Wind Chill Take Care of Business Against Detroit
The Minnesota Wind Chill took care of business beating the 0-10 Detroit Mechanix 27-12 at home on Saturday night. It was a game where the Wind Chill simply had to take care of business and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Wind Chill were able to spread the disc around in a winning effort with 17 of 20 players throwing or catching a goal. Kristian Johnson led the team with 4 assists, he was followed closely by Josh Klane who had 3. Canadien rookie Quinn Snider was the goal leader with 5, he was followed by St Olaf’s Drew Otterlei with 4. Jimmy Kittleson continued to show why he is one of the best defensive players in the league, bringing in 6 blocks, which doubled up the next closest Wind Chill player, Brandon Matis who had 3.
The Wind Chill play the Madison Radicals at 6:00pm in Madison to close out the regular season this upcoming Saturday. After winning the AUDL championship in 2018, the Madison Radicals are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
Playoff Scenarios
The Wind Chill currently hold the fourth spot in the Midwest Division at 6-5, right behind the 5-4 Pittsburgh Thunderbirds.
If both the Wind Chill and Thunderbirds finish with a record of 7-5, Pittsburgh would advance to the playoffs based on point differential in the games against Minnesota (both teams winining one game, but Pittsburgh scoring more combined points in the two matchups).
That being said, there are two scenarios by which Minnesota can advance to the Midwest Division Playoffs and earn the #3 Seed (eliminating Pittsburgh):
Scenario #1: 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.
Scenario #2: 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%).
Chicago and Indianapolis have already locked up playoff spots. If Indianapolis wins by 2 or more points this Saturday against Chicago, they clinch the Midwest Division. Chicago is unable to clinch the Midwest Division on Saturday with a win, as Pittsburgh could still beat them out in a tiebreaker at 8-4.
