Tag: Season 17

Season 17 PL Playoff Previews
by Snipes

Season 17 PL Playoff Previews

In the vast expanse of the universe there are an incalculable number of realities and laws by which we must exist. The first being that every PL season has to be a banger. Welcome to the PL playoff preview. From returning hopefuls, to new faces, from the kings upon which the crown lies to the usurpers that would claim the title, PL is filled to the brim with aspirations this season.

Our dreams begin in the blue conference for 2s. Having started week 1 as the 1 seed, the shadow have defended the conference title for 10 consecutive weeks going into their playoff matchup against the 4 seeded Jets. The lefty, pain duo has yet to see defeat this season in 2s, but of course, there is no easy round in playoffs. Awaiting them in the first round is the consensus most talented roster in the blue conference. Exy and Ryker will be taking to the field against this top seeded shadow. A dominant start followed by a series of late hurdles has seen them wind up in the 4 seed for playoffs, below where they’d hoped to be. But in the end it is not the condition in which you make it to the mountain, but how high you climb. They will have a tough peak to climb to start their playoff journey. Very high level matchup, either team could be the favorite.

Their opponent will be the winner of the Hive vs Hurricanes slug out. The Hurricanes may be the belle of the ball, but the Hive are cinderalla. Staring into the abyss at 6-19, the Hive have clawed and scrapped their way to a playoff roster in the simplest way possible. Crush. Everyone. Pandy seeks redemption with long time friend Slyr in 2s as they are 19-1 so far this season in 2s, and have shown no sign of stumbling. But the Hurricanes are a dominant franchise for a reason. Some of the best playoff performances in recent PL memory have come from this franchise. Led in 2s by Reagfam, a midseason addition, and Bolio, a returning 3s champion. This team has the experience, but can they provide a bulwark against the impending hive team that has caved in every roster they’ve played thus far.

Now, while the blue conference is coated in storylines, from a talent perspective the orange conference is covered in sheer brutality. It starts with the 2 seed vs 3 seed matchup of Express vs. Bulls. The express are attempting the zero to hero after finishing dead last last season, to now attempting to win a 2s championship. They have the roster to do it, heralded the night of the draft as maybe the most talented 2s team ever assembled post rankout with ChimpanJay and Deity on the same team. They have all the potential of slamming everyone and snatching the crown. Who can stop them? The list is short, but the team at the top of it is their first round matchup, the PL Bulls. Led by 2 time defending 2s champion Steez and returning player Danger, the Bulls are the best chance at taking down the Express in this round 1 bo5. There will be 4 top 10 players in the league on the field in this 2s game. It will probably be the most mechanical matchup ever put together in PL, and is THE most exciting match you could be tuning into week 1. I’m not saying that all playoff teams aren’t built equal, but whoever wins this match will own the road to the championship.

You’ll notice how I said 2 vs 3 seed though, and that’s because the 1 seed was earned by the Conference topping Rhinos. While R E D has a habit of building for 3s normally, he took a chance on drafting 2 historically 2s mains in the league in his first 2 rounds. Nezyy and Wenegade Waida have worked together with the very deep Rhinos roster to put together a 1 seed campaign. Both have playoff experience, but are relatively unproven going into their round 1 matchup, considering they are 0-2 as a duo this season. Back in the 4 seed is a familiar face, the Outlaws. Last seasons orange conference 4 seed pulled off an unexpected win over the at the time harlem globe trotter looking team of the elite. This season they’re still the 4 seed, but not for lack of talent. AMP and Evyhn is as talented as a 2s team can get. They compliment each other, and both are consistent 1800 performers in ranked. With good chemistry and the momentum that they’ve been building the more they play together we may get to see AMP and the Outlaws play spoiler to another top seed.

While the 2s defending champion Bulls are looking to defend their throne. The 3s seat is left empty as the Hurricanes failed to make 3s playoffs this season, meaning a new champion will be crowned. In fact, only 2 players, Taelo and Algix, are in playoffs and have ever previously won a PL 3s championship as a starter. The 3s talent has truly been dispersed this season in the league. And every team has a story to be told in their seasons and how they got there. As usual, lets head on over the left side of the bracket and check out the blue conference.

While the orange conference is about dominant teams, the blue conference has provided all the drama and standings changes that define PL. This season the blue conference top 4 standings changed every single week. The top 4 never stayed the same, as every week had an upset. And the kings of the chaos, the ones flying high into the 1 seed? The Aviators. A team that struggled at .500 well into the season, the aviators found their footing in the last few weeks of their season. Spending more time than other teams building team chemistry and playstyle, they are on the longest 3s winstreak in the league heading into this series. This top roster of Algix, Flashasaurous, and Afterburner are an underdog story that decided to be the 1 seed and keep the chip on their shoulder.  Their reward is a bitter one though. They play against again the best on paper team in the conference, the Jets. Exy, Ryker, and EllectroZx. The jets survived a late season collapse in 3s that saw them end the season on a slide that almost knocked them out of playoffs if not for a game 5 week 10 win against the hive. This matchup looks to be a pure 3s matchup of chemistry and hard work vs talent and mechanics. Look for Algix and EllectroZx on the field as the important players to watch. Both of these guys play will have a big impact on their teams potential.

 

Easily the most up and down team of PL this season, the PL Wolves. They dropped their second round pick after 2 weeks, then signed new players, then had their top 2 players not get eligible, then made last second pickups while being as low as 13th in the league, and then 5-0’d the lightning in week 10 to steal a win and steal a playoff spot. They’ve been scrapping together wins every week steadily for 3 weeks now and have found a real late season gem with PandasCafe. Against them is the struggling 2 seed Shadow, who have lost 4 series in a row in 3s, but kept their playoff spot and division lead by a small margin. They have the depth to be a good 3s team, but with the longest losing streak in playoffs, they are on the wrong side of momentum going into this match. Key players will be PandasCafe and Pain, both players that have massive upside who’s play this series could be the tipping point for their team.

Bringing it back to the orange conference. We have some titanic matchups lined up here, full of heavy hitting teams that all have good momentum going to playoffs. First up is the 2 vs 3 seed matchup. Knights vs Rhinos. Knights were a surprise division winner in a conference that had a lot of talent in it with the outlaws and express in 3s, but the knights pulled out key wins against division opponents and didn’t let the those struggling teams catch up, holding onto the division lead for the last 7 consecutive weeks of the season. Late addition Distant has provided the last spark needed to light this team up for playoffs, and with Beast Distant and Guapo, there is a team that has real upside to potentially make a final. Look for fast pace play, upfield passing, bumps, and just massive pressure to be a major factor for this team. This playstyle is unfortunate for their opponents, the Rhinos. The rhinos won the most games in the orange conference this season, but that’s a depth stat. Now it’s their top 3 finally united in 3s for only the second time who have to bring it home. Nezyy, R E D, and Wenegade Waida, will have to put together a big run for this team to find that ever elusive title. While they have plenty of talent, playstyle might be a factor for this team. All 3 of these players are more used to a 3rd man playstyle that focuses more on enabling. They’ll need First round pick Nezyy to become their offensive linchpin and run the offense through him in order to dictate the pace of the games better. Against this fast paced knights roster, they could see themselves get bogged down if they aren’t able to reliably sustain their own offense.

