\nby Isaac<\/em><\/p>\n
In this corner:<\/strong> DARK RAINBOWS (0-17-1, -82 goals differential), who finished last in total points for the 2017 season.<\/p>\n The road so far:<\/strong> It\u2019s been a weird one, thanks to a rebuilding season (but we\u2019ve seen signs that point towards a positive future).\u00a0 Several new parts were added to this squad and it has taken them a full season to get acquainted with one another.<\/p>\n The history books:<\/strong> The Rainbows have made noise before in the playoffs. \u00a0To the decibel level that it caused tremors throughout the league.\u00a0 There\u2019s something about pressure that brings out the best in them.<\/p>\n Injury report:<\/strong> They\u2019re mostly healthy heading into the playoffs, except for their leader Abby who is still on the mend and Cat\u2019s recurring Sunday morning pounding headaches.<\/p>\n One player to watch:<\/strong> Wes H.\u00a0 We mentioned before about signs of brighter days ahead and he\u2019s a good reason why.\u00a0 As one of the up and coming defenders in the league, he remains pretty cool under pressure while disrupting offensive assaults.<\/p>\n Key number:<\/strong> 15 \u2013 that\u2019s the total number of goals the Rainbows scored all season.\u00a0 Averaging less than a goal a game doesn\u2019t get the job done and it didn\u2019t for them this season.\u00a0 But that\u2019s not to say they don\u2019t know how to score.\u00a0 Another number to consider is 2 \u2013 they\u2019ve had multiple games this season in which they scored more than a single goal.<\/p>\n Dominant narrative:<\/strong> The Rainbows didn\u2019t win a game this season.\u00a0 And I\u2019m sure they\u2019re sick of hearing about it.\u00a0 But that makes them super-sleepers, like in a coma with a slight pulse. \u00a0If they wake up and start spanking teams in the playoffs, well, you heard it here first.<\/p>\n The big question:<\/strong>\u00a0Will Aaron answer the call and come help his Rainbows? \u00a0Also, where will the after party be? \u00a0One of the best kept secrets in the league is how this team throws down after a game.<\/p>\n Bandwagon-ability:<\/strong> It depends on whether you can get past the whole \u2018didn\u2019t win a game this season\u2019 thing.\u00a0 But having said that, it is also is a pretty good reason to support them. \u00a0So yeah, we’re onboard.<\/p>\n One good reason not to root for them:<\/strong> None.\u00a0 Everyone is rooting for them!<\/p>\n And in this corner:<\/strong> SKY FIGHTERS (9-9-0, -6 goals differential), who finished 13th in total points for the 2017 season.<\/p>\n The road so far:<\/strong> Finishing at .500 isn\u2019t anything to hang your hat on, but they did rescue themselves from the circling the bowl at one point this season.\u00a0 And that is enough to say that they know how to overcome adversity.<\/p>\n The history books:<\/strong> The Sky Fighters are one of the more dangerous playoff teams.\u00a0 They earned a championship less than a decade ago and knocked out the favorite last year. \u00a0They’re playoff tested.<\/p>\n Injury report:<\/strong> Olivier is nursing a bruised ego from Alok being named Prom King and the brothers are still learning to understand the emotion we call \u2018happy\u2019 displayed by smiling.\u00a0 Aside from that, well who doesn\u2019t have a couple bruises at this point.<\/p>\n One player to watch:<\/strong> Alexis N.\u00a0 For a player the constantly claims she doesn\u2019t know how to play forward, she does a pretty damn good job at it.\u00a0 Versatility is key in the playoffs and if she starts hopping up into rush to collect garbage instead disposing of it it\u2019ll cause problems for opposing teams.<\/p>\n Key number:<\/strong> 27 \u2013 that\u2019s how many goals Mike scored this season while running away with the scoring title, again. \u00a0If he’s trigger happy on Sunday then it could be a long game for the Rainbows.<\/p>\n Dominant narrative:<\/strong> Can anyone on their team without the last name Teytelbaum score a goal?\u00a0 Well, alright, perhaps more a question than a narrative, but Mike and Roman do the majority of the heavy lifting for this team.<\/p>\n The big question:<\/strong> What the hell is up with Stein?\u00a0 No, not the stench coming from the vicinity of his pads, although, yeah what\u2019s up with that?\u00a0 It is more a question about which one shows up.\u00a0 If bizarro Stein makes an appearance then the defense will have their work cut out for them. \u00a0However, if the real Stein is between the pipes then we could be looking at an early playoff shutout.<\/p>\n Bandwagon-ability:<\/strong> Pretty effing high.\u00a0 This team made the frozen four the past two years and with the majority of the core roster intact from those years they could make another deep playoff run.<\/p>\n One good reason not to root for them:<\/strong> You\u2019re kind of sick of them by now.\u00a0 The brothers make the headlines, Greg steals all the fame, and Amanda doesn\u2019t own a dark blue shirt (or so she claims).\u00a0 We\u2019re ready for something new.<\/p>\n Prediction:<\/em> The Rainbows go down swinging as the Sky Fighters put them down gently, 6-1.<\/p>\n 19. Mega Touch at 14. Gouging Anklebiters<\/strong> In this corner:<\/strong> MEGA TOUCH (3-13-2, -29 goal differential), who finished 19th in total points for the 2017 regular season.<\/p>\n The road so far:<\/strong> It’s been a rough year for Mega in their bump up to the 3rd division this season. They are looking forward to getting back to the 4th division, which they’ve always called home.<\/p>\n The history books:<\/strong> This is the first time I ever remember Mega being in the 3rd division. See above comment.<\/p>\n Injury report:<\/strong> Mega are healthy heading into the playoffs……but not in their choice of snacks. Julie will be sure to have bags of sugary sweets handy for her team, during this matchup.<\/p>\n One player to watch:<\/strong> Jeff. I don’t know this guy, but I know he’s good. Julie picked him up this season, and he makes his presence known on the court.<\/p>\n Key number:<\/strong> Somewhere between 4-6. The number of times Brady will try blasting a shot from behind his own goal line, all the way down the court.<\/p>\n Dominant narrative: <\/strong>Alex’s Pizza Lightning<\/a> shirt is back and available for purchase.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.btsh.org\/bruise\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/2016_dark_rainbows.jpg\")
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\nby JW<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n