Down to four weekends left to play in the Central Hockey League’s regular season, each scheduled contest takes on added significance in the scrambled playoff race being played out this year. With only two clubs eliminated from post-season contention, each of this weekend’s 20 games carries playoff significance as 14 clubs scramble for the remaining seven available playoff spots. The Colorado Eagles are the only team currently guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, clinching their invitation earlier this week.

Northern Conference

Colorado is in, and now have their sights set on locking up the division and the Bud Poile Governors’ Cup as CHL regular season champions, hoping to ensure home ice advantage through the playoffs. The Eagles currently hold a nine-point lead over Wichita for both the division and overall title, and host Oklahoma City in a Friday/Saturday doubleheader at the Budweiser Events Center.

Eagles Remaining Schedule (11 games, 6 home, 5 away)
vs Oklahoma City, Fri, Feb 25
vs Oklahoma City, Sat, Feb 26
at New Mexico, Fri, Mar 04
at New Mexico, Sat, Mar 05
at San Angelo, Sun, Mar 06
vs Amarillo, Wed, Mar 09
vs New Mexico, Fri, Mar 11
vs New Mexico, Sat, Mar 12
vs Lubbock, Wed, Mar 16
at Lubbock, Fri, Mar 18
at Fort Worth, Sat, Mar 19

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs are in excellent shape to claim their second straight Northeast Division title, boasting a 13 point advantage heading down the stretch. The probable division title will more than likely guarantee a first round meeting with Wichita, who the Mudbugs play twice more this season. The clubs meet in likely playoff previews March 4th in Wichita and March 19th in Bossier-Shreveport. This weekend the weakened Mudbugs, with a number of ailing players, welcome playoff contenders San Angelo and Fort Worth to the CenturyTel Center.

Mudbugs Remaining Schedule (12 games, 6 home, 6 away)
vs San Angelo, Fri, Feb 25
vs Fort Worth, Sat, Feb 26
at Wichita, Fri, Mar 04
at Fort Worth, Sat, Mar 05
vs Rio Grande Valley, Sun, Mar 06
at Odessa, Thu, Mar 10
at Amarillo, Fri, Mar 11
at Tulsa, Sat, Mar 12
vs Oklahoma City, Tue, Mar 15
vs Amarillo, Fri, Mar 18
vs Wichita, Sat, Mar 19
at Fort Worth, Sun, Mar 20

The Wichita Thunder are in a unique situation, holding a healthy 16-point lead for playoff position, but trailing Colorado by nine points. While there still is a possibility they could catch the Eagles, as the season continues it becomes more and more likely they will be relegated to the third seed in the Northern Conference, and an almost certain matchup with probably Northeast Division champion Bossier-Shreveport in the opening round of play. This weekend, the Thunder visit two teams in the hunt for the post-season, stopping in Memphis Friday and Tulsa Saturday, prior to a Sunday home game against the Oilers.

Thunder Remaining Schedule (12 games, 7 home, 5 away)
at Memphis, Fri, Feb 25
at Tulsa, Sat, Feb 26
vs Tulsa, Sun, Feb 27
at Topeka, Wed, Mar 02
vs Bossier-Shreveport, Fri, Mar 04
vs Oklahoma City, Sat, Mar 05
vs Laredo, Mon, Mar 07
vs Fort Worth, Wed, Mar 09
vs Memphis, Fri, Mar 11
vs Topeka, Sat, Mar 12
at Memphis, Fri, Mar 18
at Bossier-Shreveport, Sat, Mar 19

With Colorado, Wichita and Bossier-Shreveport appearing to strong likelihoods to capture the first three available Northern playoff positions, five teams are scrambling for the one remaining berth. Just two points separate Tulsa (53), New Mexico (52), Fort Worth (51) and Oklahoma City (51) with Memphis seven points out with 46. The eventual survivor will likely face probable regular season champion Colorado in the opening round.

Tulsa will host a crucial game against Fort Worth Friday, prior to a rounding out the weekend with a home and home series against Wichita. Seven of the Oilers remaining 10 games are on home ice, bolstering their playoff hopes.

