July 23, 2024
By Evan Lepler

One month from today, four division champions will meet in Salt Lake City. Between now and then, we’ve got eight elimination games, events that will deliver drama and break hearts. 

The 2024 playoff bracket is set, with the dozen teams that won the majority of their regular season contests still alive. And while the field feels as wide open as ever, here are a couple reminders, based upon past history, about what may unfold over the next 30-something days as we crown a champion. 

In 11 previous seasons, only once have we seen a team win the title after failing to finish first in their division in the regular season. That distinction belongs to the 2021 Flyers, who went 8-4—with four one-goal losses—and finished fourth in the short-lived super division known as the Atlantic, before outlasting DC, Chicago, and New York, a trio of teams that all went 10-2, in an epic postseason run.

Our four first-place finishers this year are a formidable quartet, with Atlanta, DC, Salt Lake, and Minnesota set to host their respective Championship Weekend qualifiers in a few weeks. But it’s also worth noting that none of this foursome have ever previously won a league title. The Hustle and Breeze, despite several successful seasons as legitimate contenders, are both still seeking their first ever trips to the semifinals. The Shred and Wind Chill matched up in a classic last August, but these two squads were both humbled by New York, the East’s third-place finisher in the regular season, over the course of the past month.

This is all to say that no team should be considered a clear and obvious favorite entering the 2024 dance. Whatever happens at Zions Bank Stadium on August 23 and 24 will feel historic, and I’m genuinely giddy to experience all the storylines, emotions, and surprises that will inevitably arrive in the riveting weeks that lie ahead. 

The Full Field Layout

Week 13 sure was a doozy. 

Three teams clinched top seeds thanks to critical wins over worthy opponents, a few individuals authored stat lines that absolutely leap off the page, and the first elimination game of the season saw the Radicals smack the AlleyCats, ending not only Indy’s 2024 season, but also the careers of some of the team’s decade-long contributors.

Taking you the chronologically through the most meaningful games, the intense weekend launched on Friday evening in Madison, where the Radicals gave their best crowd of the season plenty to cheer about. Concurrently, the AlleyCats never really felt normal.

“We just played so, so terrible,” said Indy’s Travis Carpenter. “Everything was going wrong, and I felt sort of helpless.” 

The Cats stayed close in the first quarter as the Radicals went just 1-for-5 on break chances, but the floodgates opened quickly after that, with Madison converting 13 of their 16 break opportunities in the final 36 minutes. Overall, the Rads’ defense scored on 14-of-21 possessions, while Indy’s O-line finished possessions just 12 times in 33 tries. 

It was a very different outcome than the last time the two teams met, when Indy completed 96 percent of its passes in 23-22 comeback victory on June 29. Twenty nights later, the Cats were down 10-7 at halftime, 18-10 through three, and never seriously threatened the Radicals down the stretch, ultimately succumbing 25-16, as Madison punched its ticket into the 2024 playoffs.

“The first time we played Indy, their new offensive scheme took us some time to get used to,” said Kelsen Alexander, who led the Radicals with four goals, two assists, and one block on Friday night. “The second time around, we executed our game plan much more effectively. Our coaches did a great job with the film study and adjustments from the first game. We switched more smoothly, we positioned better as a team, and we knew there wouldn’t be as much deep help when they ejected from the handler set [...] I also think we were able to wear them down over the course of the game. The pressure was on right from the start, and if it weren’t for a couple of miscues and Indy doing well at the end of quarters, I think we would have run away sooner.”

With the victory, the Radicals are in the playoffs for the first time since they won the 2018 championship. Madison’s string of five straight Championship Weekend appearances from 2013-18 were always built on the team’s defense, and this year’s unit, at least statistically, has been one of the best in league history. The Radicals enter the postseason having broken their opponents on 41.3 percent of all D-points played, the highest rate in the league and the best break percentage for any team across the UFA since Madison registered a 43.4 percent break rate back in 2016!

“We have absolutely unrelenting D-lines and possibly the deepest team I’ve ever been a part of,” added Alexander. “Having Kevin Pettit-Scantling back is huge both because of his individual play, but also because he raises everyone’s confidence just by being out there. The block I got in that game was only possible because KPS shut down a different reset look. Indy was consistently having to look at their second or third option all night. That slows the game down on defense, takes them out of their flow, and makes every thrower less comfortable with the disc [...] My opinion, I think we have the best defense in the UFA right now.” 

While the Radicals plan to host Chicago at Breese Stevens Field on Sunday, the AlleyCats have no choice but to turn the page toward 2025. Perhaps it’d be more apt to declare they are closing the book on an era. 

