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NHLGamers, We've come as far as to having only four teams left to compete for the championship title in our ECL 9 Pro division. The Pro championship is not just a title to hold, but it also signifies punching your ticket of participation in the ECL Elite division for the leagues next iteration. All of these semifinalists have earned an opportunity to play for a promotion in one way or another, now all that remains is determining the marching order. Here are the matchups for the Semifinals of the ECL 9 Pro Playoffs: (1) Delusion vs GHETTO FIREBIRDS (4) TOP SCORER (PLAYOFFS) @Beniittto - 8GP, 10+8=18 vs @Valluxet - 11GP, 15+18=33 GOALTENDING (PLAYOFFS) @uhNikke - 8GP, 8W, 89.23SV%, 0,88GAA, 3SO vs @Jeresti - 11GP, 8W, 84.8SV%, 1,73GAA, 1SO In this semifinal matchup we are seeing the clash of two very different types of teams. We all know the caliber of players that Delusions lineup holds - just imagine that all three of their forwards slot within the top 20 scorers at NHLGamer, of ALL TIME. Centerman @Beniittto even holds the top position on that list. Granted, these guys put up somewhere in the ballpark of 100 points plus each this season which might have inflated the statistics a bit, but it is a powerful statement regardless. GHETTO FIREBIRDS will have their work cut out for them as this is a challenge they are not used to facing. Don't get me wrong - the FIREBIRDS are a solid team that is built on a strong foundation with outstanding chemistry acquired over an extended period of time, but I think it's safe to say that this is going to be the biggest challenge of their careers yet. Bottom line: The ball here is with Delusion. They should be able to run over GHETTO with their offensive prowess alone. GHETTO will need to bring their very best in this challenge of a lifetime. (2) Vesa Pompa HC vs Gotham Knights (3) TOP SCORER (PLAYOFFS @Nampa77 - 9GP, 9+11=20 vs @Jimisebastian - 10GP, 11+5=16 GOALTENDING (PLAYOFFS) @Thunborg5 - 5GP, 4W, 82.61SV%, 1,6GAA, 0SO vs @PeeloJombb - 10GP, 8W, 90.51SV%, 1,3GAA, 4SO In advance, this should be the tighter semifinal matchup. Vesa Pompa HC is a tremendously strong team when they are in their zone, but with the eSHL going on and the fact that these guys are playing with a totally different roster on a nightly basis - that might throw things off. The eSHL started on January 13th and since then, we've seen some troubles in the horizon for Vesa Pompa. They played a difficult six game series in the quarterfinals against Reality Check but found a way to advance and will now be in for a challenge, when facing Gotham Knights, who are eager to get back to the highest tier of competition after spending their second consecutive season in Pro now. Statistically, both of these teams look very similar with the only major difference being Vesa Pompas scoring ability which is a category they have an advantage in. Over the course of the season, both teams have dropped points in matchups where they should have been favourites in advance, it shouldn't be too bold of a statement that the more consistent team will win this series. Bottom line: This should be en exciting and very even series, an eventual game 7 would not be a surprise. Where/when to watch? The series between Delusion and GHETTO FIREBIRDS will be starting today at 20:00 CET. The first three games will be played tonight and the series will continue on wednesday at 20:00 CET, follow the games at www.twitch.tv/sakkem95. Vesa Pompa and Gotham haven't scheduled their games yet, but according to latest comments, the series will start on Wednesday. As always, have fun and play hard! Who do you think will win?

NHLGamers, Editors note: First and foremost, apologies for getting this preview out late - we hope that if will still be of use and will shed some light into the GCL for gamers who might not follow that league so closely. - @jahajaha93 This season we would like to present you a preview of the 5th edition of the German speaking league on NHLGamer - the GCL. We are pleased to welcome a total of 26 teams which is a new record! A bunch of new teams come with the promise of new, exciting rivalries and hopefully a lot of new talents that will make an impact in the scene. As there were a lot of teams signing up for the GCL, the German league administration and community decided to run a two division system with promotions and relegations. Here is how the divisions framework in the GCL will operate: Division 1 12 teams 1.