NEWS: How do the EIHL playoff seedings work?
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With the final weekend of the 2016/17 regular season fast approaching, attention is starting to turn to the playoffs for those clubs already guaranteed a post season berth.
Whilst the playoff quarter final matchups will see the #1 seed take on the #8 seed, the #2 seed play the #7 seed and so on, the seedings for the playoffs do not follow the final standings in the Elite League – here’s our quick guide on how things stack up heading in to the 2017 Elite League Playoffs:
QUARTER FINAL SEEDINGS
Having secured the Elite League title, Cardiff Devils are now guaranteed the #1 seed in the 2017 EIHL Playoffs.
The second seed is still potentially ‘up for grabs’ however.
Gardiner Conference winners Braehead are currently on course to claim the #2 seed because of that conference success.
However, should Belfast beat Cardiff in regulation in both of their games against the Devils this weekend then the Giants would win the Erhardt Conference and claim the #2 seed.
In this scenario Braehead would then take the #3 seed.
The remaining seeds (#4 to #8) would then be determined based on final league positions.
As things stand, the playoff quarter final matchups would be as follows:
– Cardiff Devils (#1) v Manchester Storm (#8)
– Braehead Clan (#2) v Dundee Stars (#7)
– Belfast Giants (#3) v Fife Flyers (#6)
– Sheffield Steelers (#4) v Nottingham Panthers (#5)
THE FINAL FOUR
The winners of each quarter final will progress to the Elite League Playoff Final Weekend at the National Ice Centre, Nottingham on 8th and 9th April.
The four teams that qualify will be re-seeded based on their final regular season league position with the first seed playing the fourth seed and the second seed playing the third seed in the semi finals.
The winners of those semi final matchups would then advance to the Playoff Grand Final on Sunday 9th April.
