Just to add a little excitement for Wednesday, here are our totally just for fun playoff predictions. Don’t like them? Prove us wrong on the courts!
Tier A
1) Head Hunters: Presidents Trophy winners are clearly looking to turn their regular season success into post season glory. Need to play together and combine strategy and strength to get the Golden Dodgeball.
2) Balls Axe: First ever CDL Dynasty team, The Ball’s Axe will need to rely on that championship experience to get them to the top. Expect Ball’s Axe to find themselves in the finals one way or another.
3) Rainmakers: The core of this team won a championship in season 6, and they have had some attendance issues this year. However, many of their periphery players did play enough weeks to qualify for playoffs, so if they get a good turnout, don’t count them out of playoff glory
4) Black Out City: As if from nowhere, Black Out City turned heads this season, and many of the top teams are wary to face them in the playoffs. Powerful throwers combined with great catchers and good strategy make them a real contender.
5) Justice League: Superheros are always tough, and Justice League is no exception. With some real CDL vets on this team, this team has what it takes to step up and grab a few victories. An early upset and these guys could go the distance.
6) Magic School Bus: Hop on the Magic School Bus, and take a magical yet educational journey to CDL glory. These guys rely on strategy and excellent uniforms to play their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. A solid team who could do some surprising.
7) Pork: They are SWEEEET! They are SOOOUUR! Who are they?!? POORRRKKK!! Pork won CDL B tier last season, and have used that success to propel them into A tier. Now that they know what it takes to win, Pork has quality players who could elevate their game and take them to the promised land.
8) Muppets: With styling shirts and players from last year’s champions, Muppets may be able to surprise some teams as the bottom ranked team in A tier. The dominos will need to fall in their favor, but hey, first round upsets are what dreams are made of!
Predicted Finals: Head Hunters vs. The Ball’s Axe. The two big guns prove too much for everybody else, and we can only wait to see the firepower behind this one.
Predicted Winner: The Ball’s Axe. Experience in the big game comes up as the most important factor.
Darkhorse: Black Out City. Great value for your money!
Maggie the TSN Monkey: Justice League
B Tier Playoffs
1) PANDAMONIUM!!!: One of the best names in the CDL is also one of the best teams in the league, and whilst PANDAMONIUM!!! didn’t quite qualify for A tier, it makes them hands down a B Tier favorite. Their excellent strategy combined with powerful throwing and scary good girls make them a force to be reckoned with.
2) Rufio and the Lost Boys and Girls: This team might well have what it takes to capture a champioinship, as they have a solid core of good players with lots of CDL experience. A few players have played since Season 1, so if they can combine their energy, knowledge of the game, and talent, they could make a real run at a title.
3) Unicorns: Winners of the Best Uniform last year, Unicorns have taken a significant step forward this year transforming themselves into a good, well rounded team rather than an easy win bottom feeder. A few clutch catches and these guys could do some surprising.
4) Pinecones: A young team, these guys are going to need to rely on their energy to get them over the top. A few seasons of CDL experience give them good knowledge of the game, but if they work together as a team and get some big performances out of their top end players, they could turn a few heads on their quest for glory.
5) BOOOOM: Decimated in the offseason losing players to Magic School Bus, BOOOOM was expected to take a step back this season. However, solid play from new recruits combined with excellent leadership from their returning vets have left them stable, and very capable of upsetting some teams and getting the win.
6) Globo Gym Purple Cobras: Just when we thought we were done with the Dodgeball: The Movie based team names, the Globo Gym Purple Cobras came out and impressed. The majority of their team has been around for 5+ seasons, and it is this experience that the team is built on. They are going to need some players to step up if they want to elevate their game and capture the title though.
7) Double Ball 7: Classy tuxedo shirts make these pseudo-spies looking and feeling good on the dodgeball courts, and that always translates to success. Filled with CDL vets, these guys know how to play, and how to party. They will need to raise their levels of both if they want to come out of playoffs as winners.
8) Killer Griz: Established in Season 7, Killer Griz impressed with their retro Vancouver Grizzlies uniforms. This season, despite some roster changes, Killer Griz has managed to stay classy and competitive. With some really strong natural athletes on the team, they are going to need to combine strategy with solid performances if they wish to take it all.
9) No Nuts: The first all girls team in CDL history, No Nuts have made up for their lack of testosterone with copious amounts of excellence. If the girls play as a team, attack together, and rely on their strong catching ability, they may be able to wear teams out and claw their way to the top!
10) Comrades: With surprisingly intimidating black and red uniforms, the Comrades enter these playoffs as an underdog looking to upset. In true communist fashion, they will need to pool their resources if they hope to capture the title. My suggested strategy: retreat as far as possible and let the cold winter stop your opponents.
11) Mighty Duckers: An original CDL Season 1 team, the mighty duckers have pretty much all the experience you could ask for. Combine that with a championship last season, and these guys know what it takes to capture the cup. If all else fails… go for the flying V!
12) Pook – A – Boo: The latest in a series of Pookish team names, Pook – A – Boo enter the B tier playoffs as decided underdogs. With a full season to come together, the question will be whether or not these guys can come together to attack and defend as a team during a heated battle. If they do, an early upset would lead to an easier bracket, so winning is definitely a possibility!
