The SPRING 2003 playoffs will culminate the most competitive regular season in Hockey Long Island history. All divisions saw hotly contested races for playoff seeds and spots right down to the final weekend of the season. Such close races bode for a compelling postseason. Below we provide a preview for the C League. This preview is only intended for discussion fodder and entertainment value. Good luck to all in their ‘Run to the Long Island Cup’.

The D1 playoff bracket resembles a reunion of champions. Each playoff team has at least one league title on its playoff resume. The bracket does not lack for playoff experience or crunch time performers. Chairing this year's champions meeting is the first place BULLDOGS. The Bulldogs, with a surprise regular season title, enter the playoffs as the defending D1 Spring champ. They are not a pretty squad but no team has as much grittiness and spunk as the 'Dogs. The big difference this season has been their ability to pot the biscuit - not that they need all that much offense given their playoff proven netminder. Securing the second bye is the championship rich SABRES. The Sabres are the Canadiens of HLI. Seemingly, they win every season. Even when they have a middling regular season they somehow find the will and way to raise the Cup. This year should prove no different as their championship roster is in tact. Lurking, and full of fresh championship confidence, is the young and speedy LI-STARS. The Stars have the most potent offense which they spread across multiple lines. Their offense attack can be relentless. They have learned to play tough in crunchtime and are no longer easily rattled. They are, however, prone to lapses and can be scored upon. The BUCS bring their tried and true approach to yet another playoff. Their recipe of success is well known but continues to confound. They rely on players executing their roles and are comfortable playing low-scoring tight games. The biggest unknown coming into the playoffs is the RANGERS. The Rangers have all the tools for a successful championship run but have labored through a disapppointing season seemingly still hungover from their Fall championship. Rounding out the draw are the late charging BLADERUNNERS. The Blades are coming into the playoffs on a roll having garnered 7 points in their last four games to just make the playoffs. They play full on for 45 minutes but have problems scoring the puck in the big spot.