WEEK 17 (thru Thursday)

A point-saturated Thursday saw a mass consolidation of teams competing for the FHL Cup; the Misconducts roaring past the Ice Hogs, the Bluliners ripping 27.1 points, the Central Red Army closing to within 33.0, the explosive Ice Cats now in the hunt for the title - all told, no less than six teams are within 54.0 points of first place with eight-plus weeks remaining in the season.

Misconducts: 36.7
Silicon Valley Slashers: 11.5
The Misconducts attacked the Ice Hogs on Thursday, launching 17.8 points at GM Henry's headquarters. When the dust settled the Misconducts were once again the best team in the league, now 7.2 points better than the hazy Hogs. The Silicon Valley Slashers carded 6.0 points - the chants of "dead man walking" getting increasingly louder - GM Murphy and his Slashers team now 25.2 points in back of their relentless opponent.

Ice Hogs: 21.8
Wild Ducks: 28.0
While the Ice Hogs have recovered from past attacks, Thursday's assault was especially troubling - many wondering if the Hogs can continue to bounce back from the repeated prodding. That's a problem for later. The current problem is the improved play of the Wild Ducks, GM Collard's team netting 13.6 points to gain the upper hand in this H2H contest; the Ducks now just 24.1 points out of 1st place.

Badger Bob: 24.0
Bluliners: 51.0
Thought to be dormant, Mt. Bluliner erupted on Thursday, GM Hamilton's team collecting a league-best 27.1 points. The flowing points buried Badger Bob, GM Chester's team now trailing this pivotal match by 27.0 points. More importantly the Bluliners made a return trip to Cup contention, now just 54.0 points shy of what would be their 5th FHL championship.

Ice Cats: 34.7
Polar Bears: 19.3
Despite being in the league for over 20 years, the Ice Cats have never won the FHL Cup. This season could be their best chance yet, another rock-solid outing lifting GM Cutshall's team to within 54.0 points of 1st place. The 19.7 point Thursday also did damage to the Polar Bears long shot chances of winning this H2H match, the Cats lead growing to 15.4 points.

SC Cobras: 30.3
Central Red Army: 32.9­
On the strength of a 17.4 point Thursday, the Central Red Army moved to within striking distance of 1st place, GM Buker's team now just 33.0 points back. The production however was not enough to keep a lid on the bubbling SC Cobras, the snakes potting 22.3 points, GM Murphy's 7th place team now 75.3 points back overall; their H2H deficit just 2.6 points.

Between the Pipes: 21.2
Boulder Flyers: 10.1
The Boulder Flyers apparently didn't receive an invitation to Thursday's point party, GM Morgan's birds registering a league-low 5.2 points. Between the Pipes weren't great but they were better, the Pipes now twice as good as the Flyers with three days remaining in the week. Daylight is also beckoning for GM Miller, his team just 17.6 steps from the basement exit.

LINK: Standings