Quote:9. Written, 50 to 200+ words. Finals Fiesta Faceoff
Of the two teams in the SHL or SMJHL playoffs, which would host the most banger party if the goal of the finals was to impress judges with the most stellar party. What would their party be like? What would impress the judges most? If your team isn’t in the finals, how would they one up the two finalists to have the coolest party ever?

If the SHL Finals were decided not by goals or saves, but by who could throw the most outrageous, unforgettable party, the Tampa Bay Barracuda and San Francisco Pride would be neck and neck—but in very different ways. The Barracuda would throw an ocean-side rager unlike anything the SHL has ever seen. Picture a massive beach party along the Florida coast—fireworks lighting up the night, live EDM sets blasting across the sand, and tiki bars with endless tropical drinks served in coconuts. Players arrive by jet skis, the mascot is doing flips on a wakeboard, and there’s a seafood spread so fresh it’s practically still swimming. Judges would be dazzled by the party’s raw energy, its carefree, all-out vibe, and the kind of chaos only Florida can provide. San Francisco, though, would go for class with flair. Their party would be hosted on a luxury rooftop overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. Think gourmet food trucks, world-class wine tasting, an art installation designed by a local SHL fan, and a surprise guest performance by a Grammy-winning artist. The Pride’s bash would scream "cool," with everyone from players to staff dressed to the nines. If the Atlanta Inferno wanted to one-up both? Easy. They’d host a massive bonfire party on top of Stone Mountain—complete with BBQ, fireworks, and an airshow of helicopters doing synchronized loops with the Inferno logo. Billy Herrington DJing shirtless would be the final touch. Game, set, party.

Quote:10. Written, 50 to 200+ words. What do they do different?
We’ve seen Tampa Bay and San Francisco make the finals twice in a row and both 3 times in the last 5 seasons. What do they do differently that other teams should follow for better success in their future playoff runs?

Look, credit where it’s due—Tampa Bay and San Francisco made the finals again. But let’s not pretend they’re reinventing the wheel here. In truth, what they’re doing “differently” might just be the luck of a few hot streaks at the right time, a couple of bounces going their way, and maybe one or two players getting carried by good line chemistry or soft matchups. It’s not like either team is deploying some revolutionary system or running clinics on team building. Their regular seasons have been decent—not always dominant—but they managed to ride the momentum when it counted. That happens in hockey. It’s not always the best team that wins, it’s the one that stays healthiest and catches fire. Tampa’s strategy? Stack the top line, hope the depth holds. San Francisco? Same script, just different names on the jersey. Their goaltenders have been good, but not unbeatable. Their defensive cores solid, but far from generational. Other teams shouldn’t rush to copy them—they should look at their own identity and focus on consistency, depth, and developing strong locker room culture. What the league needs is less imitation and more innovation. Let Tampa and San Fran enjoy their moment. It doesn’t mean they’ve figured it all out—they just haven’t tripped yet.