The league’s all-time goal scoring king, Cameron Brock, who led the team with 31 goals in 2024, plans to be back in 2025, but Indy knows its losing veterans Rick Gross, Nick Hutton, and Levi Jacobs. Carpenter, another AlleyCats lifer, is also leaning towards retirement, though remains uncertain. If those four players all depart, that’s a combined 42 seasons of experience, with 495 games, 974 assists, 804 goals, and 504 blocks that will be walking away. There’s no doubt that Indy has plenty of young and intriguing pieces with potential, but it sure will feel different next summer after a decade-plus of familiar faces at Grand Park. 

******

Later on Friday night, the Salt Lake Shred clinched the top seed out West by bringing their own elite defensive energy against Seattle. The Cascades successfully converted a pair of turnover-free holds in the opening minutes to lead 2-1, but then were broken five times on their next six points, as the Shred built an early 9-3 lead. 

Watching from afar, the first half of this game felt reminiscent of the first ever Hawks-Ducks matchup in the original “Mighty Ducks” movie, where the underdogs were overwhelmed by a more experienced, physical, and powerful side. To be clear, this was still ultimate, not hockey, and the Shred did not appear to cross any lines, but their collective aggression, attitude, and purpose clearly set the tone. 

“They play physically, but it always felt like it was within the rules,” said Seattle’s Garrett Martin. “I think they were definitely trying to send a message, but then again, so were we. This was a chance to secure home field for the playoffs. They just executed better than we did for the first half of the game, and that ended up being enough.” 

Despite the dominant start, the second half was still a roller-coaster, with Salt Lake taking a 12-5 lead early in the third before Seattle stormed back within three. Lukas Ambrose’s highlight-reel evening included a thrilling layout score at third quarter buzzer, making the score 14-11 heading to the fourth. 

But Salt Lake used a quick 4-1 spurt in the first five and half minutes of the final period to build an 18-12 lead. Even though Seattle clawed back again, closing the game with four straight scores, it turned out to be too little, too late, as the Shred prevailed 18-16. 

“When we were up 18-12 with six minutes left, I think a lot of guys checked out of the game,” said Salt Lake’s Sean Connole. “And Seattle almost made us pay with a 4-0 run. Fortunately, on our final possession, we had enough energy left in the tank to kill the clock the rest of the way and ultimately secure the win.”

Overall, the Shred D-line led the way with nine breaks on 12 chances, compared to the Shred O-line which scored nine times on 21 possessions. Jonny Hoffman registered three blocks and a goal, Seattle’s Ambrose tallied a game-best five blocks to go along with three goals and an assist. 

“You appreciate performances like that,” said Shred Coach Bryce Merrill, when asked about Ambrose’s night. "He’s a gamer. He’s so confident, and it’s contagious [...] Very special player, annoying as an opposing coach, but just impressed with what he does.”

While it wasn’t an all-encompassing 48-minute beatdown that erased all lingering doubt, the Shred are indeed positioned to play all three of their potential playoff games at home, hoping that the organization’s first UFA championship is within reach.

“Being at the top of the West and still feeling like we haven’t put everything together for a full four quarters has pros and cons,” said Connole. “We know we can play better, but we haven't been able to maintain our focus for four quarters. I think it’s a sign of our youth, not only in the league, but also our actual age. I’m one of the old guys, despite not even being 30.”

******

On Saturday, the pivotal matchups in the East and South were both initially delayed by thunderstorms, though thankfully each game got rolling less than an hour after its original start time. 

And in both games, the victorious team found itself down multiple breaks early.

The Empire pounced quickly and led 4-1 over the Breeze, while the Flyers opened their contest with three straight scores against the Hustle. But after a pair of slow starts, both DC and Atlanta emphatically responded, methodically yet efficiently dismantling their familiar foes to claim the top spots in their respective divisions.

“It was really fun to basically get punched right away and be like ‘hey, we got to play to this level if we want to be champions in this league,’” said DC Coach Lauren Boyle, at halftime.

The Breeze found their top form during a scintillating 7-0 run, transforming their early 4-1 deficit into an 8-4 lead, during which seemingly every key member of the Empire made at least one mistake. Charles Weinberg overthrew Ben Jagt for New York’s first turn, then Oliver Chartock dropped a goal. Later, John Randolph threw right into a well-timed David Bloodgood poach, and Jack Williams misfired on a mid-range forehand up the line. 

Meanwhile, with every opportunity the Breeze D-line received, they were masterfully clinical in converting the break, going 6-for-6 in the first half and 8-for-9 on the night. Even when the Empire had DC in dicey situations, the Breeze played with tremendous poise, often working through tricky moments brilliantly, like when Andrew Roy found Jeff Wodatch for a buzzer-beating goal to send DC into the half with a 12-9 lead. 

From there, the Empire never got closer than two, as the Breeze maintained an 18-15 edge through three quarters before prevailing 24-20. It was DC’s first win at New York since 2017, and the Breeze’s biggest margin of victory ever in a road game over the Empire. 

