FB: Hardy Cup Playoffs schedule released
Conference playoff scenarios outlined ahead of final regular season weekend
EDMONTON – The schedule for the upcoming Hardy Cup Playoffs was unveiled Tuesday by Canada West.
Conference semifinal action is set for Saturday, November 3, while the 82nd Hardy Cup is set for Saturday, Nov. 10 (1 p.m. local start).
This weekend marks the final CW regular season games of 2018, as playoff positioning is still at stake for three conference teams.
While the Calgary Dinos (7-0) have locked up top spot in the conference, the UBC Thunderbirds (4-3), Saskatchewan Huskies (4-3), and Manitoba Bisons (3-4) are still jockeying for position.
UBC can finish anywhere from second to fourth, while Saskatchewan will finish either second or third, and Manitoba will end the season in either third, or fourth position.
Below is the schedule for the upcoming Hardy Cup Playoffs, along with the playoff scenarios heading into the final weekend of the regular season, which kicks off Friday, October 26 when Saskatchewan takes on the Regina Rams (7 p.m. CST ) in the Queen City.
The conference season concludes on Saturday, Oct. 27 when Manitoba hosts UBC (2 p.m. CDT), and Alberta welcomes Calgary (1 p.m. MDT).
2018 HARDY CUP PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 3 - Semifinals
- Semifinal 1: No. 4 @ Calgary / 12 p.m. MDT / McMahon Stadium
- Semifinal 2 (if UBC hosts): No. 3 @ UBC / 2 p.m. PDT / Thunderbird Stadium
- Semifinal 2 (if SSK hosts): No. 3 @ Saskatchewan / 3 p.m. CST / Griffiths Stadium
Saturday, November 10 - 82nd Hardy Cup
- At highest remaining seed / 1 p.m. local time
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS ENTERING WEEK 8
WHAT WE KNOW:
- Calgary (7-0) has clinched first and will play the first semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 3.
- The remaining three playoff teams are: UBC (4-3), Saskatchewan (4-3), and Manitoba (3-4).
- Alberta (2-5) and Regina (1-6) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
STILL TO BE DECIDED
- Second-place (UBC or SSK) and second semifinal host.
- Third and fourth seeds.
UBC CLINCHES SECOND WITH:
- Saskatchewan loss vs. Regina - OR -
- Win vs. Manitoba
IF REGINA AND UBC WIN
- UBC finishes second (5-3), Saskatchewan third (4-4), and Manitoba fourth (4-4)
- Saskatchewan owns the head-to-head tie-breaker with Manitoba after beating the Bisons both meetings this season (Sept. 7: 48-46 SSK / Oct. 20: 27-4 SSK).
IF REGINA AND MANITOBA WIN:
- A three-way tie between UBC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba is created at 4-4.
- First tie-breaker when three or more teams are tied is: win/loss percentage in games between the three or more tied teams.
- After the first tie-breaker, UBC (2-1 vs. SSK & MAN) and Saskatchewan (2-1 vs. UBC & MAN) edge out Manitoba (1-3 vs. UBC & SSK), who finishes fourth.
- Head-to-head record would then be used to determine second between UBC and Saskatchewan. UBC owns the head-to-head tie-breaker after winning their lone game vs. Saskatchewan (Oct. 12: 20-10 UBC).
IF SASKATCHEWAN AND UBC WIN:
- Both UBC and Saskatchewan finish 5-3.
- UBC owns the head-to-head tie-breaker after winning their lone game vs. Saskatchewan (Oct. 12: 20-10 UBC).
- UBC finishes second, Saskatchewan finishes third.
SASKATCHEWAN CLINCHES SECOND WITH:
- Win vs. Regina -AND- UBC loss vs. Manitoba.
IF SASKATCHEWAN AND MANITOBA WIN:
- Saskatchewan finishes second at 5-3.
- Both Manitoba and UBC will be 4-4.
- UBC and Manitoba will have split their two meetings this season, forcing points for/points against tie-breakers to be used.
- If Manitoba wins by 11 or more, Manitoba finishes third (UBC fourth).
- If Manitoba wins by nine or less, UBC finishes third (Manitoba fourth).
- If Manitoba wins by exactly 10, Manitoba finishes third (UBC fourth).
NOTE: The Canada West football playing regulations, including tie-breaking procedures can be found here.