The Machine and the Bayhawks locked up their "A" Bracket Playoff spots last week.  But there was still a lot at stake in week 6, as 4 teams were still in contention for the final two "A" Bracket Playoff spots. 

GAME 1: Rattlers v Cannons.  The Rattlers needed a win, and some help, to secure an A bracket spot.  As far as needing the win, Ethan Pratt answered the call.  He took care of business on both sides of the ball, playing some shut down D on one end and scoring 5 goals for the Offense.  No one stopped him on the fast breaks (3g, 2a) and two more times his teammates found him on the crease where he scored again. Bryson Bockman chipped in a Hat Trick of his own, Bruno Geoly was solid in the goal (6saves), and the Rattlers secured the Win with a final of 9-2.  Scott Andrews provided a Highlight for the Cannons with a nice low-to-high blast from outside late in the 2nd half, and Warren Poh (filling in for the Cannons) was stellar in goal with 7 1st half saves on his way to 11 in the game. 

GAME 2: Lizards v Outlaws.  Both the Rattlers and the Outlaws were rooting for the Outlaws in this one, to keep their playoff hopes alive.  But Mike Cerone was the "dreamcrusher" for both teams.  He came out hot for the Lizards, with a hat trick in the first 3 minutes.  Ben Morgan added a couple goals, and the Lizards were off to a 5-0 start.  Cerone added another, and Henry Holden put the Outlaws on the board right before half, which ended 6-1 in favor of the Lizards.  Coach Strickland didnt give up though, and must have given an inspirational halftime speech.  The Outlaws started the 2nd half scoring with two goals apiece from Tyler Miller and Ryan Zaky to make it 6-5, with momentum on the Outlaws side.  But when Sam Isola won 3 straight faceoffs, and two more goals from Cerone capped a 3-0 run, it was out of reach for the Outlaws, and lights out for the Rattlers A playoff hopes.  The teams traded goals a couple times, including Zaky's third, and the game ended 11-7 in favor of the Lizards.  Huge props to Tobias Schenck, who limited the damage with 9 1st half saves, and had 6 more in the 2nd half in the Outlaws comeback attempt. Cerone led all scorers with 6g, Ben Morgan chipped in a Hat Trick of his own for the Lizards.

GAME 3: Machine v Nationals.  The Nationals, holding the Head-to-Head Tiebreakers they needed, went into this one knowing they had a A Playoff spot locked up.  But all roads seem to lead through the Machine at this point, for the Team NorCal Fall Ball Championship.  So this would be a good test for the Nationals.  Unfortunately, the Machine Offense looked as well-oiled as they have all Fall.  When Corey Burns scored his 2nd goal of the day to make it 4-0, it was just the start of an Offensive heyday for the Machine.  Collin Merwin and Adam Stockford got the Nationals on the board, and gave them the momentum, but Joe Rodrigues took it back with 2 two goals of his own in less than a minute span.  A couple more goals, including Burns 3rd of the day, capped a 9-2 first half in favor of the Machine. They came out hot in the 2nd half as well, scoring 2 quick goals, including a beautiful feed on a fast break from Burns to a cutting Conor McCarthy.  Play of the Day came moments later, as Chase Bunce, hemmed in against the sideline by 3 Nationals players, flipped a BTB pass to Liam McCarthy, who found himself with room to drive and finished off the play with a nice drive to the goal.  Thomas Lopez emerged in the 2nd half with some spark for the Nationals, as he corralled 4 ground balls, and scored a couple goals.  But it was all Nationals as this one ended 16-4.    Rodrigues led all scorers with 5 Goals, Burns had 4, and Lopez led the Nationals with 2 of his own.  Goalie Luke Miller, in a rare offensive appearance, chipped in a goal of his own for the Machine (must of been some good Mojo on that stick he borrowed).  Coach Harman will have to review some film from this one, and work some magic, as the 4th place seed means a rematch this coming weekend with the top seeded Machine in the Semifinal Playoff round.