Comunicados

With just 3 weeks remaining the action in III.10 couldn't be any more exciting. With a handful of new teams in the mix anything could happen as we go down to the wire. One thing that won't change is 4 teams that have claimed a spot in the playoffs, Iowa Wild, Backstreet Boys, Flying Bartlebys and Brentwood Diablos. Two teams, MN Wild and the Wookies have been mathematically eliminated from reaching the top 8 as have the 5 current noname teams. However with the 8-16 playoffs their seasons are far from over. Taking a look at the matchups this week:

1. Iowa Wild

The Wild managed to hold on to the top spot for another week but will have to best their best to hold on to it. They start out on Monday facing the last place Team noname 36698. On Wednesday they face the Boulder Huskies. This will be the first meeting of those teams under their current forms. That is also true of their Friday game with the Wookies.

2. Backstreet Boys

The Boys were rescued from being dissolved by an 11th hour call from the governor. Still considered by many to be the most talented team in the league they will look to keep the pressure on the Wild and only need for them to fall once to take back the top spot. The Boys will start off the week on Monday against Team noname 36684. On Wednesday they face the also recently resurrected PHILLY FLYERS. Backstreet won the previous meeting 12-0 with the help of 8 penalties and the play of Nathan Hurley who had 2 goals and an assist. The Boys finish up the week against the Tuscaloosa Elephants on Friday. This will be the first game between those two teams.

3. Flying Bartlebys

The Bartlebys, who already hold a playoff spot, will look to hold onto the third seed and possibly move up with a strong showing this week. All three games this week are against first time opponents. On Wednesday they face the Wookies and on Friday the Kenowhere Manglers.

4. Brentwood Diablos

After a solid showing last week the Diablos fin themselves only 3 points behind the Bartlebys. On Monday the face the Tuscaloosa Elephants in a first time meeting between the teams. On Wednesday the have their biggest game of the week as they take on the Old City Peregrines. In the previous matchup the Diablos came out with a hard fought 4-2 victory. Ollie Pfeiffer was the star of the game for the Diablos with a goal and an assist. A top scorer for the team, he will once again be looked to to lead them in this game. The Diablos finish the week off easy against Team noname 36688.

5. Elk River Wizards

The Wizards got their first three games under their belt. This week will be a bit more challenging. On Monday they face the 11th place PHILLY FLYERS. On Wednesday, the 7th place Tuscaloosa Elephants, and on Friday the 8th place Old City Peregrines. With only 6 points (2 wins) separating the 5-8 teams they will need a good showing to hold onto their spot.

6. NY Rangers St.

The Rangers rebounded from their loss to the Wild last week to beat Old City and hold onto the 6th spot. Their week starts off against the newcomers MN Wild. But after that gets real easy with games against Team noname 36688 and Team noname 36698. Even if they lose on Monday, with two noname games they look to hold onto their spot.

8. Old City Peregrines

Their is however one team that will be doing everything they can to make sure the Rangers don't hold onto to their spot, however, and that's the Peregrines. After facing Team noname 36688 on Monday, the Peregrines have two big games that greatly influence where they end up in the rankings. On Wednesday they take on the Brentwood Diablos in an already previewed game. And on Friday they face the Elk River Wizards. Winning out the week is a must as the schedule doesn't get any easier the rest of the way out.

11. PHILLY FLYERS

Another team thought to have gone the way of the dodo has returned. Still mathematically in the playoff race, they have their work cut out for them if they want to make it happen. On Monday they face the Elk river Wizards in their first meeting. On Wednesday they face their biggest challenge of the week in the Backstreet Boys in an already previewed game. They finish off Friday against Canes and Caps in another premiere matchup.

15. Wookies

The Wookies got a rough introduction to the league taking on the Backstreet Boys n their first game. Although they face Team noname 36694 on Monday, it doesn't get any easier after that. On Wednesday they take on the Flying Bartlebys and on Friday the Iowa Wild. While they are mathematically out of the playoffs, they could play the roll of spoiler for either of those teams.

Notes: As usual I didn't cover teams that I believe have gone inactive or new teams that don't yet have a second login. Don;t take it personally, if you are still active I will cover the team in a future preview. Also, I didn't do any player focus this week. I'm hoping they will change the press release to allow linking to player pages and if they do I will bring them back. Good luck to everyone this week.

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