Game Preview - @ Chisago Lakes Friday 7/13 7:30pm

The St. Croix River Bandits are making their closest league away appearance this year in Chisago. St. Croix has won 4 of their last 5 games and hope that their win streak can stay alive at division leader Chisago's stomping grounds. The Bandits play 9 games in the next 15 days, as do the Bulldogs. The River Bandits are in third place in the Eastern Minny Central Division, trailing Pine City by 1.0 game and Chisago by 4.5. The Bandits only have 5 league games remaining this season and Chisago have 8 remaining, and will get a win from the Isle Outlaws forfeit, all but mathematically eliminates the Bandits from finishing in first. The Bandits would have to win each game and the Bulldogs would have to lose 7 games, which does not seem likely.

The Bandits do have a shot (although a tough assignment) to catch the Pine City Pirates for 2nd place in the division. Pine City has 7 games remaining (2 automatic wins vs. Isle) and they hold the tie breaker against the Bandits for their regular season sweep against St. Croix. The Bandits have to win 3 more games than Pine City to pull it off. Despite starting the season 2-12, the Bandits have had a strong 2nd half going 7-3 in their last 10 games. With twelve games left on the schedule the Bandits are shooting for finishing the season at .500 which means they would have to go 9-3 for the rest of the season. It will be difficult but definetely something to shoot for.