u/stardust_galaxy98

I had Winnipeg going to the finals this year. Some of y'all said I was crazy for picking them over Vancouver.

Look how that turned out.

It's certainly been a year so far. Feels weird not having Mike Morreale at the commissioner's table. A lot happened both on and off the court. But for now, it's playoff time. With no more championship weekend, it should be pretty interesting to see how the new format shapes up. Eight teams go in. Only one may claim victory.

4W) Edmonton Stingers

Congrats on winning the Battle of Alberta this year. It was pretty much by default, but you still won. I'm not gonna lie, this team looks really uninspired this year. I don't know if it was losing Sean East, or if it's the bench, but the Stingers don't have their usual sauce this year. To me, this screams one and done. But I've been wrong before...

3W) Saskatoon Mamba

Turns out the problem with this team really was Barry Rawlyk. Ever since he got ousted, the Mamba have built an intriguing, well-balanced roster. It led them to their highest win total in franchise history. They're not title contenders yet, but they could probably surprise someone this year. If only this happened as the Rattlers, though. I still maintain that rebrand was a mistake made by a meddling rival owner.

2W) Winnipeg Sea Bears

The post-championship weekend boom is striking for the final time, as the Sea Bears rose from the depths to be a threatening team in the west again. Teddy Allen came back and is performing like his once-elite self. Xavier Moon returned to the league to solidify his GOAT case. With that level of talent, this team should be a lock for a ring. However, playoff success hasn't come to the True North just yet. Maybe this team is the one.

1W) Vancouver Bandits

Anyone else smell a rat? I do. This team is fraudulent and being carried kicking and screaming by high end talent. It didn't start that way. First eight weeks or so, it was business as usual. A revenge tour in the making, ready to overcome last year's jobbing. They even got Mitch Creek back! But then... everything changed. Kyle Julius got caught saying stupid shit to a fan and got suspended by the league. His replacement is a total hack. The Bandits turned from an elite team to a streaky, inconsistent disaster who only got the 1 seed because of that elite start. If you want me to believe you guys are title contenders, then why the hell did you lose to the Surge thrice?!

4E) Niagara River Lions

The quest for the three-peat has cranked up the difficulty to European Extreme. The first year, they cruised to a title and got the monkey off their back. Last year, it was shock success despite a disturbing point differential. Now they get to try it with a depleted roster and without Victor Raso. You wanna know how to beat this team? Foul them. They cannot shoot free throws. They can't stop whining when things don't go their way. These aren't the same River Lions as years past. Unless a few miracles happen, there will be a new champion this year.

3E) Ottawa Blackjacks

So you made it, eh? It took until the last day and required a few miracles, but you're here. With the momentum you have, I could see you guys pulling an upset early. I should probably follow these guys more closely.

2E) Brampton Honey Badgers

Sean East is that man. Edmonton proved that last year. He's taking the Badgers to heights they hadn't seen since the Hamilton years. 7-1 and rising fast! The east is all but theirs to claim. HIGH RISE SUDDENLY COLLAPSES. Then reality struck. The rest of the team returned to earth and regressed to around .500 the rest of the year. At least they have a home playoff game?

1E) Scarborough Shooting Stars

No Cat Barber? No problem. The Stars turned into a unstoppable super monster laying waste to everyone and everything in their path. Elite offense, excellent defense, everyone performing at peak levels. With nearly an entire eastern conference at or below .500, the Stars are all but a lock to make it to the finals. The challenge now is who will they face when they get there?

Playoff Prediction/Horrible Jinxing

The first finals in the new format will be Winnipeg vs Scarborough. Xavier Moon and Teddy Allen brute force their way through a tough West, while Scarborough torches the east. Now that I said that, both will probably flame out in the first round. Yay.

7 games in. Winless. And tbh, we deserve it. For how much shit the guys were talking last year, for the sheer disrespect and contempt we had for every other team, for the bs in the quarterfinals against Vancouver, this season was a long time coming.

Sucks watching my team lose all the time, but it's not un-earned.