WEEK 23 (thru Monday)

It didn't take long for the Central Red Army to distance themselves from the Polar Bears, Jonathan Quick posting a 35 save, 7.0 point shutout, the guns-blazing Army already leading their first round playoff match by 14.6 points.

First Round, Playoffs

Central Red Army: 18.6
Polar Bears: 4.0­
In addition to Jonathan Quick's heroics defenseman Seth Jones was Coffey-like once again, the 23 year-old defenseman potting another two goals and 9.0 points. The news out of the Army camp wasn't all positive however as Seth Jones didn't finish the game due to a lingering injury - so despite the rough start, the Polar Bears remain hopeful that they can eventually overrun GM Buker's troops.

Wild Ducks: 7.0
Misconducts: 13.0­
After scoring a league-low 25.0 points the previous week, the Misconducts turned the tide in a hurry, the veteran franchise netting 13.0 points on opening day. With the Pittsburgh Penguins only playing two games this week, the Penguin-heavy Wild Ducks were hoping to avoid an early deficit. Unable to do so, the defending H2H champion has their work cut out for them, the Ducks trailing their first round opponent by 6.0.

Bluliners: 9.0
Ice Cats: 9.8­
His team leaking for over a month, GM Hamilton will have batten down the hatches if he hopes to win not only the 2017-18 H2H title but also the coveted FHL Cup. After one day GM Hamilton likes what he sees, the Bluliners responding with a solid 9.0 point start. While the Bluliners were good, the Ice Cats were slightly better, last year's H2H runner-up leading by 0.8.

The Battle for the FHL Cup
Six days in 2nd place is all the Bluliners could stomach, the team returning to the FHL Penthouse on the strength of a 9.0 point Monday. Badger Bob was dispatched to 2nd place, the third year franchise now 3.7 steps from their former home. Meanwhile the 3rd place Boulder Flyers continue to backpedal, the team falling 43.8 points off the pace; the 4th place Wild Ducks now 60.4 points back.

The Bout for the Money
With only four weeks remaining in the season, the Bluliners and Badger Bob should be a lock to receive a paycheck at the conclusion of the season; either the $500.00 prize for winning the FHL Cup or $325.00 for finishing as the league's second best team. The battle for 3rd place and it's $175.00 check remains heated. The Wild Ducks sit just 13.8 points behind the 3rd place Boulder Flyers while the on-fire Central Red Army trail the cash by only 33.1 points.

The Scrap for the Laughing Bag
It was long assumed the SC Cobras would receive the Laughing Bag at the conclusion of the season - the trophy for finishing as the league's worst team. That's no longer the case as the Cobras have been playing well in recent weeks while the Vegas Vipers have taken a nose dive, GM Murphy's team now just 43.5 points from daylight.

LINK: Standings