Predicted Finals: PANDAMONIUM!!! vs. Rufio and the Lost Boys and Girls. The two top seeded teams use their first round byes appropriately and have enough in the tank to get to the finals.
Predicting Winner: PANDAMONIUM!!! Too much power + too much talent + good team work = victory.
Darkhorse: Comrades. In Soviet Russia, Dodgeballs throw you!
Maggie the TSN Monkey: Pinecones
C is for Party Tier
1) Wrecking Balls: A split off from last year’s Balligerant, Wrecking Balls players have received more playing time to develop their skills and it shows. Sitting pretty on top of C tier, these guys have the drive to party, and the drive to win. That combined drive is what CDL is all about, and that’s what these guys are number 1 headed into playoffs.
2) Brave Little Toasters: 1 of 2 CDL teams that have been around since Season 1 with the same name and same core players, the Brave Little Toasters have never won a CDL championship. Their chill attitude is admirable on and off the courts, and you can’t help but cheer for their team to have a joint effort in a quest to get the highest possible ranking. After all, If you don’t like their fire, then done come around!
3) Hippopotaparty: Who doesn’t like Hippo’s? Who doesn’t like parties? Who doesn’t like winning C is for Party tier Playoffs? Hippopotaparty have the energy, the talent, and the excellent people to make a legit playoff run. A few lucky catches, and these guys are in the finals.
4) Jesus Plays Dodgeball: When Jesus is on your team, it’s hard not to win. That’s what Jesus Plays Dodgeball is relying on in any case. These guys have the drive, the solid attitude, and have been around long enough to know what it takes. Hey, if he can turn water into wine (a CDL favourite), winning a CDL championship should be no problem!
5) Stop, Dodge, Roll: Another CDL classic team that has been around the block but still lacking that illusive CDL title is Stop, Dodge and Roll. They will need to have scoring by comity with different players stepping up each round if they want to go the distance.
6) Balligerant: The original CDL team, with many members leaving, others have been forced to step up and carry the load. Fortunately for them, they have proved more than capable of doing so. Add in some quality new players, and these guys are set up nicely to surprise a few teams with a deep playoff run.
7) Admiral Ackbars Dodgeball Academy: It’s a trap!! These guys will definitely do all right if Han can get the shield down, they’ll just need more time. In the meantime, get close to those Star Destroyers… you’ll last longer than you will against that Death Star and you might just take a few of them with you!
8) Lite Brites: A highlight of childhood (pun intended) the Lite Brites rely on the overall attractiveness of their players rather than dodgeball talent to get by. Fortunately, they are pretty good at that. Hopefully they can seduce the other teams into a few light throws that turn into catches, and things will then look even better for them!
Predicted Finals: Wrecking Balls vs. Balligerant… Just because that would be awesome!
Predicted Winner: Wrecking Balls. Passion reigns supreme and so do they.
Darkhorse: Admiral Ackbar’s Dodgeball Academy. It’s not impossible, they can bulls-eye whomp rats on their T-16’s back home.. and they’re not much bigger than a CDL championship.
Maggie the TSN Monkey: Brave Little Toasters
D is for Party Tier
1) Dirty Deeds: New to the CDL this season, Dirty Deeds seem to have gained experience and really developed throughout the season. Now, entering the post season, Dirty Deeds seem poised to be able to take the cup. A lack of experience might lead to obscure rule calls, but if they play their simple and powerful game, a safe bet for the finals especially with the first round bye.
2) The DA: Last season they challenged for the WORST team in the CDL. Now, they have upgraded to at least the 7th worst team. The DA has experienced players, combined with some talented fresh blood, and might well be able to accio themselves up a D is for Party championship.
3) Shockers: Always a fan favorite, the Shockers look like they might be able to finally capture their first CDL championship. They are a solid team through and through, and if one player can step up every game, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
4) Ball Breakers: The majority of the team is new, but when you add some quality veteran players into the mix, the Ball Breakers have the capabilities to surprise teams. Their dedication to learning the game might give them the edge come playoff time.
5) Target Practice: Target Practice excels in the most important area of the CDL…. the after party!! A large amount of dedicated excellent people always leads to good times, but not necessarily on the court success. At least you know they will have a good time!
6) Samuel L Jackson: I’M NOT YELLING… THIS IS HOW I TALK!!! If one team were poised to make a huge upset, it would be the Samuel L. Jackson’s based on their name alone. Unless a shark eats them, they have the passion and energy that might just surprise teams into making mistakes. Good use of the black under the eyes for accessorizing.
7) Magic: The Dodgeball Gathering: These guys will definitely need some more mana if they want to do anything in the playoffs. They’ve got plenty of creatures… but that’s about it. They will need far more vigilance, play with more haste, be sure to get the first strike and then double strike, and if all else fails, go for the Cotalition Victory. But all magic references aside… these guys will most assuredly lose.
Predicted Finals: Shockers and Ball Breakers. Dirty Deeds get caught on some obscure rule, opening the door for others.
Predicted Winner: Shockers. Years of experience, will lead to a different hero each game. That’s how championships are won.
Darkhorse: Samuel L. Jackson’s… just cause they would be so pumped to get to the finals.
Maggie the TSN Monkey: Target Practice.