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NHLGamer, The midpoint of the ECL 11 Pro season is right about now and it's a good time to take a closer look at what happened in the first half of the season in both groups. The first half of the season has been very even for both groups with no teams really running away with it yet and everyone still in the mix. There are only a few points difference between the top eight teams in both groups which will definitely add to the excitement as the season progresses even further. Despite it being a close fight for each team, there have still been several squads that have surprised us - some on the good side and some on the worse. GROUP 1 Top performers: Herlev Eagles As the biggest surprises of group 1, the Herlev Eagles have continued their strong run of form that started in the FCL. The team seems to have found their identity nicely and ever since assuming their Danish prefix they have really came into their own. The teams play has seen consistent development and their form curve is on an upwards trajectory. It is to be expected that the team will be seen in the important playoff battles, but the team's playbook might not be thick enough in order to secure any of the brighter trophies this season. Inter Iceland Inter Iceland's strong momentum has carried the team to a good start of the season. The German squad has managed to hang with the big boys of their group for quite some time and could even be on their way towards a #1 seed. Before the start of the season, the team was not expected to be at the top of the group but has surprised positively. It should be noted, however, that the team has encountered a majority of the weaker teams in the group during the early part of the season, but without taking anything away from Inter – the team's going has been very strong and disciplined. The discipline shows that most of the games played by the team have ended with a one-goal difference, but converting those tight battles into victory takes a great amount of skill. Both @Fire_019 and @Stefan_397 have been crucial to guaranteeing Inter Iceland's success during the early part of the season. Tunnel Vision In the early moments of the regular season, Tunnel Vision lost two of key players when talented @Eemil moved to SJ Gaming and goaltender @ITemeI moved on to JYP, both in pursuit of that famed Elite ice time. Although the team experienced player losses, there was also player traffic in the other direction, as the team was joined by a very experienced player, @JanneK. who is a great goalie that has the capability to steal games for his team. Their recent addition of @uhNikke makes them even stronger and solidifies Tunnel Vision as a title candidate. Production is very even across all three forwards and their defensemen are also chipping in, but they will need to ramp up their numbers in that department to be at the absolute top when the bigger games start. Should do better: Vaxjo Lakers The Swedish Vaxjo Lakers have had a very challenging start to the season, but the team is firmly sticking to the lower seeded playoff spots despite having a bit of a tough time. A strong SCL put Vaxjo right up there as one of the strongest Swedish teams in the scene, but their ECL campaign hasn't quite worked out and some of the roster shuffling they did seemed to have impacted the team negatively. They might have dropped games here and there, but at least their powerplay has been as deadly as ever, finishing with a 57,14% efficiency rate. Kiekko-Espoo Esports Kiekko-Espoo Esports made playoffs and even got the chance to qualify for an Elite spot at the end of ECL 10, but this season their usual selves have been nowhere to be found. Having seen minimal player turnover with only @Mikka leaving his winger position open for the at leas on paper equally talented @Borjendahlen the structure and dynamics of the team shouldn't have been thrown off so the question remains - what has happened in the offseason? Going below .500 in the season so far is troubling for a team of their prestige and Kiekko-Espoo needs to find a solution to their problems fast if they wan't to salvage their season. Disappointing start: TIKI TALK Halfway through the regular season, not all teams have kept up pace. TIKI TALK currently holds the tail end of the first group with way less games played than their competition. The team is very legendary in the scene and despite their golden ages being ancient history, TIKI TALK is still used to better than this. For the first time ever, they might be facing relegation to the Lite division. The team has not yet been able to scrape any wins from their matches. They have experienced major roster changes that will certainly affect the