I talked about in 2s how it looks like The Express vs Bulls series looked liked the 2 favorites meeting round 1. Sadly for the Bulls, it looks similar in 3s. The 4 seed Bulls will travel to the Pandas in week 1 of the playoffs in a match who will see the winner be the favorite to advance and win the championship. The Pandas have as much 3s firepower as you can possibly fit on a roster under cap, with FM Taelo flanked by 2 arguably top 5 3s players in the league, Insanity and Arju. This team has been destroying during the regular season with their 3s depth, finishing 8-2, their only losses being to the Bulls in week 9 and Knights in week 7, both games crucially missing Arju, a top 3 player in the league. The Bulls stand opposite them, hoping to reach another 3s final and avenge last seasons loss. The team has been upgraded since, with another top 5 player Danger being added to the roster on top of Steez. Sulace rounds out this 3 man hit squad as they look to take the field. High pressure passing and midfield suppression is the name of their game. The pandas look to employ a playmaking style reliant on their goal line defense, and Arju’s mechanics and Taelo’s fast paced pressure style to score a wide variety of goals against whoever they play. Key players to watch for this series will be Sulace and Taelo. We know that the top 2 on each of these teams are insane, but can the 3rd players provide that consistent presence on the field, and propel their team to another level come playoff time.

Season 17 FL Playoff Previews
by Quilli

Season 17 FL Playoff Previews

The good, the bad, and the ugly (and everything in between)

Season 17 has been one heck of a rollercoaster from start to finish, and I’m here to help break down a couple of teams that have made it one step closer to the promised land… A.K.A. a chance at the coveted MLE Championship and the prize of a glorious thirst quenching case of your favorite gaming beverage, BAWLS Guarana!  To help catch you up to speed on the most interesting and fun to watch league in all of MLE (Foundation League), I will be breaking it down into 5 different categories; a team I like, a team I dislike, a team to keep an eye on, an underdog story and one team that you shouldn’t buy the hype for (queue overrated chants)!  So buckle up and prepare for the disaster-piece of… Quilli’s thoughts on Foundation League playoffs!

 

Overrated

What better way to start a Quilli decided list than to kick it off with some controversy.  The most overrated team is… the #1 seeded Comets Standard team, HOLD FOR GASPS!  I know what you’re thinking… “How could a 30 win, #1 seeded, with a top 3 goal differential be overrated?!”  Well, may I interest you in the fact that they are the ONLY team in the entirety of the FL playoffs with a negative series record, or the fact that 3 out of the 4 series wins they have are against teams that aren’t even in the playoffs.  They are a team that has been keeping series close with teams below them in rankings, but unable to find the series wins more than finding the series loss.  On top of that, their 3 highest salaried players (Papercut 9.5, 1337 8.5 and Swanson 8.0) have played a single series where they dominated their 3rd place divisional rival Eclipse that didn’t even make playoffs.  So assuming this is the roster they send out they are lacking the in game preparation you’d expect out of a #1 seed.  I believe their opponent, the 4 seeded Puffins, will be more than a challenge for them.  They faced earlier in the season in week 5 where the Comets took a 2-3 series loss against the Puffins in a matchup where both teams sent out 2 of their 3 most played players in the Standard gamemode.

 

Comets GM ‘Stoofy’s comments on their Standard roster: It’s been a wild season, they dominated 2s but started 3s with a 1-6 series record, but still cleared 30 wins and a #1 seed. Everyone on this FL roster is over 30 years old, proving even the retirement home community still has hands.

 

Keep an eye out

 

Alright, now that I’ve stirred the pot a little bit with a hot take, it is now time for some simplicity.  A team I think you should keep an eye on going into these playoffs that I think has an interesting chance at making something happen is the Tyrants Doubles team.  Before you get up in arms about me naming the FL team of the team I’m on, just hear me out first.  This #2 seed is no joke, boasting a 76 goal differential, a 7-3 series record and 2 of the best players for chemistry and comms between ‘TyTheGuy’ and ‘Yenyen’. Now one of those two names has been on fire all season, Yenyen is a powerhouse in both doubles and standard, and after losing their teammate ‘Lanxbaby’ in a controversial end of season rank out, it is now a next man up scenario where Ty now has prove themself to this league as a more than capable second man in this gauntlet of a bracket.

 

Tyrants Interim FM ‘YTStorm’s comments on their Doubles roster: They have been a feisty team all season with many road bumps with all that happened this season and they stayed together and played really well.

 

Underrated

 

So now that I got the two most controversial takes out of the way, it’s time to show some love to an under the radar team.  Some would even say they’re… dodging… the spotlight… THAT’S RIGHT, I’M TALKING ABOUT THE DODGERS!  Ok, I know what you’re thinking, “Quilli, how do you expect the team with the worst record, third worst goal differential and  in the FL standard playoffs to do anything?” Well I rebuttal you with the fact that they are the only team in all of standard playoffs with a 7-3 series record!  Do they have the 3rd worst goal differential?  Yes.  Did one of their arguably best players (Pikachew_RL) rank out into the Academy League?  Yes.  DO THEY HAVE THAT DOG IN THEM?  ABSOLUTELY!!!  Sometimes a good gameplan, a chip on your shoulder, and some good ol’ fashion will to do what it takes to win could be a recipe to upset the heavy favorite.  There’s an old saying in the sports world, the only thing scarier than someone with everything to lose is someone with nothing to lose.  ‘Stickly’ at a 10.0 salary and ‘ImDemoing’ at a respectable 8.5 with whoever they select for a third have their backs against the wall and will be tested on their fight, but boy do I believe!  Don’t let this team get hot!

 

Dodgers GM ‘DeathShadow’s comments on their Standard roster: The Dodgers are ready, they have all beaten ‘NotADuck’ in a 1v1 in preparation for this week.

 

Dislike

 

That’s enough being nice for now, let’s hop back into the toxic territory, the team I don’t like… coming in hot we have the Ducks Standard team!  A #3 seed that I am doubting, which makes it even worse on my end when i mention they are the 2nd place team overall in standard.  But hidden in the grass, they are tied with 6 out of 8 teams at a 6-4 record, so while not looking special there, they have the WORST goal differential in all of FL standard at just 1.  In the final week of matches, the Ducks just barely beat the first placed Pirates 3-2, but the Pirates only played 1 of their top sals, while the other two players were a 7.0 and a 6.0 sal.  So to struggle to get a defining win in the final week against a (statistically) lesser opponent is not moving me in a positive direction when choosing favorites to win it all!  I still love ‘DeskJockey’ though.

