With the regular season entering its final stretch, the race for the LTLHL playoffs is heating up. Six division titles guarantee postseason berths, while ten additional spots remain up for grabs. And with several teams separated by only a handful of points, the schedule could make all the difference.

October 12, 2026 | LTLHL Hockey Report

The playoffs are approaching, and across the Light The Lamp Hockey League, the pressure is mounting.

Some teams are comfortably positioned for the postseason. Others are fighting for every available point. And for a handful of clubs, the difference between a playoff appearance and an early summer could come down to a single game.

But the LTLHL playoff race has an additional wrinkle: finishing among the top eight in the conference isn't the only consideration. Each of the six division winners receives an automatic playoff berth, with the five highest-ranked remaining teams in each conference filling the other positions.

That distinction is particularly important this season, with competitive division races developing in the Pacific, Central and Atlantic divisions.

With most teams having played between 65 and 68 games, there is still plenty of hockey left. And judging by the standings, plenty of drama as well.

Western Conference: Three Different Battles

At the top of the Western Conference, the Muertos have established themselves as the clear team to beat.

With 92 points in 66 games and a remarkable plus-76 goal differential, they have been the league's most dominant club. Their 250 goals scored and 174 allowed tell the story of a team that can win in virtually any fashion.

A ten-point advantage over the Lumberjacks makes the Muertos strong favourites to claim the Midwest Division, leaving their rivals to focus primarily on playoff positioning.

The other two Western divisions, however, are far less predictable.

Pacific Division: Three Teams, One Guaranteed Spot

The Orcas currently lead the Pacific with 78 points, but their advantage is anything but secure.

The Twisters sit four points behind, while the Dynasty trail by five. Importantly, the Dynasty have played two fewer games than either rival.

That's a potentially significant advantage in such a tight race.

The Orcas have been reasonably consistent, collecting points in seven of their last ten games. But with a modest plus-seven goal differential, they've hardly been overwhelming opponents.

The Twisters have struggled recently, going 4-6-0 in their last ten, while the Dynasty have won six of ten and entered the stretch on a two-game winning streak.

The schedule adds another layer of intrigue.

The Orcas and Twisters meet twice in October, on the 14th and 23rd. Those two matchups could swing the division race significantly. For the Twisters, taking both would provide an enormous boost, while victories by the Orcas would go a long way toward securing first place.

The Dynasty face a more complicated road. Games against the Muertos, Lumberjacks and Razorbacks mean their games in hand won't necessarily translate into easy points. However, they also have opportunities against the struggling Stormbreakers.

The outlook: The Orcas remain favourites, but the Dynasty may be the most dangerous challenger. The Twisters, meanwhile, have an opportunity to control their own destiny through direct confrontations.

Central Division: A Three-Way Race Nobody Expected to Be This Close

Perhaps the most intriguing division in the West is the Central.

The Dockheads lead with 79 points, but the Razorbacks are just one point behind, and the Blues are only three points back.

The standings become even more interesting when considering games played.

The Razorbacks have played just 65 games, compared with 68 for both the Dockheads and Blues. Those three games in hand give them a real opportunity to take control.

On points percentage, the Razorbacks already have a slight advantage over the Dockheads.

Their recent performances, however, raise some concerns. They've lost three straight games and won only four of their last ten.

The Dockheads have been more consistent, going 6-3-1 over that span, while the Blues have struggled badly, collecting just three wins in ten games.

Yet the Blues remain an intriguing contender. Their plus-24 goal differential is considerably better than those of either the Dockheads or Razorbacks, suggesting a team whose recent results may not fully reflect its capabilities.

The schedule won't be particularly forgiving. The Blues face the Orcas twice, the Voltage, Razorbacks and Dockheads, while the Razorbacks have several difficult matchups against other playoff contenders.

With the Dockheads and Razorbacks scheduled to meet in a crucial divisional contest, there is no shortage of opportunities for the standings to change.

