11-16-2020, 10:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-16-2020, 10:44 AM by StamkosFan.)
SHL CW
[Affiliate, 2.5 TPE]
[400 word, 5 TPE]
Nobody ever said it would be easy, but having the hottest team in the league, the Orange County Otters, in your division is a trial by fire for sure. Arizona's entire season was riddled with adversity, neck and neck with five teams in their division for the whole year. With a losing record after nine games, it did not look good for the Outlaws playoff hopes; if they made it, it seemed they would just squeak in. The losses in weeks 8 and 9 to Baltimore and Sarasota had really deflated their spirits (and that loss against Sarasota was one of only two home losses they would suffer this season). They had to regroup and pull together to fend off numerous tough opponents, and they were able to get something going at home after those two home losses. That was the motivation they needed to dig their heels in and swing the momentum in the other direction. When they were on their own turf, the fans were able to rally behind them enough to boost them to a 6-2 record at home, and that's a big reason why they survived this grueling season.
The recovery starts against Yellowknife in week 10, as they absolutely crushed them 55-17, which really boosted the team morale and gave them much needed confidence. Winning always helps the energy in the locker room and the performance on the pitch, but a win like that gives a special kind of enthusiasm. A heart breaking loss by just 3 points to New York was not enough to set them back with the Yellowknife win still fresh in their minds. They came roaring back to claim a much needed win against the San Jose Sabrecats, and then came the game they were expected to lose in Week 13. The Otters, an absolute menace who were dominating the division, brimming with confidence and possessing a roster that overflowed with talent. If they could win here, they could all but secure second place in their division and a comfortable playoff seed. But could they really ask for a win? Outlaws fans watched with bated breath as they tore off to an early 10-3 lead after the whole quarter. Arizona was able to thwart Orange County's comeback attempts for the rest of the game, and claimed a commanding 29-19 victory. This was a major upset, and a true triumph of the Outlaws and their fighting spirit. They never gave up, even when the chips were down. They were able to win 2 of their last three games, but no victory was a massive success in the way that that one was; that was where a great run reached its climax.
[200 words, 2.5 TPE]
The site change was a massive success, at least I think most of us would agree to that; after many years on jcink, the league opted to move to its own domain. It has really allowed the ISFL to customize everything and present a more professional layout, which in turn has boosted recruitment; having a site that is visually appealing is the first step in recruiting new users. Our eyes have become accustomed to the sleek black and red color scheme now, but we have forgotten what an eyesore the old site was. I think this has been one of the most positive changes, and it will help us draw in more and more monster draft classes like the trailblazing S22 class. Having more control over our website and its design will only help the league management to give it its own flavor, and also helps with selling the rebrand. As the two pretty much coincided, the rebrand and the site move, they really go hand in hand; it's about leaving the past behind and moving into a new, prosperous era for the league. You can look back at the archives on jcink, but it's dead and dormant, as it should be. This realm is more alive and more personalized than jcink ever could have been.
[Affiliate, 2.5 TPE]
Code:
14) Greatness emerges through trial by fire. Recount the story of a team who came back from adversity, whether it’s a single miracle game or an entire season or multi-season comeback. How was this team‘s challenge significant, and how did they engineer a recovery? What key moves or plays were the lynchpin to victory?
Nobody ever said it would be easy, but having the hottest team in the league, the Orange County Otters, in your division is a trial by fire for sure. Arizona's entire season was riddled with adversity, neck and neck with five teams in their division for the whole year. With a losing record after nine games, it did not look good for the Outlaws playoff hopes; if they made it, it seemed they would just squeak in. The losses in weeks 8 and 9 to Baltimore and Sarasota had really deflated their spirits (and that loss against Sarasota was one of only two home losses they would suffer this season). They had to regroup and pull together to fend off numerous tough opponents, and they were able to get something going at home after those two home losses. That was the motivation they needed to dig their heels in and swing the momentum in the other direction. When they were on their own turf, the fans were able to rally behind them enough to boost them to a 6-2 record at home, and that's a big reason why they survived this grueling season.
The recovery starts against Yellowknife in week 10, as they absolutely crushed them 55-17, which really boosted the team morale and gave them much needed confidence. Winning always helps the energy in the locker room and the performance on the pitch, but a win like that gives a special kind of enthusiasm. A heart breaking loss by just 3 points to New York was not enough to set them back with the Yellowknife win still fresh in their minds. They came roaring back to claim a much needed win against the San Jose Sabrecats, and then came the game they were expected to lose in Week 13. The Otters, an absolute menace who were dominating the division, brimming with confidence and possessing a roster that overflowed with talent. If they could win here, they could all but secure second place in their division and a comfortable playoff seed. But could they really ask for a win? Outlaws fans watched with bated breath as they tore off to an early 10-3 lead after the whole quarter. Arizona was able to thwart Orange County's comeback attempts for the rest of the game, and claimed a commanding 29-19 victory. This was a major upset, and a true triumph of the Outlaws and their fighting spirit. They never gave up, even when the chips were down. They were able to win 2 of their last three games, but no victory was a massive success in the way that that one was; that was where a great run reached its climax.
Code:
27) The league is prone to change. Reflect on a past change in either the ISFL or DSFL that significantly impacted something - be it a rules change, an expansion or contraction, or even a complete rebranding. What were the effects of this change, and how has it shaken the status quo?
The site change was a massive success, at least I think most of us would agree to that; after many years on jcink, the league opted to move to its own domain. It has really allowed the ISFL to customize everything and present a more professional layout, which in turn has boosted recruitment; having a site that is visually appealing is the first step in recruiting new users. Our eyes have become accustomed to the sleek black and red color scheme now, but we have forgotten what an eyesore the old site was. I think this has been one of the most positive changes, and it will help us draw in more and more monster draft classes like the trailblazing S22 class. Having more control over our website and its design will only help the league management to give it its own flavor, and also helps with selling the rebrand. As the two pretty much coincided, the rebrand and the site move, they really go hand in hand; it's about leaving the past behind and moving into a new, prosperous era for the league. You can look back at the archives on jcink, but it's dead and dormant, as it should be. This realm is more alive and more personalized than jcink ever could have been.
![[Image: oie_vM9jbyDZvPxo.gif]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/517522748658941952/689169988799561805/oie_vM9jbyDZvPxo.gif)