By USPHL Staff
In The Playoff Push, we will take a look at the busiest game days’ most integral games in regards to teams clinching playoffs or clinching specific playoff berths, as we head down the stretch toward the end of the regular season in early March.
USPHL Premier
Bakersfield and Las Vegas are tied at 49 points. Their common magic number against Tahoe is 5. Today, San Diego hosts Lake Tahoe, Vernal hosts Bakersfield, and Casper hosts Las Vegas.
Fresno hosts Ontario. A Fresno regulation win secures home ice for them. Both teams will cheer for Vernal and Casper, at least today.
In the Northwest, the finish line is in sight. Vernal’s magic number is 2 against Casper to clinch home ice in the postseason. Casper has four games remaining on the season.
Seattle and Vernal each have 10 games left. With so many games in hand, Seattle and Vernal could easily end up finishing in the top two.
Seattle hosts Bellingham. A Seattle point clinches at least third place
In the Midwest West, the Dells Ducks (22 points) host the Squatch, the Havoc host Isanti (21 points) and the Mullets (22 points) are idle. Isanti and Mullets have games in hand on the Ducks.
Which team will finishe last is still a question mark. This will take a while.
USPHL Elite
If the Jersey Hitmen get a regulation win or Elmira takes a loss, the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division would come down to Jersey and the Connecticut Jr. Rangers. The Rangers play at the Islanders Hockey Club today. The Hitmen’s magic number versus CJR is 5.
