Hello Northern Brackets Players and Fans.
 
This is the place for all the Northern Bracket fun. Schedule your games and matchups here. Study the previews and make your own picks. Good luck ladies and gentlemen.
 
Northern Bracket Preview.
 

#1 Hielco (current #1 ranking, 1952 W- 472 L - 76 D classic record, 10922 Krach)   vs #16 Leon13 (122 krach) or ghostdog (196 krach). Hielco holds a 6 - 0 combined heads up record against Leon and ghostdog.
 
This is a game that will have a lot riding on it before it ever gets started. Playing in the the play in game usually means a fairly quick exit for both players involved. In this case, Leon's and Ghost's krach added together (318) hardly compares to the mountain they face if they assume the #16 seed in the North. It is almost a given that their best excitement will come in the play in game. Hielco's only real concern is the curse of the overall #1. Day in and day out he is almost unstoppable. What's more impressive than his krach rating of 10922, is his high opponents krach rating of 2521. He's used to all the tricks that all of us use. Lady luck can always make an appearance, but in this game I'm afraid it might take the tooth fairy, Santa, and a night full of star wishing during the Persid Meteor shower to make this Cinderella wish come true. Look for Hielco to make a deep, deep run in this tournament. TNRockyraccoon's Pick: Hielco <250 moves.
 
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#8 Devilsmacker (Current #53 with a Krach of 1196) vs #9 XtraStar (#57 current ranking with an 1133 Krach) XtraStar leads the heads up series at 23 -19-1.
 
The 8 - 9 matchup is always a tough match between similar strength opponents. This one is no different. Devilsmacker and  Xtrastar are almost equal in rankings and personal matchup records, making this one of the toughest games to call. The real catalyst to remember in this matchup is "The Devil is Dangerous". What kind of game and player will show up in Devils' corner? An aggressive raid type offense that could kill Star or cripple himself? XtraStar is a very patient and calculating player and if he has a good defensive plan and can force this game to go over 450 moves, he can advance. Both players have strong points, aggression favors Devil, while strategy leans towards Star. Very tough game to pick as both could turn heads in the second round. TNRockyraccoon's Pick: XtraStar  >375 moves.
 
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#5 whistler (Currently ranked #19 with a krach rating of 2632) vs #12 Street_Sweeper. (Current #80 with a 755 Krach) There is no head to head result between them.
 
This game could see one of the first upsets of March Madness. Whistler is currently sporting a 3 game losing streak, and will obviously be looking to rebound. Sweeper plays a strong game and could ride the upset train if she can obtain an early lead without giving up too much information. This may be a tough task though, as whistler is very accustomed to big games against strong opponents. True he's on a bit of a losing streak, but two of those games came at the hands of tecato.....the other was to RattyMatty. This streak is predated with a win against NE-Pats. Overall, if whistler plays his game.....Street will have her hands full for sure. TNRockyraccon's Pick: whistler < 350 moves.
 
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#4 Flyers7 ( Currently #17 with a Krach of 2656) vs #13 Iceman3 ( Current #82 with a krach of 737) Flyers7 won their only headups match a week or so back in just over 100 moves.
 
This game is one of the more cut and dry matches in this region. Flyers' is a veteran tournament player and he sports a fairly well rounded game. One of his strengths is his ability to exchange high pieces for information, and play from behind to win the game. This style can put him at a huge disadvantage if Iceman can parlay any early gains with late game memory and piece swapping. Flyers did have a long time away from Meta, but has been back long enough to knock off any loose rust. Look for Flyers in the Sweet 16. TNRockyraccoon's Pick: Flyers 7 <500 moves.
 
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#6 Xerxes (Currently ranked #28  with a krach of 1925 ) vs. #11 ConKord (Currently ranked # 69 with a krach of 928) Xerxes holds a 10 -3 heads up advantage against ConKord, but Concord has won 3 of the last 5. including a win on Feb 19th.
 
The stats suggest Xerxes will win this game over 75% of the time. However, Xerxes is also coming back after a long layoff and that could favor ConKord who is very active in the gameroom. Xerxes hods a 7 - 7 record since renentering the rankings. ConKord holds the short term edge and could very well be our first #11 seed to advance into this year's second round. I'm expecting a slow, thought out game with a good amount of posturing early. The first player to lose a power piece will have a hard time recovering. TNRockyraccon's Pick: ConKord >450 moves.
 
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#3 TheTerminator (Currently ranked #10 with a krach of 3620) vs #14 Oopsy Whoopsy (Currently ranked #99 with a krach of 534) There is no heads up results between these two combatants.  
 
Termi has a long history here at the big ball in March, having made some very deep runs in the field of 64. This is Oopsy's first dance at March Madness and the bright lights may be a little too much to overcome. This should be a quick and easy warmup game for Termi's run into the second round. But an easy advance is not a given. Oopsy's going to have to play conservative and keep his power hidden as long as possible to have any chance of advancing, because Termi can win this match quickly with any early intelligence. TNRockyraccoon's Pick: TheTerminator <250 moves.
 
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#7 Frantic (Currently ranked #31 with a krach of 1868 ) vs. #10 McLovin (Currently ranked #68 with a krach of 933) There is no heads up result between these two players.
 
I'm expecting this to be one of the better first round battles. Both players have good early aggression games, but both also do a good job in piece secrecy. So we could be setup to see a slug fest. Both players also play a whole lot of games and are no strangers to playing the higher ranked players. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one pans out. I'm going out on a limb with my prediction because I think it's darn near too close to call. TNRockyraccoon's Pick: McLovin >400 moves.
 
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#2 tecato (Currently ranked #8 with a krach of 4053 ) vs #15 RattyMatty (Currently ranked #101 with a krach level of 506 ) There is no heads up record between these players. Tecato is on a 7 game winning streak against other opponents.
 
This game is one of my most confident picks of the first round. Tecato is a veteran of the March Madness having had some very good results in the past including a 3rd place finish in his 2010 final four appearance. Tecato should make short work of RattyMatty, in preparing for another run to the sweet 16 and possibly further. Matty needs to strike hard early and keep the pressure on. TNRockyraccoon's Pick: tecato <300.  

Quote from Devilsmacker on Feb 25^th, 2012, 8:55pm:

 
So eloquently put.
 
I like your enthusiasm and desire to promote your sponsors. Good luck.

hi Iceman3,  
 
I can play anytime for the most part during the day on the weekend.  I can also play thursday night after work 5pm (eastern time).  Let me know so we can post the time here.
 
Flyers

XtraStar...valiant game my friend.  You would have whooped me had I been sober.  But the bourbon was too much to overcome for you.
 
Now...I see here that Hielco is my most likely next opponent.  When he is done take the poop out of his drawers, let him know that the Devil awaits.

ds are you arguing with yourself on the forum? an i thought i had issues!!!!

whistler sweeps Street in 245 moves.  Congrats, whistler!  

Tecato pulls off the biggest upset in March Madness history and defeats RattyMatty by flag capture in 1016. Sigh. GG bud

I'm in eastern standard time btw

OK - so - I am new to this - I guess I have to arrange for a game between me and leon.
So - Leon - how about tonight around 11:00pm eastern time.
If that is no good how about Monday between 10pm and 11pm eastern time
 
else suggest some other times

my tourney opp is leon - he desires to forfeit - what do i do