The outlook: The Razorbacks have the strongest opportunity to overtake the Dockheads because of their games in hand. But their recent losing streak makes this far from a certainty. The Blues remain a legitimate threat, although they need to rediscover their winning form quickly.

Western Wild Cards: Who Gets Left Behind?

While the division races attract attention, the battle for the remaining playoff positions is equally fascinating.

The Lumberjacks, Voltage and Bandits are well positioned with 82, 80 and 80 points, respectively.

That leaves the Razorbacks, Blues, Twisters, Dynasty and Voodoo battling over the remaining opportunities, depending on which teams ultimately win their divisions.

The Blues currently occupy the eighth and final playoff position with 76 points. The Twisters trail by two, the Dynasty by three and Voodoo by five.

Of these teams, the Dynasty might have the greatest potential to climb the standings.

Two games in hand on the Blues and Twisters could make all the difference, provided they can navigate a difficult schedule.

The Twisters have an important advantage of their own: multiple matchups against the Stormbreakers, who have managed just 53 points this season. Those are games the Twisters will be expected to win.

Voodoo, meanwhile, cannot be completely dismissed. With 71 points, the team is still close enough to make a run, but its minus-18 goal differential and difficult upcoming games suggest the margin for error is extremely small.

At this stage, the Blizzard and Stormbreakers appear to be running out of time.

The West may ultimately come down to which of the Blues, Twisters and Dynasty can string together the strongest final stretch.

Eastern Conference: The Atlantic Division Could Change Everything

The Eastern Conference offers an even more fascinating playoff picture, largely because of the Atlantic Division.

At the top, the Harfang have established a seven-point advantage over the Red Tails in the Northeast Division. Their 85 points and plus-37 goal differential make them strong favourites to secure the division title.

The Southeast is more competitive, with the Royals leading the Privateers by just two points, 82 to 80.

But the biggest storyline is undoubtedly the Atlantic.

Atlantic Division: The League's Most Unpredictable Race

The Stingrays lead the division with 74 points in 68 games, just one point ahead of the Militia, who also have a game in hand.

The Mighty Moose sit third with 70 points, still very much within striking distance.

What makes this particularly interesting is that none of these teams has been especially dominant over the course of the season.

The Stingrays have a minus-24 goal differential, having allowed 227 goals while scoring just 203. Under normal circumstances, those numbers would be concerning for a division leader.

Yet their recent performances tell a different story.

The Stingrays have been one of the hottest teams in the entire league, going 7-1-2 in their last ten games. That surge has propelled them into first place at precisely the right time.

The Militia have also been relatively strong, collecting points in eight of their last ten games. Their minus-five goal differential is significantly better than the Stingrays', and their game in hand could prove decisive.

Then there are the Mighty Moose.

With 70 points, they trail the Stingrays by four and the Militia by three. They're also coming off consecutive victories, and their opportunity to win the division remains very real.

The schedule could hardly be more interesting.

The Stingrays and Militia are scheduled to meet on October 15 and again on October 18. Two games between the division's leading teams, separated by just a single point, could dramatically change the standings.

The Mighty Moose then face the Stingrays on October 21 and the Militia on October 23, giving them direct opportunities to close the gap.

In other words, the Atlantic Division race is far from settled.

And with the division winner guaranteed a playoff berth, these matchups carry implications well beyond simply climbing the conference standings.

The outlook: The Stingrays are the team to beat based on recent form, but the Militia may hold a slight advantage because of their game in hand and superior goal differential. The Mighty Moose remain a dangerous outsider.

One thing seems certain: the Atlantic Division should provide some of the most entertaining hockey of the final stretch.

Southeast Division: Royals or Privateers?

The Royals lead the Southeast with 82 points, but the Privateers are just two points behind.

Interestingly, the Privateers have won more games, 40 compared with 37 for the Royals, but their inability to collect overtime-loss points has left them trailing in the standings.

The Privateers also have a substantially better goal differential, plus-34 compared with plus-11.

That suggests this division race is considerably closer than the current standings might indicate.

Two head-to-head meetings, on October 15 and October 18, could determine which club takes control.

