DMBL Mirror League

Almost forgot to take one last look at the ol' DMBL Mirror League. Last year, Hillsborough's owner Brent Campbell let no opportunity slide to remind everyone that he won the Mirror League in '07. This year he'll have to settle for a tie atop the standings with the infamous Newark Sugar Bears. But how did it all pan out for last year's top Mirror finishers?

Well, #1 ranked Hillsborough finished 6th overall. The solid core of keepers kept the Hitmen in the race all year long. #2 in last year's standings was 2008 DMBL champion Vancouver and #3 was the runner up Sugar Bears. The other playoff teams: D.C. (#4), Las Vegas (#6), and Philadelphia (#7). The fifth place team, South Boston/Tampa Bay was in the playoff hunt all season long and even occupied a playoff spot for much of the season. The last place team in the Mirror League also became the last place team in 2008 - New Jersey Team Buddah. But enough about last year, let's see who this season's top finishers were...

Like I mentioned earlier, Newark and Hillsborough finished tied for the top spot. I guess the Sugar Bears' Reign of Terror isn't quite over just yet. Good news for Campbell though, he will still be able to brag and keep his Mirror League banner flying high over the Toilet Bowl. Finishing in third are the Arkansas Falcons - a team with a great history in the DMBL that has been sidetracked lately. Could a return to the playoffs be in the cards for the Falcons? In #4, the Vancouver Iron Fist. Clearly they will have their hands full defending their own division, let alone the DMBL title. 5th is Las Vegas, who looked like they tossed their entire future for a run at the title this year. Maybe the Rats fortunes aren't spent just yet... The 6th playoff team, according the Mirror League would be the Sardine City Straphangers. The Sardines flirted with contention in 2008, so it should be no surprise that they appear poised at a real playoff chance in 2009. With a very young roster, the Straphangers look ready to finally make a run for it.

At the bottom of the heap, things don't appear to be much better for the Buddahs, who moved from Jersey to Stamford, but also from #14 all the way up to...well...#13. Finishing at the bottom are the Hoboken Cutters.

The Mirror League projected well in 2008, but don't take this as Gospel. Projections were way off for the 2007 season where 4 of the top 6 finishers didn't even make the playoffs.