What Needs to Happen for Thunderbirds to Make Playoffs?

Written by: Andrew Gardner

The 2019 Midwest Division has been an exhilarating roller-coaster ride of emotions, and with 3 games remaining on the Thunderbirds schedule, here are the 8 scenarios in which the Thunderbirds can clinch a spot in the AUDL Playoffs.

It's worth noting the playoff structure in the Midwest division. Of the 6 teams in the division, the top 3 clinch. The #3 seed will travel to the #2 seed, and the winner of that contest will travel to the #1 seed for a chance at the Final 4 in San Jose, California, which will feature one team from each divisional winner (East, Midwest, South, West).


Photo: Jared Todhunter

 

Let's take a look at all the scenarios from highest seed to lowest:

Scenario #1: Chicago beats Indianapolis this Saturday + Pittsburgh Wins 3 remaning games (@ Detroit, @ Chicago, @ Indianapolis)

Result: Pittsburgh would clinch the #1 seed thanks to a head to head tiebreaker over Chicago. Chicago would be the #2 seed. Indianapolis would be the #3 seed. 

Scenario #2: Indianapolis beats Chicago this Saturday + Pittsburgh wins 3 remaining games (@ Detroit, @ Chicago, @ Indianapolis)

Result: Indianapolis would be the #1 seed. Pittsburgh would be the #2 seed. Chicago would be the #3 seed.

 

 

Scenario #3: Chicago beats Indianapolis this Saturday + Pittsburgh wins 2 of 3, winning against Detroit, winning against Chicago, losing against Indy.

Result: Chicago and Indianapolis would receive either the #1 or #2 seed based on head to head point difference. Pittsburgh would clinch the #3 seed.

Scenario #4: Chicago beats Indianapolis this Saturday + Pittsburgh wins 2 of 3, winning against Detroit, losing against Chicago, winning against Indianapolis.

Result: Chicago would be the #1 seed. Indianapolis would be the #2 seed. Pittsburgh would be the #3 seed.

 

 

Scenario #5: Indianapolis beats Chicago this Saturday + Pittsburgh wins 2 of 3, winning against Detroit, winning against Chicago, losing against Indianapolis.

Result: Indianapolis would be the #1 seed. Chicago would be the #2 seed. Pittsburgh would be the #3 seed. 

Scenario #6: Indianapolis beats Chicago this Saturday + Pittsburgh wins 2 of 3, winning against Detroit, losing against Chicago, winning against Indianapolis.

Result: Chicago and Indianapolis would receive either the #1 or #2 seed based on head to head point difference. Pittsburgh would clinch the #3 seed.

Scenario #7: Indianapolis beats Chicago this Saturday + Pittsburgh wins 2 of 3, losing against Detroit, winning against Chicago, winning against Indianapolis.

Result: Indianapolis would be the #1 seed. Pittsburgh would be the #2 seed. Chicago would be the #3 seed. 

- In this scenario, MIN, PIT, and CHI would all finish with a record of 7-5 if Minnesota defeated Madison this Saturday.
- The tie-breaker would go to mini-standings of the games involving only the 3 teams, which would shake out as follows: MIN 2-3, PIT 3-1, CHI 2-3.
- As a result, PIT would advance to the playoffs as the #2 seed based on the best winning percentage of the 3 teams.
- To break the MIN CHI tie for the final spot, CHI holds the head to head tie-breaker as follows: MIN 1-2, CHI 2-1.

 

 

Scenario #8: Chicago beats Indianapolis this Saturday + Pittsburgh wins 2 of 3, losing against Detroit, winning against Chicago, winning against Indianapolis.

Result: 

- In this scenario, MIN, PIT, and IND would all finish with a record of 7-5 if Minnesota defeated Madison this Saturday.
- The tie-breaker would go to mini-standings of the games involving only the 3 teams, which would shake out as follows: IND 4-1, PIT 2-3, MIN 1-3. 
- As a result, PIT would advance to the playoffs as the #3 seed based on the best winning percentage of the 3 teams.
- To break the MIN IND tie for the final spot, IND holds the head to head tie-breaker as follows: MIN 0-2, IND 2-0.

 

What happens if the Thunderbirds goes 1-2? They won't be flying in the 2019 AUDL playoffs...

Those breakdowns thanks to Minnesota writers:

If MIN defeats MAD this Saturday + PIT Losses 2 of 3 Remaining Games (@DET, @CHI, @IND). 
-Minnesota would advance to the playoffs with a record of 7-5, while Pittsburgh would finish with a record of 6-6.

 

If  PIT losses 2 of 3 Remaining Games (@DET, @CHI, @IND) + MAD Wins 2 Remaining Games (vs. MIN, vs. DET). 
-In this scenario, MIN, MAD, and PIT would all finish with a record of 6-6.
-The tie-breaker would go to mini-standings of the games involving only the 3 teams, which would shake out as follows: MIN 3-2, PIT 2-2, MAD 2-3.
-As a result, MIN would advance to the playoffs based on the best winning percentage of the 3 teams (60%).