 

Ducks GM ‘Thunderca’s comment on their Standard roster: I Think we have what it takes, because even though our roster has changed numerous times with rank outs and trades, i believe the core players we based the team off of are more than good enough to take the chip, but it’s anyone’s game here in the much more heavily stacked orange conference.  So anything can happen, But i’m confident in my ducklings.

 

Quilli Approved

 

Last, but certainly not least, a team I like and a potential Quilli favorite to win it all in their respective gamemode… the Sharks Doubles team!  What’s a safer pick than picking the only team with two 10.0 salary players?  There isn’t one, but that wasn’t the leading factor in my decision (but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t help).  On paper though, this team being just at the #3 seed has a lot left to be desired as a pick for a ‘favorite to win it all,’ I am very aware.  While they may have a goal differential of -3, something I’ve been harping on a lot in this read, I believe theirs has a lot to do with sharing the load on player uses.  ‘Narutox’ has a more than impressive 19-6 record in doubles as an active Sharks player, only suffering 1 series loss to the (#1 seed) Duck’s Doubles team.  This absolute dominance just shows what they are capable of when they’re on the pitch.  With a fellow 10.0 salary as their teammate in ‘September’, who has definitely struggled throughout the season, I firmly believe that this duo has what it takes to do it all and get the Sharks a highly sought after MLE Championship!

 

Sharks FM ‘Kkube’s comments on their Doubles roster: I think they have a great chance this season! They have been on the grind especially down the stretch and they have put themselves in a great position to potentially bring Sharks their first championship!

 

Team I Like: #3 seed Sharks 2s

Eyes On: #2 seed Tyrants 2s

Underdog: #4 seed dodgers 3s

Overrated: #1 seed Comets 3s

Dislike: #3 seed Ducks 3s

Season 17 ML Playoff Previews
by BoogerBear

Season 17 ML Playoff Previews

Sixteen teams remain in both doubles and standard as we prepare for the start of the Season 17 playoffs in MLE. With this season comes a brand new playoff format that removes the first round bye for the #1 seed of each conference. Now, it’s the four division champions and the next two highest teams from each superdivision squaring off in what is likely a much more tightly contested playoff. Without any further ado (trust, there’s five of these previews), let’s get straight into it!

 

Doubles

#1 COM (33-17)  vs #4 AVI (26-24)

 

The Comets come into this matchup chasing the franchise’s second championship as one of the favorites to take it all. This was a lineup made with all the intentions of putting the ball in the net. They lead the Blue Conference in Goal Differential with 52, which is second in ML only to the Ducks. Though the Aviators finished 7 games behind the Comets, they only have one series victory less than the Comets. In series, the Comets are 7-3, Aviators are 6-4. These two teams did not meet in the regular season.


Likely players for Comets: ItalianGini, Jolo, Stingray
Likely players for Aviators: Shiesty, Remy, Jayyy


Boog’s Prediction: Comets in 4

 

#2 SHD (25-25) vs #3 TYR (26-24)


 Shadow managed to steal the Storm Division from the Lightning by a single game, which is why they are the #2 seed despite the Tyrants having a better record. Although they are a division champion, Shadow may not be in for a deep run due to the .500 record, negative series record of 4-6, and negative Goal Differential of -7. The Tyrants are not without their own regular season woes. They boast the lowest Goal Diff. of -13, a series record of 5-5. This match will either be a blowout or extremely tight.

 

Likely players for Shadow: P2K, Cool, MikeIsMyIke
Likely players for Tyrants: SolarSide, YTStorm, Coley

Boog’s Prediction: Tyrants in 5

 

#1 JETS (34-16) vs #4 SAB (25-25)

 

The Jets are bringing the thunder against a .500 Sabres team. The Sabres are about as statistically average as a team could be, as they have a .500 record, near 0 Goal Diff and 4-6 in series. The Jets, on the other hand, are bringing a moderate 28 Goal Diff, which is not the highest in ML, but is definitely respectable. The Jets have an ML best 68% winrate this season, and a 7-3 series record. All things on paper are pointing to a very short playoff run for the Sabres. 

 

Likely players for Jets: ThunderTung, Bamboo, Frehgrunce
Likely players for Sabres: Sparcnova, Halibut, Yoky

Boog’s Prediction: Jets in 3

 

#2 FOX (28-22) vs #3 HUR (26-24)

 

The Foxes find themselves against a franchise that has had a knack for finding ways to the Grand Finals (See: Season 10)  in the past. Only time will tell if the Hurricanes can keep up with that trend. The Foxes may have a better record, but the Hurricanes have a much better Goal Diff with 35 than the Foxes 13. Both teams boast a series record of 6-4, so keep an eye on this one to be the best match of the first round. This will likely be another tightly contested match.

 

Likely players for Foxes: KeylessCreature, Ac3, Genesis

Likely players for Hurricanes: Jay Jr, Snakpak, Morgan

 

Boog’s Prediction: Canes in 5

 

#1 BUL (30-20) vs #4 HAW (26-24)

 

The Bulls once again are a Master League powerhouse as they look for yet another championship. The Bulls of the last few seasons have been a force to be reckoned with as they have made several Grand Final appearances. They draw the Hawks in the first round, who squeaked out one more win than the Rhinos and Pandas for their playoff spot. Both teams have positive Goal Diff, so look for this to be a defensive masterclass on both sides of the pitch. Stats favor the Bulls as they have a Goal Diff of 55. It should be noted that the Hawks are 1.5 points below cap. 

 

Likely players for Bulls: Welendish, ImLeo, CheffReaper

Likely players for Hawks: TS_Celestial, Timmy, ScreaminAce

 

Boog’s Prediction: Bulls in 4

#2 DUC (30-20) vs #3 EXP (28-22)

 

The Ducks won what appears to be a statistically weak Tropic division, and their prize for doing so, is the team that lost the Forge Division tiebreaker: Express. This looks to be one of the closest matches of the first round as the Express are going to come out hungry since losing the tiebreaker. The Express have the better series record of 6-4, but a smaller Goal Diff. These numbers scream that if Express can keep the scoring low on both sides, Express will prevail. The issue? The Ducks boast a Master League best 66 Goal Differential. The Ducks, if the offense is firing on all cylinders, will fly right through the Choo Choo Train.

Likely players for Ducks: EliteInferno, Wolfie, Tuhlur

Likely players for Express: Hermod, K5Marky, 1AMRamen

Boog’s prediction: Ducks in 3

#1 DOD (33-17) vs #4 OUT (26-24)

 

Far and away the best team out of the Orange Conference is the Dodgers, having only dropped a single series in ML this season. The unfortunate team facing this uphill climb? The Outlaws, who finished 3rd in the Forge Division. Though they put up positive numbers, the Outlaws are staring down probably the toughest draw of the whole bracket for 2s. Both of these teams ended up finishing the regular season with their salaries raised over the cap with the Dodgers up to 84.0 and the Outlaws up to 83.5. The ML cap is 82.0. Obviously both teams have improved massively, so we’ll have to wait and see how it shakes out.

