By Luke Weatherson

The Pirates started this season off poorly, three straight losses with little chance of repeating last year’s championship but hope springs eternal.

For the Pirates to take home the CIHL Championship they will need to finish the season with the highest win percentage. The Pirates, after the terrible start are sitting at 50% with 3-3 record in six games vs the Mighty Tuks following a three-game win streak. The Tuks, who also started the season off with a three-game losing streak have a win percentage of 33.3% with three wins against the Pirates, and three losses each against Bangkok and the Pirates. The Pirates have four games left in which they have a very slim chance to win the championship.

To win the championship the Pirtates must beat Bangkok three times, with a Bangkok L being much more important than a Pirates W due to the four fewer games Bangkok played this year. If the Pirates do the unthinkable and go undefeated, it will lower Bangkok’s win percentage to 50% and raise the Pirates win percentage to 66.6%. The best mixed result, a 2-1 record this weekend for the Pirates would raise their win percentage to 56% but would only lower Bangkok’s to an unreachable 83% hence the importance of Bangkok racking up Ls. An undefeated weekend and a loss to the Tuks on March 23rd would lower the Pirates winning percentage to 60% which would still prevail over Bangkok’s 50%. 3-0 vs Bangkok and a win on the 23rd would raise the Pirates win percentage to 70% and have no impact on the championship.

Beyond the Pirates’ potential legendary turn around, Bangkok needs a single win to secure the highest wining percentage and take home their first CHIL championship. The Tuks however have arguably the most at stake. If the Pirates will be playing for a better record than the Tuks as if they take home one win in the next four games, they will secure a higher win percentage than the Tuks, securing all important Cambodian bragging rights. Regardless of this weekend’s results the Tuks want to beat the Pirates on the 23rd so they can take the season series between the two teams 4-3.

Will the Pirates take home the championship? They can, if they cap off their current three game win streak with another improbable three wins, it’s not likely but to paraphrase Lloyd Christmas, I’m saying there’s a chance.