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SportsGamers, It’s playoff time in the ECL season! Finally after the regular season, the real games are about to begin. I interviewed all the team captains to dig deeper into the preliminary round of the playoffs. I needed to shorten some of the answers to make it easier to read, thanks everyone who took time to answer! To allow teams to share screenshots on Twitter, I’ve added my own predictions (cold takes) for the series outcomes below. For future articles more random facts, opinions and questions that I have will be included, but for now the author ran out of time. Have a nice Playoff summer everyone who made it there! Luleå Hockey (1) – IK Oskarshamn (8) Luleå Hockey played a very good regular season with a 25-3-2 record and secured the first seed for the rest of the playoffs. The team is stacked with former Elite players and the brightest star among them, @Janski (Jansku23), did not disappoint this season either. He fell short of 100 points by six points. Also worth noting is the team's general GF/GP, which is 4.23, showcasing their potent offense. An intriguing aspect to highlight is the performance of goalkeeper @Janne Hietala (Hiatala_), who made 4 out of 7 breakaway saves. This fact is particularly interesting considering that not all breakaways are officially registered by EA. It raises the possibility that Luleå's defenders might occasionally prefer offensive plays, leading to breakaway opportunities for the opposition. IK Oskarshamn played a weaker regular season this season (1.13) according to the Points/Games estimate than last season (1.39). The departure of Nukutttaja/Nagyttaja/Hikoilija_ and its replacement in @Dehliiindidn't work out as one might have expected on paper at first. Team captain @Petter Wennerström emerged as the top scorer and spent the most time with the puck. Notably, @Discokryckan made a remarkable comeback on the ECL ice, boasting an impressive 82.93% save percentage in the regular season. 1. What do you know about your opponent? @Petter Wennerström: Luleå is a skilled team with good players in every position. They like to use their defenders in the offensive zone and get a lot of shots and deflections. @JaKurrii: We have played maybe couple of practise games against, and last time split the points in eSHL if I remember it correct. But they got to the playoffs so at least they are in decent form. 2. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @Petter Wennerström: This season they haven’t had a lot of weakness so I can’t answer that right now, let’s see if we can find their weakness. @JaKurrii: I don't think we are not that much focussing on their game, we just try to play with our own strengths and with that I mean scoring a lot of goals. 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @JaKurrii: We have to focus more to play like the whole 60 minutes, if we get for example great start to the game and get two or three goals lead, we got to finish the game and not let the opponent back in it. Besides that we just try to keep the same form from regular season and have fun on the ice. @Petter Wennerström: We want to get a good defensive and a lot of patience in our game plan. Get the puck going fast and do quick decisions in every situation. 4. How many games will the series take? @Petter Wennerström: 7 games. @JaKurrii: 5 games. @ripKeisari: Luleå in 4. @OGjahajaha: Luleå in 5. SIKA (1) - RCTIC (8) Sika had a consistent performance throughout the regular season. @Jondeezz and @Valluxet emerged as the team's top point-scorers. Despite @vSilenttio's lack of goals, their assist stats reflect their Elite experience. While examining the team's statistics, the only noteworthy aspect was a slightly low power play percentage of 13.33%. However, if the team can secure victories even without power play goals, then it's not a major concern. Personally, I've always viewed RCTIC as a team that excels in the playoffs rather than during the regular season. Even if they enter the playoffs with a low seed, they shouldn't be underestimated by any Pro team. The team's attackers have comparable points, and we're yet to witness @Limbe65's usual dominant performance. Will Limbe start carrying in the playoffs? We will see. This series also carries a rematch from the eHockey SM 2023 playoffs, where SIKA and RCTIC met earlier. Below are the questions for both teams. 