 

Likely players for Dodgers: NotADuck, KoD, Kaydo

Likely players for Outlaws: Blahdat, SyrupBlood, Jatron

 

Boog’s Prediction: Dodgers in 4

 

#2 KNI (28-22) vs #3 FLA (31-19)

The Knights, winners of the Forge Division via tiebreaker, draw a lower seed with a better record in the Flames. It’s not often the higher seed is facing the uphill battle, but it is odd that it’s already happened twice and we haven’t even touched threes yet. The Forge Division was extremely close in doubles, and the Volcanic Division was extremely top heavy. Though the Flames are 31-19, their series record is only 6-4, so many of the losses must have been tightly contested 2-3 series. The Knights also have a series record of 6-4 and even boast a better Goal Diff.

Likely players for Knights: Styzzi, Rayinator, JKFrost

Likely players for Flames: K-lub, Pops42, RedNovaUltimate

 

Boog’s Prediction: Flames in 5

 

 

Standard

 

#1 WIZ (30-20) vs #4 BLI (25-25)

 

The Wizards are the lone representative of the Mystic Division in threes and they face the Blizzard, who finished second in the Storm Division. Neither of these franchises made the cut in doubles, so all of the effort will be put into a playoff run over here in threes. The Wizards are 8-2 in series with a respectable Goal Differential of 33. The Blizzard is 4-6 in series with a -2 Goal Diff. On paper, it looks like the Blizzard limped into postseason play, however, don’t count out this roster as they have two former champions in JDogg and MattAnderr on the roster.

 

Likely players for Wizards: Snipe, Precision, Dewby

Likely players for Blizzard: JDogg, MattAnderr, Mercantile

 

Boog’s Prediction: Blizzard in 5

 

#2 LIT (31-19) vs #3 PUF (27-23)

 

The Storm Division winning Lightning square off against the Puffins in what I anticipate will be probably  the most physical first round matchup in all of MLE this playoff. The ML Puffins have some of the most physical players in all of ML on the roster in Moxen, Spidey and Torston. If they can capitalize on this, the Lightning will struggle to capitalize on the mismatch in salary as the Puffins have nobody above 16.5, while the LOWEST player on the Lightning is a 16.5.

 

Likely players for Lightning: Any of the four of them

Likely players for Puffins: Torston, Moxen, Spidey

 

Boog’s Prediction: Puffins in 4

 

#1 AVI (32-18) vs #4 FOX (24-26)

 

The Sky Division Champ Aviators will face off against the Foxes. These franchises are looking to make deep playoff runs in both modes, but how will they fare knowing they have to play in both modes? Will burnout become a factor? Probably not in the first round, at least. The Foxes may have a losing record, but they’ve won six of their ten matches. They have found ways to win and it has gotten them this far, however, I don’t know that they have what it takes to take down the Aviators, who seem to be unable to stop winning. 

 

Likely players for Aviators: Shiesty, Remy, Jayyy

Likely players for Foxes: KeylessCreature, Ac3, Genesis

 

Boog’s Prediction: Aviators in 4

 

#2 SAB (29-21) vs #3 WOL (28-22)

Another team gearing up for two playoff runs in the Sabres will meet up against the Wolves. These teams are separated by a single game, and have similar Goal Diff numbers. This is going to be an entertaining match as This looks to go the distance as either a defensive masterclass or an offensive showcase. Either way, this series is a viewer’s delight. This Wolves team is built for threes as they finished last in the Storm Division in doubles. I wouldn’t be surprised if either of these teams go on a deep run. 

 

Likely players for Sabres: Sparcnova, Halibut, Yoky

Likely players for Wolves: FlyFyre74, Shraxl, Collobir

 

Boog’s Prediction: Wolves in 5

 

#1 BEA (32-18) vs #4 SHA (23-27)

 

The Battle for Land and Sea takes place as the Bears are heavy favorites to take a chomp out of the Sharks. These teams are separated by almost ten games, which is almost unheard of in an MLE playoff matchup. The Sharks limped into the playoffs with the lowest record of all teams in ML to earn a postseason berth, as well as a negative Goal Diff. The Bears could make MLE history with a perfect sweep if they show up ready to go. With a Goal Diff of 49, it’ll be hard to stop the Bears. 

 

Likely players for Bears: Limon, Canadian, Crypt

Likely players for Sharks: Dimensions, Water, RONA

 

Boog’s Prediction: Bears in 3

 

#2 DUC (27-23) vs #3 PAN (29-21)

Yet again, we have another 3 seed with a better record than the division champion they face. The Pandas are looking to make a run into the second round as the Ducks have to put their eggs in the nests of doubles and standard. The only statistical advantage the Ducks hold is series record. The Ducks managed to win 7 of their matches while the Pandas only won 5. The Pandas also have a marginally better Goal Differential. I expect this matchup to be rather close, though not the closest match in round one.

 

Likely players for Ducks: EliteInferno, Wolfie, Tuhlur

Likely players for Pandas: Jarhead, Drakob, Deuce

 

Boog’s Prediction: Pandas in 4

 

#1 DOD (36-14) vs #4 BUL (27-23)

 

The Dodgers have turned into somewhat of a superteam this season, boasting the best ML record in threes and the second-best record in doubles. They matchup against another team making two playoff runs in the Bulls, who won their division in twos, but not threes. I expect this matchup to be electric as both teams are high-caliber and consistent across both modes of play. Although, I believe the Dodgers’ have what it takes to win it all in threes. They are my pick for the Orange Conference. The only thing holding back the Bulls’ standard lineup is that tough -8 Goal Diff compared to the Dodgers’ 42. 

 

Likely players for Dodgers: NotADuck, KoD, Kaydo

Likely players for Bulls: Welendish, ImLeo, CheffReaper

 

Boog’s Prediction: Dodgers in 3

 

#2 OUT (28-22) vs #3 FLA (32-18)

 

The Flames would have either won or been tied for a division crown in literally any other division in ML. They finished second to the white-hot Dodgers in the Volcanic Division. The Outlaws won a weak Forge Division, earning them their spot at #2. Though the Flames have 4 games up on the Outlaws, the Outlaws actually have the better Goal Differential at 26, granted that isn’t too much higher than the Flames at 22. Both teams have the same series record at 7-3. This matchup is one to keep an eye on, but I believe the Flames have had a much tougher schedule. After all, they did have to play those pesky Dodgers twice.

 

Likely players for Flames: K-lub, Pops42, RedNovaUltimate

Likely players for Outlaws:  Blahdat, SyrupBlood, Jatron

 

Boog’s Prediction: Flames in 4

 

And that’s all the first round matchups in Master League! Of course there will be plenty to cover across the entire playoff as matches happen, so be on the lookout for either myself or other writers to crank out more previews as the playoffs continue. If you’re in the playoffs, GLHF. If you’re just reading this for funsies, thanks for sticking around and be sure to watch the playoffs on stream whenever you’re able. This new format sets up exciting matchups all the way through the bracket.

