CFHL Week 20 and Playoff Preview

The regular season is over and the quest for the Cherry Cup has begun!!

Last week there was a battle for the last two spots in the playoffs between the USSR, Goon Crew and White Mambas.  It was earlier reported that the USSR would have been in regardless with a 3 way tie based on total rotisserie points, but not so fast my friends...

Turned out that the USSR needed the win to avoid the tie as each of the 3 teams played each other twice.  Mambas went 3-1, sweeping the Soviets, and the Crew went 2-2, while USSR was 1-3.  The AshBusters were going to make sure the USSR didn't make the playoffs as they dispensed them 6-3 on 14 goals, 5 PPGs and 4 goalie wins between Dubnyk and Anderson, two former Crew goalies that they sure wished they still had.  Pavelski was the Number One Star of the game scoring 5 goals and a +5.   This was a bitter and disappointing end to the season for the Soviet squad who is conducting a full on investigation to see if there was rule fixing to keep them out...

Pavelski had 5 goals for AshBusters

So the stage is set for the Cherry Cup Playoffs!  Number 1 and Number 2 seeds are the Alex Assassins and MacDaddy's AshBusters.  They await the winners of the first round games.

Goon Crew at Who Gives a Puck - The Crew started hot, then faded, but manged to make the playoffs.  They made a few questionable trades as of today, trading Craig Anderson earlier in the season and then Dubnyk towards the end.  Since, Lundqvist has been hurt now for the playoffs and what was once their strongest suit is now their weak link.  Who Gives a puck is based on strong center play and assists and are second in the league in FOW.

UPDATE:  Puck off to a fast start with a hat trick by Marchand and already have 6 goals.  Crew's goalies are a joke posting a 5.95 GAA and no wins after both goalies played the first day.

Marchand has 3 goals after just one game already

White Mambas at Mayhem on Ice - White Mambas were an unlikely playoff team who at first didn't have a strong draft.  Since then, they have been strong in net with Murray and Jones.  In addition to Murray, they lean on two other Penguins in Malkin (33g, 39a, 11 ppg) and Kessel (21g, 40a).  They have to win with offense and goalie play as FOW and Hits are their weak point.  Mayhem are just a well rounded team, not posting huge numbers in any category but just solid.   Lead by Connor McDavid.

Malkin and Kessel for the Mambas

UPDATE: Mayhem have early lead but all categories close with the Mambas goalies yet to play.