team's play, in defense of TIKI. GROUP 2 Top performers: GOONS GOONS cannot really be seen as a great surprise, as they were very active on the transfer market and made some great acquisitions such as former Elite level centerman @xKeskitalo and Black Horse defenseman @Miika. The team also received very strong reinforcements when @kriketski17 joined the playing roster out of the blue. This player move further boosted the team's stock in playoff battles and has spurred them in their push to the top of the table. Djurgarden Hockey Djugarden's high league ranking can be seen as something of a surprise early on especially considering that the team didn't make playoffs last season and have acquired an interesting centerman in @LordStanley46_, who takes the massive leap from Neo to Pro and doing that in a convincing fashion. The defensive extraordinaires have now fallen into a brewing losing streak, dropping three consecutive games which is causing some worry. DIF is among those teams that seems to have found the clue to a deadly powerplay though - scoring at a rate of 43,75%. Should do better: Pata Hellalla In the middle of group two Pata Hellalla has been a bit sidetracked for a very long time and at times the team has been very close to falling down the league level even. However, the team has a very long background in the scene and has gradually improved their game. Recent development has boosted their stock when considering potential playoff teams, and the playoffs is where they should do well with all their experience and the rejuvenated style of play. Enigma Enigma started the regular season as a very heavy favorite to take group two, but success has not been achieved as hoped. As a result, some moves were made and newly acquired center @Ojamoska was allowed to leave. He was replaced by @laitineen64, who started the season with MUKIMIEHET and seemed to better the Enigma squad after a short adjustment period. Last season, the team was already knocking on those Elite gates, so it shouldn't be out of the question to see Enigma improve drastically as the season progresses. Nordic Stars Nordic Stars has been one of those teams who seem to play every night for a very long time. they are also a very familiar sight in the Pro division as they have been in the division for all except one Elite season. The team consistently dominates the regular season but seems to fade away in the playoffs, maybe this time they'll do it the other way around? Their roster surely is as strong as ever and @Vire30 as a centerman is one of the better players in the division which makes you wonder when they'll start clicking and firing on all cylinders. With that we'll be concluding this short snapshot into the ECL Pro season, if your team wasn't mentioned, don't worry - perhaps we'll get to you in the upcoming pieces! Do you agree with the takes above and if not, what do you think should have been discussed? As always, have fun - play hard!

NHLGamers, If you've followed our journey over the past year, you may have noticed big improvements in our visual quality on our broadcasts, news stories and socials during the last 9 months. I've had the pleasure of working with my long time friend, passionate NHL gamer and hockey fan, and incredibly talented designer Chris @RyGuyX9 Ryan on a plethora of different projects, such as the ECL, FCL, SCL and NA Cup. Today I'm very excited to officially announce Chris as the Creative Director for NHLGamer! In his role, Chris will be NHLGamer’s lead visual problem solver. He will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the brand and overall design of NHLGamer offerings. Please join me in welcoming Chris to his role as NHLGamer's Creative Director. Below you'll find some examples of the creative work that Chris has brought us so far. On behalf of NHLGamer, Kenneth Lehtinen Founder

NHLGamers, We would like to remind every team that the transfer window for ECL Pro expires today at 23:59:59 CET. In turn, the ECL Elite transfer window is open until the end of December. Please remember to make sure your trades are in line with the rulebook before making them and check with support if you aren't sure. Remember, only one transfer per player is allowed per season - unless the player has played 0 games (overall, for any team) the entire season, which is covered in rule 14.1. If you're a player still looking for a team or a team still looking to add to your roster, please head to the Free Agents section or the Clubs Looking For Players section on our forum. Please post any last-minute transfers in the comments section below so everyone can enjoy them. Also, be sure to tune in to our ECL Elite action presented by Wilhelm starting 19:45 CET at twitch.tv/NHLGamer!