Season 17 CL Playoff Previews
by SkyGuy

Season 17 CL Playoff Previews

The CL Shakedown

The Champions League (CL) has once again delivered a season filled with intense battles, unexpected upsets, and remarkable performances. As the regular season draws to a close, the playoff race has already reached a fever pitch, with teams from every division vying for the ultimate prize. The journey to the championship has been a rollercoaster, with each conference and division showcasing its own set of standout teams and thrilling storylines. From the icy competition in the North to the fierce heat of the South, the resilience in the East, and the unpredictable weather in the West, the CL playoffs are set to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how the top teams in each region have positioned themselves as they enter the final stretch towards glory.

The Cold North

Doubles

This Super Division has seen strong performances from all teams, with the Puffins ultimately clinching the North Super Division Champion Title. They had a remarkably steady season, never falling below second place in their division, and finishing with a 31-19 record (7-3 in their last 10 games). Their consistency and strategic play have made them a formidable force, and they’ll be a team to watch in the playoffs. The Puffins are set to face the Shadow in the first round, a team that has struggled in the latter half of the season. The Puffins’ balanced approach and consistent form make them the favorites to advance, but they’ll need to stay focused to avoid any upsets from the Shadow.

The Sabres, on the other hand, had a rocky start to the season. After struggling to a 4-11 record in the first three weeks, they found their rhythm in Week 4 with a narrow 3-2 win that boosted their confidence. Their turning point came in Week 5 when they swept the Eclipse, propelling them to a 12-13 record. From there, the Sabres maintained a strong run, although they stumbled in Week 9 against the Puffins and lost again in the final week to the Foxes. Despite these setbacks, they managed to secure their playoff berth, proving their resilience. The Sabres will face the Hive in the first round, a team that managed to clinch the second spot in the South Super Division despite having a negative record. While the Hive has shown some late-season resilience, the Sabres’ recent momentum and stronger overall performance make them the favorites in this matchup.

The Tyrants, the third Arctic team to make the playoffs, had a season marked by significant changes in leadership. Despite the upheaval, they held their ground and fought fiercely, ultimately edging out the Eclipse for the final playoff spot by a single match. The Eclipse had a chance to force a tiebreaker, but the Wizards thwarted their efforts with a 4-1 victory, dashing the Eclipse’s playoff hopes. The Tyrants will face the Lightning in the first round, a team that has shown dominance throughout the season. The Lightning’s strong finish and consistent play will make this a tough challenge for the Tyrants, who will need to bring their best game to stand a chance.

As for the Wizards, they were dominant throughout the season but stumbled in their final series against the Eclipse. Even with two of their highest-sal players on the field, they couldn’t secure the win, raising concerns as they head into the playoffs. The Wizards will be up against the Wolves in the first round, a team that has been consistent and strong in the latter half of the season. Given the Wolves’ momentum and the Wizards’ recent falter, this matchup could go either way, making it one of the most intriguing first-round battles.

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The North Super Division saw intense competition in the final weeks of the season, with several teams battling hard to secure their playoff positions. The Sabres emerged as the top team, clinching first place in dramatic fashion. Their star lineup, consisting of Pander, NocturnalNeon, and Snow, delivered a flawless 5-0 performance in Week 9, followed by a solid 2-3 result in Week 10 with Lolman stepping in. These crucial victories not only solidified their position at the top of the standings but also demonstrated the depth of their roster and their ability to perform under pressure. The Sabres have been a dominant force all season, and they’ll be a formidable opponent in the playoffs. They are set to face the Shadow in the first round, a team that has struggled towards the end of the season. The Sabres’ consistent form makes them the favorites in this matchup, but they’ll need to stay sharp to avoid any upsets.

Close behind them, the Eclipse secured the second spot with a series of decisive wins. The team, featuring SynlessX, Ruthless, and Krafty Cola, edged out the Wizards 3-2 in Week 9 and followed it up with a 5-0 sweep over the Spectre. In the final week, DakkyBoi, Ruthless, and Stagg continued their momentum, overtaking the Comets and securing their place in the playoffs. The Eclipse’s late-season surge was critical, as they leapfrogged the Comets to earn their playoff spot. Their resilience and strong finish make them a dangerous contender as they enter the postseason. The Eclipse will face the Jets in the first round, a team that has shown they can compete in close matches. This matchup could be one of the tightest in the quarterfinals, with both teams having a lot to prove.

The Puffins, another top performer, have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the season. Ending their regular season with a 4-1 win in Week 10, the Puffins have shown that they are a team built for the long haul. Their steady results and balanced play make them a strong candidate for the championship. With talent spread across the roster and a proven track record, the Puffins are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run. They will face the Hurricanes in the first round, a team that barely made it into the playoffs. Given the Puffins’ consistency and the Hurricanes’ shaky finish, the Puffins are expected to advance, but they’ll need to maintain their focus to avoid any surprises.

On the other hand, the Foxes experienced a rollercoaster finish to their season. After Week 9, they held the number one spot, but a 1-4 loss in Week 10 saw them plummet to fourth place. Despite being a top team throughout much of the season, this late stumble raises concerns about their momentum heading into the playoffs. The Foxes have the talent and the potential to compete, but their recent drop in form could signal trouble if they don’t regain their footing quickly. They will face the Blizzard in the first round, a team that has shown strength and consistency. The Foxes will need to overcome their recent struggles and bring their best to the table if they hope to challenge the Blizzard.

The Sweaty South

Doubles

Lightning clinched the South Super Division Championship with an impressive final push, going 7-3 in the last two weeks of the season. Week 9 saw them deliver a flawless 5-0 performance, while Week 10, though ending in a 2-3 loss, was marked by close games that kept their goal differential near zero. The duo of Fighting and Poke played a crucial role in maintaining their team’s momentum and consistency. As they prepare to face the Tyrants in the first round, the Lightning are poised to strike down their opponents with the same ferocity that earned them the top spot. Given their recent form, the Lightning are favorites in this matchup, expected to advance with ease.

On the other hand, Hive secured their playoff spot in dramatic fashion, finishing the season with a 5-5 record over the last two weeks. Despite being the only team across all leagues and divisions to make the playoffs with a negative overall record (24-26), they clinched the top spot in the Sky Division, which placed them second in the South Super Division standings. Paullyng1 and RevoltingHades led the charge in the final weeks, with a narrow 3-2 win in Week 9 followed by a 2-3 loss in Week 10. While they may have scraped through to the playoffs, their upcoming matchup against the Sabres poses a significant challenge. The Sabres, who have been fearless and dominant in the second half of the season, are unlikely to be brought down by the Hive, making this a difficult series for the Hive to advance from.

Wolves, another top contender, finished the season strong with a 7-3 record over the last two weeks. ORIYN and AON spearheaded their efforts, securing a 4-1 win in Week 9 and a 3-2 victory in Week 10, ensuring a solid playoff position. The Wolves’ consistency throughout the season has been one of their greatest strengths, and they now face the Wizards in the first round of the playoffs. Given the Wizards’ recent struggles, the Wolves are well-positioned to capitalize on their momentum and advance to the next round.

