PLAYOFFS PREVIEW (Semifinals)

VS.

RECORD: Central Red Army (9-6); Wild Ducks (11-4)
AT STAKE: The winner advances to the title match and will remain in the hunt for the 2020-21 H2H championship and its $120.00 prize. The winner will also be guaranteed at least $50.00, the pat-on-the-back prize for finishing second. The loser will be shoved to the consolation match, there the team could win $30.00 - for winning the consolation match - or nothing, for laying an egg in both of their postseason matches.
H2H: The season series was won by the Wild Ducks, 2-1; GM Collard’s squad prevailing in Weeks 4 (41.0 to 29.3) and 9 (56.2 to 56.0) while the Army would emerge victorious in Week 14 (60.4 to 48.4). To date, the Wild Ducks have scored 732.7 points; an average of 48.8 points per week. The Army have scored a total of 694.5 points; a weekly average of 46.3 points.
OVERVIEW: Based on points alone, the Wild Ducks are the better team. The smart bet appears to be on them. The Ducks however could be without the services of Alexander Ovechkin, the goal scoring phenom currently nursing a “lower body injury.” There’s that and the adage “you’re only as good as your last match.” The Central Red Army won the last match. The Army were also substantially better than the Ducks in Week 15, the week leading up to this semifinal. FHL pundits are resisting the urge to call this match for the Wild Ducks - the better team on paper - instead they’re giving a slight edge to GM Buker and battle-hardened Central Red Army.

VS.

RECORD: Lumberjacks (9-6); Cherry Pickers (11-4)
AT STAKE: Everything that was said above, plus bragging rights at 12 months worth of Recoskie family gatherings.
H2H: The Cherry Pickers won the season series with the Lumberjacks, 2-1; defeating the Jacks in Week 4 (44.5 to 25.3) and Week 9 (53.3 to 48). The Lumberjacks would salvage one match, upending the Pickers in Week 14 (37.1 to 36.2). Through the first 15 weeks of the season the Pickers have scored a league-best 762.3 points; an average of 50.8 points per week - the only team to average 50.0 or more points. The Lumberjacks have averaged 49.0 points per week; 734.9 points in all.
OVERVIEW: Who will win? It’s difficult (and probably stupid) to bet against the best team in the league. So we won’t. While the resilient Lumberjacks surely won’t go quietly, the Cherry Pickers - with Nathan MacKinnon once again steering the ship - should advance to their first-ever H2H championship match.


Prize money is awarded to three teams: the H2H champion, the runner-up and the winner of the consolation match.

PRIZE MONEY
Champion: $120.00
Runner-up: $50.00
Winner of Consolation Match: $30.00