Quote:1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
While these two teams are no strangers to the Cup finals, we did see some very interesting things this season. Looking back, what do you feel was the most surprising part of the season?

While it isn't the typical surprise, the Toronto North Stars actually finding success and making the playoffs is absolutely ridiculous to me. Let's face it, it's been such a long time that they haven't been all that competitive and here we are with them not only being successful, but really dominating play most of the time. I could see it coming, I knew it was about to happen, but it still takes you by surprise when it's been just so, so long.

There's of course more that can be considered a surprise. I didn't expect New Orleans to be as bad as they were, as much as I knew they had issues. I didn't expect to see such a tight race in the Northwest or the Atlantic, though there are arguments to be made regarding coaching in one of those divisions. This is a season that was probably the most unpredicable and fascinating in the FHM era. I'm glad to see it, obviously. It just wasn't something I expected going in after being so conditioned for what would happen every season.

This is a good thing, and the ultimate example is the main point I made. Toronto finally found success, the rebuild is over and we're seeing just how amazing a team can be when they have time and patience.

Quote:Word Count: 220

Quote:2. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
Oh no, the head honchos of the league are worried that there aren't enough story lines for the finals! Therefore they're changing the rules for the finals. The home team will get to choose to either a) play the whole game with 6 skaters on the ice at a time or b) be immune from penalties/offsides/icing. Whatever the home team chooses, the visitors get the other perk. Which one are you choosing, given the choice and why?

This is legitimately one of the most fascinating questions I've read on here. I don't know. I just can't decide. Let's just talk it out in a pros and cons list.

If you choose to play the entire game with 6 skaters, you have an obvious and constant advantage at all times. You can control play more easily, as you can double up on players and especially take advantage of bad match-ups. You know you'll always have someone open. Or would you?

Now with offsides in place, there's only so much space you have in the offensive zone and with an extra player there are you really getting that much space? In all actuality, you're kind of limiting your own space to work with. And with the other team able to ice the puck at will, they just have to get a stick on the puck and you could be completely screwed. One misstep and you have issues. This isn't the only thing -- you have to also consider how exhausted your players will get. You're putting out an extra person on every shift, you have to be careful about who you're putting out by situation. It's already difficult enough to track with five, and you have to plan around it for minutes. This is going to be a mess.

Now, you get past that and look at the reverse, sure you can ice the puck any time but the other team has an extra player. If they want to, they could just sit somebody back with the goalie to be ready to make stretch passes, keep you from really being able to ice the puck and get a change. You'll be exhausted, it's difficult to get free space and so you're going to have to score in the rough areas. You can do whatever you want to keep them near you, but it doesn't take much for them to just control the game completely.

I think there is no right answer. Both have their merits, both have their faults. I'd say I would take the six men, but really, it's a coin flip at best.

Quote:Word Count: 355

Quote:3. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
Which players, if any, do you see as locks for the Hall of Fame? As in, if they're career ended today they're in. Anyone on the cusp? Anyone on the right track, but still needs to put up a few more great seasons?

There are so many in this Finals match up who are guaranteed to make the hall of fame. Let's face it, these are the dominant teams and so it's way easier for you to put up numbers and set yourself up really. Aaron Wilson is probably a lock, Monkey D. Luffy I think ultimately gets in as well. Elizabeth Doyle is absolutely going to be in the Hall of Fame one day as one of the greatest goaltenders of all time. Is it easier with this kind of team in front of you? Yes. That doesn't change that this is a hall of fame resume already.

What this question ignores is the most obvious people to be guaranteed a hall of fame spot. There is no way these general managers -- both Hallsy and Finn -- aren't going to be in the Hall of Fame one day. With the number of Cups, Finals appearances, Uppercut trophies, everything. These are two people who are locks and are still adding to their resumes that way as well. It's undeniable, and is ridiculous that we would only look at the players in a series like this. These players are only in the place they are because of the general managers they have.

There will be a lot of hall of fame players out of this Finals, and it may be looked back on as one of the best and most iconic rivalries years down the line. But without the builders behind them, this would be just an after thought.

Quote:Word Count: 254

Quote:4. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
If you're sitting at home watching the Finals: What do you plan on doing differently next season to help your team reach the promised land? If you're playing in the Finals: Is there anything different you plan on doing next season to continue your team's success?

God, at this point what can I do differently? I have done everything I could. I've gotten bigger, bulkier and more physical. I upped my speed and agility. I worked on my mental acuity. I worked on my puck handling. I've worked on everything. Literally everything.

So let's just think this over, what do I do differently? I'm aging. I'm slower. I can't stop that. I'm working as hard as I can just to keep my defense at a reasonable level to keep myself from falling apart. I can make the team better. I can push others. But I don't know that there's anything for me to do differently.

I will do whatever I need to. I will do everything I can. However, the older you get, the harder it gets to change yourself to fill a new gap that opened because you worked on something else. I'm just patching holes, but I'm not expecting to do much more.

Quote:Word Count: 159

Quote:15. Milestones, up to 3 TPE
New this season, Milestones are folded in with CW. So just link your Milestone claim as task 16 for up to 3 TPE towards your 16 total.

+2
https://simulationhockey.com/showthread....pid3010178

Quote:16. Written, 3 TPE
I loved this as a mPT when hotdog did it last season, so I'd like to bring it back as a permanent fixture. After all, we could all use a little positivity every now and then. Say something nice about another member or members, no word limit.

Oh where do I go with it. @Buster is easily the best Fall Guys player on this site, and the most fun person to play the game with. @Toast is one of my best friends on this site and I love having him join us when he can for gaming sessions. @ImShiny is the most incredible and kind person this site has probably ever seen. @"Luketd" is a horrible commissioner in all the right ways, and yes that's a compliment.