Scenarios for the final day of the regular season

'Cac gonna 'Cac. Headed into the final day of regular season play only a few things are certain: Colby's got the sixth seed, Middlebury has seventh and Conn College will miss the playoffs after finishing as the second seed last season. So, let's quickly breakdown every team's scenario

Wesleyan (13-2-2 in conference)
The Cardinals have lost their last two after going undefeated in their first 15, but the Cards still control their own destiny headed into the final regular season tilt in Hartford. It's simple, Wesleyan earns a tie or win in the finale, the Cardinals get the top spot for the first time ever. It would also mean the fourth different top regular season finisher in four seasons ('16 - Williams, '17 - Hamilton, '18 - Trinity). If Wesleyan loses they get the second seed and host Middlebury next weekend.

Trinity (11-2-4 in conference)
The Bantams showed why they have been the most dangerous team in the NESCAC for the past half a decade with a four goal third period last night in Middletown to force a winner-take-all game in Hartford this afternoon. Win and they are number one for the second straight season, lose/tie and they are number two.

Williams (10-5-2 in conference)
Williams controls their own destiny for the third seed despite the loss to Amherst in OT last night. The Ephs split the season series with the Mammoths but will have more conference wins if they beat Hamilton today even in Amherst downs Middlebury.

If the Ephs tie, they still get the three seed if Amherst ties or loses to Middlebury. If they lose, they fall to fourth or fifth. In the loss scenario, Williams gets the four seed if Amherst loses and the fifth if the Mammoths tie or wins.

Amherst (9-4-5 in conference)
The Ephs are in the three to five range. Win against Midd. and they are assured a home game finishing third or fourth depending on what happens in Williams/Amherst. A tie assures them fourth. A loss and they will be either fourth or fifth. The only scenario that lands them without a playoff home game is if Hamilton and Williams tie in conjunction with the Mammoths loss.

Hamilton (9-5-3 in conference)
The Conts can rise to third if they beat Williams and Amherst ties or loses to Middlebury. If they win and Amherst wins, Hamilton gets the fourth. A Continental tie puts them up to fourth if Amherst loses. If Hamilton loses, they are assured fifth place and a road quarterfinal game for the first time since 2015.

Colby (7-7-3 in conference)
Considering what they did last season as the sixth seed, Colby must have had this plan all along right? The Mules can play potential spoiler for Tufts playoff spot today in the home finale and then the Road Mules™  are off to Willamstown or Clinton or Amherst.

Middlebury (5-8-4 in conference)
The Panthers can't change their position but they have a big effect on the third/fourth/fifth seed outcome as noted above.

Tufts (3-12-2 in conference)
The Jumbos are in the driver seat for the eighth and final playoff spot after handily defeating Bowdoin in Brunswick last night. The only scenario in which they miss the playoffs now is if the Jumbos lose to Colby and Bowdoin defeats last place Conn College.

Bowdoin ( 3-13-1 in conference) 
See above. Bowdoin no longer controls their own destiny and might miss the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Conn College (2-14-1 in conference)
No playoffs for the Camels.


Alexisonfire is back with new music for the first time in almost a decade, and it's hard to believe but the NESCAC playoffs are back as well (wasn't Colby just in Lake Placid?). Anyway, pump my veins full of the NESCAC playoffs.