The Royals have been slightly more consistent recently, going 6-4-0 in their last ten, compared with 5-5-0 for the Privateers.

Both look well positioned for the postseason, but the division title remains very much up for grabs.

Eastern Wild Cards: A Fight Nobody Can Afford to Lose

Beyond the division leaders, the Eastern wild-card race is a crowded one.

The Red Tails have 78 points, while the Militia and Knights are tied at 73. The North Stars occupy eighth place with 72 points.

Just outside the playoff picture, the Mighty Moose and Trident have 70 points each, followed by the Redbull at 69.

That means only four points separate eighth from 11th place.

But unlike a conventional playoff race, the Atlantic Division could reshuffle everything. A late surge from the Mighty Moose could potentially earn them a division title, while simultaneously pushing one of the current Atlantic leaders into the wild-card pool.

For the North Stars, that creates additional uncertainty.

They've won only three of their last ten games, and their upcoming schedule is particularly demanding.

Meetings with the Harfang, Privateers, Red Tails, Stingrays and Dynasty will test their ability to maintain their position.

The October 13 meeting against the Redbull is especially important. A North Stars victory would increase their advantage over a direct competitor, while a Redbull win could tighten the race considerably.

The Trident have an interesting opportunity to make a move.

Although they've played one more game than the Mighty Moose, their schedule includes matchups against the Maulers and Chaos, two of the Eastern Conference's weaker teams.

However, they must also face the Privateers multiple times, along with the Knights and Royals.

Those are not easy games, but they provide opportunities to gain ground against teams occupying playoff positions.

The Mighty Moose face a similarly mixed schedule. Their games against the Stormbreakers and Maulers appear favourable, but meetings with the Royals, Stingrays and Militia will be considerably more difficult.

As for the Redbull, their situation is becoming increasingly urgent.

With 69 points, they remain close enough to make a serious push, but upcoming games against the Harfang, North Stars, Red Tails and Razorbacks represent a challenging stretch.

They may need to outperform expectations against some of the league's strongest teams to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Strength of Schedule: Not All Remaining Games Are Created Equal

At this point in the season, the number of games remaining matters. But the quality of the opposition matters just as much.

The Dynasty and Razorbacks have valuable games in hand, yet both face demanding opponents.

The Twisters, meanwhile, have several potentially favourable matchups against the Stormbreakers, which could provide a crucial opportunity to collect points.

In the East, the Trident and Mighty Moose appear to have some opportunities against weaker opposition, while the North Stars face a particularly challenging stretch against established contenders.

The Atlantic Division rivals also have the advantage, or disadvantage, of controlling much of their own fate through direct confrontations.

And that is where the playoff race becomes especially interesting.

A win against a struggling opponent is valuable. But a win against a direct divisional rival can be even more consequential, because it adds points to one team while denying them to a competitor.

The Games That Could Decide the Playoffs

Selected upcoming matchups from the published LTLHL schedule.

Who Makes It? A Look Into the Crystal Ball

There are still too many games remaining to confidently predict the final playoff field, but some trends are beginning to emerge.

In the Western Conference, the Muertos appear virtually certain to claim the Midwest Division. The Razorbacks have a compelling opportunity to overtake the Dockheads in the Central, while the Orcas remain favourites in the Pacific.

The most likely Western wild-card contenders are the Lumberjacks, Voltage, Bandits, Dockheads, Blues, Twisters and Dynasty, with Voodoo still hoping to force its way into the conversation.

The Dynasty look particularly dangerous because of their games in hand, but the Twisters may have a slightly more favourable schedule. The Blues, meanwhile, need to reverse their recent slide.

In the East, the Harfang should have little trouble remaining atop the Northeast, while the Royals and Privateers will continue battling for the Southeast.

The Atlantic is anyone's guess.

The Stingrays have momentum, the Militia have a game in hand, and the Mighty Moose have opportunities to gain ground directly against both rivals.

Among the Eastern wild-card hopefuls, the North Stars remain narrowly ahead, but their difficult schedule makes them particularly vulnerable.

