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NHLGamers, Last week brought ECL action back also on the ECL Elite level and with that also pushed us past the midway point of the season. Right now we're just past two thirds through the regular season and with that being said, now is the absolute latest point for teams to start revving up those trusty old diesel engines to boost them in their playoff race or in avoiding potential relegation. The standings are finding their form and as predicted, FILADELPHIA and HAVU Gaming have been the juggernauts reigning lone, as usual. Both of the top two teams are currently also on impressive hot streaks although HAVU has been taken to OT more often than not in their past few bouts - some trouble keeping their eyes on the prize maybe? Vesa Pompa has been performing exceptionally well but without taking anything away from their performance, one must state that their schedule wasn't as harsh as some of their competitors' to start the season. Last week brought the reigning Swedish champs a total of five points in three matchups against some tougher opposition. If not for a few exceptions (mainly Vesa Pompa HC performing above expectations and YMCA Esports underperforming), the season preview seems to be holding up rather well in terms of predictions so far. Having pumped our own tires enough, let's get into some of the individual performances seen last week. Overall it was a week of "strictly business" when it comes to the games played, at least no highlights went viral across the community. The scoring department was virtually unchanged at the end of last week, but Monday was a breath of fresh air when hREDS managed to put on a scoring show against Team LEISURE, boosting duo Perttu @Beniittto Kemppainen and Joakim @Joukki Nyholm to 2nd and 3rd in the points department with 51 each to their names. When taking a look at productive defensemen, we're seeing a somewhat surprising name topping the tables. Timi @Rimpe Rimpeläinen has made a long career grinding away at various forward positions but has transitioned his skills exceptionally well into the role of an offensive defenseman while not sacrificing too much in his own end either. His Gotham Knights currently lies just below the playoff line and has been able to perform up to the standards of the division as a unit. The team still has some exciting matchups remaining and will need to salvage every point they can if they want to pave their way into their first ever ECL Elite postseason. As we continue moving on to the last line of defense, we're taking a look at goaltenders, who from time to time don't get the love they deserve. We're used to seeing the likes of Casper @ICappeI Lundgren and Oskari @SibeIius Grönroos leading the league in that department but they do have challengers for the throne when talking about the best in the business. The two previously mentioned have been in the game and at the top for such a long time but admittedly playing in net for a top team like FILADELPHIA or HAVU Gaming poses unique challenges such as potentially facing a way lower shot volume when compared to other goaltenders in the league, such as for example Johan @McSavid Rundqvist or Ville @Supreex Korhonen for Farjestad BK and Norhtern Ascendancy respectively. If not for a few exceptions, the statistics below exhibit a higher save percentage for goalies facing higher shot volumes on a regular basis. A newcomer that has been making his way into the discussion of top goaltenders in the scene is Vesa Pompa's Filip @Faze91- Azri, who was talked about already prior to the season but has made a surprisingly fast ascent to the top, claiming the clear first string goalie spot for his team in the process. Power Rankings The power rankings reflect games played between 4.1 and 10.1. Making a return this season will be the Elite: Power Rankings, provided by @MartindalexC. As always, the rankings are generated by weighting a team's results with the level of opposition that was faced, i.e. a team that went 4-0-0 against teams at the very bottom of Elite may very well be ranked below a team that went 0-4-0 against Elite's very finest. Without further ado though, let's have a look at how teams fared over the fourth week of ECL Elite: 1. FILADELPHIA (6-0-0) [=] 2. HAVU Gaming (4-0-0) [=] 3. Färjestad BK (5-0-1) [+6] 4. Roots Gaming (4-1-1) [+2] 5. Northern Ascendancy (3-0-1) [+2] 6. hREDS (5-1-1) [-1] 7. JYP Jyvaskyla (4-1-1) [+3] 8. KOVA Esports (4-1-1) [+7] 9. Vesa Pompa (2-3-1) [-5] 10. Dark Horse (1-2-1) [+6] 11. Gotham Knights (1-2-1) [-8] 12. SJ Gaming (1-2-3) [-4] 13. YMCA Esports (0-3-1) [-1] 14. Team Leisure (1-4-1) [-1] 15. Conquer Gaming (0-3-3) [-1] 16. SAWO Esports (1-3-0) [-5]

