WEEK 21 (FINAL)

Eric Staal was full of smiles (and some smirks) on Sunday after his Badger Bob team pulled even with the Bluliners. The same couldn't be said of Johnny Gaudreau as his team's seemingly insurmountable lead of 99.5 points was literally reduced to zero.

Badger Bob: 72.3
Ice Cats: 44.8
By thumping the Ice Cats GM Chester's squad improved to 15-6; Badger Bob now the sole owner of the best record in the league - and as owner of the tiebreaker, guaranteed a first round playoff bye. The Ice Cats stumbled to 12-9 but they still have a shot at the Probert division title, GM Cutshall's squad still tied with the also-lost Bluliners.

Boulder Flyers: 61.0
Polar Bears: 50.5
The Boulder Flyers rejuvenated play continued in Week 21 as they won for the 7th time, the squad now 7-14 heading into the final week of the regular season. The Polar Bears meanwhile are no longer a lock for the postseason. Having defeated the Bears twice during the regular season, the Ice Hogs hold the tiebreaker. As such, if the Bears lose in Week 22 and the Hogs win, the Bears could be dispatched to the FHL links.

SC Cobras:70.8
Ice Hogs: 51.5­
There was no messing with the SC Cobras in Week 21 as the never-say-die team erupted for 70.8 points, GM Murphy's snakes now 6-15 on the year. The loss was especially painful for GM Henry as his Hogs were bumped out of the postseason, the team now seeded 8th with a record of 10-11. All is not lost however as a win in the final week of the regular season could return the Hogs to the playoffs.

Wild Ducks: 69.7
Vegas Vipers: 47.5
The Wild Ducks are a now playoff team after thumping the Vegas Vipers, GM Collard's squad currently seeded 7th with a record of 10-11; a tiebreaker better than the Ice Hogs. The Vegas Vipers continued their unprecedented slide, the swing-and-miss-and-miss team now 1-11 over their past 12 matches.

Central Red Army: 96.0
Misconducts: 51.6­
The Central Red Army enjoyed one of the best weeks in recent memory, the outburst providing GM Buker with his 12th win of the season; the team now a lock to skate in the postseason. The loss stung the Misconducts as they can no longer earn a first round playoff bye. The Misconducts however are still sitting pretty, GM Smalley's squad perched atop the Domi division with a record of 14-7.

Mooses: 57.1
Bluliners: 55.9­
The Mooses improved to 9-12 by rallying past the Bluliners, the win providing GM McCormick with no more than bragging rights as his Mooses can no longer qualify for the playoffs. The once-coasting Bluliners lost for the 9th time, GM Hamilton's squad still tied for the Probert division lead with a record of 12-9.

WEEK 22 (final week of regular season)
Bluliners vs. Wild Ducks
Ice Hogs vs. Central Red Army
Ice Cats vs. SC Cobras
Mooses vs. Polar Bears
Misconducts vs. Vegas Vipers
Boulder Flyers vs. Badger Bob

LINK: Standings

Has been quite a climb to draw even at the top of the standings after being down by 99.7 points after completion of games on Monday, January 22.

But something has only been accomplished in head-to-head. There's still a LONG WAY to go re: the big prize. So hoping strong production continues.

With five weeks left starting tonight, there is still time for other team(s) to get hot and close ground.

My prime wish for Badger Bob the rest of the way is for Anaheim G John Gibson to stay healthy and provide a steady stream of points.

Anaheim was strong down the stretch last season. Looking for the same this season.

Tipping the Penguins' helmet to Bluliners. The next daily battle begins in less than four hours.

And, of course, focusing on this week's head-to-head matchup against Boulder Flyers. A dangerous team that is in third place in overall standings. The head-to-head record an outlier.