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SAwful · 07-07-2020, 12:28 PM

Code:
7. Written, 3 TPE

Write a sonnet about an SHL-related topic. Be sure to follow the proper ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG rhyme structure or your HS English (or equivalent any-language Writing teacher) will track you down and give you a failing grade.

An Ode to @Ace (Please don't trade me....)

Should I really trade this this third-round pick?
Or can I hold fast, stay here still?
I can’t remember, something just won’t click,
If this goes through, can I pay the bill?
I’ll pull the trigger, on this trade!
What could go wrong, it all looks fair,
From what I gather, the tab is paid.
What is this, something new laid bare?
I did not own that third-round selection?!
I did not know, where is the tracker?
How could it not be in my collection?
Please do not take me to be a slacker,
I’ve had too many beers tonight,
Please take pity on this good man’s plight…

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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. These are absolutely two of the best goaltenders in the league in Cain and Kryyst - which team has the advantage in net in this series?

b. There are two Johnsons in this series - Gabriel (HAM) and Darnell (NOLA). In fact, the two used to host the Johnson & Johnson Podcast together, but they're now on the ice as bitter rivals. Which team has the better Johnson?

c. The Specters won both regular season matchups, but Hamilton finished with better team stats overall. Do regular season head-to-heads provide an accurate forecast for a playoff series? (answer predictively if it hasn't happened yet; reactively if it has.)

d. If SDCore offered you an all-expenses paid week-long vacation to either New Orleans or Hamilton, which city would you choose to go to? (tough choice I know lol.) How would you spend your time there?

a.) I'm still thinking Kryyst here. He's got more wins, a better save percentage, a higher game rating, 6 more shutouts and a lower GAA. If we're looking at giving an edge to anyone, these are the things you have to weigh and I'm just not seeing a compelling argument from Cain to be the better goaltender throughout the season.

b.) This one is difficult. Darnell Johnson is both longer (6'2") and girthier (220 lbs.) compared to Gabriel (5'11" @ 171 lbs.), but Gabriel comes out on top in experience with his 1515 TPE over Darnell's 949. This is just to close to call, on any given night Gabriel could out preform the other Johnson with his knowledge on how to move his body and please his coaches, but on a good night, Darnell could just be the bigger Johnson that everyone really wants. This is a hard tie and I can't make a call, they're both great.

c.) Regular season match-ups are a fairly good indicator on how a team should do about an opponent. Can a teams coaching staff and management out maneuver their opponent and get favorable match-ups in their lines? Are they able to put pressure on the weak spots on the roster? I think that's what NOLA may manage to do here and give HAM a run for their money. If they were able to do it in the regular season, they should be able to do it again in the finals.

d.) Look, no one is going to Hamilton. No one in their right mind wants to go there when the other option is a city filled with bars and has a history of debauchery. Of course I'm going to New Orleans and I'm just going to have a great time eating Cajun seafood and drinking myself stupid. It's the only option here and I know it'd be a great time!

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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?

While I'm still in the SMJHL on the Anchorage Armada, I feel like I did alright personally, but not enough to lift the team up to make a difference in the long run. I was able to be more of an impact on the ice by leading the team in Corsi to drive play, and was pushing the pace by having the most points of any defenseman on the team while maintaining a non-negative +/- rating.

This all felt like a step in the right direction, but the team seemed to under-perform as a whole. I personally had an atrocious shooting percentage and needed to be better in several areas to lift the team up further. I'll get there, but I know it will but it'll be tough just like everything else. I'm sure my teammates are just as frustrated as I am and will be looking to take that next step this coming season and hopefully .

Next season looks hopeful. Our defense should be taking a step forward as a whole. Guys like Petrikov and Lazer are going to be looking to have huge rebound seasons and show people what their made of. I'm not worried, if anything, I'm excited for what's to come and I can't wait for the season to start!

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2. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)

Well, dang. Your team didn't make the finals this season - my condolences to you. Are you and your teammates planning on watching the finals even though you're not in it? If so, what are your watch parties like? If not, are you still following the finals or trying to ignore it completely? What are you and your teammates doing together (if anything) instead of following along? (if you're on Hamilton or New Orleans, or either of the 2 SMJHL teams that soon will be playing in the finals - congrats and sorry :p this one isn't for you!)

Condolences are all well and good but getting knocked out of the first round of the playoffs in the SMLJH and having your big club in the SHL not make the playoffs stings. Things in New England are going to be rough because the division is tough, but as for the SMJHL? I'm hoping we turn it around next season and make some noise. We'll see what happens with each team soon enough but as for the finals, we're watching intently.

Doing our homework on each team and how they're playing is key to having success at any level, and if we want to succeed we need to have some sort of edge. The SMJLH is a very volatile league with players coming and going on the regular, but the SHL, things move a bit slower and it's easier to predict who will be where for a more consistent picture of the league. We're all watching to see how this all plays out so we can react next year a little better.

I know that in the SMJHL we're excited to have a good returning core, and we're all following the finals to see who we should be worried about next season. Kwame Dakari on CAR looks like he'll be a force to be reckoned with next season on the wing. As well, Emilia Bergman from ANA looks as strong as ever and will only be more dangerous next season. It's interesting to watch and follow along with everyone, but also, I can't wait to get back at it next season and show what I can do.

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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.

RichardCheese

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