Oilers Remaining Schedule (10 games, 7 home, 3 away)
vs Fort Worth, Fri, Feb 25
vs Wichita, Sat, Feb 26
at Wichita, Sun, Feb 27
vs Laredo, Fri, Mar 04
vs Austin, Sat, Mar 05
vs Topeka, Fri, Mar 11
vs Bossier-Shreveport, Sat, Mar 12
at Topeka, Thu, Mar 17
vs Oklahoma City, Fri, Mar 18
at Memphis, Sat, Mar 19

In New Mexico, the Scorpions begin a string of five straight at Tingley Coliseum with games Friday and Saturday against Topeka and Sunday against Oklahoma City that could determine their playoff fate. Six of the Scorpions last seven are away from home, putting pressure on the club to bolster their point total immediately. Four huge meetings with the Colorado Eagles (in New Mexico March 4th and 5th and at Colorado March 11th and 12th) could make or break New Mexico's playoff chances.

Scorpions Remaining Schedule (12 games, 6 home, 6 away)
vs Topeka, Fri, Feb 25
vs Topeka, Sat, Feb 26
vs Oklahoma City, Sun, Feb 27
vs Colorado, Fri, Mar 04
vs Colorado, Sat, Mar 05
at Lubbock, Sun, Mar 06
vs Amarillo, Tue, Mar 08
at Colorado, Fri, Mar 11
at Colorado, Sat, Mar 12
at San Angelo, Wed, Mar 16
at Odessa, Fri, Mar 18
at Lubbock, Sat, Mar 19

The Fort Worth Brahmas play three consecutive road games this weekend, all with significant playoff implications, visiting Tulsa Friday, Bossier-Shreveport Saturday and Memphis Sunday. After this weekend, Fort Worth will play six of their last 10 games at home, with two three-game homestands separated by a four game swing through Wichita, Oklahoma City, San Angelo and Odessa.

Brahmas Remaining Schedule (13 games, 6 home, 7 away)
at Tulsa, Fri, Feb 25
at Bossier-Shreveport, Sat, Feb 26
at Memphis, Sun, Feb 27
vs Oklahoma City, Fri, Mar 04
vs Bossier-Shreveport, Sat, Mar 05
vs Austin, Sun, Mar 06
at Wichita, Wed, Mar 09
at Oklahoma City, Fri, Mar 11
at San Angelo, Sat, Mar 12
at Odessa, Tue, Mar 15
vs Laredo, Fri, Mar 18
vs Colorado, Sat, Mar 19
vs Bossier-Shreveport, Sun, Mar 20

Oklahoma City could have the toughest challenge, with only three games in their last 11 to be played at home at the Ford Center. The road journey continues this weekend with back-to-back visits to Colorado, followed by a Sunday matinee in New Mexico. The road trip continues next weekend in Fort Worth and Wichita, followed by home contests against Laredo, Fort Worth and Memphis the following weekend.

Blazers Remaining Schedule (11 games, 3 home, 8 away)
at Colorado, Fri, Feb 25
at Colorado, Sat, Feb 26
at New Mexico, Sun, Feb 27
at Fort Worth, Fri, Mar 04
at Wichita, Sat, Mar 05
vs Laredo, Tue, Mar 08
vs Fort Worth, Fri, Mar 11
vs Memphis, Sat, Mar 12
at Bossier-Shreveport, Tue, Mar 15
at Tulsa, Fri, Mar 18
at Topeka, Sat, Mar 19

The Memphis RiverKings face the unenviable task of having to catch four teams ahead of them in the race, but have the best home schedule of the five clubs in the hunt. Eight of their final 11 games will be played at home in the DeSoto Covic Center, with Wichita, San Angelo and Fort Worth making stops this weekend and Rio Grande Valley visiting next Friday and Saturday.