1. What do you know about your opponent? @vSilenttio: Rctic is a gritty and experienced team, and SIKA wants to prove in this rematch that they are a better version of themselves than back then. @layout: Good team with experienced players. We have good memories playing against SIKA as we were able to eliminate them in FCL but they have made a few changes since then. 2. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @vSilenttio: RCTIC's weakness is their need for good luck and dirty bounces. So, the theme is having more puck and being more active team. @layout: Left Defender. Seriously speaking we should probably focus more on our own game. 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @vSilenttio: Need more consistency and balance as a team, also reduce unlucky moments. @layout: We were one of the least scoring teams in the regular season so it would not hurt to be a bit more efficient. Even though we did not concede that many goals, we still gave a lot of cheap goals to our opponents so lets try to minimize those. 4. How many games will the series take? @vSilenttio: SIKA in 7 @layout: Most likely somewhere between four and seven games. @ripKeisari: SIKA in 6. @OGjahajaha: SIKA in 6. Deadly Phantoms (2) - Otukset (7) Deadly Phantoms had an impressive regular season performance that we haven't seen in a while. @ProfaneKiss and @xXPsykoSkillsXx were the driving forces behind the team's success, leading in internal points and propelling DPH to the playoffs with a favorable seed. Additionally, the team boasts two highly reliable goaltenders, @RPH_31 and @xEispiratx . It remains to be seen which goalie will start in the playoffs. Following my previous article, Otukset managed to find their rhythm and secure a spot in the playoffs. It's safe to say that my encouraging and hope-inspiring text played a part in their success. @Valee__, the team's shining star, emerged as the team’s leading scorer in the regular season, raising the questions of a potential entry into the Elite league :D. Also the return of @theMaddias provided a much-needed boost to the team, saving @juhkis96 from a potentially embarrassing situation. This pair of matches is one of the most interesting in my papers, because the Otukset can surprise almost any team in Pro with their experience. Deadly Phantoms' two-man duo, Profanekiss and PsykoSkills can be scouted, however the Central European servers will be a factor. 1. What do you know about your opponent? @ProfaneKiss: Not many matchups in normal games, they have elite experience but so do we. @juhkis96: DPH relies on profanekiss to score goals and win games for them. 2. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @ProfaneKiss: Their bad faceoff percentage, also if it goes to G7 we will have Central Servers. @juhkis96: RD is their weakest player so we are probably going to abuse that and get easy zone entries there. 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @ProfaneKiss: Since the ability bans we have found a good system that we can be confident in - now it is all about execution. @juhkis96: We will try to focus more on the social media game @ripKeisari: Otukset in 6. @OGjahajaha: Phantoms in 7. Golden Nights (2) – Project X (7) Golden Nights seems to be one of the most consistent teams in all of Pro if you follow the team's power points and TWP times. Notably, they excel in both powerplay (36.36%) and penalty kill (93.75%), showcasing their effectiveness in special teams situations. Additionally, @kkostiiii stands out with an impressive save percentage of 85.71%, ranking among the top three goaltenders in the league. These achievements suggest that the team's success is not mere coincidence but rather a result of a well-balanced synergy. Project X is an interesting team because every player has at least -10 plus/minus in statistics. @JesseL2002, who holds the puck the most, is the team's brightest star, who, at least in the eHockey SM 2023 tournament, did not have any obligations in terms of defense, but was on the opposite blue line for almost the entire game. I am waiting with interest to see if the TikTok star @Easygame20 (Torvelajr__) will be the team's first goalkeeper in the playoffs or if the responsibility will go to the experienced @Hullued. 1. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @Timez: Opponent’s weakness is their defensive play. Project: - 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @Timez: More patience in the offensive zone and we will score more goals. Project: - 4. How many games will the series take? @Timez: 4-1 for Golden Nights Project: - @ripKeisari: Golden Nights in 6. @OGjahajaha: Golden Nights in 6. Purification (3) – Pirati Chomutov Esports (6) Purification was a small surprise for the writer to see so high, but at the same time a positive surprise to see new successful teams in the Pro league. Perhaps the focus that will set off alarm bells is the team's final 10 games before the playoffs. They have gone with a record of 4-5-1. We'll see if Pro Rookie @LaxenHD can maintain his point production at the same level as in the regular season. On the other hand, @eBasstian may be just what Purification needs to turn this series around, as he is a true ECL veteran and has been playing since ECL 1 season. Pirati Chomutov Esports is a team whose offense consists of skilled players @Adri1_SCP, @Winci and @Kumbik. Their average goal rating per game is a staggering 3.8. But as we all know in the playoffs there are usually not a lot of goals, but the games are a tight one-goal trap games, so if I were the captain of the team, I would quickly pay attention to the high average of goals conceded, 3.03. Questions: 1. What do you know about your opponent? @Kumbik: Not much, they are from Sweden. @wickmanwOw: Pirati is an offensive powerhouse who scores a lot of goals and likes to turn the play fast. 2. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @Kumbik: Their weakness could be our home games, because we are playing on central server. @wickmanwOw: Their fast paced turnovers suits us well and will probably give some high scoring games, hopefully in our favour. 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @Kumbik: No changes, we will keep playing the same. @wickmanwOw: - 4. How many games will the series take? @Kumbik: It can be very close. But I dont have idea. I hope that we will win. (Prediction 4-3 for us) @wickmanwOw: probably a even series, but we take it in game 7 @ripKeisari: Purification in 7. @OGjahajaha: Pirati in 6. Polski Boys (3) – Prestige (6) (Written by @OGjahajaha) Polski have been one of the most vocal ECL Pro teams on Twitter, throwing shade at their opponents right and left. Now the time has come to deliver on their promises and back up all of their talk. Lots of their game goes through left winger @punt1la98, who we can expect to push with pace up the wing and look to force the puck to the netfront from the left post. It's a trademark that Polski have set to employ with a high percentage from a majority of their zone entries this season, and that is expected to continue. If Prestige can take away that weapon in an effective manner, they will force Polski to adapt in this series. Polski has two good options to choose from in net, and most likely it could come down to availability on that front. One of the teams that were thrown in the NOT-category in the season Preview was Prestige, but they have proven us wrong with an excellent group stage performance highlighted by stellar netminding by @karlsson_adam11 and an impressive rookie season effort by winger @Jmaisema. The rookie winger, who had previously flaunted some of his scoring ability in the Lite division, slotted nicely into the top 50 scorers in the Pro division and led his team along the way. Prestige has a very balanced forward core and lots of their play is cycled thorugh their defenders, so they'll have to be weary of the quick feet and aggressive sticks of Polski's forwards. 1. What do you know about your opponent? @vote_10: We know almost nothing about the opponent (except in the Hockey Ultimate Team), but we don't think it will hurt. Jmaisema has ragged against one of our players in HUT. @karlsson_adam11: We know they are a tough team but if we play our best hockey I think we can beat them. 2. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @vote_10: We think the opponent's weaknesses are especially the defenders and inexperience. @karlsson_adam11: We have not seen them play so we have no idea we will just play our game and make the best out of it 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @vote_10: We need to improve the net front presence on the defensive side. Also, we could attack more from the left side. Our center could tie up less. @karlsson_adam11: We will just play our game and have focus. Predictions: @ripKeisari: Polski Boys in 4. @OGjahajaha: Polski Boys in 5. HV71 (4) – Gunners HC (5) HV71 is again one of those Pro teams where consistency can be seen in the statistics. @Demski_ and @Rubituss both have exactly 58 points and @Zupancic_King424 (Zuppe_29) has 53. Since my last post, Zuppe's assist percentage has increased significantly, so the improvement can be seen. According to my own experience, HV71's game often runs through Demski, and Demski doesn't give up the puck easily even to his own teammates. Coincidentally, he