PowerPlay Magazine

Here is a really short interview with Artermis, Mr. Perfecto so far in the 2015 Playoffs Challenge, but a newcomer to PPM. Feel free to contact him directly if you need help for your next season Hockey pool... I think he knows a bit about real-life hockey ! If he's able to translate his prediction abilities into PPM success, he's someone to keep an eye on !

Hi Artermis. After the first round, you're the leader of the PPM 2015 Playoffs Challenge with a perfect score (8/8). Quite impressive! So, who are you besides a hockey geek and how have you discovered PPM?

Well, outside of the internet, I play hockey as a goalie (surprise) and whatever pick-up sport I can get my hands on.  I've always been a huge fan of any kind of simulation, let it be warfare, countries or sports. In this search, I discovered PPM, which was simpler than the rest, it had more sports, it wasn't pay-to-win and it felt like just what I was looking for. I love stats, and PPM had plenty to offer.

So far, so good in this year Playoffs Challenge. Confident for the next round? Things are looking good for you? A prediction you would like to change before it ends? :-)

As long as things go normally, my predictions will be correct for the next round, but we don't watch hockey because it's predictable. My 100% rests on the game 7 tonight (NYR-WSH) in which I have New York going through to the finals, a tall order filled with perils such as the lightning and finishing with either western superpowers whom I believe will be Chicago, so those last two would be the ones I'd think the most about changing. In the end though, I'm just happy I've done this well.

Since you're "Mr Perfect" in hockey predictions, are you up to the challenge for predicting the results of the Canadian I.1 league playoffs?  Are you following a bit of what's going on in the top league?

No, I couldn't do that. I really only follow my own team and league.

Speaking of your teams, you are doing pretty well for a manager with less than a year of experience. Any advice for us? What will you do next? Keep improving facilities and arena capacity before spending too much on players?

I'm sure there are better ways to manage teams, but I mainly keep to finding upgrades to my worst player. Tactic-wise, I keep to a generally all-around aggressiveness or plays that just seem to make more sense to me. I'll keep doing what I'm doing until I encounter a problem. As for expenditures, I usually have 1 arena upgrade and 1 facility upgrade at a time, unless I have a large sum of money, everything else goes to finding new players. I like to pace myself and not blow all of my money on a superstar, so I buy players off of teams in my own league or friends who have contacted me or otherwise advertised.

Are you saying you are on PPM along with many friends? Do you see them outside PPM? If so, I suppose you have some fun discussions about your respective teams!

I started a few friends, but they are no longer active. I have short conversations with friends I've met on the site, but it's usually just business.

Finally, CHI and NYR are your picks for the semi finals. Would you like to change something as the third round starts?

I'm going to have to say no to that one. I will trust my gut feelings and pray for the best. It looks like they will be close series, I can only hope I chose correctly.

Thanks for your time Artermis and good luck !

Dino