NHLGamers, Welcome to the first half of the ECL Neo mid-season report. As things begin to heat up in the race for the playoffs, we will take a look at the at the teams leading the race in pursuit of Group glory, the teams chasing those elusive final playoff spots, and the teams at the bottom looking to cause problems. Let's get on with the good stuff: Situations may have changed since the writing of this article - the article was written on 3.12.2020. Group 1 We begin with EV Duisburg and Reign who sit tied with 18 points each at the top of the group. Reign, however, hold two games over their rivals at the top. Reign will have their work cut out as they look to create an assured lead at the top of Group 1, they play their two fixtures in hand this Saturday evening against ambitious Piukat Paikat who sit just below them in third place, albeit with four more fixtures played. Both Reign and Duisburg then have a huge night this Sunday as they hold double headers. Duisburg play Eskilstuna Snake at 20:00 CET, and Reign face Black Wings HC, before the two meet each other in what could be a winner takes all encounter at 21:00 CET. In mid table, Rostedtin Jetit could remain the surprise package of the group. An incredibly tough early schedule has seen them face all the teams above them already, losing just twice. They finish the season with games against teams in the bottom 3 of the group, but fixtures with Black Wings and Northmen before this stretch could see their group topping dreams diminish. Northmen’s debut season in the ECL has been successful so far, with a staggering 72% powerplay success rate being the key to their success, but an opening day OT loss against Black Wings could come back to haunt them. In the race for the final playoff spot, Black Wings sit in 6th place with a comfortable three-point lead over nearest challengers, Alpenforcer. With a game in hand, they will look to extend this lead further. Eskilstuna Snake are the only team outside the playoff spots with a real chance to make up their point deficit, but 4 wins in a row for a team who have only won 2 games all season may be too much to ask. At the bottom, Polish Patriots have lost by 11 goals four times this season and will be hoping that they can recover some pride before the end of the season. Key team stats Most points per game: Reign (1,8) Most goals per game: Piukat Paikat (4.71) Least goals against per game: EV Duisburg (1.5) Best power play: HC Northmen (72.73%) Best penalty kill: Alpenforcer (89.29%) Group 2 It’s tight at the top of group two as 5th Line Heroes, Aladinit, Pinaattikone and Bauer Rangers GmbH battle it out for Group winners. With no team in these four having lost more than two games in regulation, it boils down to a number of big fixtures between the teams in the closing gamedays. Pinaattikone will face all three of their rivals in their final 6 games, meaning they are the only team in the group that control their own destiny: win all 6 in regulation and they will win the group, lose one and it all gets very complicated! In mid table, Mora IK eSport should have done enough to secure their playoff spot considering the struggles of the teams below them. While their tough finishing schedule contains group challengers Bauer and Aladinit, they have a fixture against group whipping boys Valhalla Riddare HC which should give them the 4 points needed to guarantee their progress. Occupying the final playoff spot is HC PyllistyS. They must defeat Redlight Jokers this Sunday to secure their own progress. Redlight, who also control their own fate, must win both games vs PyllistyS in regulation to give themselves hope of progressing before facing fellow playoff hopefuls Iserlohn Roosters and finally, Valhalla Riddare. Pirate Esports must also hope for a Jokers win vs PyllistyS, as they face the challenge of a penultimate game vs 5th Line Jokers before concluding their season against PyllistyS. For Valhalla it has been a debut season to forget. 11 games, 11 losses. Nevertheless, they hold they hold the key to other team’s playoff fates in their hands and will look to throw a spanner in the works before the end. Key team stats Most points per game: 5th Line Heroes (1.75) Most goals per game: 5th Line Heroes (5.08) Least goals against per game: Bauer Rangers GmbH (1.4) Best power play: Aladinit (21.05%) Best penalty kill: 5th Line Heroes (97.44%) Group 3 Group 3 is the most cut and dry group in the division. Electric-paced newcomers Fila De La HC have raced to the top of Group 3 and are yet to lose in regulation. Their final fixtures against fellow challengers Sesku Patversme and the always dangerous Russian Lightning give Fila the chance to win the group outright having never lost a match in 60 minutes. A stat that would mark them out as extremely dangerous opposition for any potential playoff opponents. Sesku Patversme could still upset their party however, a double