is also the winner of the internal TWP time. In addition to Demski, @Tiipponenii (Coffelainen) experience is represented in the net, who almost always plays calmly and can win games for HV with his own performance. Gunners HC moves the puck from player to player and the players have almost same amount of puck possession, resulting in a balanced time with puck distribution across the team. @OGjahajaha, @Tuulimylly91 and @Jobeyz represent the team's more experienced section and you can expect calmer solutions from them (if OGjahajaha finds the right stick soon), while the younger @Aarons and @Lotiseva are the skill packages in the team that play riskier and flashier. The team is built in an interesting way and the writer expects the series to be even. 1. What do you know about your opponent? @Aarons: We haven’t ever faced them in competitive games, but we know that they like to counter attack and have fast-paced style all around. @Rubituss: Well to be honest we dont know so much about them. But we know that they have experienced defenders that have played at a higher level before. Their forwards are pretty new names for us but they have proven themselves during their rookie season in PRO. 2. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @Aarons: They’re biggest weakness is probably they’re team defense. We will try to take advantage of it and be efficient on our scoring chances. @Demski_: Their weakness might be that they dont have the same experience as us, we have been in PRO playoffs before and the last time we were, we gained promotion to elite. 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @Aarons: As a team we will improve on our offense and try to be more efficient on the chances we get. We will also improve our already solid team defense. @Demski_: As a team we need to come together as we played during our winning streaks in the regular season, we cant cheat on the simple things and we cant underestimate these guys, by finishing 5th they belong in the playoffs even if they have inexperienced forwards. 4. How many games will the series take? @Aarons: The series will take 5 games. @Demski_: @ripKeisari: HV in 5. @OGjahajaha: Plays for Gunners HC Renascor (4) - Be a Bro (5) (Written by @OGjahajaha) Russian outfit Renascor were intent on making the Playoffs in their fourth consecutive Pro season, and while they have been a mainstay in the postseason action, success has managed to avoid this team. Centerman @Virusactive has developed into a bona fide top Pro player and plays a massive part in the success of his team as lots of their passing play cycles through him. Defenseman @Motov is very skilled with the puck and likes to show it - sometimes a bit too much for his own good. Renascor needs to play better as a unit in order to find success against Be a Bro. It is noteworthy that Renascor are one of the more aggressive teams in the Pro division and could put their opposing defenders under some pressure. After a difficult start to their season, Be a Bro were able to regroup and eventually settle their players in the right spots on their roster. They are still far off from the form we've seen this team in at their best, and we're doubtful this roster even has that in them, but they aren't to be discounted despite of that. @Pursuitti is a massive asset for Be a Bro, not only as their top scorer, but also as a player with extensive experience of disappointment and success in the Pro Playoffs, and now also a taste of the Elite postseason. @MCH_98 is their breakout man and will shoulder much of the responsibility to kickstart their rush and counter attacking play. 1. What do you know about your opponent? @Serg1vratar: we count them as strong and rough opponents, they have very good skilled and matured players who can turn game on their side @MCH_98: Renascor has always been in the playoffs even if their lineup has seen changes almost every season so we are expecting a tough series. 2. What is the opponent’s weakness that you try to take advantage of? @Serg1vratar: We Will try to win to outscore them pretty much @MCH_98: Fire_cats88 inexperience could be a factor the longer this series goes. 3. As a team how will you improve your game for the playoffs? @Serg1vratar: In worst case scenario we will turn in our secret weapon. @MCH_98: Regular season was our preseason as our lineup changed on the transfer deadline. So we hope to improve on all aspects of our game. 4. How many games will the series take? @Serg1vratar: Renascor in 6. @MCH_98: Bros in 6. @ripKeisari: Bros in 5. @OGjahajaha: Be a Bro advances in 6.

