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1. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1.5 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is 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.

Squally

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2. Written, up to 4 TPE - Grab Bag: Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words.
a. Two new finalists mark the end of a dynasty in the west and the return of an old heavyweight in the east. Pick either of our finalists, and tell me what about them impresses you the most!
b. The Forge have won a cup with this core, while the Blizzard are sniffing this air for the first time in a while. Who would you rather be - the veteran team that's been here and won it before, or the hungry youngsters taking their first shot at glory?
c. The Blizzard upended a long-time nemesis in the Aurora to get here, while the Forge avenged several previous losses to the Wolfpack as well. Who had the more impressive victory to punch their ticket to the cup final, and why?
d. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Who you got? Who wins? Why?

A: Edmonton has made a HUGE impression on me and should mark a huge shift in the thinking that teams cannot climb the mountain just by sticking the seasons out. Yes they have been building up to this for 8 seasons, and in my time on this site I have seen WAY too many people jump ship after only a couple of meek years. Unable to stomach the growing pains. In the Blizzard can win it all it will be peak satisfaction.


B: Given that i've never won it all before, I still yearn for that experience. That drive to better yourself because it is new. It is the ultimate symbol of untapped potential waiting over the horizon. If I end my time on this site having never won the Challenge Cup over any of my players careers, it would be an ultimate failure.

C: For me the more impressive has to be Philly. Don't get me wrong, Winnipeg has made the last 4 finals and was defending champ. But the Forge have not really been able to get back to the dance. As stated earlier I value a team gutting it out and, while a bit overshadowed by Winnipeg's lack of cup finals wins (starting against the Forge). Philly has struggled to get back into the finals until this season.

D: I don't know for sure. Both have amazing things going for them. Philadelphia is finally back in the finals after sitting in the final 4 since their cup. But Edmonton has been the model of building it right from the ground up and seeing them win could just set the standard for every team going forward. I picked the Blizz in my predictions so I'll go with them, but look for this one to go the distance.

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4. Written, 3 TPE, Winter is Coming (150 words min.)
Unlike their rivals, who have literally never been bad, the Blizzard were deep in the doldrums not too many seasons ago. Now that they've reached the mountaintop, how did they pull off such a strong rebuild? What can other teams currently facing hard times learn from their success?

It is a long, agonizing road. You have to want to stick it out and see it through. You've got to draft people who not only want to be on this site. Not only want to max earn. Not only want to write media. But you need people who want to take the team they are drafted by and WILL THEM TO WIN. To ache so badly for the final triumph each and every season. People who will do everything in their own power to keep trying season after season. To keep the place a place people want to play in. Even when times are tough, even when its more fun to talk about real life instead of the team's season. Even when the rest of the site lambasts your early decisions. To stay the course and steer your ship through those treacherous seas and come out on top in the end.