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In this article, we’ll provide you with an in-depth analysis of both teams, how they managed to get to the championship, interviews, and much more! (1) Nordic Stars vs Zenegeim (3) Both teams have had quite the run this postseason, easily advancing from every round. Zenegeim not losing a single game so far, and Nordic Stars losing only three times is quite the accomplishment too, but after watching both teams from the opposing side, this writer can confidently say both teams play in the wrong division and we'll see both playing in the Pro division next season, and I suspect both will make the playoff there too if the rosters stay the same. When both teams are on their game, the puck moves extremely well within the teams. This will be a good series for Lite teams to follow if they want a good look at what it takes to make it far in the Pro playoffs. Dare I say that neither team is known for their good defense? With both teams losing for a combined 3 games for the entire playoffs, there still is a very well-rounded defensive responsibility within both teams. @Esko-etikka (90,8% save percentage and 0,94 GAA) & @SakkeTheEngineer (86,31 and 1,94 GAA) both boast impressive stats with the number one spot going to the Zenegeim goalie (for now). Before the season even started we had a clear favorite to win the Lite division. They’ve played together in previous seasons with good results and they're playing on that same level again this season. It has come to nobody's surprise that they’re in the finals. The team in question? Nordic Stars. With the entire forward group placed at the top 3 in points, they now face their toughest challenge yet, with @Vire30 & @Jerax13 going for the all-time record in points, they’re going to fall just short now boasting 64 & 62 points each in these playoffs so far, they now face a stingy defense that haven’t lost a game yet. (There are games from previous series that haven't been reported and the points total could be higher) With a strong offense, comes a defenceman with a lot of points, @katunarski has taken the responsibility on himself to deliver those points (5+31), with a plethora of experience from the highest division in Sportsgamer, the experience and certainty he brings to the blueline is impossible to replace. @SakkeTheEngineer taking the responsibility between the pipes for the number one seeded team has been playing on a different level, for those of you who don't know this is his first ECL season between the pipes, playing as a defenceman the year before this, quite an accomplishment. Zenegeim has had an incredible run, as previously stated they haven’t lost a single game in these playoffs, sweeping all rounds including an impressive one against Mights in the semifinals, with all players contributing to this impressive run, they are indeed firing on all cylinders. Even with a run like this, there are standout players, most notably @Esko-etikka, he boasts a 0.94 GAA, when a goalie lets in under a goal per game they really do give their team a good chance to take home the win. Another player who has taken a big role for Zengeim is @imosi, as their primary goal scorer he has netted an impressive 29 goals in 16 games, so far. If Zengeim wants to take on this Nordic Stars team, they once again need to rely on @imosi to light that red lamp. Defense wins championships, ever heard of that line? With 16 games played, Zenegeim has let in 15 goals, and as we mentioned their goalie has been good, but a goalie is only as good as the defense in front of him. With @Juhaniz- making the jump from forward to defense you never know what you’re going to get, he impressed me personally with his defense-first mentality giving his partner @Saviinainen the more offensive role in the team, as a captain this is what we like to see putting his team first and his own points last. We asked the captains some questions before the finals: How have you prepared for these finals, and have you changed anything? @Vire30: "We haven’t really prepared, haven’t played at all since the semifinal series against Sawolanche since our timetables haven’t matched up, now we’ll enjoy the midsummer and see how it goes. We’re not going to change anything, but obviously since all teams are different we’ll adapt to Zenegeim, but since we don’t really have any tactics they will surely adapt during the series." @Juhaniz-: "We’re aware of how Nordic Stars will play and it’s going to take a tight defense and good man marking since they like those one-timers so much, we also need to have our heads up since they play very physical, but playing our own game is the most important thing” “Who would you say is the weakest and strongest link from Zenegeim/Nordic Stars?” @Vire30: "We haven’t really played against Zengeims roster at all, tough to say really anything but looking at the stats Imosi1 has 29 goals which is really impressive. Tough to find a weakness but I'm sure we’ll exploit Juhaniz’s side in offense." @Juhaniz-: "Katunarski is surely the most creative player, with Vire they can create some nasty plays even in the finals." What will it take to hoist that trophy and what does it mean to you on a personal level? @Vire30: "I believe we’ll win just by playing our own game, and keep our level over half the games. Winning is always fun and the championship has been our goal this season. My own goal was to have fun with friends this season, and winning a championship would be icing on the cake." @Juhaniz-: "Lifting the trophy requires two well-balanced nights from us, and that we stick to our own game, and as I said in earlier in the interview that it requires good team defense and that we exploit the few mistakes they make. Personally I’ve won already but my goal was to secure a spot in pro and that we already accomplished, but it’s always nice to win." Predictions: @hifk_FANI: 4-1 Zengegeim @MCH_98: 4-3 Zengeim @JepuXI: 4-2 Nordic Stars Follow the Playoff streams: Games 1-3: Monday, June 24th: 20:00 CEST: https://twitch.tv/juhaniz_ 20:00 CEST: https://twitch.tv/nordicstarshockey Games 4-7: Tuesday, June 25th: 19:45 CEST https://twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!