The Trident could emerge as the surprise team if they take advantage of their more favourable matchups, while the Redbull will need a strong finish to remain competitive.

Final Word: The Road to the Playoffs Won't Be Easy

The LTLHL has reached the point of the season when reputations mean very little.

The Muertos may be the league's strongest team, and the Harfang may have the clearest path to a division title, but elsewhere, very little is settled.

The Razorbacks have an opportunity to take over the Central Division. The Dynasty are threatening to climb into the Western playoff picture. The Orcas and Twisters have crucial divisional meetings ahead.

In the East, the Stingrays, Militia and Mighty Moose are heading toward what could become a dramatic three-way battle for the Atlantic Division.

And behind them, the North Stars, Trident and Redbull are fighting to ensure their seasons don't end prematurely.

With games in hand, direct divisional matchups and some remarkably difficult schedules still to navigate, the playoff picture could look very different in just a couple of weeks.

There may be 16 playoff tickets available, but nobody is giving them away.

And when the dust finally settles, don't be surprised if the difference between playing for a championship and heading home comes down to one game, one goal or one missed opportunity.

That's what makes this time of year so much fun.

Massachusetts sends first-round defense prospect Brandt McAlister and a Year 10 third-round pick originally belonging to Halifax to the Stingrays

BOSTON — Sept. 20, 2026 — The Massachusetts Militia have made a significant move for the present, acquiring veteran right wing Derrick Pinches from the Cape Cod Stingrays in exchange for highly regarded young defenseman Brandt McAlister and a Year 10 third-round draft pick originally belonging to the Halifax Chaos.

The completed deal represents a clear exchange of timelines. Massachusetts adds an established 27-year-old LTLHL forward who can step directly into its lineup, while Cape Cod receives an 18-year-old former first-round selection with considerable defensive upside — along with a future draft asset.

For the Militia, the centerpiece is Pinches, a 6-foot-5, 201-pound right wing carrying an 82 overall rating. He brings an intriguing combination of puck skill and defensive responsibility, including ratings of 98 puck handling, 94 strength, 88 skating, 86 defense and 82 scoring. He is in the final year of a contract carrying a $2.85 million cap hit.

Pinches' Season 6 numbers have been modest by his previous standards. Through 56 games, he has recorded 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, while posting a minus-17 rating and averaging 16:04 of ice time. His 8.1-percent shooting percentage is also well below what he produced in several previous seasons.

That history, however, may be precisely what attracted Massachusetts.

Pinches has demonstrated substantially more offense in the past. He scored 23 goals and 48 points in Season 4, followed by 22 goals and 36 points in Season 5. Over his first five LTLHL seasons, he reached the 20-goal mark four times and entered Season 6 having produced 190 points in 390 games.

In other words, Massachusetts isn't necessarily acquiring Pinches based solely on what he has done this season. The Militia are betting that there is more offense available from the veteran winger than his current numbers suggest.

And for a Massachusetts club that has been searching for additional scoring punch, that makes Pinches an intriguing addition.

The cost, however, is not insignificant.

Heading to Cape Cod is McAlister, an 18-year-old defenseman whom Massachusetts selected 21st overall in the first round of the Year 6 draft. At 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, McAlister is already rated 74 overall and possesses an impressive defensive foundation for such a young player. His profile includes an 87 defensive rating, 87 checking, 85 experience and 81 passing, although his offensive skills remain less developed.

McAlister has spent Season 6 at the farm level, where he has registered four goals and 15 assists for 19 points in 49 games, along with a plus-1 rating. He has also accumulated 118 penalty minutes, illustrating the physical edge that accompanies his strong checking rating.

The young defenseman is also inexpensive and controllable. McAlister carries a $1 million cap hit with three years remaining on his contract and is waiver exempt, giving Cape Cod considerable flexibility in how quickly it wants to bring him along.

