The ECL25 Spring Core Division regular season has wrapped, and what a ride it’s been. With 49 teams fighting for just 32 playoff spots, only the most consistent, balanced, and resilient squads made it through. This article breaks down the top-performing teams, highlights standout players, and provides a preview of the playoff matchups. Whether you're a competitor or a fan, here's everything you need to know about one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
Group Breakdown: Who Stood Out and Why
Group 1 :
Dynamo HC (47 pts): A model of consistency. With 91 goals scored and just 39 conceded, they bring balance and stability to the ice. Their power play efficiency sits at a healthy 28.13%, and their penalty kill is rock solid at 86.49%.
VBO Stars (44 pts): Efficient and steady, they’ve allowed only 52 goals. While their power play leaves room for improvement (16.28%), they play with discipline and keep penalty minutes low.
Viitapohja Vikings (43 pts): Dangerous offensively (83 GF) and nearly impenetrable on the penalty kill (96.3%). Their main concern lies in defensive consistency.
HC Lisko (40 pts): A balanced contender with strong faceoff skills (54.71%) and defensive structure.
NAM3LESS (32 pts): This team thrives on toughness. Their 499 hits lead the group. Scoring remains a challenge, but their defense and penalty kill (92.86%) give them a shot in low-scoring games.
Beer Bears (26 pts), BACKCHECK BOYS (25 pts), TeNo (24 pts): Also qualified for playoffs, though with more inconsistencies. TeNo's power play is dangerous, but they concede far too many goals. BACKCHECK BOYS and Beer Bears need tighter defense.
Group 2 :
ARMEIJAN KURI (61 pts): A physically dominant team (665 hits) with a formidable goal differential (101 GF, 52 GA). Their 96.55% penalty kill rate makes them incredibly hard to beat.
Nordic Nosebleed (57 pts): Lethal on the power play (34.55%) and aggressive in the offensive zone with 97 goals.
Fallen Rangers (50 pts): The league's most explosive offense with 125 goals. Their challenge? Shoring up a defense that gave up 82.
CapeTown Kings (37 pts), Bare Knuckles Hockey (35 pts), Auramo Hockey Club (34 pts), HC KOROBKA (33 pts), MIESKISSAT (33 pts): These teams round out the top 8 and secured playoff berths. Auramo and CapeTown offer balanced play. HC KOROBKA and Bare Knuckles bring physicality but must tighten defensively. MIESKISSAT combines strong scoring with faceoff dominance.
Group 3 :
Harhapassi: Strong defensively (57 GA) with a gritty style (441 hits). Their low faceoff win rate (46.46%) might hurt in close games.
SKYFALL: Arguably the most dangerous team with the puck. They boast the best power play (35.14%) and penalty kill (92.31%) in the division.
Prowlers: Their mix of solid defense, above-average faceoff wins, and physicality (389 hits) makes them well-rounded contenders.
KELAGOLDCARD HC, Surte Sisu HC, Taifun Veterans, Wildcats esport I, Zamboni Zorros: All playoff-bound. KELAGOLDCARD is high scoring but defensively unstable. Surte and Taifun bring offensive threats. Wildcats struggle with control but stay aggressive. Zamboni Zorros sneak in with great faceoffs but need more scoring.
Group 4 :
HC Purijat (62 pts): The standard for defensive excellence. Allowing just 36 goals all season, they combine efficiency with a physical edge.
Conexion (62 pts): Equal in points to Purijat, Conexion plays a disciplined, position-focused game. Their power play at 27.66% is a big factor in close games.
Sopranos (47 pts): Built on elite defense and heavy physical play (523 hits). Their penalty kill (94.87%) gives them an edge in grind-it-out matchups.
HC Vilttimiehet (44 pts), Koppibuutti (44 pts), Nordic Knights (38 pts), Pulp Odyssey (35 pts), Siniviiva Snipers (33 pts): These teams complete the top 8 and earn playoff spots. Vilttimiehet play tight defensively, while Koppibuutti brings the league’s most physical play. Pulp Odyssey shines in faceoffs; Siniviiva Snipers combine effort with scoring grit.
Top Individual Performers
Scoring Machines:
@Sebko99 (Fallen Rangers): Dominant with 43 goals and 81 points. His ability to score under pressure (7 PPGs, 6 GWGs) sets him apart.
@Timo Silakka (Harhapassi): 40 goals with a staggering 44.9% shooting accuracy. Rare efficiency.
@nuariatte (HC Purijat): 42 goals, including 13 game-winners. He knows when to show up.
Elite Playmakers:
@Gadzovec (Taifun Veterans) Leads the league with 44 assists and and incredible vision on the ice.
@JaakkoJoonas (HC Purijat): 37 assists with just one goal—a true pass-first player.
