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With last week being full of extra festivities and due to that being shortened in terms of available gamedays, it was a slower week also for ECL Elite action. Most teams took an extended holiday break, but one team really rose to the occasion when called upon. We highlighted JANO lagging behind a bit in our latest weekly report, and now they've managed to pretty much catch up with he rest of the pack over the course of the holidays. In an exciting turn of events also rookie winger Waltteri @Wpaanane Paananen has managed to climb his way to the top of the scoring charts with 16+16=32 points in his first 12 games.  In our only ECL Elite broadcast last week, we got to see Reality Check take on Frölunda HC and Växjö Lakers take on Nordic Stars and these teams didn't disappoint! Two out of four games extended into overtime and none of the teams had to leave without points. The most exciting event of the evening, however, was Växjö's push to tie it up in the dying seconds of their second game against Nordic Stars. They had goaltender Erik @MrAllsvenskan Rotsenius out as a sixth skater with over 30 seconds to go in the third period and managed to score a goal, which was disallowed. It would take a second effort and throwing it all on net in order for the Swedes to tie it up and eventually win the game in overtime.  Standings - Week 3 1.  Frölunda HC (+1) 10-2-2 2.  hREDS (-1) 10-1-1 3.  Tunnel Vision (+4) 8-0-2 4.  Roots Gaming (-) 7-2-3 5.  Nordic Stars (+3) 7-5-2 6.  Reality Check (+4) 7-5-2 7.  Unlucky Boys HC (-4) 7-3-2 8.  ISO Esports (-3) 5-4-5 9.  JYP Jyvaskyla (-3) 7-3-0 10.  JANO (+6) 6-4-2 11.  ZSC Esports (-2) 6-8-0 12.  GOONS (-) 4-6-2 13.  Färjestad BK (-2) 3-4-3 14.  Växjö Lakers (-1) 3-7-2 15.  Falun Coal Miners (-1) 2-6-2 16.  Luleå Hockey (-1) 2-3-1 Tonight, ECL '23 Winter Elite returns for a new year with new opportunities. JYP Jyväskylä takes on Roots Gaming, whereas hREDS are taken on by the high-flying JANO in their biggest challenge yet. Join us for all the action at 19:45 CET as usual. See you at www.twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG!

This report is written in the afternoon of 28.12.2022 and reflects the situation at that time. Almost every team has now played about half of their regular season games so it is about the time to start with our mid-season report. We'll have some bold predictions, a little insight, stats, a bit of everything. But first of all, happy new years to everyone! So let's take a look at the regular season standings and what's going on there. Breaking things down group by group we’ll start off from group 1. Technical Disaster and Bad to the Bone are tied up for first place at the time of writing. Same amount of games, same record and also similarities in opponents played, both teams look solid and I think they're going to continue their streak and could be fighting for that number one spot at the end of the season. Also, it looks like Resurrection has found their game. They are in a great spot to fight for a good seed for the Playoffs. The first ever Xbox team xBOTS is looking solid too at fourth in their group and fighting for a higher Playoff seed. They have some defensive issues that they'll need to iron out, but should be able to get it done soon enough. Gunners HC have only played eight games thus far so there is more to come from this strong lineup in the upcoming weeks. Lions Academy (academy of ZCS eSports) also started the season well with five wins and only one loss in overtime so they might be one of the higher seeded teams at the end of the regular season. When looking at group 2 there is one team that has dominated and went under the radar before season started. Six Sticks Misfits is the real contender to go far in this Winter season. Their two goal scoring machines @Lamsa and @el_tacobag and some solid defence has shown what good players can do together. In second place in the group is Pirati Chomutov Esports, who is also one of the favorites to battle for that first seed in this group. Only one overtime loss so far and it was against another top team in Six Sticks Misfits. This Czech team is strong and they have a long campaign ahead of them if they can keep their form throughout the season. The long standing Finnish Hockey Legends are also on the right course to a good seed for the playoffs. On the flipside, Sawolanche hasn’t quite found their game yet and is surprisingly struggling this season. Group three is one where two teams rise above the rest. Hunters and EHC Kloten eSports seem to be battling for first place between the two of them, whereas the mid-table finishes are going to come down to the fight between three or four other squads. Both Hunters and Kloten are high-scoring teams that will be able to outmuscle their opponents offensively, and we still have their head-to-head battle to look forward to in the latter part of the season. Prestige is a team with only eight games thus far, and they're lagging a bit behind the others, so they could end up making a push for top seeds still. NOSTREETSPORTS have been a pleasant surprise, even sporting some Elite experience in the form of @selänne8 (BiggestEight) in their ranks. One of the letdowns in this group has definitely been Armada Hockey, who are struggling to slot into the playoffs at the moment and could eventually end up on the outside looking in. Group 4 has been the show for mistakes. Big Mistake have came and shown they are a really offensive powered team that also has the ability to defend well when under pressure. Young star @Allupekkaz has shown great potential for a couple seasons now and is finally showing that all his hard work comes into fruition. Also Södertälje SK have had a good start to their season and they have had good poise in their games. Timrå IK also had a great start to the campaign but let' see how far they can fly. Stone Age has been struggling and has suffered a little bit of fluctuating form, but they could find that calmness and draw from their experience to eventually reach a Playoff spot. STATS TOP 5 Forwards @Lamsa, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 25G 29A @el_tacobag, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 26G 24A @punt1la98, Hunters , 12GP 26G 19A @Adri1_SCP, Pirati Chomutov Esports , 10GP 18G 27A @kibenibe, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 15G 25A Defensemen @SelanneFIN, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 2G 17A @SirLateksi, Hunters , 12GP 2G 15A @Laama777, Hunters , 12GP 1G 16A @Da1m0n, EHC Kloten eSports , 12GP 0G 17A @kiwison, EHC Kloten eSports , 12GP 1G 16A Goalies @RaNtA, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 83,92SV% GAA 1.64 @Miettinen14, Hunters , 12GP 88,51SV% GAA 1.42 @jjamboj, BIG Mistake , 12GP 86,86SV% GAA 1.5 @Kussan82, Södertälje SK , 12GP 81.45SV% GAA 1.92 @Deathstrokeris, Pirati Chomutov Esports , 10GP 80SV% GAA 2.5