Every year seems to bring new challenges, and scheduling the playoffs this year is the current challenge making my life interesting. We’re getting down to the final week of the season and there are some interesting divisional races working themselves out.
First, allow me to congratulate the Division Champs (all divisional titles have already been claimed):
- Division I
- – Friar Tuck’s
- Division II
- – Guelph Brewers
- Masters
- – Touch of Grey
- Masters 45
- – Rangers
Coming 2nd in the division may seem anti-climatic when 1st is no longer in reach, but the battle still rages for home field advantage in Divisions I & II. Another battle raging is for the final Championship Round Playoff spot, and there’s interesting battles in both divisions there, as well. Masters and Masters 45 have all settled into their final standing positions, and there’s will be the first playoff games scheduled (more on that later).
Division I
Thunder currently sit 2nd in the division, but Ten Men Out have the ball in their own hands. The two teams face each other in their final regular season game, and they are currently tied on the season at 1-1. No matter how you do the math (and you may have noticed I revised this section a bit … hehe), THIS will be the deciding game for 2nd place! A win for either team guarantees them the spot – but the other will have a chance to get even as they’ll face each other in the opening round of the playoffs.
The battle for 4th has been proving interesting for a bit now, with Havana Blast dropping out of that race only last night after their loss to Black Sox. As it stands right now, the Chiefs hold the final Championship Round Playoff spot, but …
- The Chiefs can go 11-9 on the season – but must face Friar Tuck’s in their final game (can Tuck’s go unbeaten on the season?).
- The Black Sox can end 11 – 9 with 2 wins in their final 2 games – but they face Thunder in one of those games (don’t think they’ll roll over!).
- Black Sox own the season series against Chiefs with a 2-0 record.
- So … if Chiefs and Black Sox end up tied in the standings (at either 11-9 or 10-10), Black Sox claim the final spot!
Does it get any better than this?!?
Division II
They have their own little scenario working itself out for 2nd here, with Jose’s Noodle Factory sitting at home waiting to see if Pour House can pull it off. Pour House has the season series against Jose’s, but they have to win out in order to be able to take advantage of that. They won’t have an easy time of it, as their 2 games in hand include the Division Champ Guelph Brewers and Sweaty Mitts (currently right behind them in 4th).
The Mitts have a battle of their own trying to hold the 4th Championship Round playoff spot. Their fight is at least in their own hands as Locknuts have finished up their schedule, but they need the win as they’re behind on the plus/minus (season series is 1-1 here, also) and they’re facing Pour House (who might have a plan of their own)!
Masters Division
The playoff spots have all been determined here and the Masters Division playoff games will begin with the Play-in game between 4th place Generals and 5th place Lyon Financial on Wednesday, August 26th (GG7 under the lights). The semi-final match between Here 2 There Freight (2nd) and Domino’s Pizza (3rd) will also begin that night (GG5 at 8:15).
Masters 45 Division
As in Masters, the Masters 45 Play-in game will go Wednesday night. Powerline Electronics (4th) will face Jose’s Noodle Factory (5th) on GG7 in the early game to open their 2 game play-in to determine which team advances to face the 1st place Rangers. Barzotti (2nd) faces Royal City Garage Doors (3rd) on GG6 at 8:15 in game 1 of their semi-final series.
Playoff Schedule
As I stated at the beginning, posting the Playoff Schedule is my current challenge for the season. I expect it will be posted either Friday night or sometime over the weekend after I’ve had a chance to double-check for conflicts and compatabilities. Please make sure your team is prepared to play on your scheduled dates once it is posted – we’re pushing our season as it is due to … oh, you know the story!