With 3 games left, I figured it was time for a playoff post.
I'll preface this by saying that I have no idea how tie-breakers work. I am going to assume that it goes to the head to head champion, but 3 way ties or teams that went 1-1 against each other. If anyone knows how the playoffs work, please let me know and I'll update accordingly.
Alpha Division
This division is the Cleveland Steamer's to lose. They can secure a playoff spot with a victory against the winnless Rochester Thrashers.
The Tuscon Legion are still alive, but just barely with an outside shot to capturing the division if they win out and Cleveland loses their remaining 3 games.
Both the Virginia Breaks and Rochester Thrashers have been eliminated from the race.
Beta Division
This division has one of the more interesting plot lines still going with all 4 teams still alive in their playoff hopes.
Sacramento Hornets have secured a playoff spot. They need to win 2 out of their next 3 games to secure the Division title and number 1 seed.
Cascadia Earthquakes can secure a playoff spot by winning their 3 remaining games. With 3 wins, they will be guaranteed at least the Wild Card spot. If they win their remaining 3, and Sacramento loses 2 games, they can take the Beta Division and top seed in the playoffs. Cascadia loses a tie against Pittsburgh. If San Francisco wins Gamma, and Pittsburgh and Cascadia tie, they will be eliminated.
The Lousiville Colonels and Texas Half-Breeds will battle it out in game 12 to determine which team remains alive in the playoff hunt. Whichever team wins, will be a long shot to tie for the wildcard position (leaving it up to the tiebreaker to determine if they get in or not) as they both have remaining games against the 10-1 Hornets and 8-3 Earthquakes remaining. If the Half-Breeds win out, they would have the tie breaker over Cascadia having won both games against them this season.
Gamma Division
The game 13 match up between the Pittsburgh Stealers and the San Francisco Cab Drivers will decide the division, second seed, and possibly mean playoff elimination for the loser. Whichever team loses, will face an uphill battle to try and make the playoffs. The Stealers have the head to head win over Cascadia and would win a tie breaker for the wildcard came down to it, while the Cab Drivers lost their match up against Cascadia and would be out of the playoffs in the event of a tie.
The Athens Bulldogs are still alive, and could easily play the roll of spoiler down the stretch. It's a long shot, but if they win their final 3 games, and San Francisco losses their remaining games, and Pittsburgh loses 2 out of their last 3, Athens has a shot at the Gamma title. They also have a shot at the Wild Card with some help. If they win out, they need Cascadia loses all 3 remaining games, plus either San Francisco to loss all 3 or Pittsburgh to lose 2 of 3.
The San Jose Bull are officially out of the playoff hunt.
Predictions
1 Seed - Beta Division Champion - Sacramento Hornets
2 Seed - Gamma Division Champion - Pittsburgh Stealers
3 Seed - Alpha Division Champion - Cleveland Steamers
4 Seed - Wild Card - Cascadia Earthquakes
Round One
Cascadia Earthquakes defeat Sacramento Hornets (Taking my analyst hat off for a moment, I will do everything I can to prevent this and intend to win the Championship)
Pittsburgh Stealers defeat Cleveland Steamers
Championship
Cascadia Earthquakes defeat Pittsburgh
I'll preface this by saying that I have no idea how tie-breakers work. I am going to assume that it goes to the head to head champion, but 3 way ties or teams that went 1-1 against each other. If anyone knows how the playoffs work, please let me know and I'll update accordingly.
Alpha Division
This division is the Cleveland Steamer's to lose. They can secure a playoff spot with a victory against the winnless Rochester Thrashers.
The Tuscon Legion are still alive, but just barely with an outside shot to capturing the division if they win out and Cleveland loses their remaining 3 games.
Both the Virginia Breaks and Rochester Thrashers have been eliminated from the race.
Beta Division
This division has one of the more interesting plot lines still going with all 4 teams still alive in their playoff hopes.
Sacramento Hornets have secured a playoff spot. They need to win 2 out of their next 3 games to secure the Division title and number 1 seed.
Cascadia Earthquakes can secure a playoff spot by winning their 3 remaining games. With 3 wins, they will be guaranteed at least the Wild Card spot. If they win their remaining 3, and Sacramento loses 2 games, they can take the Beta Division and top seed in the playoffs. Cascadia loses a tie against Pittsburgh. If San Francisco wins Gamma, and Pittsburgh and Cascadia tie, they will be eliminated.
The Lousiville Colonels and Texas Half-Breeds will battle it out in game 12 to determine which team remains alive in the playoff hunt. Whichever team wins, will be a long shot to tie for the wildcard position (leaving it up to the tiebreaker to determine if they get in or not) as they both have remaining games against the 10-1 Hornets and 8-3 Earthquakes remaining. If the Half-Breeds win out, they would have the tie breaker over Cascadia having won both games against them this season.
Gamma Division
The game 13 match up between the Pittsburgh Stealers and the San Francisco Cab Drivers will decide the division, second seed, and possibly mean playoff elimination for the loser. Whichever team loses, will face an uphill battle to try and make the playoffs. The Stealers have the head to head win over Cascadia and would win a tie breaker for the wildcard came down to it, while the Cab Drivers lost their match up against Cascadia and would be out of the playoffs in the event of a tie.
The Athens Bulldogs are still alive, and could easily play the roll of spoiler down the stretch. It's a long shot, but if they win their final 3 games, and San Francisco losses their remaining games, and Pittsburgh loses 2 out of their last 3, Athens has a shot at the Gamma title. They also have a shot at the Wild Card with some help. If they win out, they need Cascadia loses all 3 remaining games, plus either San Francisco to loss all 3 or Pittsburgh to lose 2 of 3.
The San Jose Bull are officially out of the playoff hunt.
Predictions
1 Seed - Beta Division Champion - Sacramento Hornets
2 Seed - Gamma Division Champion - Pittsburgh Stealers
3 Seed - Alpha Division Champion - Cleveland Steamers
4 Seed - Wild Card - Cascadia Earthquakes
Round One
Cascadia Earthquakes defeat Sacramento Hornets (Taking my analyst hat off for a moment, I will do everything I can to prevent this and intend to win the Championship)
Pittsburgh Stealers defeat Cleveland Steamers
Championship
Cascadia Earthquakes defeat Pittsburgh
