The 2nd/3rd place game does not need to be played if it meets the ALL the criteria in one of the following two cases listed below. Also, if the 2nd/3rd place game is not played then the loser from the finals game will be 2nd place and the winner from the backdoor bracket will be 3rd place.
Case 1
1 - It is the last game of the tournament for both teams.
2 - Both teams are already guaranteed to advance to the next stage of the Championship Series (or both teams have already been eliminated from advancing).
3 - Neither of the teams wishes to play the game.
If ALL of the above conditions are met, then the game may be left un-played. The final placement of the teams will be determined based on their current standing in the format.
Case 2
1 – It is the last game of the tournament for both teams.
2 – The teams have played twice already in the tournament and one team has a 2-0 record against the other team.
3 – Either one of the teams does not wish to play the game.
If ALL of these conditions are met, then the game may be left un-played. The team with the 2-0 record will be placed above the other team in the final tournament rankings.