Two-Way Forces:
@Tuhoaja542 & @Bjorssi (xDallee_6) (HC Purijat): Matching +59 ratings show their importance at both ends of the rink.
@hefezuk85 (ARMEIJAN KURI): A reliable two-way presence with 27 goals, 35 assists, and a +32 rating.
Defensive Wall Builders:
@JakkeDangles & @DobboJ90 (Conexion): +42 each. Defensive pillars that rarely take penalties.
@Zamiboii (Zambouni_ )(HC Lisko): Another high + rating (+31) with low PIMs—an efficient shutdown D-man.
Goaltending Aces:
@Japemode (HC Purijat): A 1.41 GAA and 21 wins in 22 games is pure dominance.
@Joe NHL (Gremlingswe) (Conexion): 8 shutouts and 1.58 GAA make him the goalie to watch.
@Jiihooo86 (HC Vilttimiehet): Solid numbers across the board (SV% 84.15 2.17 GAA, 15W, 4 SO).
@Mrantonn (Prowlers): A steady force with 87.64% SV% GAA: 2.25, proving he can handle playoff pressure.
Playoff Matchups & Predictions
This year’s playoff bracket is stacked from top to bottom. Here’s a full look at the 16 opening-round matchups, along with predictions based on team stats, form, and key player impact.
Seed 1 vs Seed 8:
HC Purijat vs TeNo: Purijat comes in with elite defense and depth scoring. TeNo’s high-pace offense might steal a game, but their leaky defense (94 GA) is a big liability. Expect Purijat to dominate puck control and capitalize on special teams. Prediction: 4–1 Purijat
ARMEIJAN KURI vs Zamboni Zorros: Zorros will struggle to match KURI’s physicality and penalty kill. KURI’s structure is built for playoff grind, and their 665 hits say it all. Prediction: 4–1 ARMEIJAN KURI
Harhapassi vs Siniviiva Snipers: Harhapassi brings heavy defense and discipline, while Siniviiva lacks in goal support. If Harhapassi avoids penalties, they should cruise. Prediction: 4–1 Harhapassi
Dynamo HC vs MIESKISSAT: Dynamo scores over 4.5 per game and defends tight. MIESKISSAT will need heroics in goal to compete. Prediction: 4–0 Dynamo
Seed 2 vs Seed 7:
Conexion vs BACKCHECK BOYS: Conexion’s possession and structure give them a big edge. BACKCHECK has some bite but lacks defensive discipline. Prediction: 4–1 Conexion
SKYFALL vs HC KOROBKA: SKYFALL’s explosive attack and elite special teams should expose KOROBKA’s defensive gaps. Prediction: 4–2 SKYFALL
Nordic Nosebleed vs Wildcats esport I: Nosebleed’s power play will be a key difference. Wildcats are physical, but outgunned. Prediction: 4–2 Nosebleed
VBO Stars vs Pulp Odyssey: VBO’s consistency gives them the edge, but Pulp’s faceoff win rate might create some close games. Prediction: 4–1 VBO
Seed 3 vs Seed 6:
Viitapohja Vikings vs Beer Bears: Vikings have an incredible PK (96%) and better balance. Beer Bears concede too many goals. Prediction: 4–2 Vikings
Fallen Rangers vs Auramo HC: Rangers’ top line is dangerous. Auramo plays disciplined, but can't match the firepower. Prediction: 4–1 Rangers
Sopranos vs Nordic Knights: A clash of styles—Sopranos’ elite PK vs Nordic’s faceoff control. Should go the distance. Prediction: 4–3 Sopranos
Prowlers vs Taifun Veterans: High offense vs high control. Taifun scores more, but their 59% PK is a problem. Prediction: 4–3 Prowlers
Seed 4 vs Seed 5:
HC Lisko vs Bare Knuckles Hockey: Lisko controls the puck better and has tighter defense. Bare Knuckles will need to stay out of the box. Prediction: 4–2 Lisko
HC Vilttimiehet vs NAM3LESS: NAM3LESS is physical but Vilttimiehet’s structured play and PK should hold. Prediction: 4–3 Vilttimiehet
KELAGOLDCARD HC vs Surte Sisu HC: Surte has better faceoff numbers and slightly better defense. Could go either way. Prediction: 4–3 Surte
CapeTown Kings vs Koppibuutti: Two tight defensive teams, but Koppibuutti hits harder and scores more consistently. Prediction: 4–2 Koppibuutti
Final Thoughts
From elite scorers to lockdown goaltenders, and from physical grinders to surgical power plays, this season delivered excellence. Now the playoffs are here—and every round promises drama. The top seeds are confident, but mid-tier teams like the Prowlers, Sopranos, and Surte Sisu HC could shake things up. Buckle up for a thrilling finish—the battle for the Core crown is on.