SportsGamers, It is now time to turn to the final stages of this ECL '23 Spring Core Season and in this preview we'll try to highlight some key factors in each series to come.   French Eagles  (1) vs WarHeads  (16) Both teams are absolutely horrendous on the powerplay- don't expect special teams to be the decisive factor. As one of the highest scoring outfits in the league, French Eagles have a big advantage up front. Keep an eye on @Coco on the right wing. @Trollstivegen is an experienced goalie who is miles above the competition in this division. Tampere Taisto  (2) vs Ambri eSports  (15) If the French Eagles or WarHeads struggle with powerplay, there's no words to describe the performance of Tampere Taisto on the man advantage. Their efficiency is a measly 6%. Ambri eSports have struggled defensively and a 3.46 GAA won't cut it in the Playoffs.  Ambri eSports are also highly undisciplined, with a total of 128 penalty minutes in the regular season. KohKae Esports  (3) vs Nelos kentta  (14) @Joona41 was the #2 scorer in the regular season, a big weapon for KohKae. KohKae are also the hottest team heading into the Playoffs with a 9-1-0 record in their last ten games. @Ylijumala96 for Nelos kentta has the most puck possession in the entire division, expect him to control the pace for his team. Black Sharks  (4) vs Latvian Warriors  (13) Black Sharks cycle most of their play through RD @MSK-89-91 and LW @Brazone91. The Latvian Warriors have put on a clinic on the special teams - a combined number of 128,07%. @Kekava is a force on the man advantage with 6 tucks. Dompa HC  (5) vs Nordic Nosebleed  (12) Dompa are an offensively skilled unit with @STRANDMANNEN11 as their top gun. The experienced Nordic Nosebleed are the lowest scoring team to make the Playoffs, expect them to employ a shutdown game.  Nordic Nosebleed have been in tough Playoff situations many times before and can utilize that experience to gain an advantage. Ismon Valinta  (6) vs Koskenlaskijat  (11) Ismon Valinta have a deep roster and have rotated positions a bit over the course of the season, defenseman @rpxjoona can be seen jumping up to the winger spot at times. @Puosu_ has an impressive 45,6% shooting percentage for Ismon Valinta. Koskenlaskijat like to shoot the puck a lot and centerman @laketson (RHM_Lake) is a deflection machine in front of the net. Taskubilis  (7) vs EV Duisburg  (10) EV Duisburg were by far the most physical team to make the Playoffs - 500 hits in 28 games played. Taskubilis can hang with the best in the division in terms of scoring, thay could run away with a few games if they find their groove. Lutunilkat  (8) vs North Sawo Lions  (9) Lutunilkat are in poor form, with a bad 4-5-1 record in their last ten. @Medu14 will be the key for North Sawo Lions to succees, as he is the catalyst for their play.  

SportsGamers, It's time to get the Playoff summer started also in the Lite division and a total of 32 teams have made the cut for the most important games of the season! We've still got lots of virtual hockey left to play before a Champion is crowned and at this point, none of the previous performances mean a thing - only the form on any given gameday will decide. In this Playoff preview we'll be taking a look at a few interesting series that we expect could end up being quite close, and highlight a lot of interesting statistical anomalies and facts from the regular season, join us for the ride! To see all of the RO32 series, head over to the League page!   Dark Wild  (4) vs HC Lugano eSports  (19) Dark Wild have earned their #4 seed by playing a very well balanced game throughout the regular season and winning tight games at a high rate. They don't play a flashy game, but are able to do what it takes to close out any game. Quite interestingly, they are the worst powerplay team in the Playoffs with a low 12,9% success rate on the man advantage. Most of Dark Wild's play runs through winger @Juhaniz-, who is also the teams leading scorer. He likes to backskate. Don't discount HC Lugano despite their lower seed, the fact is that they have one of the stronger forward cores in the division, consisting of former Elite players @Krinke & @Freeman7187 and the very skilled @DangledYouOut (TIUINIA). Krinke is the teams most important player as the play driver, but in general Lugano is expected to play a bit more of a fast paced game in comparison to their opponents. Lugano aren't quite as sound defensively, which could end up being their demise.  Prediction: Dark Wild in 6.    