Welcome back to a breezy autumn day as we watch the Canadian Premier League season wind its way towards the finals!

The games of the week

For a change, we didn't have a midweek game, and we didn't have a Friday game either.

Saturday saw Cavalry and Forge play in Alberta while Pacific and Vancouver played in BC. As fate would have it, both games ended as 1-1 draws.

For Pacific, tying their regional rivals and getting a point is a pretty decent achievement, giving them a bit of morale and a bit of wind back in the sails. Nash and his boys certainly hoped for three points here to try to get to third, but that was not to be.

For Forge, it was a draw away in Calgary that felt like a loss. Keeping pace with Cavalry as the window of opportunity closed wasn't what they had in mind, but they remain four points back.

Sunday was a more dramatic affair as Halifax hosted Inter Toronto and got a decisive 4-1 win, with the usual suspects of Johnston, Callegari, and Bahamboula all scoring. Supra's visit to Ontario was no less dramatic as they defeated Atlético Ottawa 2-0 to earn a much-needed three points.

The standings and the prospects

Pacific (8th - 11 points)

It's official: Pacific is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Now, the team is playing to salvage some morale and hopefully end the season with another win on the scoresheet. They will play Toronto away on Sunday.

Inter Toronto (7th - 23 points)

With no points gained, the gap to reach Vancouver, and thus the playoffs, has widened to eight points with seven games to get them in. They have a chance to make that statement directly on Wednesday when they play VFC and can capitalise on any successes Sunday against Pacific.

Supra Du Quebec (6th - 25 points)

A sturdy win gave a jump in the points. Six points to reach Vancouver and contest the playoffs. The chance to make half of those comes Friday with an away game against Cavalry.

Halifax Wanderers (5th - 26 points)

Halifax showed they cannot be counted out yet. They are hosting Ottawa Saturday.

Vancouver FC (4th - 31 points)

A lot could have happened if VFC had won this week, but they have two chances to do it: Wednesday at home against Toronto and then Sunday at home against Forge. Dare to dream?

Atletico Ottawa (3rd - 34 points)

There's little hope of making it to second, so the focus is on fending off Vancouver. They will have to do so Saturday in Halifax.

Forge (2nd - 46 points)

The clock is ticking for Forge’s Shield chances. Vancouver used to be free points. Is that still the case?

Forge is mathematically clinched for the playoffs!

Cavalry (1st - 50 points)

Cavs just need to not drop points, and their next outing is a home game against Supra, who will not make that too easy.

Cavalry is mathematically clinched for the playoffs!

Remember, the season has 28 regular-season games for each team. Toronto has seven to go; everyone else has six or fewer.