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.
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In the Midwest West, the Minnesota Mullets (24 points), Isanti Outlaws (23 points) and Dells Ducks (22 points) are vying for spots 7, 8 and 9. Only the 7-8 teams will make the playoffs however. The Minnesota Mullets host the Dells Ducks today. A Mullets win today will make it extremely hard for the Dells, who give up games in hand to both Isanti and the Mullets.
Everywhere else is really position jockeying.
Who can clinch home ice today?
Casper is idle this weekend. Two Seattle wins vs. Rogue Valley would give Seattle first round home ice. Today’s schedule is roughly one-eighth of the remaining season. There’ll be a much clearer picture for tomorrow.
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11 games today
We’re watching the Florida Division to see who wants the final playoff berth most between the Florida Jr. Blades, Palm Beach Typhoon or Bold City Battalion. The Jr. Blades can put more distance between themselves and the other two by picking up points in their Tampa game today. This game could be a preview of the 1v4 playoff round at Fort Myers next month.
The Cyclones’ magic number against the Islanders Hockey Club is 3. A win vs. Elmira coupled with a loss by the Islanders to Somang Hockey will lock up first in New England.
The Bruins’ loss yesterday locks them into fourth place. Today’s results could send them to the Cyclones and leave the Islanders Hockey Club with the mission to garner enough points to host the Pics. The Pics’ hopes for second would start with winning today against the Rockets.