Perhaps the most interesting element from the Massachusetts perspective is just how quickly the organization was willing to move on from one of its newest prospects. McAlister was selected by the Militia in the first round only this season, but Massachusetts has elected to convert that future asset into immediate veteran help rather than wait for the defenseman to develop.

The Militia also sweetened Cape Cod's return with a Year 10 third-round selection originally belonging to the Halifax Chaos. Massachusetts had previously acquired the pick and owned it at the time of Saturday's trade; it will now move to Cape Cod as part of the package for Pinches.

That makes this more than a simple prospect-for-veteran swap. Massachusetts is surrendering both a recent first-round selection and a future draft asset to add a player it believes can help immediately.

For the Militia, the calculation appears straightforward: the future has value, but so does improving the lineup now.

Pinches gives Massachusetts another experienced offensive option at a time when the club has been looking for additional production. His size, strength and puck-handling ability offer the coaching staff several possibilities, while his 86 defensive rating suggests he doesn't necessarily need to score at a 20-goal pace to contribute.

At 6-foot-5 and more than 200 pounds, he also adds another sizable presence to the Massachusetts forward group.

Cape Cod, meanwhile, is making a markedly different bet.

Instead of holding onto a 27-year-old winger approaching the end of his contract, the Stingrays walk away with an 18-year-old first-round defenseman under contract for three seasons and another future draft selection. McAlister's current 74 overall rating means he may not replace Pinches' immediate LTLHL impact, but his age and defensive attributes give Cape Cod a player who could potentially become part of its blue line for years.

It is the classic hockey trade equation: proven production versus potential.

Massachusetts gets the proven player.

Cape Cod gets the younger asset and the draft pick.

And Pinches arrives in Massachusetts with something to prove.

His Season 6 production has fallen from the levels he established earlier in his career, but his underlying ratings remain those of a capable LTLHL player. At 27, the Militia are acquiring him at an age when a rebound remains entirely plausible. If his shooting percentage moves closer to the levels he produced during some of his better seasons, his scoring numbers could look considerably different in a Massachusetts uniform.

That is ultimately the gamble for the Militia.

Massachusetts has sacrificed a piece of its future — a defenseman it considered worthy of a first-round selection, plus a third-rounder — for a player it believes can make the club better right now.

Whether Pinches rediscovering his previous scoring touch makes that price worthwhile will be determined over the remainder of Season 6.

But one thing is clear: the Militia aren't standing pat. They're trying to improve.

TRADE — SEPT. 20, 2026

To Massachusetts Militia:
RW Derrick Pinches

To Cape Cod Stingrays:
D Brandt McAlister
Year 10 third-round pick (via Halifax Chaos)

Derrick Pinches — LTLHL Player Profile
Brandt McAlister — LTLHL Player Profile

UPDATE - So the reason behind the addition of Marco Macgregor is clearer now.  Prior to last nights game against Las Vegas,  Left Wing Nathaniel Miller was traded to Halifax along with a Season 10 4th round selection in exchange for Halifax's first round selection in Season 11.  

The morning skate today saw a couple new faces in Port City.  With Center Ola Karlsrud serving the first game of a 3 game suspension it seems Elvis Marco will be joining the big club for a few days.  Marco wasnt the only member of the Rampage who joined the skate.  The other Marco, Marco Macgregor was also skating with the big club.  No one from the wingers  were missing from the skate so it's not clear why Macgregor was out there but perhaps his performance down in Raleigh has earned him a look as well.   Macgregor has been leading the Rampage in scoring with 47 points in 47 games.  Marco is close behind with 43 points this season.   Should be interesting to see how this works with the lines tonight.  

HALIFAX — The Halifax Chaos made it clear this week that they weren’t afraid to make significant changes to a roster they believe can still take another step forward.

In a busy stretch of transactions, Halifax moved on from two prominent forwards, added a new top-six centre, strengthened its depth on both the wing and blue line, and created additional salary-cap flexibility for the moves still to come.

The biggest deal saw the Chaos send superstar left winger Fox Ocallahan and goaltender Thatcher Goodyear to the New York Knights in exchange for centre Cameron Lodewyks, goaltender Pierre-Anthony Back, and the Twisters first-round pick next year.