The Shadow team, however, has had a rough end to their season. After a consistent performance throughout most of the year, they stumbled in the final stretch, going 2-8 over the last two weeks. A 0-5 loss to the Lightning in Week 9, followed by a narrow 2-3 defeat to the Blizzard in Week 10, highlighted their struggles. Now facing the Puffins in the first round of the playoffs, the Shadow will need to rediscover their earlier form if they hope to compete. However, with the Puffins’ strong performance this season, it seems likely that the Shadow’s playoff journey might end early.

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Blizzard asserted their dominance in the final weeks of the season, going 8-2 to clinch the top spot in the South Super Division. After a stellar 5-0 performance in Week 9 and a 3-2 victory in Week 10, they solidified their place as the team to beat. Drafted with a clear focus on 3s, the Blizzard lived up to their expectations, with Oddety, Raygozia, and SofaMalofa leading the charge. Their consistent performances were crucial in securing this first-place finish, particularly after a disappointing doubles season. Now, with a favorable matchup against the Foxes, who have been struggling in the latter part of the season, the Blizzard are well-positioned to advance to the next round and continue their quest for the championship.

Jets finished second in the division after a mixed performance in the last two weeks, going 5-5. A 2-3 loss in Week 9 followed by a 3-2 win in Week 10 was just enough to maintain their lead in the Sky Division and secure the second seed overall. LT Dan, Drewsky, and Sharkhax took charge during these crucial weeks, showcasing consistency that has been key to their success. However, their playoff journey won’t be easy, as they face the Eclipse in the first round. The Jets’ recent matchups have been closely contested, with three losses and two wins in their last five matches, all decided by narrow 2-3 or 3-2 margins. If they can maintain their form, they have the potential to upset the Eclipse, but it will be a hard-fought battle.

Shadow have had a challenging end to their season, losing both of their last two matches with a 2-3 scoreline. Despite these setbacks, Flump, Myzair, and Chex form a strong team that no opponent will take lightly. However, their first-round playoff matchup against the Sabres presents a daunting challenge. The Sabres have been one of the most consistent and dominant teams this season, making Shadow’s prospects in the playoffs uncertain. While the Shadow have shown resilience throughout the season, they will need to significantly up their game if they hope to advance past the first round.

Hurricanes (often referred to as the ‘Canes’) narrowly made the playoffs, edging out the Lightning after a 5-5 performance in the final two weeks. A 2-3 loss in Week 10 and a 3-2 win in Week 9 were enough to keep them in the race, thanks in part to the Lightning’s unexpected 1-4 loss in Week 10. Woozle, Sihnez, and Tearless Goose fought hard to secure their spot, benefiting from the Lightning’s poor performance when it mattered most. The Hurricanes’ playoff journey will be a tough one, but their determination and recent form give them a fighting chance.

Beasts in the East

Doubles

Bulls have been a dominant force throughout the season, losing only two series, both during the midseason. Since Week 7, they have been undefeated, striking fear into the hearts of their opponents. The Bulls secured their number one seed with back-to-back 3-2 victories in the final two weeks. However, their seemingly impenetrable armor showed a crack in Week 10 when they dropped two games to the Rhinos, one of the league’s bottom teams. This slip-up suggests that while the Bulls are formidable, they are not invincible. As they head into their first-round playoff matchup against the Dodgers, they must bring their A-game. The Dodgers, known for their scrappy and unpredictable play, could potentially upset the Bulls if they don’t maintain their sharp focus.

Spartans had a challenging start to the season, losing three of their first five games. However, since Week 6, they’ve turned things around, going undefeated and often dominating their opponents. TV On Fire and Aaidan8tor are expected to lead the charge in the playoffs, though their Week 10 matchup against the Knights was closer than they would have liked, ending in a narrow 3-2 victory with only a +2 goal differential. While the Spartans are in a strong position, they face a tough opponent in the Demolition in Round 1. The Demolition are known for their stacked roster and won’t go down without a fight. The Spartans are favored to win, but it’s likely to be a hard-fought battle.

Outlaws are a team that always seems to find their way into the playoffs. Despite losing two of their last three matches, their dominant midseason performances secured them the third seed. Recoon and Kazuto will lead the team in the playoffs, and while they have a solid chance of advancing, their first-round matchup against the Hawks will be anything but easy. The Hawks are a tough, well-rounded team that won’t give anything away easily. The Outlaws will need to dig deep to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Pandas clinched their playoff spot in dramatic fashion in Week 10 with a sweep against the Bears, securing the fourth seed. Brodysseus and MasterFB are their key players, but Lyvesauce has also been a standout, playing well above expectations this season. The Pandas have strong chemistry and are riding high on their Week 10 momentum, making them a dangerous opponent. Their first-round matchup against the Flames is one to watch, as these two teams were fierce rivals in previous seasons. Despite the new season structure, the rivalry continues, promising a fiery and intense battle. Pandas also seek to go back to back from their last season’s doubles Championship.

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Knights have been the dominant force in the division, finishing with a 33-17 record and clinching the highest win total in the league. Their 7-3 series record reflects their consistent performance throughout the season. Project Muffin, Shazam, TwinkieGod, and Dz were instrumental in their success, especially in the final two weeks where they fought hard to secure the Super Division Championship. With a strong roster and solid momentum, the Knights are well-positioned for a deep playoff run. They face the Pirates in the first round, a team that made the playoffs by winning a tiebreaker. While the Pirates may try to field a stronger roster for the playoffs, the Knights are expected to advance with relative ease.

Bulls also finished the season strong, going 7-3 in the final two weeks. Their roster, featuring Rover, David, Robzz, and AndyMcMuffin, showed flexibility and depth, though it’s unclear exactly who will start in the playoffs. The Bulls benefited from playing in the Sun Division, which was less competitive this season, but they still demonstrated their dominance. Their first-round playoff matchup against the Elite promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams have talented players, a storied history, and plenty of momentum heading into the postseason. This series could easily be one of the most exciting matchups in the playoffs.

Outlaws, known for their relentless pursuit of victory, finished third with a 31-19 record. Led by Reccoonn, Ricochet, and TheEvilIsBack, the Outlaws have been a formidable squad, even though they finished behind the Knights. Their performance over the last three weeks, going 10-5, was impressive but not enough to dethrone the Knights from the top spot. The Outlaws will face the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the Hawks being technically higher seeded, the Outlaws are favored to win this series, likely in four games, given their strong form and tenacity.

Pandas clawed their way into the playoffs, much like they did in doubles, with a dramatic finish to the regular season. After being swept in Week 9, they knew they needed a miracle to make the playoffs. They delivered in Week 10, sweeping the Bears to secure their spot. Brody, Lyvesace, and MasterFB have proven to be an incredible team, full of drive and determination. Their first-round matchup against the Demolition is one of the most anticipated games of the playoffs. Both teams are strong, and this series could go either way, but the Pandas have the momentum and the desire to pull off an upset.

Unpredictable Weather in the West

Doubles

Flames finished the season strong, claiming the top spot in the West Super Division with a 30-20 record. Their Week 10 victory was crucial, as it allowed them to overtake the Dodgers for first place. Despite a 2-3 loss in Week 9, the Flames bounced back when it mattered most. SkyGuy, UnknownNinja, and Yz have been the backbone of this team, bringing great chemistry, complementary playstyles, and a strong mindset to the table. After falling short of a playoff berth last season, the Flames came back with renewed determination, proving they have what it takes to lead the division. With their main roster firing on all cylinders, the Flames are set to make a deep playoff run.

Hawks have been on a tear, going undefeated in their last four weeks to take the top spot in the Tropic Division. The roster, consisting of D_Matt, Lonewolf, King J Beats, and Quark, has shown tremendous resilience and growth, especially after a shaky start to the season. They’ve rebuilt their momentum piece by piece, turning their early struggles into a surge of victories. The Hawks now face the Outlaws in what is expected to be a fierce first-round battle. While the Outlaws are a formidable opponent, the Hawks’ recent form gives them an edge, and they are likely to take the series.

Dodgers narrowly missed out on the top spot in the West Super Division after a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to the Flames in Week 10. With a 29-21 record, the Dodgers were in contention for first place until the very end. The core trio of Truck, OwnerOfTheWhiteSedan, and Brionyx have played together for multiple seasons, creating a legacy in CL built on chemistry and skill. This seasoned team knows how to bring out the best in each other, which will be their greatest asset as they face the Bulls in Round 1. Despite the Bulls’ strong roster, the Dodgers are poised to leverage their experience and move into the second round.

Demolition rounded out the top four, finishing with a 27-23 record and securing their playoff spot with a dominant 8-2 run in the final two weeks. Their performance highlights the Volcanic Division’s dominance over the Tropics, with three of their teams making the playoffs. C2X and Dasstri are the key players for Demolition, expected to lead the team throughout the playoffs. However, their first-round matchup against the Spartans presents a significant challenge. The Spartans are riding a winning streak, and Demolition may need to pull off a miracle to advance. Regardless, their strong finish to the season has shown that they have the potential to surprise.

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Demolition have been the team to fear all season, finishing with a strong 32-18 record and a 7-3 series record. They went 6-4 in the last two weeks, continuing to show their dominance over every team they faced. The trio of Dasstri, C2X, and ClayHD have been a formidable force, working together with precision and power. As they enter the playoffs, they face the Pandas, a team known for their hunger and tenacity. While the Demolition are favored, they must not underestimate the Pandas, who are capable of pulling off an upset if given the chance. This matchup will be one to watch, as the Demolition aim to solidify their status as the team to beat.

Hawks finished the season with a 31-19 record, marked by a strong goal differential. However, their final weeks were a mixed bag, going 5-5 overall. A disappointing 0-5 loss in Week 9 dashed their hopes of securing the top seed, but they rebounded with a 5-0 sweep in Week 10, regaining some of their lost momentum. The roster of D_Matt, King J Beats, and Quark is similar to their 2s lineup, which has been effective all season. The Hawks now face the Outlaws in the first round of the playoffs, a team they are also meeting in the 2s playoffs. The Hawks are determined to shut down the Outlaws completely and make a deep run in both formats, but they’ll need to maintain their momentum and focus to do so.

Elite ended the regular season with a 29-21 record, going 5-5 in the last two weeks. A close 3-2 win in Week 9 was followed by a 2-3 loss in Week 10, a shift in momentum that could be concerning as they head into the playoffs. Lucy, Sinder, and Cozyboy will need to bring their A-game against the Bulls in the first round. The Bulls are a strong team that won’t make it easy for the Elite, so they’ll need to play their best roster and keep constant pressure if they want to advance.

Pirates secured the final playoff spot through a tiebreaker against the Dodgers, finishing with a 26-24 record. Their season has been less than spectacular, with no sweeps and only two 4-1 victories. Despite these challenges, TramplingCow, OnePopShop, and Twisty are not going to give up easily. They face the Knights in the first round, and while the Pirates are the underdogs, they have the potential to peak at the right moment. To succeed, they’ll need to pin down the Knights and capitalize on any mistakes, turning what might seem like a one-sided matchup into a potential upset.

As we move into the playoffs, the stage is set for some of the most intense and closely fought matches of the season. The journey that these teams have undertaken—marked by ups and downs, moments of brilliance, and instances of sheer willpower—has all led to this point. The playoffs are not just a test of skill but also of strategy, determination, and the ability to handle pressure. Whether it’s the frontrunners looking to cement their dominance or the underdogs aiming to defy the odds, every team has its eyes on the prize. With so much at stake and so many potential storylines waiting to unfold, fans can expect nothing less than spectacular competition. Let the games begin, and may the best team emerge as the Champions League victors!

Season 17 AL Playoff Previews
by Onyx

Season 17 AL Playoff Previews

Rickrolled or Steamrolled?

 

The Choo-choo Express lacked no steam this season (starting or ending it). Acting like a runaway train barreling uncontrollably downhill, they flattened any team that got in their path (the Bulls being the exception as they handed the Pain Train their only series loss this season); not even Denzel Washington could stop this one. They kicked off season 17 with a 4-1 series win over those dastardly bandits the Outlaws, and would not lose a single game until week 5 against the Rhinos, but even that was a 4-1 victory in favor of the Express. It caught the eyes and attention of everyone in the AL because who in their right mind would want to go up against a 20-ton machine that bowled over every opponent they faced? Certainly not this writer, but my fears have come true as the season has ended and all the playoff spots have been decided. 

 

The Elite squeaked into this season’s doubles playoffs with a modest 27-23 record, winning the tiebreaker against the Ducks. With that in mind, Elite landed the 4th seed in the west super division, pitting them (or us, rather) against the red-hot Express in the first round of playoffs. Not to say that this is a David vs Goliath story, but the odds do seem to be in favor of the 38-12 Express. Winning nearly 40 games in a season, while sporting a rotating roster, speaks volumes about their depth and skill. They can play any line-up and win. I don’t care who you are, that is tough to beat. 


But let’s not go off the rails just yet. In the final two matches of the season, the Elite squad did manage to post 4-1 series wins against the Dodgers and Demolition (we don’t need to talk about weeks 7-8 that saw Elite go 1-4). So, this team is certainly capable of meeting the task. The question remains: will they? Will the Express be able to defend their doubles season 16 championship and pull off the repeat? Time will tell. Sports history is full of stories where teams dominate the regular season, but then cannot deliver the goods come postseason. I would provide some examples, but I’m being told it’s better to be safe than to be sorry. Suffice it to say that the list is a long one.

 

The question is: will the Express fall into the land of what-could-have-beens? Or will they prove to all that there is no Rick Astley cut-away meme here and win it all? Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen, because it’s about to get spicy. Honorable mention to the Comets for posting a 34-16 record. Weeks 4, 7, and 8 saw them post perfect sweeps of 5-0 against their opponents. They finished just 4 games behind the Express for the best record in AL doubles. And that’s another team added to the list of players I do not wish to face in the postseason. 

 

Bulls in China Shops and Other Fun Creatures

 

While there is no stopping a runaway train, the same could be said for the Bulls. Raging through their season and smashing everyone to bits like so many dishes of fine China, they clinched, not only their division but secured the best record in the AL when it comes to standard play (36-14, next closest was Elite, Pandas, and Lightning at 30-20). Much like the Express, the Bulls trampled their enemies into the dirt in weeks 3, 5, 7, and 8 with clean sweeps of those series which left the rest of the AL shaking in their wake. Now, the perfect nightcap would be the standard AL championship… Do the Bulls have what it takes to charge through the postseason and claim what’s theirs? Or will defending season 16 AL standard champs Elite block their path? 

 

We can’t call this a ‘review’ without talking about a few other teams (Shadow I’m lookin’ at you). While Shadow may not have had the bombastic start to the season or results that the 2s Express team had, they certainly emphasized their playoff ticket stamp. Winning weeks 9 and 10 with 5-0 sweeps. Talk about clinching a playoff berth dramatically, eh? And, really, who saw that coming? THEY WERE IN THE SHADOWS! Ah ha! Captain Kslr certainly had his work cut out for him.

 

I mentioned the Comets briefly, and that’s not fair. They were every bit as good as 1st place Express. However, week 10 saw them drop a tough 0-5 against Spectre, and week 9 saw a 2-3 loss to Wizards. Is the Comets’ tail all flash and no spark? Will it run out of gas and burn up into nothing before they make it to the end? 7 other teams will make sure that it does, bet your bottom dollar on that. 

 

Perhaps the scoreboard didn’t explode with 5-0s, or Brazils or Barcelonas, but that doesn’t mean getting into the playoffs was any less exciting. Between the middle of the pack teams, it was a knockdown, drag em’ out, slobber knocker of a fight. Sabres (26-24) clinched their Arctic division by barely edging out the Foxes (who still managed to make the playoffs at a .500 record). 

 

Foxes weren’t the only ones waiting on the final results a few days after the last matches were played. Among them were the 25-25 Spectre, and the 27-23 Ducks (I know! It’s crazy that a 27-23 record isn’t an automatic punch to your postseason dreams, but I digress). It was a close call, though, as the sweat rolled in beads down those long bills of theirs, guaranteed, as it came down to a tiebreaker with the Hawks. The Ducks won the tiebreaker by winning their head-to-head match-up. So the next time someone tells you “It’s okay we lost the series 3-2, we’ll get em’ next time.” Slap them. Ok, maybe not resort to violence, but tell them that we play all 5 games here at MLE, and all 5 games matter. 

 

It’s also crazy that the Pandas don’t win their division at 30-20, but they have the unfortunate luck of basking in the same Sun as the Bulls, and we already talked about what kind of destruction they can bring. Knights were able to squeeze by rather sneakily (despite the heavy armor) and FORGE their way to victory and the postseason at 26-24, while the rugged Outlaws were able to steer clear of the tracks that Express train is on and take 2nd place in their division. 

 

We also can’t forget about those car sharks. No. Not ‘card’ sharks, CAR Sharks… as in the Rocket League team… Y’know what… forget it. In all seriousness, Sharks proved their bite was much worse than their bark (how do you know sharks don’t bark?), and they chomped up the competition, posting a very nice 28-22 record which was just enough to beat out the Ducks in the Tropic division. 

 

All in all, the season was a fantastic one, and I certainly had a lot of fun playing in it. It was full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and insane matches that will go down in the annals of MLE history. As I wrap this up, our editors wanted us to predict playoff winners and the like. I’m not going to do that. Anyone who has ever heard me cast a match for their team knows that as soon as I open my mouth, I hex someone. I’m not going to be held responsible for the premature end of someone’s season. Instead, I wanted to touch on as many teams as I could. Also, I don’t want my prediction to age like milk, thank you. 

 

In all seriousness, though, I want to thank everyone involved in the MLE, from the players to the people behind the scenes, for making this organization what it is. I would also like to wish all of the teams who made it to the postseason luck, and don’t forget to have some fun out there!

 

*Update: Okay. So, maybe Sharks don’t bark after all, and their bite wasn’t enough either. On the contrary, the Pandas are the first AL team to advance to the quarter-finals, winning the series 3-1. A truly stellar performance from Dragoneyes as they posted a 71.39 Sprocket rating! A whopping 17 points over 2nd star Hungi (54.28) and 18 points over 3rd star Clifford (53.33). The Sharks’ 17 saves weren’t enough against an onslaught of shots (36) by the Pandas. It was a valiant effort, but all good things must come to an end, much like the Sharks’ post-season dreams of glory. Final thought: If the Pandas continue to play like that? Good luck everybody else!

 

*Update 2: The Bears were able to withstand the heat brought on by the Flames, clean sweeping the series 3-0. I’m not sure what game resulted in a complete Goomba stomp of 10-2, but holy cow, that’s impressive! My heart goes out to the Flames, we’ve all been there before, and you’re not alone. Patchy and Sixt were within 1 point of each other in Sprocket ratings (65.78 and 64.67 respectively), slamming the Bears with 29 shots while the Flames answered back with only 18. This series also saw Kyoko come in for a game to try and turn things around, but it was too late. Much like the Sharks, their hopes of capturing an AL Championship were dashed and went up in smoke like a 5-alarm fire. Who will be next to fall? Who will be next to advance?

 

*Update 3: And so it goes, the Elite’s standard team have been eliminated from the playoffs, dropping a heartbreaking loss to the Outlaws who’ve completed the reverse sweep. The Elite took the early series lead 2-0, but a Brazil in game 3 in favor of the Outlaws saw the defending Standard Champs stumble and fall. It was a huge blow to the confidence and mentals, one that the team of DK, Atomic, and yours truly could not recover. ItzSmalls led the charge with a 64.02 Sprocket rating, Cheeto posted a 56.2, Granticus posted 54.17. Ninji started the game but was subbed out following the completion of game 1 after a request to change the snowy Beckwith park map selected by home team Elite was made. Elite won game 2, but in typical Outlaw bad guy fashion, they came back and stole the series in an intense game 5 OT. I will say that game 5 OT was forced by a last second effort to tie the game with a goal from Atomic after Onyx dribbled the ball around several defenders and got the pass off the backboard to a pre-jumping, pre-flipping Atomic. Dramatic for sure… but it wasn’t enough after Onyx got caught out of position after a wall shot from Cheeto that beat the last defender for the series clinching goal. 

 

Personally, I could not have gotten out of that lobby fast enough. I stayed just long enough to say “ggs and gl in the playoffs,” but after that? I was outtie 5,000. A big congratulations to the Outlaws for completing the reverse sweep comeback (much like the Elite did against the Flames in season 16). If you’re the Flames, it’s got to feel good to see that sweet poetic justice being served on a cold dish.