Buzzer Beater: A New Title Favorite [UFA Week 8 2026]

Recapping Minnesota’s historic win

June 15, 2026 by Alex Rubin in Rankings, Recap

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A New Title Favorite

With a box score about as even as a regulation length game can get, the Minnesota Wind Chill and Oakland Spiders played one of the best matches of the season. Despite coming in as the underdog, Minnesota pulled off the road win and put the league on notice that they are not waiting until the playoffs to show up fully formed.

The Wind Chill effectively used their timeouts to sub on their offensive personnel and score breaks with a first quarter buzzer beater and late in the third quarter – a score which gave Minnesota the advantage for good. Though the entire offensive unit was operating at a high level all game, Will Brandt and his four-assist, four-goal evening stood out in particular as a dynamic offensive force.

Entering the game, it appeared like Oakland was the favorite. Despite star players Kyle Lew, Anton Orme, and Dan Ritthaler all unavailable for the game, Oakland has won several high profile cross-divisional matches in recent seasons. The Spiders beat the New York Empire in their season opener last year, and already won both games they played against the San Diego Growlers. Meanwhile, until this weekend, Minnesota had not won any of their games on the road against West Division opponents. In recent seasons, Colorado crushed the Wind Chill 25-15 in 2023 and Salt Lake took them down 22-18 in 2025.

Considering the history, this win was historic and should serve as a big confidence builder for the Wind Chill as they enter a tougher part of their season. While Central Division teams have not proved too large a challenge so far, Minnesota still has games against Salt Lake and Boston left on their schedule. Both are at home, and Minnesota should be considered the favorite in both games.

These high level games are very important for Minnesota since they have such a commanding lead in the division (the same could be said for Oakland as well). With what looks like a clear path to Championship Weekend, Minnesota should relish the challenge of getting to see other top teams around the league and ramp up their play towards a championship level earlier in the season.

Over the last few years, Minnesota has played well in the regular season before leveling up in the playoffs. Already able to knock off the top team in our power rankings, the Wind Chill appear to be nearing their peak sooner and will face the challenge of maintaining that peak throughout the rest of the season. It is a different challenge than they’ve faced before, but if they can do it, the Wind Chill need to be considered title favorites.

News and Notes

• The Boston Glory dialed in their huck game, hitting 88% of their deep looks in a 17-15 revenge win in overtime over the New York Empire. Tobe Decraene led the game with six assists despite missing deep targets Orion Cable and Jeff Babbitt, neither of whom were active for this game. Boston closed the game on a 6-2 run, including breaks on the first two points of overtime and a buzzer beater grab by Cam Levine at the end of regulation.
• Boston also beat the DC Breeze the following night. Behind an absurd 5A/7G, 798 total yard performance from Decraene, the Glory prevailed 27-18.
• Alec Wilson Holliday scored 11 goals as the Atlanta Hustle crushed the Houston Havoc 29-14. Lukas McClamrock’s five assists from the D-line kept putting Atlanta on the scoresheet.
• After crushing the Oregon Steel 25-18 on Friday night, the Salt Lake Shred were upset on Saturday. The Seattle Cascades pulled off the 20-19 upset to bring themselves above Salt Lake in the West Division standings.
• The Toronto Rush blitzed the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds, jumping out to a 9-1 first quarter advantage. The Rush tripled their opponent, winning 33-11.
• Earning their first win of the season, the Philadelphia Phoenix edged out the Montreal Royal 22-21. Max Tran was the star of the show, totaling 596 yards with five goals and two assists in his season debut and first career game full time on the O-line.
• The San Diego Growlers came back from a four goal deficit to get past the Colorado Apex 22-21. Max Gibson’s 3A/3G/4B game led the way for San Diego as they try to keep pace in the South Division playoff race.
• The Carolina Flyers did not allow a single break as they toppled Houston 32-11. Matt Tucker led the game in both goals (five) and blocks (four).
• With a well-rounded team effort, Minnesota crushed the Vegas Bighorns 34-11 in the second game of their back-to-back weekend. Minnesota had three separate stints in this game in which they scored at least five goals in a row.
• Putting themselves in playoff position for now, the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds upset the Chicago Union 22-18. Will Hoffenkamp’s 5A/2G/2B night on 59/60 throwing solidified the Thunderbirds offense enough to weather a solid defensive effort from the Union. Reid Duncan tallied seven goals while leading the game in points played.
• In another one-goal game reminiscent of their last matchup, the Madison Radicals took down the Indianapolis AlleyCats 18-17. Gabe Vordick (5A) and Max Sample (5G) led the Radicals’ offense.

UFA Power Rankings

• Well, I was wrong to have Oakland jump over Minnesota last week. The Wind Chill reclaim the top spot in the power rankings following their Bay Area win.
• Following recent results, Salt Lake drops out of the Top 10 and below Seattle
• The games between them have all been close, and the top four teams in the South Division are all bunched between the sixth and ninth sports.