CAL-i's ninth season is finally over. The last few weeks have provided some marvelous matches. Some teams like TSG and e7 have been on top of their games lately. The last time that e7 lost a match was back in week four. They won their last nine matches to come into the playoffs as one of the leading wildcard favorites. TSG has also been red hot. Including makeup matches their last eight matches have been all victories.
Two of the division leaders have been a little bit below par. Though for most teams, losing two matches in a row isn't a problem but for a team like 3D, this is a big disappointment. Heading into the playoffs with losses to TSG and TEC puts them into a less than favorable position. The CAL-m move-up u5 has been one of the best teams all year, except these last few matches. They too have been slumping down the stretch. After a 10-game winning steak, they have lost three out of the last four. It will be interesting to see if these teams can reverse their luck and succeed in the playoffs.[break="For more in-depth coverage of the CAL-i playoffs click here"]Division Winners:
1.) TSG - (13-3) (26 points)
Stealing the top spot from 3D with makeup matches in the last week has been one hell of an accomplishment. Coming into the playoffs they are one of the hottest teams and anyone playing them will be in for one hell of a ride.
2.) 3D - (12-2-1) (25 points)
3D was the best team all year and had the biggest winning streak out of any team. The last three matches, including make-ups, they have only one point to show for. After their participation in WCG they have not had the same power as before. Hopefully, they can shake off their rust and get deep into the playoffs.
3.) Rival - (12-4) (24 points)
Rival has been good all year. They have lead their division from start to finish and amassed the most rounds out of any team all year. Their only losses have been to TSG, u5, 3DO, and shock. Three of these teams are playoff contenders and though 3DO broke down midseason, they were 8-1 at one point. They will need to take on and beat some of these teams to win the CAL title.
4.) u5 - (11-3) (22 points)
Though they have been sub par in their last few matches. Overall, they have had a great first CAL-i season. Their last match against Rival is a bright light for them as they took it 13-11. Beating another one of the division winners is an accomplishment not to be overlooked.
Wild Card Projected Seating:
Though CAL's seating isn't merely on points and rounds won it is a major part and these are the most probable seatings for the playoffs.
5.) shock - (12-3-1) (25 points)
shock has really been impressive all year. From a middle tier team last season, they have become a CAL-i powerhouse. Their 25 points are tied with 3D for second overall. If not for TSG's late season surge they would have had the division title and the number two seed.
6.) e7 - (12-3) (24 points)
After their impressive performance at the summer CPL they were expected to do just as well in CAL and provide some competition for 3D in the division. By week three, the fair-weather fans had left and e7 was labeled with a dud tag. After that moment, they have not lost a match. Nine straight victories to close off their season has been spectacular. At the end, they did get pretty close to 3D, losing by only one point in the division race.
7.) TEC - (11-5) (22 points)
TEC was the last horse in the three-horse race for the Gamma division title. They get the seventh seed in the playoffs which is nothing to be ashamed of. In a weird bit of scheduling, they played Agent three times this season. Winning all three matches, though two of them were only 13-11 victories.
8. - 9.) zEx and SYB - (10-6) (20 points)
These two teams are complete opposites. SYB had a disappointing season last year as they missed the playoffs by only a point or two. On the other hand, zEx was one of the finalists last season, but after their roster changes have become a medium playoff team. Both of these teams have an uphill battle to climb to win the playoffs, but it's not out of the picture.
10. - 11.) RDW and EG - (9-6-1) (19 points)
RDW and EG are two proven LAN teams. EG did very well representing Canada at WCG and RDW was the US's third best team at the CPL. They both had very successful CAL-i seasons and both definitely deserve to be in the playoffs. Though they are ranked towards the bottom of the pack and will have come very tough matches ahead of them, these two are both capable of very big upset wins.
12.) ICE - (9-6) (18 points)
The last seed should go to ICE this season. After their early season name change they have quietly racked up a lot of points. Though their schedule was one of the easier ones out of any of the playoff teams, they are still very capable. One of their best matches all season was against Eminence in week seven. They took 23 out of the 24 rounds away from Eminence in one of the biggest margins of victory for any team all year. If they play like that in the playoffs, even teams like TSG and 3D will have a battle on their hands.
