Saturday’s game against the Kitimat Ice Demons could go a long way in determining whether or not the Prince Rupert Rampage make the CIHL playoffs this year as teams finish up the season.
Under the new three-conference division, the top two teams from each division make the playoffs, followed by the two teams with the next highest number of points, while the two teams with the lowest number of points are left out.
The Hazelton Wolverines are unquestionably out of the playoffs and if the playoffs started now the Rampage would also be out of the playoffs with 13 points.
However the play of the Terrae River Kings on Saturday night will play a role as well. Following an 8-2 win over the Ice Demons, the River Kings have a one point lead over the Rampage in the standings, meaning if they can get past the Houston Luckies they are guaranteed a playoff spot. If they lose and Prince Rupert wins, Prince Rupert would be guaranteed a playoff spot by finishing second in the west.
Even if Terrace wins, a win by the Rampage would put them in the playoffs and bump the Omenica Ice out, while a tie would lead to a tie-breaker to determine the final playoff spot, which would be determined by the league.