The playoffs are here (well, mostly), and that means there are fans left without their favorite teams to cheer on.

Fear not. You want play off action, you get playoff action. Welcome to the state by state guide to the playoffs.

* Alabama

Sorry, buy you are a little too late on this one. The Huntsville Havoc lost their playoff series 3 games to two.

* Alaska

The Alaska Aces are 2-0 against the Grizzlies in the ECHL.

Two of the three Alaska NAHL were eliminated, but the Fairbanks Ice Dogs won theirs series 3-0, with 16 goals for, and 4 against.

* Arizona

Nothing going in Arizona, with the two Central Hockey League teams failing to make the playoffs, the Coyotes nowhere near a slot, and the folding of the Phoenix Raodrunners of the ECHL. Phoenix was the only team in the Western Conference of the ECHL not to make the playoffs.

* Arkansas

Nope. Nothing doing.

* California

Ah, California, rich with playoff hockey. Beyond the Ducks and Sharks, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a game, unless you are in Fresno. But if you happen to be in Bakersfield, Stockton, or Ontario (the one next to Los Angeles, not the one in Canada), then you are in luck. Hurry though, because much like a Sopranos marathon, they are knocking each other off quickly.

* Colorado

Sure, the Avalanche stunk. But why mourn the end of a terrible season when one of the most exciting hockey teams around resides less then 45 miles from Denver? Look north to Windsor (outside of Ft. Collins, home of the New Belgium Brewery (totally wind powered)) to the Colorado Eagles, who have shattered the CHL sellout record, have won the championship twice since their inception in 2003. This year, the All Star Game was held in Windsor, with the CHL taking on the Eagles. The Eagles won 8-4. What else needs to be said. They swept their first round, and are about to start their second round. Get your tickets now.

* Connecticut

Come on, you have the Wolfpack. You always have the Wolfpack. Hartford takes on Worcester.

* Delaware

Nope. Go next door. Any next door.

* District of Columbia

Do you need anything other than the Capitals? See the Virginias for some help, but you should feel lucky to have what you have.

* Florida

How lucky are you, Florida? You may have lost the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers to the great stats monster in the sky, but you still have the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. Get yourself to the city of Estero if you can get past their name.

* Georgia

Thrashers: done. Columbus Cottonmouths: lost in first round. Augusta Lynx: Folded mid-season. Gwinnett Gladiators: STILL IN IT TO WIN IT!!! Get your ECHL action at one of the nicest minor league arenas out there.

* Hawaii

Sorry. No.

* Idaho

Former ECHL Kelly Cup champs, the Idaho Steelheads are in the middle of the first round.

* Illinois

Oh, the possibilities in Illinois. First, of course, are the Chicago Blackhawks. Then you have the AHL Rockford Icehogs and the Peoria Rivermen. And… that does it. The other teams in Illinois missed out on the playoffs. Sorry.

* Indiana

Two chances for glory in Indiana. The Indiana Ice of the USHL are in their first round, while the Fort Wayne Komets came away with the best record in the IHL. Both teams have to be experienced live. Well worth the drive.

* Iowa

Even though the Chops didn’t qualify, there is still playoff hockey in Iowa. Waterloo and Cedar Rapids are in the first round, and I rarely bet against the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. USHL in Iowa lives on.

* Kansas

Believe it or not, the Topeka Roadrunners are still alive.

* Kentucky

Nothing doing.

* Louisiana

Where were you a week ago? The Mudbugs got shutout of the first round in the CHL.

* Maine

The Portland Pirates start their first round shortly. That is all.

* Maryland

Is there hockey in Maryland? Pro hockey?

* Massachusetts

Bruins. Oh, you want more? How about the AHL Worcester Sharks? OK, then.

* Michigan

Three out of four Michigan teams of the IHL made the playoffs (Kalamazoo, Port Huron, and Muskegon), as well as the Grand Rapids Griffins( AHL) and the USA National Team Development Program team (NAHL). A few OHL teams made the playoffs, but they are done.

And Pinball Pete’s skates in their final tonight. East Lansing Suburban Ice. Be there.

* Minnesota

You would think, eh?

* Mississippi

The Mississippi River Kings go to the semifinals against the Colorado Eagles. Yeah, good luck with that.

* Missouri

You have the Blues. You should feel lucky.

* Montana

Nope.

* Nebraska

The Lincoln Stars are still in the hunt. Go for the most intimidating opening ceremony ever.

* Nevada

Las Vegas Wranglers. Crazy promos, arenas in casinos, what more do you need? If you need more, it’s right on the strip.

* New Hampshire

The Monarchs did not make it, so NH is done.

* New Jersey

Devils, and after that, you have the Devils (of Trenton). New Jersey has a new state motto. “Devils.”

* New Mexico

No one qualified. And the state will be lucky to have the Scorpions next season.

* New York

Aside from the Rangers, only the Elmira Jackals made the playoffs. With the large number of teams in the state of New York, that is a little pathetic.

* North Carolina

The hottest team in the NHL is also playing alongside the Fayetteville FireAntz of the SPHL, who are in the finals.

Update: I left out the Charlotte Checkers, who are still in the first round of the ECHL playoffs. Sorry about that. (thanks to Possum for the reminder)

* North Dakota

The Bismark Bobcats are still in it, NAHL action, and the Fargo Force are still playing the first round of the USHL. Wood chippers are not allowed in the arena.

* Ohio

If the Blue Jackets making it for the first time aren’t enough for you (or even if it is), the Cincinnati Cyclones (a Jerseys and Hockey Love favorite) are in the playoffs, coming off last year’s championship win. And the Mahoning Valley Phantoms won their first round of NAHL playoff action and move on.

* Oklahoma

The OKC Blazers were eliminated, and the Tulsa Oilers never made the playoffs. That is all for OK.

* Oregon

The Portland Winterhawks never had a shot.

* Pennsylvania

A wealth of playoff hockey, no matter where you are in the state. Aside from both NHL teams, you have the WB/S Penguins, the Philadelphia Phantoms, and the Hershey Bears of the AHL. If only the Johnstown Chiefs had made it. Sigh.

* Rhode Island

The Providence Bruins are gearing up for the first round. Get the to the Dunkin Donuts Center.

* South Carolina

The South Carolina Stingrays want you to think hockey when you travel to their state.

* South Dakota

The Sioux Falls Stampede push in the first round of the USHL playoffs.

* Tennessee

Sure, the Predators tanked in the last few games. But the Knoxville Ice Bears are fighting for their cup in the SPHL finals. If you think the Preds need your money, you can imagine what the Ice Bears need. Get thee to the rink.

* Texas

Stars? Who are they? You can forget about the Stars when you have the Texas Brahmas taking on the Odessa Jackalopes in the CHL semifinals. Plus, the Houston Aeros of the AHL start their series soon.

* Utah

The Utah Grizzlies are fighting for their lives in the ECHL.

* Vermont

Nope.

* Virginia

There are the Washington Capitals, but you knew that.

* Washington

The Spokane Chiefs, last season’s Memorial Cup winner, is the only team in Washington with a hope in the WHL.

* West Virginia

The Wheeling Nailers are still playing. ECHL action next to the river.

* Wisconsin

The Milwaukee Admirals are about to start. Go see the worst jersey in the AHL.

* Wyoming

Please. No.

That takes care of that. I’m sure I missed some stuff, and this will change almost as soon as I post it, but there you go. Plenty of playoff action, and teams that will appreciate your dollars and attendance far more than an NHL team.

If I missed anything significant, please let me know in the comments.

HOCKEY!!!

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