-8. will make playoffs 9.-12 will participate in a playout series (9 vs 12, 10 vs 11). Losers move on to face each other. The team who loses both matchups in the playout series will face instant relegation, the eventual 11th place team will be facing the 2nd ranked team (final loser) from Division 2. All series will be played in a best-of-7 manner. Division 2 14 teams 1.-6 qualify instantly for the quarterfinals 7.-10. will play a play-in series (7 vs 10, 8 vs 9). The champion gains direct promotion, the 2nd place team will face the 11th place team from Division 1 in a relegation battle. All series will be played in a best-of-7 manner. Furthermore we have a small preview for the season: Division 1 Brayce Phantoms The Brayce Phantoms are the non plus ultra in the German NHL community. After their title hattrick in GCL 2, 3 and 4, the former Deadlies will for sure be listed among the favourites for the upcoming GCL 5. The roster of the Phantoms hasn't changed that much over the last few years. Goalie @Darcam, defender @xXPsykoSkillsXx and forward @ProfaneKiss are relatively new to the only German speaking ECL Elite team. Captain @Mannheimer1938 and @gzell60 alongside goalie @RPH_31 are a stable and creative defense. @Timasy, @PlaymakerSJ and @Rayman are always dangerous in the offensive zone. @Janne Hietala is an additional goalie listed as a license player for GCL 5. The Phantoms are very effective on their scoring chances and are nearly impossible to get out of their comfort zone. All players possess a huge amount of potential. The Phantoms are the German flagship on the European ice. As the ECL 7 Pro champion they advanced to Elite, where they qualified instantly for the playoffs. After a strong first season at the highest tier of competition, ECL 9 wasn't as successful and the team is in await of a relegation faceoff opponent from the Pro division. Whoever wants to be the new GCL champion will have to stop the Phantoms first, it'll remain for us to see whether any challengers will rise to the occasion. Prediction: Top 3 ZSC Lions eSports The Swiss flagship ZSC Lions, former The Black Jacks, are a well known team inside the German speaking community. They also have a strong history in the GCL, with at least a 4th place finish in each of the last few seasons. The team built around captain @Original-SnuS has a very good depth on every position. @burban26 has showed some promise once being named the starting goalie, but @afc_Tschitsch also got back in the net after playing the last seasons on the wing. @Freeman7187 is a lethal scoring winger and at the center position, captain @Original-SnuS is responsible for the creativity and the pace of their game. Defensively @Bille1990, @Cami_7, @Tron1x90 and @Haldeem are very creative and hard to beat. The Lions are playing a very enjoyable style of hockey but often run the risk of complicating things too much on the ice. In ECL 7, the Lions won the Lite division and got promoted to Pro. The first season of Pro competition resulted in a regular season finish outside the playoffs, but In their second campaign in ECL 9, a playoff spot was reality although a quick out agains Vesa Pompa HC followed. Since late October, the Lions are now the official eSports team of ZSC Zürich. Prediction: Top 3 DEG eSports Düsseldorfer EG founded the first ever DEL eSports team quite a while back already. Captain @Seibertus94 created a very powerful team, but after some changes at the beginning, the team keep finding ways to improve. A great addition to an already strong playerbase was acquiring @Luckyboy01.04.19 back from the team Greed. @Seibertus94, @Daniel huggler and @DangerBrooklyn are very hard to predict in the offensive zone. Mostly they are looking for a straight way to make the zone entry with slapshots out of the defensive zone or a little bit of good old dump and chase hockey. Deflections and rebounds will be used quickly and consistently to score. @GERxVillain, @evz1984 and @Bounty_Hunter220 build up a pretty solid defense. DEG have also found their rhythm in the ECL lately. While they failed to qualify for the playoffs in ECL 8, they were able to get there in ECL 9 Lite but didn't stand a chance in the first round against Sulkavan