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NHLGamers, We’re closing in on the eSHL season and are about one month away from puckdrop and with that the time has come to announce yet another participating team. Linköping HC hails from the south of Sweden and has signed the very prestigious roster of FILADELPHIA. The team is regarded mostly as a Finnish group but their roster actually holds two Swedes as Joel @jtorro1233 Tourunen and the newest acquisition Casper @ICappeI Lundgren are sporting their colors. This acquisition raises the stakes significantly and is a great boost to the competitiveness of the entire league, as the former FILADELPHIA dominated the game in several ways during NHL 19 and has continued staying at the top in NHL 20 despite not quite reaching similar levels of success. Their star studded offense certainly needs no introductions with multi-champion Erik @Eki Tammenpää flanking the right side, “Mr. Selke” Joonas @Juunas Paatiala centering and the prodigal son turned seasoned and decorated veteran Paul @PleeMaker Arontie on the left. This trio will look to continue wreaking havoc now in the fresh colors of Linköping HC. "This acquisition shows that we mean business when entering the esports scene. We truly want our team to compete at the top level and show up when the brightest trophies are being dealt. There's no doubt that Casper together with his team will represent the LHC lion with pride and lead the way for our entry into esports", says Michael Sturehed, marketing manager at Linköping Hockey Club. Linköping Hockey Club roster: GOALTENDER #72 Casper @ICappeI Lundgren 🇸🇪 DEFENSEMEN #27 Aleksi @loimmu Loimuvirta 🇫🇮 #40 Joel @jtorro1233 Tourunen 🇸🇪 #88 Joonas @SUPERVIRTA Virta 🇫🇮 FORWARDS #25 Erik @Eki Tammenpää 🇫🇮 #44 Paul @PleeMaker Arontie 🇫🇮 #86 Joonas @Juunas Paatiala 🇫🇮 The newest face in the team is also a very experienced player and is one of the most highly regarded Swedish talents playing the game currently. Goaltender Cappe joined the team on September 17th and has been as solid as ever in his new jersey since the transfer. Cappe was also one of the main facilitators in signing with Linköping, so we caught up with him for a chat about the situation: What was it about Linköping that enticed you the most? Ever since our first contact, Linköping impressed us with their attitude towards esports and their ambitions with this project. They sold the idea that this project will be a big part of the club and the LHC family going forward. We're also very honored to be representing a club with a great history of developing talented players and outstanding individuals. Despite you and Torro representing the club, FILADELPHIA is generelly regarded as a Finnish team. Were you set on participating in eSHL right froom the get go? Most definitely. As soon as information about the eSHL reached us, we made a decision to reach out to some teams and enquire about their interests. Sweden isn't that heavily represented at the top of the European standings, so we felt that we are in a great spot going into the negotiations. In my opinion it's interesting to see teams like for example Luleå, with varying nationalities competing at the top. You recently assumed the role as the number one goalkeeper of FILADELPHIA after a long watch under the duo @sibeelius & @FinKonna. How has playing for you new team felt and was the transfer something that was planned long ahead? The transfer discussions happened rather quickly after our run in IS Cup 4. Sibe and Konna surely left me some big boots to fill, but I feel we've been doing great and the boys are making it comfortable to play behind them. Since day one, I've felt very welcome and a part of the team. It's not hard to feel right at home with a captain like @Juunas, what a great guy he is! The new league must be something of a dream come true for a Swedish competitive player. How does it feel to be one of the very best domestic talents in the league and what kind of goals have you set personally for the upcoming season? It's something we've been dreaming about for sure. Personally, I'm going to do everything in my power to win every game I play. I've got a winning mentality and losing is the absolute worst thing I know. As a team we're incredibly hyped about eSHL and will obviously be looking to put a trophy on the shelf at the end of the season. Currently the team stands second in the regular season of ECL 9 Elite and will be playing their last two games tonight against Luleå Hockey. Linköping has a chance to overtake their sweet rival HAVU Gaming for a number one seed going into the playoffs whereas Luleå is looking to secure a favorable matchup for their first round opponent. At the time of posting this article, you can head over to twitch.tv/I_Eki_I or twitch.tv/luleahockeyto watch the game.

NHLGamers, The ongoing season of our ECL Pro Division has progressed to somewhere around its midway point and with that it is appropriate to look back on what has happened so far. As far as I'm concerned there has been some tight games, some not so tight but all of the action has definitely been up to standards and tremendously enjoyable for a spectator. Rakish has been one very positive team to me that I've taken a liking to. Despite not performing too well and struggling to find consistent winning, they have recently managed to win the likes of Växjö Lakers, which is showing better waters ahead for that group. Group 1 1. Vesa Pompa HC 2. Children of Ice 3. Virtual Horizons eSports In group 1, Children of Ice and Vesa Pompa HC are at the top and it seems like it's going to be between the two of those to compete for the first position in the final standings. Vesa Pompa have some impressive performances as of late in the rearview mirror, a hard-fought IS Cup playoff series against the Elite table topping FILADELPHIA to mention one and that surely shows that they are one of the stronger teams in this division. The middle of the pack in this group is extremely tight and there's really no telling at this point which teams will be securing the last playoff spots. This upcoming week will be important for all teams. One of the most important games of this group is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10th as the top two in Children of Ice and Vesa Pompa HC will battle it out in a so called eight point matchup. Apart from the group title, there's a psychological edge at stake here, since it is almost inevitable that these teams will meet again down the line. Another very important bout in this group is the one between Horror Hockey and Shooting Stars, since both teams are currently below the playoff line but look to better their standing by acquiring some wins in this tight matchup. Group 2 1. Delusion 2. Reality Check HC 3. Kaupallinen Yhteistyo Group 2 is showing some more separation mostly due to the fact that Delusion a bit less surprisingly is wading through the pack with a clean record and the rest of the teams seem to have split points quite a lot. Rakish is probably the biggest upset in this group as they have a rather accomplished roster but have struggled mightily for the opening half of the season. Sandstorm, who fought well in IS Cup haven't found their stride yet in ECL and as a result are struggling to secure a spot in the playoffs. Växjö were expected to do a bit better, but will definitely be going to the playoffs if they keep up their current level of play. Kaupallinen Yhteistyo will be clashing with Växjö for a tough matchup preliminarily scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday. Sandstorm and Cowabunga Hockey will also be facing in an important matchup which determines an advantage near the playoff line. In this group, we will also be looking forward to the meeting between top two teams Delusion and Reality Check HC, Delusion will be going into that battle as a heavy favorite and Reality Check is looking to spoil the party. When taking a look at the point totals, it's clearly visible that Delusion has been the highest scoring team by a wide margin. Their dynamic duo @Joukki and @Beniittto reigns supreme with both of them being almost 20 points ahead of Reality Check duo @jorma2001 and @Pursuitti who are in... well... pursuit. It'll quite clearly be a battle within Delusion of who will be the top scorer this season. That'll be it for my short and sweet insight into what's been going on in our Pro division this season. The playoffs are right around the corner and we are as excited as ever to see who prevails when the big games start. Who would you guys pick out as a dark horse in the playoff race?