kelowna Knights
We’d feel bad for not mentioning all playoff teams. So, here’s your moment to shine MTL! While the KEL bandwagon started to grow, MTL’s single playoff series kept close throughout the first 4 games. While Montreal was able to control most of the game, Fedor Shirobokov’s goal with a 1:03 left to go gave KEL’s home crowd new life. Although KEL pushed and pushed and pushed within the last minute of play, MTL was able to keep their 3-2 lead.
4. Round 1- Game 7: Kelowna Knights vs Montreal Militia
Another Montreal game! Unfortunately, it was more of a stinking than shining game for them, as their playoffs ending in a disastrous way. Kelowna cruised to a 5-1 victory, making the infamous #WillToWin solidified within the fan base, and was a perfect example of the incredible late-season form that KEL was able to muster.
3. Round 2- Game 3: Vancouver Whalers vs Kelowna Knights
Do you like goals? Yes? Well this game was for you then. In this game, we saw Vancouver hand out their third thrashing in this series. With two goals in the first 2 minutes, it was clear that VAN had come to play. Unfortunately for Kelowna, the 5-2 score line at the end of the 2nd saw an exodus of fans from their seats. Any fans that stayed saw their beloved Knights get absolutely crushed in the third, with the game ending at 8-4 VAN. Though KEL would net one more W after this game, most people knew their incredible Cinderella story of a season was over.
2. Round 1- Game1 : Colorado Mammoths vs Prince George Firebirds
What a match this was. Though the mid-pack this year was pretty close, most people still pick the 3rd and 4th seats to beat the 5th and 6th ‘s. It’s understandable, and most people probably did think that PGF would knock out COL. But, to the dismay of many fans, COL would prove to be stronger than they appeared. After 41 minutes of play, PGF found themselves at a comfortable 5-2 lead. But then…. Something happened. We don’t know what it was, but it was big. For what came next was arguably the greatest comeback of the season. Down by three, COL somehow managed to make a miraculous comeback, sealing the deal with 5 and a half minutes left. Final score: 6-5 COL.
1. Round 2- Game 7: Colorado Mammoths vs St. Louis Scarecrows
Let’s get real. There’s nothing more exciting than a game seven. And while this game wasn’t the only game 7 we had (recall the Militia’s abysmal meltdown in the first-round game 7 loss, 5-1), every fan of both teams got their money’s worth from this game. The series in total was an absolute slug fest. Every game was high octane were perhaps the most exciting matches of the entire playoffs. Fans of blowouts got their fill in games 1,2, and 6, while people who like sudden death had games 2 and 3. And as the coup de grâce for the series, we were given the ultimate cherry on top. Though the only goals in regulation came fairly early in the game, the rest of the match was an absolute bloodshed, with a total of 57 hits and 16 penalties combined. But it wasn’t just the physicality that we liked. No, how about both teams playing essentially 2 games worth of hockey. Yes sir, As the third overtime approached, trainers and team staff scrambled to buy any food they could. Whether it was pizza or nachos, or #BrandIzzy hotdogs, both sides rushed to keep their players energized. In the end, thanks to a godly performance from Aleksandr Aleksandrov, who went 54 of 55 saves and Asvard Lyszczarczyk netting a rebound, COL saw themselves pull off the upset and advance to the finals.


Task 2
Finn Jakobsen, answering questions at locker room clean out:
"Mwoh, I don't really know where to start... Thoughts on the season?... Overall, I think the only thing that could've made it better was winning the cup. You know, I was lucky enough to be drafted to the team I wanted to go to most. I got to meet a lot of great guys and make friends around the LR. I think my teammates are helping mold me into a player that I want to be, and I really couldn't ask for anything more. We had a great season… We definitely earned the Laurifer, and were a bounce away from making it to the finals. Yeah, we had a pretty bad losing streak during the season, and we probably should’ve picked up more points, but you can’t win them all. And even then, we bounced back into form, winning like 90% of out last dozen games or so.”
[…]
“For me personally, I learned a lot. Coming over from Europe is a challenge, and I had a lot of doubts that I could keep up with the other players. But our vets and GM’s did a great job on keeping [me] focused, and giving [us] advice. They kept us motivated, and the trainers kept us healthy. So yeah, maybe we didn’t win this year, but I think, with the guys that are sticking around, we’re going to be just as good next year!”.

Task 3


Task 4
There’s many players to chose from for Playoff MVP this year. It’s reasonable to expect either of Colorado Mammoths’ Vratislav Zbyněk or Finn Krüger , or Kelowna Kniights’ G Sebastian Thompson. And while these names are taking up center stage, and while it would be nearly unthinkable to name a rookie as MVP of the playoffs, Kelowna’s RW Nour Harrak isn’t much for norms. And with fabulous form in the playoffs, he must be mentioned in the Playoff MVP race. Even though KEL’s already been eliminated, Harrak remains tied for 2nd in Goals (6), and 4th in overall points (12), and is the only player, so far, to net a Hat trick. And that hat trick came when KEL needed it most, being difference maker in the Knights’ final victory of the post season, in a 5-2 result over the Vancouver Whalers. So while he may not actually win the Brodie Witzel Trophy, he certainly deserves the to be mentioned for it.

Task 5
I don't really have time this week, so hopefully shit entries count towards this. Here's my masterpiece: