Lewis & Clark at Pacific Lutheran
Oregon at Gonzaga
Oregon State at Idaho
Southern Oregon at Albertson
Western Oregon at Montana
Western Washington at Central Washington
Sunday, April 15th
Montana vs Northern Colorado (at Montana State)
Montana at Montana State
Oregon at Idaho
Oregon State at Gonzaga
Puget Sound at Lewis & Clark
Whitman at Albertson
Willamette at Central Washington
It all comes down to this, as the PNCLL B Division wraps up a memorable 2007 regular season. The crucial games are in Missoula, Ellensburg and Caldwell, where the playoff seedings will be determined. Let's see, for entertainment purposes only, how the computers over at Laxpower see the the games playing out (home field advantage = 1.48 goals). The numbers given represent a teams' P.R. and overall national ranking:
L&C (37.54; 89th) at PLU (52.82; 38th) -- The computer says the Lutes romp by 17 goals. This game has not much meaning, as the Lutes likely play a home game next week in the quarter-finals win or lose. The Pios' win over Willamette last week meant that there are no winless PNCLL B teams in '07. Nice.
WOU (57.81; 19th) at UM (60.48; 8th) -- The computer says the Griz prevail by 4 at home. If this comes true UM clinches the overall #1 seed and gets next week off. If the Wolves can pull off their sixth straight road win (and eighth overall), however, Montana drops to 2nd in B-South and is forced into the q.f.s next weeks, while WOU earns a week off. Either way, the Griz follow-up the big divisional game with a trip to in-state rival MSU to play two highly-ranked OOC opponents on Sunday. Brutal.
WWU (60.37; 10th) at CWU (50.00; 50th) -- The computer says the visitors win by 9. WWU has clinched the B-North anyway, so this game might mean less to the Vikes than it does to the Wildcats, who have had a nice season but need to beat either WWU or Whitman on Sunday to earn a playoff berth. A big weekend of lacrosse in a town known best for it's big rodeo.
SOU (55.78; 25th) at AIC (48.86; 56th) -- The computer says Raiders by 3, but has not been programmed with the data that SOU's leading scorer is out for the remainder of the season. SOU clinches a playoff berth with a win, while the the Yotes need to win this game just to stay alive until Sunday, when they have a second chance to earn a playoff berth by beating Whitman. If SOU loses the Raiders could be in trouble at 4-4, depending on how the tie-breaker shakes-out.
WC (55.02; 26th) at AIC (48.86; 56th) -- The computer picks Whitman by 5. Depending on the Saturday's results, AIC may still have playoff dreams still alive. Even if already eliminated, though, the Yotes have grown up alot and helped add to the excitement of a deep PNCLL B Division.
WU (38.75; 89th) at CWU (50.00; 50th) -- The computer calls for a 13 goal Central win. The Bearcats would surely love to bookend their season-opening win at UOP with the upset here in the finale, but Laxpower says it won't happen. Whether the Wildcats are still alive for the final playoff spot on Sunday could affect how well CWU gets up for this game. Central is truly a "bubble team" in the PNCLL B Division, and this could be a "statement" weekend if the Cats can upset WWU Saturday leading to this finale. Or this game could get them in at 4-4 even with a loss to the Vikes. Wacky season.
On Sunday, the Laxpower computer says UM will be slight underdogs against UNC (61.08) on the neutral field, and a slight favorite against MSU (58.31). But then again, the computer doesn't know that it will be the second game of the day for the Griz
... Good luck representing the PNCLL, fellas!
Kyle will take a look at the A games in Spokane and Moscow.
Thanks to everyone for a great regular season, which concludes next weekend in Boise. Best of luck to all our teams. I look forward to seeing you all at the awards banquet on Friday night in Tacoma before the semis. [/b]
