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National Lacrosse League

NLL Champion's Cup Playoffs Update

April 26, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release


As a result of Minnesota's loss to Chicago on Friday, five teams -- Minnesota, Buffalo, New York, Rochester and Philadelphia -- can still potentially win the East Division title.

The league has determined the following with respect to the playoffs entering Saturday's games.

EAST DIVISION

MINNESOTA SWARM (9-6):

Has clinched a playoff berth.

Clinches a home playoff game with a win over Chicago on Saturday.

If Minnesota loses both games to Chicago this weekend, the Swarm would still clinch a home playoff game with a New York loss to Rochester AND a Buffalo win over Portland AND a Philadelphia loss to Toronto.

Clinches the East Division title with at least a win over Chicago on Saturday AND a Buffalo loss to Portland.

BUFFALO BANDITS (9-6):

Has clinched a playoff berth.

Clinches a home playoff game with a win against Portland on Saturday.

If Buffalo loses to Portland, the Bandits would still clinch a home playoff game if Minnesota loses to Chicago AND Philadelphia loses to Toronto.

Clinches the East Division title, top overall seed and home field advantage throughout playoffs with a win against Portland AND either:

-A Minnesota win over Chicago on Saturday.

-A New York loss to Rochester on Saturday.

NEW YORK TITANS (9-6):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win over Rochester OR a Philadelphia loss to Toronto.

Clinches a home playoff game with a win over Rochester AND one of the following:

-Buffalo loss to Portland on Saturday

-Minnesota loss to Chicago on Saturday

Clinches the East Division title, top overall seed and home field advantage throughout playoffs with a win over Rochester AND a Minnesota loss to Chicago on Saturday.

PHILADELPHIA WINGS (9-6):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win over Toronto OR a Rochester loss to New York.

Clinches a home playoff game with a win over Toronto AND two of the following:

-New York loss to Rochester on Saturday

-Buffalo loss to Portland on Saturday

-Minnesota loss to Chicago on Saturday

Clinches the East Division title, top overall seed and home field advantage throughout playoffs with a win over Toronto AND a New York loss to Rochester AND a Buffalo loss to Portland AND a Minnesota losses to Chicago on Saturday.

ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS (8-7):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win over New York.

Clinches a home playoff game with a win over New York AND a Buffalo loss to Portland AND either a Philadelphia loss to Toronto or a Minnesota loss to Chicago on Saturday.

Clinches the East Division title with a win over New York AND a Buffalo loss to Portland AND a Philadelphia loss to Toronto AND a Minnesota loss to Chicago on Saturday.

WEST DIVISION

COLORADO MAMMOTH (9-6): Has clinched a playoff berth and a home playoff game. Can clinch the West Division title with a win against San Jose.

SAN JOSE STEALTH (8-7): Has clinched a playoff berth and a home playoff game. Can clinch the West Division title with a win against Colorado.

CALGARY ROUGHNECKS (6-9): Has clinched a playoff berth. Can clinch third place in the West with a win against Edmonton OR a Portland loss to Buffalo.

PORTLAND LUMBERJAX (6-9): Has clinched a playoff berth. Can clinch third place in the West with a win against Buffalo AND a Calgary loss to Edmonton.

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The schedule of games for the final weekend of the 2008 NLL regular season is as follows:

(All times listed Eastern)

Friday, April 25

Chicago 12 at Minnesota 10

Saturday, April 26

Colorado at San Jose - 3:00 PM

Portland at Buffalo - 7:30 PM

Rochester at New York - 8:00 PM

Minnesota at Chicago - 8:00 PM

Calgary at Edmonton - 9:30 PM

Sunday, April 27

Philadelphia at Toronto - 1:00 PM

(end of regular season)

--

About the 2008 National Lacrosse League Playoffs:

The 2008 Champion's Cup Playoffs will begin on the weekend of May 2-4, and play out over three consecutive weekends. The single-elimination playoffs will consist of seven games; four Divisional Semifinal games (weekend of May 2-4), two Divisional Finals (weekend of May 9-11) and the Edge NLL Championship Game on the weekend of May 16-18.

The playoffs will take place on three consecutive weekends following the conclusion of the 2008 regular season (weekend of April 25-26). There will not be a bye week during the post-season.

The playoff format remains the same as last season. Eight teams will advance to the Playoffs, the top four finishers in the East and West Divisions. In the Divisional Semifinal games, the regular season division champion (East #1 / West #1) hosts the regular season fourth place finisher from their respective division (East #4 / West #4) in the Divisional Semifinals. The regular season second place finisher (East #2 / West #2) hosts the regular season third place finisher (East #3 / West #3) from their respective division in the Divisional Semifinals. Each game is hosted by the higher seeded team.

In the Divisional Finals, the winner of the First vs. Fourth place Divisional Semifinal game faces the winner of the Second vs. Third place Divisional Semifinal game in each respective division. Each game is hosted by the higher seeded team.

The Divisional Final winners shall meet in the 2008 Edge NLL Championship Game (East vs. West) with the higher overall seed hosting the game. Following the conclusion of the regular season on April 26th, the eight playoff teams will receive an overall seeding number (#1 through #8). The overall seeding number is used to determine which Divisional Final winner will host the 2008 Edge NLL Championship Game. The team with the best regular season record will be the #1 overall seed, and would have home floor throughout the playoffs, including the 2008 Edge NLL Championship Game.

PLAYOFF CALENDAR

Divisional Semifinals: Weekend of May 2-4

East #4 at East #1

East #3 at East #2

West #4 at West #1

West #3 at West #2

Divisional Finals: Weekend of May 9-11

East Semifinal winners meet at higher remaining seed

West Semifinal winners meet at higher remaining seed

2008 Edge NLL Championship Game: Weekend of May 16-18

East Division Champion vs West Division Champion

hosted by higher overall seed

Exact times & dates TBD; subject to change

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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 26, 2008


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