Seven Teams Have Clinched, One Spot Remains
April 10, 2011 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
The National Lacrosse League has announced updated playoff scenarios heading into the games of April 15th - 16th, Week #15 of the 16 week regular season.
With two weekends of regular season play remaining, only one playoff berth remains unclaimed. The Colorado Mammoth and Edmonton Rush are battling for the final playoff berth in the Western Division.
In the Eastern Division, the Buffalo Bandits and Toronto Rock have each assured themselves of at least a second place finish. The first place team will face the Boston Blazers, who have clinched fourth place. The second place team will face the Rochester Knighthawks, who have clinched third place.
Buffalo (10-4) clinches the Eastern Division regular season title with a win in either of its two remaining games, or a Toronto loss in their lone remaining regular season game, at Edmonton on April 16.
In the Western Division, the Calgary Roughnecks are the regular season champions, and will play the fourth seed (Colorado or Edmonton) in the Divisional Semifinals. The Washington Stealth and Minnesota Swarm will each finish second or third, and will face each other in the opening round. Washington (8-7) can clinch second place with a win in their final regular season game or if Minnesota (6-8) loses either of their two remaining regular season games.
Colorado (4-10) clinches the fourth and final berth in the West with a win in either of its two remaining games, or a loss by Edmonton (4-11) in their regular season finale.
The scenarios are as follows:
Eastern Division
BUFFALO: (10-4): Has clinched a playoff berth and at least a second place finish. Can clinch the Eastern Division regular season title with a win in either of its two remaining games OR a Toronto loss.
TORONTO (10-5): Has clinched a playoff berth and at least a second place finish. Can clinch the Eastern Division regular season title with a win AND two Buffalo losses.
ROCHESTER: (8-6) Has clinched a playoff berth and the third seed.
BOSTON (7-8): Has clinched a playoff berth and the fourth seed.
PHILADELPHIA (5-10): Eliminated from playoff contention.
Western Division
CALGARY (11-4): Has clinched the Western Division regular season title.
WASHINGTON (8-7): Has clinched a playoff berth. Clinches second place with a win OR a Minnesota loss.
MINNESOTA (6-8): Has clinched a playoff berth. Clinches second place with two wins AND a Washington loss.
COLORADO (4-10): Clinches a playoff berth with one win OR an Edmonton loss.
EDMONTON (4-11): Clinches a playoff berth with a win AND two Colorado losses.
About the 2011 NLL Playoffs
The 2011 NLL Playoffs will begin on the weekend of April 29-May 1 and will take place over three consecutive weekends. The 2011 NLL Championship Game will be played on the weekend of May 13-15.
The format remains the same, with eight teams (top four in each division) advancing to the playoffs. All playoff games are single-elimination, and hosted by the higher-seeded team.
The four Divisional Semifinal games will open the playoffs on the weekend of April 29-May 1. The winners advance to the Eastern and Western Divisional Finals on the weekend of May 6-8. The winners advance to the 2011 NLL Championship Game. There will not be a bye weekend following the conclusion of the regular season.
Playoffs Calendar
April 23: Final Day of Regular Season
Weekend of April 29-May 1: Divisional Semifinals
Weekend of May 6-8: Divisional Finals
Weekend of May 13-15: Championship Game
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 10, 2011
- Seven Teams Have Clinched, One Spot Remains - NLL
- Wings Drop Final Home Game to K-Hawks 10-6 - Philadelphia Wings
- Knighthawks Secure Third Place as They Clip Wings - Rochester Knighthawks
- Rock Will Host First Round Playoff Game - Toronto Rock
- Washington Stealth Pulls Out Dramatic Overtime Victory - Washington Stealth
- Stealth forward Rhys Duch sinks game-winner 30 seconds into overtime - Minnesota Swarm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
