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NHLGamers, The past year has brought a multitude of organizations into the NHL esports scene out of which a vast majority are Swedish traditional hockey clubs which is a joy to see. The latest addition to this group of clubs is going to be Sodertalje SK, who will be competing as SSK Esports in NHLGamer organized tournaments and have in fact pushed into the quarterfinals of the SCL already, where the team will be facing the very strong Vaxjo Lakers HC in a series that will be starting tonight and is broadcasted at www.twitch.tv/nhlgamer. "Now is the time to act on this and we've been impressed with the quick growth of esports in general. Basically every SHL club is represented in esports and we wanted to jump on that train in also establishing a HockeyAllsvenskan presence in esports. We welcome our esports team with open arms and will be doing everything we can to back them in their efforts going forward. It's especially heartwarming to be represented by true supporters of SSK on the virtual ice." - Club director Robert Andersson The roster of SSK Esports consist of several experienced Swedish players with some Norwegian spice in the form of Henning @el_tacobag Drange. The captain trio of David @HambergD Hamberg, Philip @Strumpan87 Ström and Asko @minokin Grön have all played through their own paths and ended up crossing paths in the former Syndicate, who they now have turned into SSK Esports with a few interesting acquisitions, mainly their Norwegian addition and Tobias @svetidaje Karlsson to help out on defense. We had a few words with captain @HambergD ahead of tonight's games against Vaxjo: You've been doing well so far into the SCL and are now heading into a massive challenge facing Vaxjo, what's your gameplan going into this series? - We've been trying to stick to our guns as much as possible and in general it's been working well for us. In order to fight our way tot he semi's we'll keep doing just the same - trusting that we truly can challenge even the best teams and offer a good fight in all three zones of the ice. Vaxjo is a tremendously skilled team that you have to make it hard for to enter your zone. They're at their best when setting up around the net so we'll really have to give our all in every situation in order to top that. Take us through your roster a bit, what are some of your strengths? - I believe we're quite the pain to play against as our system is built on puck cycling offense with lots of movement up front. Our defenders also play a big role in creating offense. We know that we can trust our defense since on top of our two regulars, we've got former defensemen up front who definitely know how to handle themselves without the puck on their stick. If you were to pick out one team that you definitely want to beat, who would that be? - If I were to mention one, I'd say Company of Geeks. We managed to keep a high level throughout that series and were glad to be able to take home that victory. When looking ahead, I'd say Vesa Pompa HC has to be the team everyone wants to beat. They've got the ability to do such unexpected things on the ice and possess all the skill in the world. We felt that we challenged them well in the group stage, so we're definitely eager for a rematch if the opportunity should present itself. Sodertalje SK Sodertalje SK, also known as SSK hails from the east coast of Sweden as Södertälje is located just south of the nations capital Stockholm. The club currently competes at the second highest tier of Swedish hockey - HockeyAllsvenskan and is among the older clubs in the country, as SSK was founded in 1902 and started their hockey operations in 1925. Follow SSK Esports on social media here: Twitch Twitter The team also has an open Discord-server for fans, please request an invite from a team member if you wish to join.

NHLGamers, Welcome to the quarterfinals of the SCL playoffs, where the top 8 teams of Sweden will go to battle for the championship. The first playoff round was one of few surprises, but we saw some lower seeds push through despite some doubt of that happening as HV71 overcame 5th seed Djurgarden and SSK Esports managed to upset 6th seed Company of Geeks. We've got some interesting matchups to offer up in the quarters and will be broadcasting some action whenever possible. Stay tuned for more information about that! Here are your quarterfinal matchups: (1) Vesa Pompa HC vs HV71 eSHL (12) TOP SCORER (playoffs) Casper @ICappeI Lundgren (13+12=25) vs Tobias @Tkautto98 Kautto (9+4=13) GOALTENDER (playoffs) Edvin @Thunborg5 Thunborg (73.33 SV%, 1.6 GAA, 1 SO) vs Isak @IsakTuvesson Tuvesson (82.93 SV%, 2 GAA, 0 SO) The reigning SCL champions Vesa Pompa HC have put together a quite exciting and talented squad for their title defense season. Superstar goalie @ICappeI as a leading scorer - you bet! The scoring goalie is backed by arguably the best player in the world Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha and the usual Vesa Pompa suspects, it's a tough team to beat for sure. If anyone's going to prove an upset though, who better to do so than HV71 eSHL, who now have racked up a ton of experience around their captain Daniel @Demski13 Gadd. I'm doubting Vesa Pompa are yet to meet their match in this series and should make rather quick work of HV71, unless the Jonkoping-based club can shut down the offense of the defending champs. (2) Vaxjo Lakers HC vs SSK Esports (11) TOP SCORER (playoffs) Anton @antoniomannen004 Svensander (9+10=19) vs Philip @Drunkendefender Ström (4+10=14) GOALTENDER (playoffs) Filip @Fcoy_faze Azri (86.96 SV%, 0.75 GAA, 1 SO) vs Mikael @Tauri Tauriainen (69.57 SV%, 1.4 GAA, 1 SO) Vaxjo managed to get out of the first round in rather easy fashion against Rogle BK, who didn't manage to match the speed of VLH, whereas SSK caused the first real upset of the season when overwhelming 6th seed Company of Geeks 4-1 in the series. The depth of Vaxjos roster is second to none as the team could almost put up two competitive lines and stand up to SSK in this series, but we're expecting them to settle with for the players already proven in the first round. Wingers Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen and Anton @antoniomannen004 Svensander possess all the skill in the world and will make the lives of SSK defenders tough throughout this series. (3) Northern Ascendancy vs Sjukstugan (8) TOP SCORER (playoffs) Erik @Eki Tammenpää (17+14=31) vs Joonas @Patzlaf Paatiala (6+8=14) GOALTENDER (playoffs) Jonas @poliskontroll Lindström (76.92 SV%, 0.75 GAA, 2 SO) vs Patric @Thunstrom89 Thunström (73.24 SV%, 2.71 GAA, 1 SO) It was an absolute landslide in the first round when Northern Ascendancy walked over HockeyProfessorn HC, going 39-3 in aggregate score over the four games played. The experienced lineup surely is gelling well and is expected to make a cup run this season, but the team is still to be tested by a tough opponent. With Sjukstugan, we see a team that has tons of potential and has put together all the right pieces for success, but haven't quite clicked yet. All-time players such as Reto @Haldeem Haldemann, Björn @Bjono Nordetun and Joonas @Patzlaf Paatiala look good on any roster, but will need to find chemistry in order to overcome their biggest challenge of the tourney yet. (4) Farjestad BK vs Leksands IF (7) TOP SCORER (playoffs) Andreas @affelj96 Ljungberg (10+6=16) vs Johan @Isindar Jonsson (4+6=10) GOALTENDER (playoffs) Johan @Rundqviiist Rundqvist (81.08 SV%, 1.4 GAA, 2 SO) vs Kimmo @DUNZA Sunnari (60.61 SV%, 2.6 GAA, 0 SO) This is going to be an exciting clash of two very different styles of play. We know that FBK likes to utilize their quick feet on the wings but also have two defenders in Harri @Totalii Joona and Robin @Rubituss Söderqvist who aren't afraid to join the rush themselves if need be. Leksands is known for running a tight ship defensively and showed just that throughout the groupstage and even into the playoffs. The team isn't afraid to trust the process and give up possession if that means they can look for openings to strike back on counters. The battle of the goalies is also interesting, as Johan @Rundqviiist Rundqvist and Kimmo @DUNZA Sunnari actually shared responsibility for Leksands in eSHL, but are now at opposite ends of the ice, may the best man win! Tune in for the playoffs tonight! The quarterfinals start tonight as we'll see SSK Esports take on Vaxjo Lakers HC in a broadcast commentated by Adam @esdor Ericson and Johan @Zalaz Nilsson, starting at 21:20 CEST on twitch.tv/NHLGamer. Who are your picks to advance? Let us know in the comments section below!

