Sat-Dec-21, 2024
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Spring 2002 Playoffs

Playoff Preview

  • Spring 2002 Playoffs - The Spring 2002 playoffs begin Monday, June 3. Single-elimination, wildcard games are scheduled for Monday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 4. Double elimination play begins Friday, June 7. The playoff schedule is posted on the Master Schedule
  • Playoff Format - B League - top 2 teams, C League - top 4 teams, D,E Leagues - top 6 teams. Additional teams may qualify in case of ties.
  • Playoff Rosters - Only players on team rosters as of April 15, 2002 are eligible to play in the playoffs. Players added after April 15 can not play in the playoffs.
  • Playoff Overtime - A five-minute, stop-time, sudden death overtime is played for any tied playoff games, time permitting. A five man shootout is played for any game still tied after overtime.
June 4, 2002 - The playoff picture is now set and the Race for the Cup begins. Three divisions appear to have clear favorites heading into postseason. The Bulls(B), Bulldogs(D), and Avalanche(E) each look to punctuate their stellar regular seasons with championship runs. All three teams skated through division play nearly unscathed and are clear favorites to secure HLI titles. C League, on the other hand, is a veritable toss-up with all four teams having beaten each other at least once during the regular season.

D LEAGUE

The Bulldogs, apparrently having revitalized their once proud championship tradition, are seeking to end their four year title drought. This season they have rediscovered their offense while minimizing defensive lapses to form a potent one-two combo heading into the playoffs. Poised to challenge the 'Dogs are the veteran laden Cougars and fast rising Maple Leafs. The Cougars know how to get it done in the playoffs. Defense and goaltending hoists trophies and they have the best of both in the division. With the most potent offensive attack in the divison the red-hot Maple Leafs pose a real threat to the defensive might of the Bulldogs and Cougars. The 'Leafs have decisively won five straight heading to the dance. Both the Grizzlies. and the LI-Bruins possess the personnel to make champioship runs but each have struggled with consistency during their up-and-down campaigns. The Grizzlies can be tenacious and rely on their intensity to win. The Bruins can be explosive but they can lose their focus and fall prey to their on-ice lapses. Lurking, and hoping to capitalize on their late season run, are the always dangerous Scorpions. If they focus their elusive offense the Scorpions can cause some grief for the unsuspecting; they are the only division team to defeat the Bulldogs during the regular season.