Sudet, who are currently in the semifinals. Prediction: Rank 6-10 EBR eSports Official Another eSports team was the newcomer last season. The Polar bears instantly showed that they can and will compete, as they didn't get stopped until the first round of the playoffs of GCL 4 by the eventual champion BRAYCE Phantoms. The team has a decent depth and was able to make some clever additions. @Gregson91 is a veteran, but also the other new players all make sense and were nicely brought into the group during the latest ECL season. @thesaw83 as a goalie and allrounder @Nicklas5555 were the latest additions. The well trained starting lineup of defensemen @kiwison and @Laurentius together with the forwards @Keuschemisch, @Gregson91 & @Toews19 will probably bear a bulk of the workload during the season. The players know each other pretty well and can be very effective in their style of play. In ECL 9 Lite they qualified for the playoffs with 11 wins out of 18 games. Eventually they were eliminated as they lost in 5 games against Breakers of the Bone, however all of their playoff bouts were very tight despite a short series. Prediction: Rank 3-6 Werewolves HC The Werewolves had a pretty good season in GCL 4 and will be a team to keep an eye on in GCL 5 as well. The Roster of the Werewolves is pretty even on every position. The guys who left the team were replaced very well. Furthermore the team around captain @ali-kn consists of a very capable group of guys all around, the defenders @Boernsoen and @Toneee9 together with forwards @Daniel Thenextone, captain @ali-kn & @Waldinho_95 are expected to play alot despite having some great potential on the bench too. Werewolves HC made playoffs in ECL 9 Lite, but were swept in the second round by Sulkavan Sudet. Prediction: Rank 3-6 Niederrhein Canucks The Canucks are a tough squad which has qualified for the playoffs in every one of the last GCL seasons. This could happen again in the GCL 5, after the Lite division was a little bit too much for them this year. The core of the Canucks has stayed together for an extended period of time, which gives them an advantage in the sense of being very familiar with each other. The veterans of @daen, @Panga1987, @Pathen-21--, @Kagevic92 and @Francoconte welcomed some new players to their squad for the new GCL season. @Flo_goes_grazy, @KG12PK88 and @xDurchf4ll_-- together with brother duo @Born_to_kill2015 and @Red09Dragon08 were those additions. In the offensive zone the Canucks are very creative but sometimes not that effective. The defense has to be very stable and the goalie needs to make some highlight saves if the team wants to be successful this season. They are always a surprise, but you never know if it'll turn out positive or negative - something of a wildcard if you will. Prediction: Rank 6-10 Shooting Stars The Shooting stars were formed out of the EV Füssen team from GCL 4. The ECL 9 Pro participant already has a trophy in their cabinet as they won an unofficial league called the DACH league. The team around goalie @Joshua Plattner has a strong core of good players. The veterans @Charly, @Litzi and @x Holtbeast keep doors shut in their own end, while forwards @Stefan_397, @Fire_019, @Pattila_74 and @Spezi look to put up goals in the other end of the ice. The stable defense backs up the powerful offense to be on the winning side of many games. They missed the playoffs in ECL 9 Pro by one point but put forth a respectable effort as a proud representative of the German community. Prediction: Rank 3-6 Augsburg Panther The Augsburger Panther are a newly founded team. Don't let this fact trick you into thinking you can take your foot off the gas pedal when you play against them, though. Many teams in the ECL Neo division and in the DACH league suffered losses to them already. The roster around @Marc_-_Joongee, @usairways48, @Flo_Lomp, @Bennku & @nico-bay got some welcomed improvements as they were able to sign two creative and lethal forwards in @Da1m0n and @Krinke. They also improved their back end with goale @wobfighter and the defender @LeMalkin71 and @André WerSonst87. Prediction: Rank 6-10 EV Duisburg Duisburg are old veterans and have an experienced squad which played pretty well in the GCL. After their captain left to sign with the Phantoms they had to perform a little bit of a shakeup but the core remained the same. Well known