“The defense was obviously stellar for getting us out of the hole we put ourselves in early,” said DC Captain Jonny Malks. “Troy [Holland] and Thomas [Edmonds] are absolute all-stars and should be recognized as such, in addition to our stalwarts like AJ [Merriman] and Bloodgood. Miles Grovic played out of his mind—I think he’s one of the most exciting young players in the league right now—and seeing Alexandre Fall back out on the field playing New York this season was a joy.”

Malks led the Breeze with four goals and 604 total yards, while Tyler Monroe dished six assists and scored twice. Collectively, DC finished the game with just seven turnovers, tying a franchise record for fewest turns in a game. It was unquestionably a statement made by a group of guys that have often fallen short in big moments against New York during the Empire’s dynasty.

“I’m really proud of the entire team, offense and defense alike, for putting together what felt like a complete performance,” said Malks. “To get a definitive win, even without Charlie McCutcheon, who went out early in the game, and Cole Jurek, who has been our best and most consistent player this year [and was out with an illness], is a statement.”

The Empire don’t have very much time to regroup, with a road trip to Boston beckoning this Saturday. New York has won 11 of its last 12 playoff games and has appeared in four straight title games since 2019, but this team also has more losses this season than the past four seasons combined. 

And now they have to go up against their old teammate, reigning UFA MVP Jeff Babbitt, not to mention Ben Katz and the rest of the talented Glory, who won in New York the last time the squads met back in late May. It will be fascinating to see whether the Empire can harness their best selves and rediscover their postseason mojo, or whether the five-year dynasty will truly meet its end on Saturday in Medford.

Either way, it will be captivating to watch.

As for the Atlanta Hustle, their early 3-0 deficit flipped quickly too. The Hustle scored eight of the next 11 goals to lead 8-6, maintaining the two goal lead into the half when Bobby Ley connected with Austin Taylor at the buzzer to make it 10-8. 

“Nothing was really said or changed in the game plan [after falling behind] that early,” said Atlanta’s Michael Fairley. “We are lucky to have some incredible offensive pieces on our defensive lines, like Adam Miller and Aidan Downey, so trotting out a post-break defensive line for offense was just what we needed.” 

From there, the Hustle were a comfortable mix of solid and explosive, while the Flyers were uncharacteristically sloppy. The second half began with a dropped pull, which spiraled into three straight breaks for Atlanta. Trailing 13-8, Carolina got one break back to inch within three, but never got closer than that the rest of the night, ultimately falling 19-16. 

Interestingly, both O-lines had 10 turns, but the Hustle D-line went 6-for-10 on its chances, converting twice as many breaks as the Flyers. Furthermore, Carolina had 10 blocks, three more than Atlanta, but the Flyers also had five painful drops, whereas the Hustle had none. 

“I think it’s fair to say that we’re feeling really good about how we’re doing matching up downfield with the Hustle, limiting Brett [Hulsmeyer] and Jeremy [Langdon] as well as we can hope for,” explained Carolina’s Sol Yanuck. “But despite really good prep we did not execute our game plan at the line of scrimmage. Props to Adam Miller and Christian Olsen for being major drivers of their success there. O-line looked way better structurally than our last trip to Atlanta at times, but we’re still struggling to maintain our spacing, which leads to longer points, more throws, more chances to drop the wet disc. Not random and fluky, in my view, just something that’s controllable that we’re actively working on.” 

Playing mostly defense, Miller tallied a team-high four assists to lead the Hustle, while Austin Taylor tallied three goals, three assists, and a team-high 442 yards. Tobi Brooks paced the Flyers O with seven assists, but also had one of the team’s five costly drops. 

“Atlanta is a talented team,” said Carolina Captain William Coffin. “And their defensive line has been incredibly stingy with the disc this year. We need to do a better job of not giving them the opportunities to score in the first place.”

While the Flyers prepare to meet Austin this Saturday, the Hustle will carry a league-best nine-game winning streak into the South Division Championship Game. Regardless who they face, they are understandably enthused about trying to cap this season with the franchise’s first ever trip to Championship Weekend. 

“I think we are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished this season so far,” said Fairley, “especially with the challenging schedule that Coach Tuba Benson-Jaja and GM John Boezi created for us. However, like we focused on last season, we need to stay present and focus solely on the game at hand. Like all great teams in this league, we understand that it is incredibly difficult making it to Championship Weekend [...] We are thrilled to host another South Divisional Playoff Game in front of our incredible fans, who we know will bring tremendous energy and excitement to Silverbacks Park.” 

Coming up later today in “Seven On The Line”, two-win weekends for Oakland and Montreal, some eye-popping statistical outputs, first looks at the upcoming playoff matchups, and all the rest from a newsworthy 14-game, Week 13 slate around the UFA.