Subject: III.11

You both have the same number of points so the difference is just goal differential. Do you play each other this regular season? If so, that may determine the final spot! It'd be worth paying the credit to watch it.

Yeah, I played him twice. Once as a league game and another as a friendly game. I won both, barely.

With the playoffs coming up soon, should I hold off on filling up my calendar so my team rests and also limit the risk of injury? OR -- Just schedule away and play my team?

That is a matter of some debate among PPM players. However, the consensus is you don't lose much energy in friendlies. For instance, if you play a friendly on low, you only lose 0.02. If you play normal, 0.08, and high 0.40. So if you were to play 10 friendlies, you'd only lose 0.2 energy per player. However, I've noted you've played 4 games on low, 16 on normal and 5 on high. This means even if you'd played no friendlies, a player who has played in all of those games would have an energy level of 83.28 (because league games are 0.08, 0.40, and 2.00 respectively). So even though I've noticed you've acquired players recently who doubtless have energy levels ranging from 96-100, I do not recommend more friendlies for you between now and the playoffs. You are competing for the last spot, but if you think it is doable, play on low for the rest of the league games. By this I mean when it is clear: you should not have played Jwings on normal; you would have beaten him by 6 or 7 on low. Just being blunt to help--I hope you're having fun in the game and good luck!

I appreciate the bluntness, I am still learning the ropes. I am enjoying this game, well, you could say I am hooked now.

Thinking of dropping my fantasy hockey team as this is more realistic.

Again, thanks for all the help. I have been spending my money on upgrading all my facilities for next year. Besides my training, regeneration and sports academy, what should I be working on?

No prob! I recommend the PRO pack if possible (it technically provides no advantages, but it does assemble all the data to analyze). You are doing quite well for your first season!

I was told to raise your training and regen facilities together (at the same time). After that, I placed HR 3rd and sports academy 4th (or reverse, depending on your needs). HR helps scout your players faster, and gets you a better money deal for next season. After a certain point (about level 5 or 6) I stopped developing anything other than those 4. I occasionally go back and raise one of them by a level.

So, we have the same tentative playoff matchups. So far, six teams have clinched the playoffs (Check Republic, Dakota Storm, Faketown Fakemascots, Aiziet JR Selects, Great Success, and Slavoj Trebisov). So far, five teams are still mathematically in the hunt for the final two spots. (Orange Sharkys, despite the win, were eliminated on account of Boston Bashers' win) The five teams are: Sasquatches, Boston Bashers, Jacksonville Rams, Starlight, and Smuggling Grapes.

With five games remaining, the Grapes' only hope is to win all five and have the Bashers win no more than one game (and earn no more than 4 points overall), or have the Bashers gain no more than one point and the Grapes win 4 of the last 5. Starlight also has a difficult road, as due to goal differential if the Bashers win two of their last five they are also likely eliminated. Jacksonville Rams, if they win out, put significant pressure on the Bashers, as in order to retain the 8th spot the Bashers must accumulate at least 10 points in the last 5 games and be ahead in goal differential, or get 11 points. In this scenario only 3 wins by the Bashers means out of the playoffs.

The Rams' schedule is looking favorable, with 4 team nonames with the Sasquatches in the middle. Look to that game as the highlight.

The Boston Bashers take on 2 team nonames followed by three playoff teams which have already clinched. Bashers will almost certainly need at least one point from the final three games in order to make the playoffs.

Good luck everyone, looks like that last spot goes down to the wire.

If I don't make it, I still had a decent first season.

With 3 games left, Starlight and Smuggling Grapes have both been eliminated, which means the final 2 spots come down to Sasquatches, Boston Bashers, and Jacksonville Rams.

The top 3 teams are locked into those positions, but can still interchange with each other (Check Republic, Faketown, Dakota). Same thing with 4-6. Should be an exciting end to the season!

Well, I got the OT win, but can still be eliminated. Looks like it is up to my last game, hopefully I have great success against 'Great Success'!

The last game will determine the final spot, as Sasquatches clinched the seventh spot. For the odd man out, all is not lost, as they would then become the top seed in the consolation bracket.

Yeah, no matter what happens, I am really looking forward to next season.

OUTSTANDING!!! I made the top tier playoffs. That was a AWESOME GAME!

Good luck everyone in the playoffs.

good luck in the playoffs reverist..... i finished 3rd in my first season in d2.... id imagine you'll be right up here next season.... i still may advance... who knows.....

Good job man! No offense meant to the Rams, but I was pulling for you to make it lol. So we start the series Friday!