Hertha: “Let us make a comeback of an old, tradition, Günther. Let us comment on the play-off race. What can we say about the SHC this season, Günther?”

Günther: “Right. Let’s start right away. SHC North still has two contenders for the divisional title. Vikings still have the advantage over CCC with 15 points versus 14 for the CCC, and the tie advantage. Vikings are on the defensive however, after losing Ryan Griffin and Mark Butcher in the week 11 game versus the Sharks and then a surprise loss against the Grizzlies in week 13. CCC have had a surge upwards, with a big win against League #1 Sharks in week 12 and a draw against the White Wolves in week 13. The two teams meet in week 16 and if CCC bags that game, they will be one point ahead.”

Hertha: “Yes. And before that Vikings will meet a rejuvenated Marauders who has returned to Los Cabos and then a tough match against the White Wolves in week 15. Hard as this seems, CCC’s program does not look easier, with a tough home game against the Knights on Tuesday and then a meeting with the Grizzlies who have proved they do have teeth this season. Hard to say who will get the most points out of that!”

Günther: “Indeed it is. I will still take a chance on CCC managing 3 points and Vikings only 2, which means that they will be neck-to-neck at 17 points before the final game in Carroburg in week 16. Winner takes it all, but Vikings can get by with a draw thanks to the advantage they hold. I still believe in a hard-fought CCC victory, which means CCC will take the division with 19 points and Vikings #2 at 17 points. Wolfskins at 12 needs to get 6 points to reach 18, and I do not think they will manage that, considering that they play White Wolves, Marauders and Sharks.”

Hertha: “Yeah. SHE East seems easy. Manticores have 19 points in 14 games, while Greenskins is 5 points behind at 14, but have one more game.”

Günther: “Correct. And Manticores have Avalanche in week 15 and Legion in week 16. Let us guess at 3 points more for the Division #2 team, ending up at 22. Greenskins also have Legion, and then Wreckers and finishes against Buccaneers. Both Legion and Wreckers are in a rebuild mode and it should be possible to beat them, but Buccaneers is currently the League #1 team, and will be a tough match. I predict the Greenskins at 18 points at the end, and #2 in the division.”

Hertha: “And the other two teams, Legion and Rangers, are too far behind to get involved in play-offs. At 6 points each right now and with three matches remaining, they will not be close even to a wild card spot.”

Günther: “Yes. SHC South is harder to predict. Currently, Buccaneers are leading the League with 20 points in 14 games, while Avalanche has 18 points in 13 games. Their internal matches have been played and Buccaneers won the first, while the second ended in a draw. Thus, Buccaneers have the head-to-head advantage.”

Hertha: “Bucs have the Rangers and the Greenskins in their last two matches, and should be able to get 4 more points for a total of 24, although Greenskins will probably put up a fight, particularly if a play-off spot is still within distance when we come to week 16 of regular season. Avalanche also play the rebuilding Rangers, and then the Manticores and Bruisers. They have played well so far, but Manties and Bruisers know a thing or two on how to deal damage, so Avalanche should meet resistance. 4 more points should be a fair possibility, which brings them up to 22 points.”

Günther: “Bruisers have 14 points and three matches left, and plays the Wreckers, Legion and Avalanche. Divisional victory is probably beyond what they can do, but with good games a wild card spot is not impossible and the week 16 match against the Avalanche will likely be the crucial one.”

Hertha: “Finally, in the SHC West Sharks has probably secured the divisional victory. With 19 points and remaining matches against Grizzlies, Knights and Wolfskins the Sharks should manage at least 4 points, if they continue to play like they have this season. That brings them to 24. Knights and White Wolves both have 15 and three remaining matches, so although they probably cannot reach the Sharks, they are still in the game for a wild card spot. Currently, both teams occupy such a spot, and they could very well end up with these spots when the final tally is reached.”

Günther: “On paper, Knights seem to have the toughest schedule, playing CCC in week 14 and the divisional number 1 Sharks in week 15, before they end up against the Marauders in week 16. White Wolves will play Wolfskins, Vikings and Grizzlies. We predict three more points for Knights and four more for the White Wolves, putting the teams at 18 points and 19 points respectively.”

Hertha: “Right. So CCC, Manticores, Buccaneers and Sharks with the divisional wins. So what about the Wild cards?”

Günther: “Well, this season is the first season with three wild card spots. Currently, these are held by the White Wolves, the Knights and the Avalanche. Avalanche is still in contention for the divisional win, but If they don’t manage that, they are pretty sure to get one of the wild card spots. Another two points in the remaining three games should do the trick. The only serious contender to the White Wolves and the Knights are the Greenskins in SHC. We do believe the White Wolves will make it, and then it will be either Knights or Greenskins for the final spot.”

Hertha: “And finally, it looks like the following four games will be key games in deciding the play-off spots in SHC. CCC vs Knights in week 14 and then the three week 16 games between Bruisers and Avalanche, between Greenskins and Manticores and between CCC and Vikings. Be sure to get a seat in these four games, and you will probably see which way it goes!”

Brought to you by Hertha Wendlinger and Günther Schiele of the Carroburg Tageszeitung.