So What Does It All Mean?

February 2nd, 2009

Langley, BC

This Canada West season has been one of the most competitive in recent memory, with the exception of Alberta. With one weekend left in conference play and four teams done league play. Only two of seven playoff positions have been determined and the locations of the playoffs have yet to be determined. So the question for this weekend is, What does it all mean?

Here it is:

1. Alberta Bears:
18-0 done conference play. Finish 1st and win league play title for the umpteenth time in a row. They will host the Final Four February 20 & 21. They also have a bye to the CIS National Championships, also hosting, February 26-March 1.

2. Calgary Dinos:
13-5 done conference play. Finish 2nd and will host the 7th place team which still has yet to be determined.

3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th all have yet to be determined and will depend upon the results from this weekend.

Brandon Bobcats:
In order to guarantee third place the Bobcats need win both. If they do they are third regardless of what TWU does. If Brandon splits they will finish 4th in all but one scenario. If Brandon wins 3-2 and loses 0-3 they will lose the tie-break to UBC and will have to stay in Vancouver and play again the following weekend in the 4v5 match up. If Brandon loses both they will fall to 7th most likely (provided Winnipeg sweeps Manitoba, which is never a given and TWU takes one in Sask)

UBC T-Birds:
The 'Birds, as mentioned, play Brandon at Point Grey this weekend. If UBC sweeps the weekend they will end up 3rd in all except 2 scenarios. If they win 3-1,3-2 or 3-2, 3-2 and TWU wins 3-0, 3-0 then TWU will finish 3rd and UBC will finish 4th. If UBC and Brandon split then UBC will likely finish 5th and have to fly to Brandon in all but 2 scenarios. The one mentioned before where they would win the tie-break. The other is if they win 3-2 and lose 0-3 they will lose the tie-break to TRU and finish 6th.

TWU Spartans:
TWU is in Saskatchewan to play the Huskies this weekend. Their formula is fairly simple. Win both and clinch home court advantage and wait to see what happens with UBC v Brandon. If the Spartans win both and UBC & Brandon split, TWU is 3rd and will play TRU most likely in the 3v6 match up. If either UBC or Brandon sweeps then TWU is 4th and will most likely play TRU in the 4v5 game. The only exceptions to this are the ones mentioned before. If TWU does not split then they will be on the road as thy do not have a great tie break.

TRU Wolfpack:
The 'Pack's future is out of their hands. UBC sweeps they are 5. Brandon sweeps they are 5. UBC & Brandon split they are 6. All of these provided TWU sweeps and all of these, except earlier exceptions, have TRU playing TWU.

Winnipeg Wesmen:
Winnipeg is most likely 7th but with a sweep of Manitoba they have a chance for 6th. They have the worst tie-break at this point. The only way to 6th is if either Brandon or UBC is swept. At that point Winnipeg will move to 6th and the swept team to 7th.

So again, What does it all mean?

Here are the three most likely results:

1. Alberta (18-0)
2. Calgary (13-5)
3. Brandon (11-7, sweeps UBC)
4. TWU (11-7, sweeps Sask)
5. TRU (10-8)
6. Winnipeg (10-8, sweeps Manitoba)
7. UBC (9-9, swept by Brandon)

UBC @ Calgary
Winnipeg @ Brandon
TRU @ TWU

OR:

1. Alberta (18-0)
2. Calgary (13-5)
3. TWU (11-7, sweeps Sask)
4. Brandon (10-8, split with UBC, not 3-2, 0-3)
5. UBC (10-8, split with Brandon, not 3-2, 0-3, or 3-0, 2-3)
6. TRU (10-8)
7. Winnipeg (10-8, 8-8 or 9-9 doesn't matter if Brandon & UBC split)

Winnipeg @ Calgary
TRU @ TWU
UBC @ Brandon

OR:

1. Alberta (18-0)
2. Calgary (13-5)
3. UBC (11-7, sweeps Brandon)
4. TWU (11-7, sweeps Sask)
5. TRU (10-8)
6. Winnipeg (10-8, sweeps Manitoba)
7. Brandon (9-9, swept by UBC)

Brandon @ Calgary
Winnipeg @ UBC
TRU @ TWU

So...That's what it all means.

Go Spartans!