players like @FoxGoalie , @GreatOne139 , @klinki_hh , @ShawnMcNeil and @Adrian still lace up their skates for the team. @HerzogMagnus also found his way back into the familiar locker room. @NoelsieW, @Fireblade and @CCBow-501 finalize the roster of the foxes. The last iterations of the ECL didn't go as planned for Duisburg as they were relegated from Pro to Lite in ECL 8, after which they didn't have much to celebrate for in terms of victories in ECL 9 either. Time for redemption! Prediction: Rank 8-12 Bahamas Mamas The team around captain @Xx_anddrej_xX are not unfamiliar in the ECL and GCL, as they participated under this name and the well known Trinidad Tobago. They are a colorful mixed squad of Germans, Swiss' and 3 three Finns, which have to find a way to play together in the first place. Their start was pretty bad against the favourites out of Zürich, but hopefully this will give Bahamas Mamas motivation to play better in the rest of the season. They still have pretty tough season in front of them despite the fact that they have a lot of ECL games under their belt. Prediction: Rank 9-12 Dawgz Long-time community member @Timo Kiesi has put together a colourful mix for his new project. He also signed the maximum of three foreign players and well-known guys out of the DACH-community. The potential is definitely there but this new project is there to be proven. The roster is intentionally small in order for the team to build up some chemistry. The first games against the Werewolves didn't go as planned but they will improve as the season moves along for sure. Prediction: Rank 6-10 HC Keta Lustik The cryptical name of this team around @LosTypos might lead to the fact that the fun itself is the main reason to play for this team. Might be misleading as they didn't sign up to get beat up as they will play their games seriously and will try to hurt the big guns. Many veterans of the german EASHL community signed for Keta Lustik who with that surely know how the game has to be played. The team has bet on foreign support in @Freakmund and @vokial2 between the pipes, which is expected to be one of the stronger sides of the team. Prediction: Rank 8-12 Division 2 Bauer Rangers GmbH The Bauer Rangers GmbH were founded in NHL 20. In the DACH League they played their first competitive games and with that had a decent regular season with a few upset wins. They participated in ECL Neo and qualified for the playoffs. Their roster is a bit small, therefore captain @SirScheissa1ot and @NWA_SkillS have to play a lot of games without a heavy rotation. Will this hurt this new team or make them better? Prediction: Rank 8-10 Beastie Boys The team of captain @slyda and @Swiss Moger consists of nearly the same roster as the former Puck Panthers. @Gladdi90 is still in net as he has made a name for himself with good performances as of late. @willywonkaaa will bring the needed experience in the defensive core and will try to help them to fight for a top 5 rank in division 2. @sten_88 also has also some games under his belt. @Deathstrokeris is another addition while they bring a well trained forward rotation of 4 forwards onto the ice. Prediction: Rank 1-3 BurritoBrothers They are a newly founded team. All players except @oPHOENIXo87 didn't play a single competitive game yet. It will be interesting to see if he can give the needed concentration and patience to their game. We can't really judge their strength yet. Prediction: Rank 10-14 Fearless Knights The team of @Zimowski95, @CzE Toni and @SwissGoon has a stacked roster who knows are familiar with each other since quite some time and will have the goal of entering the playoffs on the highest rank possible. They have a lot of games played in their careers so we expect them to have a chance for a good season. Prediction: Rank 4-6 Golden Warriors HC With the signing of @Escmoskitos89 they have a little bit of experience in the newly founded and unexperienced team. The Golden Warriors will play their first competitive games during this GCL 5 season. Prediction: Rank 10-14 HC Berlin Eagles Another new team where mainly forward @stewizzla91 brings some well needed experience to the table. He has experience from the Pro division and has to be the quarterback and leader of the team if the Eagles want to aim for a spot in the playoffs. Prediction: Rank 6-10 Thunder United @Jokerlaura is