1. Flyers (10-2) 

As the Major Division’s top seed, the Flyers boast a balanced lineup most offseason teams could only dream of. Forwards Jackson Bartovich (11 goals, 24 assists, 35 points) and Chase Crowley (18-14-32) team with forward/defenseman hybrid Brock Gutterman (10-23-33) to give the Flyers the three highest-scoring players in the Major Division. 

Add to that mix the quietly productive Caleb Miller (12-14-26), plus forward Nate Turvold (5-8-13) and physically imposing defenseman Charlie Awsumb (4-7-11) and there’s no wondering how the Flyers have only lost twice this BEL season. 

Goaltender Drew Sherman has faced the second-most shots at 308 so far, posting a goals-against-average of 4.27 and a save percentage of .847 in a less-than-friendly league for goalies.

2. Rangers (8-4) 

Winners of four of their last five games, the Rangers are one of just two teams to have solved the Flyers juggernaut this season, paced by an offense that features six players with 20 or more points. 

Crafty forward Will Mikan (17-12-29) leads the team in scoring, followed by Brody Holoien (14-13-27) and Colten Crook (17-8-25). Cy Hjelman (10-13-23) and William Shultz (5-16-21) provide the Rangers with grown-man strength at the front lines. Goaltender Colten Brandt (3.11 GAA, .863 SV% has posted some of the best netminder numbers in the Major Division.

The key for the Rangers during the postseason could be finishing games. The Rangers are +15 in the first half of games, outscoring opponents 45-30, but only +5 in the second half.  

3. Wild (5-7) 

The wildcard of all wildcards, the Wild have earned wins against both of the top seeds during regular-season play, and have the lineup firepower to do the same during the playoffs. 

Forward Cole Swanson is a freight train on the ice, bullying his way to 15 goals and 25 points, while the smart and smooth Jakob Bjornlie leads the team with 16 assists and is second in points at 22.

If the Wild can get a little extra scoring punch from players like Bennett MacKenzie (9-7-16) and Owen Klimek (9-5-14), they could be in the mix for Sunday’s finale. 

4. Blues (1-11) 

A bounce here or there and the Blues could have a record much closer to .500, with three of the team’s losses coming by two goals or fewer and showing much improvement down the stretch. 

Jack Bianchi (6-7-13) has provided steady production, and Zane Medlin (9-2-11) looks like the next great Duluth East forward.

Whit Rewertz anchors the blue line, and goaltender David Isaacson, while besieged by nearly 400 shots in 12 games, recently turned in arguably the best goaltending performance of the BEL season last weekend. Against the Major-leading Flyers, Isaacson stopped 37 shots, and the Blues gave the Flyers one of their toughest games of the season in a 6-4 decision. 

1. Devils (8-1-2-1) 

As one of the Minor Division’s top two seeds, the Devils receive a bye into the semifinal round of the playoffs. 

The Devils have lost just once since Aug. 23, winning seven of their last eight games while falling in a shootout against the Blues on Sept. 7 in a 9-8 thriller.

Featuring four players who have totaled 20 or more points so far, the Devils are led by forwards Ashton Wamboldt (14-13-27), Connor Kerfeld (13-12-25), Logan Olson (13-10-23), and Nolan Steele (8-13-21). Among defensemen, Ryan Troska (3-9-12) leads the way, followed by Aiden Wamboldt (3-8-11), Luke Becker (2-9-11), Bennett Kimman (2-8-10), and Simon Griffiths (2-3-5). 

Goaltender Brayson Ritter has been the mainstay all season for the Devils, allowing the fewest goals in the Minor Division (49) and posting a GAA of 4.06 and a save percentage of .823. 

2. Wild (6-4-1-1) 

Since winning three of four to start the BEL season, the Wild have seesawed between wins and losses over the next eight games. Forwards Max Swenson (13-12-25) and goal-scoring machine Owen Ouska (14-7-21) lead the team in scoring, while Blake Mliner adds additional punch from the backend with five goals and 16 points. 

The Wild have been a better team in the second half of games this season, outscoring opponents 43-36 while being outscored 31-29 in the first half. 

3. Blues (5-4-1-2) 

Three of the Blues’ five losses have come by two goals or fewer, indicating the gap between top teams in the Minor Division is slim to nonexistent. Like the Wild, the Blues have failed into a whiplash pattern between wins and losses, alternating between the two over their last four games. 

Edwin Ehof (15-8-23) leads the Blues in total points, followed by Graham Schumacher (16-7-23) and Rocco Pasqua (8-12-20). Mason Corkish (6-11-17), Bodie Inselman (9-6-15), Jaxon Kleinbrook (13 assists), and Lucas Van Sickle (3-9-12) round out the double-digit totalers for the Blues. 

Goaltender Renner Andersen has posted the second-lowest goals-against-average in 4.57 among goalies that have played 350:00 or more.

4. Rangers (3-6-2-1) 

The Rangers had a three-game winning streak halted by back-to-back losses last weekend, falling to the Devils in a shootout 6-5 and then losing to the Blues 5-3. To get back on the winning horse during the playoffs, the Rangers will look to the East Grand Forks duo of Brock Stauss (5-10-15) and Jaxson Wakefield (11-2-13), along with rangy Moorhead defenseman Hank Laurila (5-7-12). 

Goaltender Arend VanWyngeeren is more than capable of stealing a game or two, and the Rangers have been fortunate to have all players accounted for during the vast majority of their games. If playoff dreams come to fruition, the Rangers will need to buckle down in the second half, in which they’ve been outscored 34-16 so far this BEL season. 

5. Sharks (3-6-1-2) 

Playing shorthanded for the past few weeks, the Sharks are still in the postseason hunt, featuring a lineup of skilled and opportunistic players at both forward and defense. 

Lukas Bjornlie leads the team in total points with 15 on four goals and 11 assists from the blueline, teaming with fellow defender Blake Lancette (4-6-10) to provide scoring threats from the point. Forwards Hines Krumm (8-5-13) and Asher Skaja (5-6-11) are adept passers and can score in bunches. 

Goaltender Hudson Rinehart has a Player of the Game award under his belt, and holds the second-highest save percentage (.840) among goalies who have played more than 275 minutes. 

6. Flyers (3-7-1-1) 

Are the Flyers technically in last place? Yes. Should teams dismiss them as an easy opponent? Not a chance. 

Goaltender Elliott Sikkink leads the Minor Division in shots faced (352) and save percentage among all goaltenders that have played meaningful minutes (.849), leading from the back and setting the tone for a scrappy, persistent group. 

Among skaters, Will Thonvold (11-9-20) is as dangerous as they come, and the trio of Max Sutcliffe (7-6-13), Aidyn Kipas (2-7-9), and defenseman Tommy Rice (3-6-9) can provide extra scoring punch.