WORCESTER, Mass. - With 16 games remaining in the regular season and the Worcester Railers holding the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division, the playoffs have essentially already begun for Worcester. 

Fifth-place Adirondak is nine points behind Worcester in the standings and the teams play nine more times in the regular season. 

"Yeah you know we got 16 games left, we're in the playoffs now," said captain Bobby Butler. "Every game matters, against Adirondak four point game every night, so we gotta come ready to play. It's good to start the playoffs in March, kind of brings me back to college."

"These next 16 games are huge, playoffs have basically started right now," said forward Anthony Repaci. "We're sitting fourth in the division, four teams make the playoffs. We have Adirondak who is right behind us nine more times this year. It's a nine game series. We win this series I think we'll be in good shape."

The Railers play at home Friday and Sunday at the DCU Center.