The Final Standings

With the St. Louis Blues having claimed the Stanley Cup, all that was left to do was add a few scores, carry the one, and determine the winner of the 2019 HBIC Playoff Pool. Admittedly, the upsets in the early rounds killed the additional player scoring that I thought could have determined a winner, but this pool was mostly about who could predict the series correctly following the surprises. I'm not going to waste any further time, so let's get to it.

As a note, the scores were checked by a family member who was not participating who doesn't know any of the entrants in this contest, so the numbers are accurate without any bias. As you can see, there were some tight races that came down to the tie-breaker, and those scores are marked with an asterisk. Here are your final standings!

Scores

HBIC PLAYOFF POOL LEADERBOARD

Name	Tie-Breaker	Players	Points	Rank
Andy S.	Tampa Bay	0	67
Chris L.	Tampa Bay	0	94	3rd*
Darin S.	Washington	0	62
Jared R.	Calgary	0	46
LJ S.	Pittsburgh	0	94	4th*
Loralea R.	Washington	0	55
Matt H.	San Jose	0	76
Michael J.	Winnipeg	0	88	6th*
Neal L.	Boston	0	104	1st
Peter S.	Tampa Bay	0	84
Richard D.	Nashville	0	82
Teri D.	Boston	0	88	5th*
Tomas L.	Winnipeg	0	31
Travis T.	Tampa Bay	0	57
Tyler D.	Washington	0	80
Zeke P.	Nashville	0	95	2nd

Big credit to Neal L. who led from wire to wire after an impressive first round of scores. He held off the challenges of a few competitors to claim the HBIC Playoff Pool title with a 104-point performance. Well done, Neal, on winning the pool this year!

The prizes that will be chosen by where each competitor finished are below. Neal, who claimed first place, can choose any of the prizes. Zeke, who finished in second place, can choose from the remaining prizes after Neal has chosen, and so on until all of the prizes are gone. Unfortunately, not all entrants will receive a prize, but that's how this cookie crumbles. Here are the prizes:

• Boston Bruins jersey (XXL) and a Boston Bruins Winter Classic toque.
• Hockey Helps The Homeless quarter-zip sweater (XXL)
• Anaheim Ducks snapback cap, Play-On Hockey t-shirt (XXL), and Don't Call Me Goon book.
• UMFM snapback cap, UMFM mug, NY Rangers long-sleeved shirt (XXL), and a Puck Off bottle opener.

*photos will be provided if needed

The top-four finishers will get prizes as there were sixteen people total in the pool - everyone had a 25% chance of winning something. As it stands, everyone who finished with 90+ points will get a prize. As a side note, Andy, I owe you a prize from the Survivor pool, but I was waiting to see how you finished in this pool. I'll send your prize out immediately now that this pool is closed.

I do want to say thank you to each and every entrant in this year's pool. You guys are fantastic, you make the playoffs more fun for me, and I want to thank everyone who entered and said thanks for bringing the pool back. You never really know what you have until it's gone, and the void left by it last season was something I felt. In saying that, the pool will be back for 2020, so make sure you keep your eye on the hockey this coming season so you're ready for the pool again next season!

Thanks again, everyone! And congratulations to Neal, our 2019 HBIC Playoff Pool winner!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!