NHLGamers, Some upsets and some less surprising results came through from the first round of games in the FCL 6v6 playoffs. It's always great to see underdogs push through and prove these small predictions wrong like we did on a couple of occasions in the first round. We'll be trying to cover as much of the action as possible at the NHLGamer Twitch channel, but if it's not broadcasted by us, make sure to follow the teams on social media for all the relevant information. Here are the matchups for the second round of action in the FCL 6v6 playoffs: (1) HAVU Gaming vs SJ Gaming (30) HAVU played their first games of the tourney in the first playoff round against Cheers Hockey, an opponent who arguably should be - and was a piece of cake for the reigning champions. It is only suitable that the opposition gets considerably tougher in the second round, as HAVU will be facing SJ Gaming, who underperformed somewhat in the groupstage, resulting in a low seed into the playoffs. The black and red proved their capability by reversing an impossible looking 2-0 situation against YMCA in the first round. As usual, HAVU relies on their extremely solid unit in order to suffocate SJ, whereas SJ will need to improve in just about every area of the game if they want to steal games against the champs. (2) FILADELPHIA vs Frosty Kiekko-Vantaa (25) We're in for a similar situation as HAVU-SJ in this series. FILADEPLHIA is the well-oiled machine we're used to seeing and made easy work of their opponents in the groupstage, but saw trouble in the horizon against Gotham Knights in the first round, when the bats were only a ping of the post away from upsetting the orange powerhouse. In their first round matchup, Frosty squared off in a Mestis rivalry against SAWO Esports, against whom they proved somewhat of an upset as they took off with a hot start and just never let up, going 3-1 to win the series. (4) hREDS vs CRY IS FREE (21) As mentioned already in the first round write-up, hREDS is one of those teams who can match anyone when it comes to competing solely on skill and talent, but their play as a unit isn't bad either. Power scoring duo Perttu @Beniittto Kemppainen and Joakim @Joukki Nyholm was a dominant force in the first round, but secondary scoring should be no problem with the depth hREDS has in their roster. Once again, I'll have to predict a tough series for CRY IS FREE, who easily overcome Exerceo in the first round, proving their hunger and capability to compete at a high level. (5) JYP Jyvaskyla vs Blackdawgs (19) JYP is one of those teams that no one really wants to go up against at this stage of the tournament and that is simply due to their overpowering style of play. The red hurricane has the ability to suffocate their opposition with immense pressure and will utilize given opportunities effectively. Blackdawgs are in for a wild ride unless they find a way to use their own strengths well or neutralizing the pressure of JYP. (6) GHETTO FIREBIRDS vs SOPPAJENGI (18) GHETTO FIREBIRDS have really came into their own during the past year, proving all doubters and haters wrong and they seem to be continuing their good run of form in the FCL. By beating first round opponent Sulkavan Sudet with a sweep, the team has a running start to the playoffs with more to come. In this tourney, the FIREBIRDS have also managed to win in overtime, which is a good sign for them. FCL sensation SOPPAJENGI hasn't had as glorious of a run this year around, but are still going strong and expectedly so. Their roster overflows of skill and I'm only expecting their game to improve moving forward. (7) KOVA Esports vs Nordic Stars (16) This series will most likely prove to be a tough battle that might very well extend beyond the first three games. KOVA won their group, but struggled in the first round against Kouvola Screaming Eagles, mostly controlling flow of play but not being able to convert as effectively as hoped for. Nordic stars on the other hand made quick work out of Pata Hellalla, getting big efforts from their whole squad and a solid backstopping input from their goaltender. (9) Tunnel Vision vs Black Horse (13) With the first round in the rearview, both of these teams advance with 3-1 records out of very similar series. Tunnel Vision played some tight games agains Hundred Acre Wood whereas Black Horse went into three consecutive one goal games against Children of Ice. Both of these teams possess tremendous skill and are very even in that department, so most likely it will come down to composure and staying out of the box, combined with converting effectively. A full five games shouldn't surprise. (10) GENESIS vs Kaupallinen Yhteistyo (11) These guys eagerly started off early already last night, with the series now at a 1-1 tie after two tight games, trading blows evenly as is expected in this series. These two are about as evenly matched as can be at this point of the playoffs and it'll be an exciting series to follow for sure. NHLGamer will be broadcasting the conclusion of the series tonight starting at 20:00 CEST and you won't want to miss this clash. Tune in for the playoffs tonight! We'll be broadcasting some exciting 2nd round games tonight at prime viewing time! In the booth, you'll find Arttu @OLVARI Hämäläinen and Julius Sorjonen, we'll be starting at 19:45 CEST on twitch.tv/NHLGamer.