For Ocallahan, the trade brings an end to a Halifax tenure that simply never developed the way either side envisioned.

There was plenty of excitement when Ocallahan originally arrived in Halifax in a trade with the Mighty Moose, but for whatever reason, the fit never quite materialized. The production, role and overall chemistry never consistently matched the expectations that came with acquiring a player of his calibre.

Rather than continuing to try to force the fit, the Chaos elected to turn the page.

New York now gives Ocallahan something that may ultimately benefit everyone involved: a fresh start.

For Halifax, the key piece coming back is Lodewyks who is having a terrific season with 37 points in 44 games.

The talented centre is expected to step immediately into the Chaos top six, giving Halifax another legitimate option down the middle and changing the makeup of the forward group almost overnight.

The trade also provided Halifax with an opportunity to address its goaltending and salary structure.

Moving Goodyear's contract gives the Chaos additional cap flexibility. Although Back came to Halifax as part of the return, the expectation is that the Chaos will buy out Back’s contract, opening the door for either Visa-Antti Reimavuo or Rylee Hak to claim the backup role.

It would be a considerably less expensive solution behind the Chaos starter and would free additional money for management to use elsewhere on the roster.

And Halifax wasn’t finished.

With Lodewyks immediately occupying a top-six centre position, the Chaos quickly found themselves with a surplus down the middle.

That led to a second deal.

Halifax sent centre Willem Halward to the Bandits in exchange for left winger Ivan Rutgersson and defenceman Jonatan Klingvall.

The move accomplishes several things for the Chaos.

Most importantly, it removes Halward’s salary from the books at a time when his role was likely to shrink considerably following the acquisition of Lodewyks.

Rather than keeping an expensive centre further down the lineup, Halifax turned him into two pieces that potentially address greater organizational needs.

Rutgersson gives the Chaos another option on the left side following Ocallahan’s departure, while Klingvall adds another defenceman to the organization and provides additional flexibility on the back end.

It is the type of move that makes considerably more sense when viewed as part of the larger picture.

Halifax essentially replaced Halward's top-six opportunity with Lodewyks, redistributed Halward's salary, and added two players in return.

The departure of Halward did leave Halifax with another hole further down the depth chart, but management wasted little time addressing it.

The Chaos signed free-agent centre Colman Crabb, who is expected to step into the fourth-line centre role vacated by Halward.

Crabb won't be asked to replace Halward's offensive contribution.

He doesn't need to.

With Lodewyks now taking those important top-six minutes, Halifax can use Crabb in a more traditional depth role while allocating significantly less cap space to the position.

That appears to be the theme connecting virtually every move Halifax made this week.

Put money where it matters.

Taken individually, each move carries some risk.

Ocallahan remains a superstar-calibre talent capable of thriving in New York. Halward was an established member of the Chaos lineup. Goodyear provided experience in goal.

But Halifax appears to be looking beyond individual names and toward the overall construction of the roster.

When the dust settles, Halifax has potentially upgraded its top-six centre position, added a future first-round pick, strengthened its organizational depth at wing and defence, opened a competition for a cheaper backup goaltender, and created considerably more flexibility under the salary cap.

That's a substantial amount of roster surgery in a very short period of time.

The headline will understandably be Ocallahan.

Star players don't leave Halifax quietly, and there will always be questions about what might have been had the relationship worked differently.

But sometimes the best move for both the player and the organization is acknowledging when something hasn't worked.

Ocallahan gets his new beginning in New York.

Halifax gets a chance to reshape the roster around a different core.

And after one of the busiest weeks in recent Chaos history, Cameron Lodewyks now finds himself right in the middle of what comes next.

Congratulations to the Western Conference for defeating the East 10 - 8 in the 6th Annual All Star Game.  This years game was hosted by Halifax.   Your ASG MVP is Sergey Krivulya of the St Louis Voodoo.    You can see the full results right here.