RiverKings Remaining Schedule (11 games, 8 home, 3 away)
vs Wichita, Fri, Feb 25
vs San Angelo, Sat, Feb 26
vs Fort Worth, Sun, Feb 27
vs Rio Grande Valley, Fri, Mar 04
vs Rio Grande Valley, Sat, Mar 05
at Wichita, Fri, Mar 11
at Oklahoma City, Sat, Mar 12
at Topeka, Sun, Mar 13
vs Amarillo, Thu, Mar 17
vs Wichita, Fri, Mar 18
vs Tulsa, Sat, Mar 19

Southern Conference

While three of the four available Northern playoff slots are nearly locked in, nothing is for certain in the South, with both division races wide open entering this weekend.

The Southwest Division champion is anyone’s guess, with Lubbock, Amarillo and San Angelo all tied with 58 points. Lubbock has 13 games left to play with only two remaining away games (March 1st at Laredo, March 16th at Colorado) outside their division. Eight of their final 13 come against Southwest opponents, including three key meetings with Amarillo (away on March 5th and March 20th and at home March 4th) and back-to-back games against San Angelo March 10th and 11th.

Cotton Kings Remaining Schedule (13 games, 6 home, 7 away)
at Odessa, Fri, Feb 25
vs Odessa, Sat, Feb 26
at Laredo, Tue, Mar 01
vs Amarillo, Fri, Mar 04
at Amarillo, Sat, Mar 05
vs New Mexico, Sun, Mar 06
vs San Angelo, Thu, Mar 10
at San Angelo, Fri, Mar 11
at Odessa, Sat, Mar 12
at Colorado, Wed, Mar 16
vs Colorado, Fri, Mar 18
vs New Mexico, Sat, Mar 19
at Amarillo, Sun, Mar 20

Only four of the Amarillo Gorillas last dozen games will be played at home, with seven of their eight road games split over three separate and difficult trips. This weekend Team Gorilla visits Laredo, Austin and Rio Grande Valley, with later two-game stops in New Mexico/Colorado and Memphis/Bossier-Shreveport. Their playoff fate could also be determined by three remaining games against Lubbock, including the season finale March 20th in Amarillo.

Gorillas Remaining Schedule (12 games, 4 home, 8 away)
at Laredo, Fri, Feb 25
at Austin, Sat, Feb 26
at Rio Grande Valley, Sun, Feb 27
at Lubbock, Fri, Mar 04
vs Lubbock, Sat, Mar 05
at New Mexico, Tue, Mar 08
at Colorado, Wed, Mar 09
vs Bossier-Shreveport, Fri, Mar 11
vs Odessa, Sun, Mar 13
at Memphis, Thu, Mar 17
at Bossier-Shreveport, Fri, Mar 18
vs Lubbock, Sun, Mar 20

The San Angelo Saints are hoping to repeat as Southwest Division champions, and are at home for five contests and away for six games to end the season. They begin a four-game road swing this weekend in Bossier-Shreveport and Memphis, followed by visits to Corpus Christi next Thursday and Odessa next Saturday. After they conclude that trip, they play five out of heir last six at home, with visits by Colorado, Lubbock, Fort Worth, New Mexico and Corpus Christi, mixed with road games to Lubbock and Rio Grande Valley.

Saints Remaining Schedule (11 games, 5 home, 6 away)
at Bossier-Shreveport, Fri, Feb 25
at Memphis, Sat, Feb 26
at Corpus Christi, Thu, Mar 03
at Odessa, Sat, Mar 05
vs Colorado, Sun, Mar 06
at Lubbock, Thu, Mar 10
vs Lubbock, Fri, Mar 11
vs Fort Worth, Sat, Mar 12
vs New Mexico, Wed, Mar 16
vs Corpus Christi, Fri, Mar 18
at Rio Grande Valley, Sat, Mar 19

The Odessa Jackalopes remain in the playoff chase, but face an uphill battle to grab a post-season invite. Trailing the three division leaders by 11 points, they will need to finish strongly in their last 12 games while watching the out-of-town scoreboard closely. Seven of their dozen remaining games come at home in the Ector County Coliseum, facing Lubbock (twice), Corpus Christi, San Angelo, Bossier-Shreveport, Fort Worth and New Mexico, with their five road games at Lubbock, Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley, Amarillo and Laredo. Their challenge begins this weekend with a home and home series against the Cotton Kings.