the captain of this team which is expected to be a joker in their dvision. They can build up some confidence over some wins during the season or might get blown up by devastating losses. They aren't too experienced competitively so it's a tough judgement. Prediction: Rank 8-12 Wolfsrudel HC The Wolfpack will try to gain some points to have the playoffs in sight. Their debut season in competitive hockey will show their potential and if they can stack up against tougher competition. Prediction: Rank 10-14 EIS Force Hockey EIS Force had a pretty good run in the ECL Neo division. Unfortunately they experienced a number of changes during the season in their roster so the routine got lost and as a result they weren't able to fight through the playoffs. The captains @Baby Thornton, @SaucenTeufel and @Nicoli2311 are looking to their goaltender duo @Nilli87 and @Korell91 for a strong performance this season. Can they make the playoffs? Prediction: Rank 7-10 UKnighted HC @Nr-0847, @Asche and @Toews-- build up a team which has to be listed in the playoff picture and top 5 spot for sure. They want to be hard to play against with their stable defensive core as seen in the DACH league. The team they had a pretty bad season in ECL 9 Lite. The disappointment there led to changes between the pipes: @wobfighter signes for Augsburg and took defender @LeMalkin71 with him. One of their topscorers @satcha_lopez also left the club. As a result of these departures, they signed the Pro veteran @devilfish333, who was in the net for UKnighted in ECL 1 as well. Prediction : Rank 1-5 Unknown Ice Breakers The guys around captain @Capitano_82, @vielzubekifft and @xHannoi98 only have two listed defenders for GCL 5 whigh begs the question if that tiny defense can hold up for the duration of the whole season? They do have three netminders and six forwards in their roster so maybe some guys will take the challenge of a different position during the season. Prediction: Rank 6-10 Redlight Jokers (by @LosTypos) The Redlight Jokers are another new team but don't let that fool you. The core of their players have been playing for the former Ice Aliens eSports. They did have some roster changes for sure and it will be interesting to see if they made the right cut. @KennY040889 is a decent guy on his goalie position while they had a pretty impressive signing of veteran @Christoph Kugler. @Ghostpaddy, @CuteTerminator7 and returnee @Hockeyboy1985 build up the defensive core out of which the latest is a new signing who excels in the defensive zone and limits offensive rushes. They restricted their forward lineup to four players in order to build up some chemistry. Captain @Re1merShow17, @Bugflosse_DeluxX22, @Leder87 and @Steve are responsible for getting pucks inside the net. Prediction: Rank 8-12 Ice Chicks The Ice Chicks led by captain @Doncastro1 are also a new founded team who are looking to try themselves in their first GCL season. You might have heard some of those player names inside the German community for sure but most players on the roster are newcomers. The build up of the roster is quite interesting: They have 4 goalies, 2 defenders and 4 forwards. Is this huge goalie rotation the key to success or will one or two goalies look to take the field in attempts of backing up their defense? They lost against Wolfsrudel in their opening night but this will wake up their hunger for points for sure. Prediction: Rank 10-14 Clowns On Ice Yes, they still are alive, the patriarchal Clowns. As legends of the german 6vs6 community they surprised the community by signing up for the second division of the GCL. A lot of voices were heard regarding if there is a scandal, distortion of competition of some sorts, but it seems like the confidence of the legendary German team is at an all time low after a period with fewer successful campaigns. Referring to the roster a lot of well known veterans lace up their skates and clown noses for the club. They competed in the Lite with nearly the same roster and finished their season as the "best of the rest" with rank 8 and with that missed the playoffs. 13 out of 14 players had some games while @MADtorben_X was the go-to-guy. They had a big turnaround before NHL 20 but will have to be named as a favourite for the promotion. Prediction: Rank 1-3 We wish all players and teams good luck, have some fun and do that hockey!