Sunday games see movement in standings, busy schedule
January 29, 2018
![](/nahl/news/img/1213/hastings-tall_1.jpg)
Ryan Hastings has the Esmark Stars 16U team in good position to nab one of the top spots in the division during the regular season finale on Monday.
It was moving day on Day 2 of the NAPHL event in Blaine, Minnesota, in a full schedule day, which featured each team playing in two regular season games. The result was an exciting, eventful, and action-packed series of games, which left several playoff positions secured, while others remain undecided.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the sprinkler malfunction on Rink 4, please check the schedule all games on Monday, January 29th as selected game times and rink assignments have changed.
All games this weekend from the Schwan Super Rink will be broadcast live on HockeyTV.
The final day of the regular season is Monday, January 29th. As a reminder, the top 8 teams in the standings in both the 18U and 16U divisions at the end of this weekend will qualify for the NAPHL Gold Division Dixon Cup Championship in February. The remainder of the teams will play in the Silver (Consolation) Division Championship.
At the conclusion of the NAPHL regular season, Clubs that have an equal amount of points shall have their final position in the NAPHL standings determined by applying the following tie breaking procedures:
A. Most wins during the regular season.
B. Results of head to head competition.
C. Goal differential in head to head competition.
D. Total goal differential during the entire season.
E. Total goals scored during the entire season
16U Division
There is come clarity in the 16U Division as the Top 8 teams for the Gold Division Playoffs are known. Leading the way with a one-point edge is Everett Silvertips Elite. Monday should have some drama as they face Sioux Falls, who are in a three-way tie for 3rd place just two points back. The 2nd place team, the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders will also play in a great match-up on the final day as they face the Esmark Stars, who sit in a 3rd place tie, just one point back of Rocky Mountain. Also in a tie for 3rd place is the Madison Capitols, who will face Meijer AAA on Monday. Meijer was able to clinch a playoff spot thanks to one point in an OT loss to Sioux Falls on Sunday. Meijer is one win and two points ahead of 9th place Washington, however even if Washington wins and Meijer loses in regulation on the final day to end up in a tie in points and wins, Meijer still holds the edge as they won the lone head-to-head match-up back on December 4th. Other teams clinching a spot in the top 8 is Arizona and CarShield. The Bobcats have won all three games so far at this event in Blaine and are in a tie for 6th place.
18U Division
The 18U Division also saw its share of drama and movement. The front-runners for the top spot remains to be CarShield, who need a win on the final day to secure the regular season title. Right behind CarShield is Sioux Falls, who are a point behind. Those two teams are clear and have clinched the top two seeds. Thanks to perfect 3-0 records so far at the event in Blaine, Rocky Mountain, Valley Forge and Elite Hockey have all clinched spots in the Top 8. Besides the chase for the regular season title, the big drama lies in spots 7-9 as three teams are in contention for the final two spots. In the driver’s seat for one of the two spots is the Esmark Stars. The Stars need a win on Monday and they are in. Also controlling their own destiny is New Jersey. A win would put them into the top 8. The team on the outside looking in is Meijer AAA, who need a win and either a loss in regulation by Esmark or a loss by New Jersey to make the Top 8.
Make sure to follow us on social media to get updated scores and behind the scenes access!