Hello everyone! I figured with the break here for the holidays I should do a write up talking about playoffs instead of wrapping presents and focusing on my responsibilities. With that said...this post will cover the final week of the regular season and who is battling for their season. Before we dive in id like to just say happy holidays to everyone and good luck entering your final week. My first season owning (my only season besides current) my team made playoffs on the last night and the final game so even if you think youre out of it and the odds are against you, youre not dead yet keep fighting! Ladies and gentlemen grab your popcorn and find your seats because we are about to see some FUCKING BATTLES this final week! 18 points left in the regular season, who wants em and needs em most?! Eastern Conference In the thunder dome, last 10 record, final week opponents: 6th Trois River Lions 84p 7-3-0 7th Florida Everblades 84p 5-3-2 8th Brampton Beast 77p 5-4-1 __________________________ 9th Maine Mariners 76p 5-5-0 10th Manchester Monarchs 76p 6-4-0 11th Adirondak Thunder 71p 4-4-2 12th Greenville Swamp Rabbits 67p 2-8-0 When i thought of doing this i had no idea this is where it would take me...LOOK AT THAT SCHEDULE FOR THESE TEAMS! Between all of these teams they play 3-4 games out of the final 9 (pending on which team) against other teams listed above for the final week. This is going to be an absolute dog fight for the 8th place spot and potentially higher. I was on the fence about putting Greenville in the mix here since they basically need to win out and hope these other teams lose every game. Considering they also went 2-8-0 their last 10 logic says this team is trending in the wrong direction to make playoffs. Outside of Greenville i really dont know who is a lock to make playoffs given the current points and upcoming schedule. The Lions are streaking and have looked great as of late but lets not forget the slow start to the season they had. Personally im rooting for them and have since the midway point but they face a tough final week with their schedule. It appears the Newfoundland Growlers are the team to watch this week as they face these teams collectively the most of any opponent (6). Western Conference In the thunder dome, last 10 record, final week opponents: 5th Wichita Thunder 88p 4-6-0 6th Rapid City Rush 87p 3-6-1 7th Utah Grizzlies 86p 9-0-1 8th Allentown Americans 83p 4-6-0 ____________________________ 9th Kalamazoo Wings 81p 4-3-3 10th Cincinatti Cyclones 80p 5-4-1 Id like to start this segment by saying yes i am well aware that i only included 2 teams out of playoffs currently in this where as the East i had 4. The way the west has shapen up it is far more of a battle between these 6 teams then anyone else. 1 night separates nearly everyone on this list which is wild ESPECIALLY given some of these schedules. The leading Thunder here are facing a brutal last week with the Nailers, Quad City (Mallards are mallarding!), & Utah who is streaking. If they dont win the easier matchups this week they could very easily find themselves not even making the playoffs especially with the Cyclones and Kalamazoo's favoring schedule. Both the Cyclones and the Wings are playing the worst teams (sorry boys) for the final week multiple times which is HUGE for every team they are chasing. Meanwhile the Thunder arent the only ones in for a sweaty final week as the Americans face the downward trending Oilers who will be looking to bounce back strong after their extremely disappointing last 10 games (3-7-0). I find it very interesting and exciting that the bottom 2 teams listed have such favorable schedules while the 4 teams above them have what should be considered a terrifying final week ahead of them. Who do you think doesnt show up this last week and secure their spot!? Personally i see Allen getting bounced out and Kalamazoo sliding in. If the Cyclones can get 2 upset wins this week and win against the "easy" teams they too could find themselves in very easily. 9 games...18 points left in the season...Who wants it!? Let me hear about it in the comments who you think will make the cut and who wont or if i didnt include a team i should have! Thanks again so much guys for reading and the support it truly makes things like this not seem like work but as leisure. Have a great break and holiday season!
