WEEK 19 (thru Monday)

The CRA Express is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, rookie defenseman Quinn Hughes (3a) netting 6.0 of the Central Red Army’s league-best 14.4 points, the once beleaguered team well on their way to another crucial, must-have triumph.

Central Red Army: 14.4
Polar Bears: 5.0­
The highly motivated Central Red Army, 8-10, travels to New Baltimore, Michigan to engage the lowly motivated Polar Bears, 4-12. With only four weeks remaining in the H2H regular season, the Army would qualify for the playoffs if they win the remainder of their matches. If they fall just once, a .500 record might not be enough (ref. Cherry Pickers current situation). The Bears would like to shed the label “Worst Record in the League,” though at this point in the season, that level of motivation isn’t giving GM Elya goosebumps.
(Previous meeting: Central Red Army 42.4, Polar Bears 35.9)

Vegas Vipers: 5.6
Rocky Rocks: 10.0­
Playing an abandoned team, the situation is looking good for the Vegas Vipers, 8-10, and their must-win Week 19 chances; the Vipers almost certain to be eliminated from playoff contention should they lose. Well, it was looking good - until Rocky Rocks erupted for 10.0 points on opening day, the unmanned, nothing-to-lose team still very dangerous, especially to GM Miller and his hopes of skating in the postseason.
(Previous meeting: Vegas Vipers 51.2, Rocky Rocks 46.8 )

SC Cobras: 4.0
Bluliners: 3.4
With regard to popcorn-worthy matches, this one is a two-bagger, the SC Cobras and Bluliners meeting in a monster, possibly postseason-deciding duel. Both teams are sitting on a very slippery slope; both teams are 9-9. The winner would tighten their grip on their playoff ticket. The loser will no longer be holding a playoff ticket. Don’t even think about attending (unless you know Vinnie, the guy guarding the back door) tickets to this baby are long-gone.
(Previous meeting: Bluliners 51.3, SC Cobras 44.5)

Wild Ducks: 2.0
Misconducts: 8.0
A meeting of division leaders, the Domi-best Misconducts, 11-7, doing battle with the Grimson-best Wild Ducks, also 11-7. A win, for either team, would lock a spot in the playoffs and a shot at the $200.00 postseason purse. A loss will leave the loser with a record of 11-8, and no guarantees. Both teams also have an outside shot at catching the Ice Hogs and their league-best record; a distinction that grants the team an automatic berth in the playoff semifinals. A loss puts an end to that.
(Previous meeting: Misconducts 38.4, Wild Ducks 31.7)

Ice Hogs: 2.6
Boulder Flyers: 3.0­
With a record of 14-4, the Ice Hogs are holding all of the postseason cards. They have qualified for the playoffs. They have also claimed at least a share of the Probert division title. If they win, they could lay claim to the league’s best H2H record and all of it’s rewards. A loss would leave the gate unlocked. The Boulder Flyers, 10-8, are currently a playoff team - but with so many teams pounding on their postseason door, the Flyers position remains precarious, GM Morgan just a loss removed from being tossed back onto the slimy playoff bubble.
(Previous meeting: Ice Hogs 49.0, Boulder Flyers 40.3)

Cherry Pickers: 9.0
Badger Bob: 3.0­
With a record of 9-9, you’d think the Cherry Pickers would be holding a ticket to the postseason. They’re not, the frustrated franchise in need of a win to climb aboard the seven-team postseason train. As such, the Pickers have brought their best game to New Jersey where they will do battle with Badger Bob; the Grimson-best Bobs, 11-7, still with an outside chance of finishing with the best record in the league - and claiming the highly-coveted first round playoff bye.
(Previous meeting: Badger Bob 56.8, Cherry Pickers 50.4)

LINK: Standings