Solving the Class A playoff puzzle

 Two things to correct from Friday's game report.

1. Burnt Hills has actually only clinched a berth in the Class A playoffs, which begins November 4.

2. Averill Park actually locked up the Capital Division by beating LaSalle. I had things a wee bit backward.

This much we are sure of in the Capital Division:

Averill Park is the division champion, but LaSalle is not yet assured of a playoff berth. The Cadets, who had their 5 game winning streak snapped at Averill Park, travel to Amsterdam to play the suddenly reeling Rams. The standings as of now:

Averill Park: 4-0 Capital Division. They'll travel to Mohonasen on Friday.

LaSalle: 3-1 division, 5-3 overall. 

Troy High: 2-2 division, 4-3 overall.

Amsterdam: 2-2 division, 4-3 overall.

Scenarios:

If LaSalle beats Amsterdam, they lock up the #2 seed in the division, simple as that. The Cadets own a tiebreaker over 3rd place Troy, so the Flying Horses are out of the hunt no matter what happens.

If Amsterdam beats LaSalle, they'd own the tiebreaker, and leap-frog into 2nd place. What could save the Cadets is the quarter-point system, which decided the playoff berths last year after Amsterdam, LaSalle, and Averill Park finished in a 3-way tie for the division title. Amsterdam, remember, won just one quarter in the loss to Troy. That will be significant.

Best bet (I could be wrong): LaSalle knocks the Rams out.

Over in the Grasso Division:

Burnt Hills will have Senior Night Friday vs. Niskayuna. Ballston Spa travels to Queensbury on Saturday. The North Country Spartans have had a bad year, but could play spoiler. A Scotties win locks up the #2 seed in the division.

Projected playoff matchups for November 4:

Ballston Spa at Averill Park.

LaSalle at Burnt Hills. The Cadets lost to the Spartans last year.

Of course, I could be wrong.