NHLGamers, The ECL 11 Lite season has progressed to Round 3 and eight exciting matchups are to be played in Best-of-seven series. Most of the series look very even and in at least a few of them the chance for game 7 action is likely. None of the series should be lopsided in the sense that we'd be seeing a sweep. There are some surprising teams in round 3, which begs the question: have they already reached their full potential or will we continue to see upsets moving forward? Here is the full playoff schedule for ECL 11 Lite: (1) Bjorkloven Esport - Golden Nights (52) First seed Bjorkloven has in impressive fashion marched on to Round 3. Golden Nights have - against all odds - reached this far as an underdog. They eliminated GIFU Hockey and Hokurit, which ate two very strong teams and sure are ready to eliminate a third team of an even higher caliber. One of the most interesting series in Round 3. Bjorkloven has a material edge but Golden Nights have earned their great underdog boosted confidence. Prediction: Golden Nights have played two outstanding rounds but in Round 3 their brave fight will not be enough to beat one of the biggest title favorites. Bjorkloven progresses to the quarterfinals 4-2. (2) ECDC Memmingen eSports vs Oton Letkutemppu (51) We're going in with a similar outlook as to the Bjorkloven - Golden Nights series. Memmingen is the favorite by a landslide, but Letkutemppu can surely surprise, as they have shown already by outmaneuvering Calzone HC and Central Hockey Canucks. As usual, anything can happen but it's doubtful that we'd see yet another upset by Letkutemppu. Prediction: ECDC Memmingen eSports advances 4-1. (3) Nearbird Fighters vs Hotbox (42) Nearbird Fighters had a relatively easy first round but got to properly test their form in the second against Tic Tac Toes, which undoubtedly makes them prepared for any challenge moving forward. Hotbox is coming in with the clear underdog status and will need to elevate even further if they are looking to take down the Russian powerhouse. Prediction: Nearbird Fighters advances 4-1. (6) Ringette HC vs NOVA (29) Ringette HC has gone undefeated through this seasons playoffs but are in for their toughest challenge yet when clashing with recent RCL champions NOVA, who also have a decent record suffering only two losses in the playoffs so far. This series will most likely extend a bit longer than these teams are used to this far into the playoffs. The recent RCL title will boost NOVA but perhaps there's some exhaustion from that series? Prediction: Game 7 is needed. Ringette HC with their high standard performance level will advance to the quarterfinals 4-3. (8) Exerceo vs Beast Hockey (28) Beast Hockey eliminated a strong team in RoKi Esports in an exciting series to start their playoff run and had an easier task beating AfroDunk by a sweep in the second round. Exerceo has a convincing 8-1 record from the previous rounds and have the material to go far in these playoffs if they can stay consistent. Prediction: Exerceo is simply too strong although Beast Hockey continues their good performances. Exerceo advances 4-1. (15) Lekstugan HC vs BoxinElite (24) BoxinElite were forced to a seventh game in round 2 against Tequila Sunrise, which might have caused some exhaustion but on the other hand gave them time to hone their play in a competitive environment. Lekstugan has cleared their series a little easier but of course is a strong team and has beaten two good teams quite easily so far, and with that claims a favorite staple in this matchup too. The depth of Lekstugans roster overpowers that of BoxinElite, who seemed to be at the edge of their potential already last round. Despite having the chance to overcome that obstacle, it would be miraculous if Lekstugan would not be the one to move on from this series. Prediction: Lekstugan HC wins 4-2 (16) Sinister vs Grenoble BDL Esport (22) Sinister eliminated Lulea Hockey in the first round and Birka Vikings in the second, thus moving on with a record of 8-3, whereas their opponents Grenoble BDL Esport have done exactly the same - against different opposition of course. Grenoble BDL Esport eliminated TuTo Esports in the first round which was a minor upset. This is series definitely has minimal margins and a game 7 is a serious possibility. Sinister is just a slight favorite but like we have seen in this seasons playoffs, the predictions have failed us more than once. Prediction: Sinister 4-2 (18) Sjukstugan vs Old Farts (19) Both teams have continued their strong rising form where they left off in the regular season. This is an extremely even series with microscopically narrow margins, between two of the most experienced teams in the league. Sjukstugan probably gains the slight favorite position because they have kept a higher level throughout the season in general, but Old Farts is nearly in as good form as Sjukstugan and can outperform if they find their groove. Prediction: Game 7 needed. Old Farts advances 4-3. As always, play hard - have fun!