Most likely, this month's games will not clarify the ACTHL playoff any. One thing is clear, that there is five players fighting for four "Home Ice" advantage positions.

Of the nine player league, no one player has carved out in concrete spot for the playoff's as of yet. Jerry Randell has perhaps the best chance of solidifying the 6th position on March 8th.With 11 points, Jerry could sew-up the sixth position with a total of 17 points. These 17 points would include wins or loses from either Todd, Chris or Rush.

When the inaugural season began in October, it looked like the runaway leader would be Philip Valensi. As the league continued to grow and attract some of the east coast's premiere table hockey players, the ACTHL became a more competitive group. The home advantage that Philip had on his Munro table, was now challenged by newcomer's Craig Sierak and Andrey Krukov. Philip could no longer corner the market on the high offensive styled Munro table.

Of the five players battling for "Home Ice", Adam Zawislak (Scorpions), Philip Valensi (Staten Island Owls), James Friedl (Charlestown Chiefs), Craig Sierak (Express) and Andrey Krukov (Moscow Dynamo), all could finish in first place at the end on the day on April 12th.

Looking ahead to the upcoming games for the dueling five: 

The have five key games in the upcoming two months. Currently in first place with 25 points, the Scorpions have a "Home" game against the Charlestown Chiefs on March 8th. The last meeting between these two, saw a classic overtime contest. The Scorpion's pulled out a 6-5 win. Adam is looking to end the season series with a sweep of all four games. Also on the 8th, the Scorpions will find themselves on the road against the Express. Back in December, Adam scored from the left defenseman in overtime to beat the Express 6-5 on a Bobby Hull Munro table.

Things will not get easier in April, the Scorpions will have to face the same Express at home, the Queens House of Detention (Jerry) at home and finishing the regular season at home against the fiery Moscow Dynamo's. The most that the Scorpions could tally at the end of the season would be a total of 41 points...highly unlikely, more like 35.

The currently holding on to second, will face only three teams in March, The Queensboro House Of Detention on the road. The last time Philip played Jerry on a Coleco was back on November 9th, the Owls were downed 5-1. The Owls will see action on the Bobby Hull Munro table, when they face off against the Vancouver Vomit. This will also be the first meeting this season against these two combatants, and Todd's first look at the fierce offense of the Owls up close and personal. The final game of the evening will be the Owls on the road (but, not too far away) verse's the Express. The two previous meetings were both taken by Philip 6-3 & 14-5.

Looking ahead to the final month: The Owls with play four more games; against the Chiefs who are presently 2 points behind the Owls, but this game with be at home on the Munro table. The season finale between the Express will also take place. The Owls could sweep the season series. The match between the Chris Johnston, that could be held on a Coleco or Munro table. And, the last match will be against ACTHL league leader Adam Zawislak Scorpions on the road.

The Owls could end up with a season total of 36 points, but 32 points would seem more reasonable.

The Charlestown , have been on a roll since January, going 5-2, playing in two overtime games and winning one of them against the Express on the road. February saw James move from fourth to third with 20 points. March, has the Chief's on the road with encounters against Chris Johnston and the first place Scorpions. Home games will include bouts with The Vancouver Vomit, who will be looks for their first win on the season and a battle with the Express who are glaring at the back of James's neck, and who are just 2 points behind the Chief's.

The remainder of the season finds the Chiefs on the road against Rush Miller, the Staten Island Owls, The Queensboro House Of Detention and the Moscow Dynamo's. The Chiefs have their work cut out for them in April. Now with 20 Points, James will continue to try and climb higher in the standings. Looking at a possible 36 points, but a realistic 30 points is do able.

With 11 games remaining, the have a big advantage with 18 points and a possible 22 points out their waiting to by won. Six of the next eleven games with be played on March 8th. Two road games; first against the Chiefs and the Queensboro House Of Detention. The match-up between the Chiefs could be a very important game. With the Chiefs leading the season series 2-1, the Express with need to win on the 8th, to avoid any tie breaker. The Express has scored 25 goals, while the Chiefs have registered 18 goals. The other four matches will be home games against Rush Miller, 5th place Moscow Dynamo's, 2nd place Staten Island Owls and the league leading Scorpions.

April could see the Express contending for either 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. The final month the Express will be home against the Vancouver Vomit and the Queensboro House Of Detention. The road will once again prove unfriendly, when Craig will have to face-off opposite Chris Johnston, the Staten Island Owls and the New Jersey Scorpions.

The Express have 18 points now, and could earn a total of 40 points, but a pragmatic number would be 30.

Since joining the ACTHL in January, the have clearly been the team to beat. In those two months, Andrey has built up a 8-1 record. If the Dynamo's had joined the league back in October, this club could have been in first place by now. This month, the Moscow Dynamo's only play three of their last remaining seven games. The Dynamo's will take on the Vancouver Vomit and the Express on the road, then play Chris Johnston at home.

The final regular season looks like this; Three games at home against the Vomit, Chiefs and Rush Miller, and a road showdown with the only team to beat the Dynamo's, the NJ Scorpions.

At this time, the Dynamo's are on the outside looking in at fifth place. But, those of us who have played Andrey know...he could move up as high as second place. With 17 points now, the Dynamo can go on a 7-0 tear and pick up 14 extra points. That would give him a total of 31 points. I would say that this is very do able thing for this team.

Chris Johnston & Rush Miller will all have an opportunity to play spoiler down the stretch. These players have a total of 20 games with the top five teams, and I'm sure that they would love to mess up the playoff picture some more. Two of these teams with be playing in the Wild Card game. That winner will play the #1 seed in the ACTHL playoffs, while #7 will play #2 & #6 will face-off against #3.