Quote: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!)

Even though I wasn't watching the finals, I was keeping a close eye on the results of each game. I hosted a few parties where the games were on in the background, but actually we were all just sitting around another TV watching dumb movies like Despicable Me or one of the minion movies. The reason why none of us really paid attention to the games was because, well, we didn't care all that much about which team would win. However, we cared about the results of the games because we wanted the series to end as quickly as possible. We knew that once the series was over, we'd be able to announce our blockbuster trades, so Dick and Guy were always peeking at the score, secretly hoping that one of the teams would complete a sweep. As luck would have it, the New Orleans Specters actually managed to sweep the Hamilton Steelhawks, and our blockbuster trade was announced soon after. I'd like to think that the trade completely overshadowed the finals, so really we were all just waiting for the main event.

183 words

Quote:4. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
S54 IIHF Predictions - with one FHM IIHF season under our belt, we've got a bit more of a sense of how the tournament might play out in the new sim engine. What are your predictions for the S54 IIHF or WJC tournament - how do you think your team will fare this season? Who do you think are the biggest contenders to take home the hardware and why?

My predictions for the S54 IIHF tournament are as follows:

Now that Gabriel "Gonewild" @Gwdjohnson Johnson has stepped down as the IIHF federation head for Team Canada, they will probably win the gold medal. Their roster is absolutely stacked from the bottom to the top, and the only thing (or person) holding them back was their absolutely incompetent fed head. With Noka at the head of the team, I have no doubt in my mind that Canada will have a much more successful tournament and they will probably win the gold medal.

I predict that the United States International Ice Hockey Federation Team will win the silver medal. They've got a stacked core of elite forwards, as well as a a great goalie in Aleister Cain, and an absolutely solid defense. The reigning champions aren't going to go down without a fight, but I believe their roster is just slightly less stacked than Canada's, and now that Gabe is no longer in charge, Canada has what it takes to take them down.

I would place Team Great Britain in third place. We finished with a bronze medal last season, beating Gabe Johnson's Team Canada, and it was a sweet sweet victory. Now, since Canada will likely advance to the gold medal game this time around, Great Britain should be able to win the bronze medal game without too much worry.

230 words

Quote:5. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
Which player from the Steelhawks or Specters has a great chance to make the Hall of Fame when their playing days are up? Make the case for that player's HOF bid.

As much as I hate to say it, I believe the infamous Hamilton Steelhawks forward Flacko Lagerfield will make it into the Hall of Fame. In fact, the question likely isn't even whether he'll make the Hall of Fame, but whether or not he'll be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Before his stint on Hamilton, Flacko was a TPE superstar that had already won several individual awards, but it was only in the twilight of his career when he joined the Steelhawks that Lagerfield began to truly shine. He was at the top of the league for two seasons in a row after the FHM transition, and that's certainly a Hall of Fame worthy way to cap out your career.

121 words

Quote:9. Graphic, 3 TPE
The SHL has been outspoken about reducing its carbon footprint, which made it all the more surprising to see the unveiling of a brand new custom private jet for Head Office members. Not the type of move we like to see, to be completely honest. Anyway, what does the jet look like? Create a graphic of SHL HO's custom private jet (inside or out).

Quote:10. Graphic, 3 TPE
Create a magazine cover that highlights either a player in the finals or a standout player from the regular season.

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.

schmack