WEST VALLEY CITY -- The scenario is really quite simple for the Utah Freezz tonight. A win over Portland at 7 p.m. in the E Center almost guarantees them the WISL's fourth and final playoff spot. A loss, however, would basically eliminate them.
Of course, even a win doesn't secure Utah (11-10) that last coveted playoff spot which Portland (10-9) is also eyeing."We would prefer it being a lock, but at this stage of the season, this is as good as we can get," said Freezz coach Dave Poggi.
Even if the Freezz prevail, Portland has two games remaining, but they are by no means easy. Both are on the road against Dallas and Monterrey, two of the league's best teams, so even a loss doesn't doom Utah.
If both teams finish at 12-10 almost every tie-breaker scenario favors Portland. The lone possibility favoring the Freezz would become reality if they beat the Pythons by five or more goals.
The Freezz are coming off a 6-5 loss at Sacramento on Saturday, which isn't a bad loss. The Knights had won 11 straight games prior to Utah coming to town, and they narrowly escaped with the win.
Tired legs could be a factor tonight. Portland hasn't played in eight days while Utah played back-to-back games this past weekend.
"It's a huge game, and I think being tired is something you can get through," said Poggi. "We'll just have to get through it mentally."
This will be the fourth meeting of the season between Portland and Utah. The Freezz opened their inaugural season on July 31 with a 6-5 win at Portland. The favor was returned a month later when Portland won 5-3 in Utah and then a 6-4 win back home.