SportsGamers, In this year's edition of the Swedish Championships we're crowning Elvis @bystrom___ Byström the new SCL 1v1 Champion! Elvis Byström, a 16-year-old from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, has always had a strong connection to hockey and gaming. Born and raised in this small town, Elvis is currently studying to become a carpenter, a trade he finds both challenging and rewarding. His journey into the world of NHL gaming began at a young age, around 5 or 6 years old, when he and a friend from his old hockey team started playing NHL on his dad's Xbox. Afternoons at the Byström household often featured intense NHL game matches between Elvis and his dad. Despite losing all those early games, Elvis's determination never wavered. He continued to play, driven by the desire to finally win against his father. His dad, an avid NHL gamer himself, became Elvis's mentor, teaching him skill moves and coaching him through HUT Champs games when Elvis was around 10 or 11 years old. This father-son bonding over the NHL game not only improved Elvis's gaming skills but also deepened his love for the sport. His dad's passion for the game and his guidance were pivotal in shaping Elvis's own interest and dedication. Today, Elvis Byström continues to hone his skills both as a carpenter and as an NHL gamer, inspired by the lessons and memories shared with his father.   Bystrom___'s road to the Championship: Group stage record: 8-1-0-1 Playoffs:  RO16 vs @DAFA_03 3-1 Quarterfinals vs @AntonLxnd 3-0 Semifinals vs @LaxenHD 3-0 Finals vs @Wilgoat3 3-1 The top 3 of SCL 1vs1 in 2024 are: 1.  Elvis @bystrom___ Byström 2. Wilgot @Wilgoat3 Eriksson 3. Oliver @pappeen- Papmehl   Congratulations on the Swedish Championship in NHL 24! How does it feel? Big thanks once again! It feels great to be a Swedish champion even if the best player "Eken" wasn't participating. You won almost all of your games throughout your Championship run - were you expecting to go all the way and take home the title Yeah, my goal was to win all games but that's hard. We have good players in Sweden that can make it far in ECL 1v1 without a doubt, and yes my goal was to win the whole tournament. I think I played pretty well throughout the tournament, my highest level was pretty high and my lowest was not bad at all.    What do you think your strenght is? And how about your weaknesses? My strength is to keep the puck with my team and to win the puck back if I lose it. My weakness is to keep my head up in the games I think sometimes I stop focusing and play laidback, which is dumb.   How would you describe your final series against Wilgoat3? The final against Wilgoat was difficult in the first game because I hadn't played Wilgoat in NHL 24 so I needed to learn his game style. In game 2 I think I started to know what he was going to do and also the games after that and I was able to win 3-1 in games. This was my best series throughout the playoffs without a doubt.   SportsGamer would like to congratulate Elvis Byström on a tremendous tournament and the championship!