The Idaho Steelheads clinched the ECHL's National Conference title tonight, and a first-round playoff bye, with a 7-5 victory over visiting Utah that also kept the Alaska Aces in a fifth-place tie in the eight-team conference.

So, just six points separate second place from eighth place, and just five points separate third place from eighth place. Um, not to put too fine a point on it with three weeks left in the regular season BUT EVERY POINT IS LIFE OR DEATH!!!

OK, that's a stretch, but, with the Aces set to open a three-game series at fourth-place Las Vegas on Thursday, here's how the standings look, with teams, points and, in parentheses, games remaining:

1) Idaho, 91 points (11)
2) Bakersfield, 69 points (10)
3) Victoria, 68 points (9)
4) Las Vegas, 67 points (9)
5) tie, Stockton, 65 points (11)
Aces, 65 points (10)
7) Utah, 64 points (10)
8) Ontario, 63 points (10)