Jackalopes Remaining Schedule (12 games, 7 home, 5 away)
vs Lubbock, Fri, Feb 25
at Lubbock, Sat, Feb 26
vs Corpus Christi, Fri, Mar 04
vs San Angelo, Sat, Mar 05
at Corpus Christi, Sun, Mar 06
at Rio Grande Valley, Tue, Mar 08
vs Bossier-Shreveport, Thu, Mar 10
vs Lubbock, Sat, Mar 12
at Amarillo, Sun, Mar 13
vs Fort Worth, Tue, Mar 15
vs New Mexico, Fri, Mar 18
at Laredo, Sat, Mar 19

The Southeast Division is nearly as muddled, with Corpus Christi, Austin and the defending champion Laredo Bucks looking to qualify for the playoffs, and all with a realistic opportunity to make it as either division champions or as wild card entries.

The Corpus Christi Rayz have been in first place in the division for 100 consecutive days, and hope to extend that throughout the close of the season, but have both the Ice Bats and Bucks nipping at their heels. A favorable schedule down the stretch gives the Rayz six of their last nine on home ice, with three huge divisional meetings (Laredo on February 26th and March 11th and Austin to conclude the season March 19th) coming in Corpus Christi. The Rayz currently hold a slim one-point lead over Austin and five points atop Laredo, but the Ice Bats (1) and Bucks (2) both have games in hand.

Rayz Remaining Schedule (9 games, 6 home, 3 away)
vs Laredo, Sat, Feb 26
vs San Angelo, Thu, Mar 03
at Odessa, Fri, Mar 04
vs Odessa, Sun, Mar 06
vs Laredo, Fri, Mar 11
at Rio Grande Valley, Sat, Mar 12
vs Rio Grande Valley, Thu, Mar 17
at San Angelo, Fri, Mar 18
vs Austin, Sat, Mar 19

The good news for the Austin Ice Bats is that they currently lead the CHL with 19 wins at home. The bad news is that they only play twice more at the Bat Cave, this weekend against Rio Grande Valley and Amarillo, before finishing with eight straight contests on the road. Three of those eight contests loom particularly large, visiting Laredo March 12th and 16th and ending at Corpus Christi March 19th, potentially with the division crown and a playoff spot on the line.

Ice Bats Remaining Schedule (10 games, 2 home, 8 away)
vs Rio Grande Valley, Fri, Feb 25
vs Amarillo, Sat, Feb 26
at Topeka, Fri, Mar 04
at Tulsa, Sat, Mar 05
at Fort Worth, Sun, Mar 06
at Rio Grande Valley, Fri, Mar 11
at Laredo, Sat, Mar 12
at Laredo, Wed, Mar 16
at Rio Grande Valley, Fri, Mar 18
at Corpus Christi, Sat, Mar 19

Defending champion Laredo has not lived up to hopes after last year’s record setting run, but are still in position to earn a visit to the post-season and a chance at repeating. With two games in hand against Corpus Christi and one against Austin, as well as two head to head games each with those clubs, Laredo is in decent shape assuming they can finish strong. Aside from those four key divisional matchups, a four game swing in five nights through the Northern Conference is a challenge, with visits to Tulsa, Topeka, Wichita and Oklahoma City in early March.

Bucks Remaining Schedule (12 games, 5 home, 7 away)
vs Amarillo, Fri, Feb 25
at Corpus Christi, Sat, Feb 26
vs Lubbock, Tue, Mar 01
at Tulsa, Fri, Mar 04
at Topeka, Sat, Mar 05
at Wichita, Mon, Mar 07
at Oklahoma City, Tue, Mar 08
at Corpus Christi, Fri, Mar 11
vs Austin, Sat, Mar 12
vs Austin, Wed, Mar 16
at Fort Worth, Fri, Mar 18
vs Odessa, Sat, Mar 19