No big surprises emerged from the Western Conference's first-round playoff action, with the top four seeds advancing to the semifinals.
That sets up a Saturday-Sunday schedule featuring the top-seeded Kyoto Hannaryz vs. No. 4 Shiga Lakestars and No. 2 and reigning champion Ryukyu Golden Kings against the third-seeded Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix.
What was surprising, though, was the seventh-seeded Oita HeatDevils' Game 1 win over the Golden Kings last Saturday in Okinawa City. The poised hosts then took care of business in Game 2 to force the Game 3 10-minute tiebreaker and end Oita's season.