We’ll be posting regular updates on what games each game day will have playoff clinching implications in the NCDC, USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite.
A few notes before today’s update:
No teams in the NCDC have clinched a playoff berth as of yet. But we’ll show NCDC games where a team can improve its standings position (in points) as they come up and obviously mention clinching scenarios as they approach.
Premier teams that have clinched playoff berths include:
- New York Aviators
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
- Rockets Hockey Club
- Connecticut Jr. Rangers
- Utica Jr. Comets
- Hudson Havoc
- Minnesota Squatch
- Minnesota Moose
- Isanti Outlaws
- Northern Cyclones
- Islanders Hockey Club
- Boston Junior Bruins
- Vernal Oilers
- Seattle Totems
- ALL teams in the Mountain Division, Great Lakes Division & Midwest East Division.
Elite teams that have clinched playoff berths include:
- Florida Eels
- Northern Cyclones
- Bridgewater Bandits
- Carolina Jr. Hurricanes
- Charlotte Rush
- Potomac Patriots
Jan. 16, 2023 Update:
Click conference names for playoff formats.
No games are scheduled for today.
• Tomorrow, the Northern Cyclones can break a first place tie in the North if they win against the Islanders Hockey Club.
IHC is eight points out of fourth place, the cutoff for playoff qualification in each division.
• Tomorrow’s New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs vs. Junior Bruins game could see a potential switch at the top of the North if the Monarchs win and the Cyclones lose. If the Monarchs win, they would have 40 points and would vault both the Cyclones (with a loss) and the idle Advantage. If the Cyclones win and the Monarchs win, the top would be 41-40-39, Cyclones-Monarchs-Advantage.
The Junior Bruins also have a lot at stake Tuesday as they are just three points from reaching fourth place.
The Utica Jr. Comets clinched late Sunday night after a loss by the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders to the Elmira Jr. Enforcers.
2:45 p.m. Monday: If the Charlotte Rush pick up at least one point against the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, they clinch a playoff berth.
The Lake Tahoe Lakers have been eliminated from playoff contention.
10 a.m.: If the Islanders Hockey Club pick up at least a point against the Boston Junior Bruins, they clinch a playoff berth.
10:15 a.m.: If the Elmira Jr. Enforcers win in regulation against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights clinch a playoff berth.
The Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
