Yes, Skates, not much of a surprise that my son's team is in the battle for one of the last playoff spots. Yes, for their sake it would have been nice if every team could have been given the same path to the playoffs (like all of the teams in your kid's Squirt A division), particularly when there were the bye weeks on the calendar to do it. But why wouldn't more hockey and an even playing field be a good thing for everyone?
I don't feel the need to make an excuse for my son's team. To date, they've given everyone their money's worth. They are showing a lot of development during the course of the season. And they will get their chance to play all of the playoff contenders during the regular season. Wouldn't have that any other way.