Two of the division leaders have been a little bit below par. Though for most teams, losing two matches in a row isn't a problem but for a team like 3D, this is a big disappointment. Heading into the playoffs with losses to TSG and TEC puts them into a less than favorable position. The CAL-m move-up u5 has been one of the best teams all year, except these last few matches. They too have been slumping down the stretch. After a 10-game winning steak, they have lost three out of the last four. It will be interesting to see if these teams can reverse their luck and succeed in the playoffs.[break="For more in-depth coverage of the CAL-i playoffs click here"]Division Winners:
1.) TSG - (13-3) (26 points)
Stealing the top spot from 3D with makeup matches in the last week has been one hell of an accomplishment. Coming into the playoffs they are one of the hottest teams and anyone playing them will be in for one hell of a ride.
2.) 3D - (12-2-1) (25 points)
3D was the best team all year and had the biggest winning streak out of any team. The last three matches, including make-ups, they have only one point to show for. After their participation in WCG they have not had the same power as before. Hopefully, they can shake off their rust and get deep into the playoffs.
3.) Rival - (12-4) (24 points)
Rival has been good all year. They have lead their division from start to finish and amassed the most rounds out of any team all year. Their only losses have been to TSG, u5, 3DO, and shock. Three of these teams are playoff contenders and though 3DO broke down midseason, they were 8-1 at one point. They will need to take on and beat some of these teams to win the CAL title.
4.) u5 - (11-3) (22 points)
Though they have been sub par in their last few matches. Overall, they have had a great first CAL-i season. Their last match against Rival is a bright light for them as they took it 13-11. Beating another one of the division winners is an accomplishment not to be overlooked.
Wild Card Projected Seating:
Though CAL's seating isn't merely on points and rounds won it is a major part and these are the most probable seatings for the playoffs.
5.) shock - (12-3-1) (25 points)
shock has really been impressive all year. From a middle tier team last season, they have become a CAL-i powerhouse. Their 25 points are tied with 3D for second overall. If not for TSG's late season surge they would have had the division title and the number two seed.
6.) e7 - (12-3) (24 points)
After their impressive performance at the summer CPL they were expected to do just as well in CAL and provide some competition for 3D in the division. By week three, the fair-weather fans had left and e7 was labeled with a dud tag. After that moment, they have not lost a match. Nine straight victories to close off their season has been spectacular. At the end, they did get pretty close to 3D, losing by only one point in the division race.
7.) TEC - (11-5) (22 points)
TEC was the last horse in the three-horse race for the Gamma division title. They get the seventh seed in the playoffs which is nothing to be ashamed of. In a weird bit of scheduling, they played Agent three times this season. Winning all three matches, though two of them were only 13-11 victories.
8. - 9.) zEx and SYB - (10-6) (20 points)
These two teams are complete opposites. SYB had a disappointing season last year as they missed the playoffs by only a point or two. On the other hand, zEx was one of the finalists last season, but after their roster changes have become a medium playoff team. Both of these teams have an uphill battle to climb to win the playoffs, but it's not out of the picture.
10. - 11.) RDW and EG - (9-6-1) (19 points)
RDW and EG are two proven LAN teams. EG did very well representing Canada at WCG and RDW was the US's third best team at the CPL. They both had very successful CAL-i seasons and both definitely deserve to be in the playoffs. Though they are ranked towards the bottom of the pack and will have come very tough matches ahead of them, these two are both capable of very big upset wins.
12.) ICE - (9-6) (18 points)
The last seed should go to ICE this season. After their early season name change they have quietly racked up a lot of points. Though their schedule was one of the easier ones out of any of the playoff teams, they are still very capable. One of their best matches all season was against Eminence in week seven. They took 23 out of the 24 rounds away from Eminence in one of the biggest margins of victory for any team all year. If they play like that in the playoffs, even teams like TSG and 3D will have a battle on their hands.
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