victory over Fila, combined with wins over third place Sawolanche, and some help from Russian Lightning in their fixtures over Fila gives them a chance of upsetting the odds. In the middle of the pack, NHLgang and Goosebumps look clear favourites for the final playoff positions. UnknownHeroes sit just outside the playoff spots and will look to overhaul NHLgangs points advantage. With this said, their inability to defeat the Gang in the last round of fixtures leaves their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Particularly with NHLgang still to face the 0-10 Galaxy Huskies. At the bottom of the group, Galaxy Huskies prop up the table, but close out the season with fixtures against fellow strugglers OilBarons and Tango Delirium which gives all three teams a chance to avoid last place in the group and the dreaded wooden spoon. Key team stats Most points per game: Fila De La HC (1.86) Most goals per game: Sesku Patversme (6.58) Least goals against per game: Sesku Patversme (1.25) Best power play: Sesku Patversme (26.09%) Best penalty kill: NHLgang (100%) Group 4 At the top of Group 4 Ultimatum are also unbeaten so far this season in regulation, racking up a frightening average of 7.5 goals per game on their journey to the top. Hannover Indians eSports look to be the only team left in the group that can challenge Ultimatum, with the two teams set to meet this Sunday in a top of the table encounter. Packing out the rest of the playoff spots are Million Plus, EHC Basel eSports, SCB eSports. With Fearless Knights holding on to the final play-off spot, their fixture with 7th placed HC Sokol Moscow this Sunday could be a knockout blow for the Moscow side should they fail to take all 4 points on offer against the Knights. Given that they entertain Group leaders Ultimatum and challengers Hannover prior to the season’s conclusion, 4 points is a must for the Men from Moscow. The two Swiss sides Basel and Bern have enjoyed strong debut seasons, and with their Points per game positions will both enjoy pressure free games vs Ultimatum before the close of group play as they seek to send out a playoff warning to potential rivals in the next round. 3rd place Million Plus, with their low points per game average, will also be watching this weekends fixtures with a bit more anxiety as they seek to avoid being pulled into a playoff spot struggle. Legion of Doom, who sit dead last in Group 4, having been crushed 19-1 by Ultimatum in Season 11’s biggest margin of defeat, entertain fellow strugglers Puliveivarit and HC Porokeisarit. These 3 teams may look at these encounters as a way to build a winning mentality in competitive 6’s before their return to ordinary play. Key team stats Most points per game: Ultimatum (1.89) Most goals per game: Ultimatum (7.56) Least goals against per game: Ultimatum (2) Best power play: Ultimatum (48.28%) Best penalty kill: Ultimatum (100%) Group 5 ‘It’s lonely at the top, but the view is nice.’ - Rahinakaukalo. Finnish club Rahinakaukalo have utterly dominated Group 5. 12 played, 12 wins and 15 goals conceded in the process. They have defeated 2nd place Norrland twice this season, and face 3rd place Dead Evil on Sunday. You would be hard pressed to find someone willing to bet against them winning 18 straight, they have been that dominant. Norrland and Dead Evil also look secure in their playoff qualification and it would take a monumental collapse by both teams to see them enter the playoff battle. In 4th place, 3Tuna Le Sport are being led to a fine season by Captain TableHockey, and despite some last-minute roster changes prior to the season puck drop, they have looked convincing. Tough single goal losses to Norrland in the last round of fixtures were a sore blow to the Swedes, but they do not look like slowing down in their playoff pursuit. Team Rocket, Yellow Jackets and KulmalaHengaus will battle it out for the final playoff sport, with less than 3 points separating these teams with 6 fixtures remaining, it’s going to be a no holds barred battle in the Group 5 playoff hunt. KulmalaHengaus hold the advantage in the pursuit for the playoffs, facing both Yellow Jackets and Team Rocket in their remaining fixtures. Full points from these games would place them in the playoff spots going into the final fixture round. At the bottom HC Lachen’s troubles continue, they are 1-11 going in to a 3-game stretch against 3 teams in the playoff hunt. With this said, their single victory this season came against 3rd place Dead Evil, with no pressure on Lachen, they could always create another upset. Key team stats Most points per game: Rahinakaukalo (2) Most goals per game: Rahinakaukalo (5.83) Least goals against per game: Rahinakaukalo (1.25) Best power play: Yellow Jackets (32.26%) Best penalty kill: Dead Evil (100%) That's it for the first part of our mid-season report! We'll be releasing the overview of the rest of the groups shortly.