Ultimatum  (7) vs Lions Academy  (26) We can expect a surprisingly tight battle here between the 7th seed and the 26th seed. While Ultimatum are one of the strongest offensive teams in the league and will rely heavily on @vepdsssss (Werppi) and @tirbbi to continue their explosive production in the Playoffs, they can’t expect to be running through Lions Academy all that easily. The Academy team of the Swiss Elite squad ZSC Esports have several experienced players in their ranks and they excel at keeping games tight, which is evidenced by the fact that a third of their games in the regular season required overtime to be decided. In the regular season these teams clashed in a double-header in which ultimatum came away with four points and left Lions Academy with only one.  Prediction: Ultimatum in 6.    Cheeky Grinders  (10) vs Chiefzz HC  (23) The ECL ‘23 Spring Winter Champions Cheeky Grinders were expected to be able to make an impact in the Lite division right away, and that’s exactly what they did. They are an exciting squad to follow and if they can keep on grinding - according to their name - they could end up making another jump to the Pro division sooner rather than later. Before even thinking about that, they’ll need to go through Chiefzz HC, who very well could have the most experienced roster in the division, both in terms of ECL seasons under their belts and in terms of average age in their team - perhaps an advantage in those decisive Playoff moments?  Prediction: Cheeky Grinders in 7.    Nurnberg IceTigers eSport  (13) vs Armada Hockey  (20) The IceTigers are a team that has emerged seemingly out of nowhere and really put themselves on the map as a solid contender in the Lite division this season. Some high profile offseason acquisitions in the form of Akin and Komir90 bolstered the core that has played together for a long time already and the team seems to have grown nicely over the course of the season. The IceTigers are excellent offensively, but need to tighten up on defense in the Playoffs. Armada Hockey, on the other hand have made a habit out of making the Playoffs as a lower seed and taking down a few strong teams from an underdog position. This squad is highly experienced and very tough to beat in tight scoring games. Armada has a deep roster with a very balanced playstyle, they pose a threat from all areas of the ice at their very best.  Prediction: IceTigers in 6.    xBOTS  (15) vs Sodertalje SK  (18) We’ve hyped up the exciting roster of xBOTS already in the season preview, and as you’d have it, we get to do that again in this Playoff piece. As expected, young talent IOLL1 led the team in scoring in the regular season and received excellent backup from ONN1231853 and Kibeeex on his flanks. In addition, xBOTS also established themselves as an excellent defensive team, who are able to hang in there with the best in the division in tight battles, which is exactly what they’re in for against Södertälje SK. SSK is a team we’re used to seeing in the Playoffs and they’ve even managed to be a fringe Pro team at their best. Based on both teams’ defensive stats, we’re expecting to see a low scoring series in which goaltending could end up being the decisive factor. Statistically, both DanDan919413 and Kussan82 have played very similar seasons, so that’s going to be an interesting battle to follow! Prediction: Sodertalje SK in 6. Interesting stats or anomalies from the regular season: Mustaa Kultaa is miles ahead of their competition in terms of firepower up front, evidence in the form of a stunning 4,4 GF/GP and winger @Allupekkaz winning the scoring title with 95 points Skelleftea AIK are the best defensive team in the Playoffs. Goaltender @Jonte05_ had a stunning regular season, but he is inexperienced - can he keep it together when the games get sweaty? Hc Replay has the best special teams number with an impressive 124,02% @Zaedon led the league in shorthanded goals with 4! for Chiefzz HC  The biggest puck hog in the Lite division is @sir_sniper for PunaKala with 175:31 TwP, a staggering 60 minutes more than his teammate @Unknownlehtis Most breakaways allowed - Dragons Gaming with 16 recorded defensive lapses thru 30 games in total @I_Manu93_I was a honey badger for Sawolanche with 224 interceptions in the regular season @wrlster for Technical Disaster is the most likely to shoot, with 157 shots in the regular season, that’s over 6 shots per game Group 1 ended up being the tightest in terms of deciding the last Playoff spot - RoKi Esports and Stadin Kingit had to go to tiebreakers in order to split the difference, and eventually RoKi earned the last spot by goal differential.