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SportsGamers, The Playoffs are coming in hot for the Lite division, and we're starting the action today! We've got 32 teams left in the competition and now it's time to start the real grind for that Championship, the biggest part of the prize pool, and a future spot in the bright lights of the Pro division! Schedule RO32: 22.-25.1.2023 RO16: 29.1-1.2.2023 Quarterfinals: 5.-8.2.2023 Semifinals: 12.-15.2.2023 Finals: 19.-22.2.2023 Without further ado, here are all of our matchups: Six Sticks Misfits (1) vs TROJANS (32) Six Sticks Misfits is a high-scoring team with one of the more experienced rosters in the league. They should be able to advance with relative ease against Trojans in this first round matchup. Prediction: 4-0 Six Sticks Misfits Hunters (2) vs Resurrection (31) This could be a cool one to watch. Hunters have managed to stay on top of their game all season long and as a result have deserved their #2 seed. Resurrection can be competitive on a good day, but have been a bit inconsistent. Prediction: 4-1 Hunters Gunners HC (3) vs SCB eSports (30) Gunners HC looked a bit slow to start the season, but really got up to speed towards the end. Can struggle with scoring, but managed to be the divisions best defensive squad. SCB has a massive challenge ahead of them, but they have a deep roster with several variations, so we'll see what they'll be able to pull out of their bag of tricks. Prediction: 4-0 Gunners HC Sodertalje SK (4) vs Lemmenvelhot (29) Sodertalje managed to really shut the doors defensively throughout the season and the team is in excellent form at the moment. They should be able to win this series against Lemmenvelhot, who were just a point away from a significantly higher seed due to the extremely tight situation that Group 4 finished in. Prediction: 4-0 Sodertalje SK Pirati Chomutov Esports (5) vs Armada Hockey (28) The offensive powerhouse Pirati Chomutov Esports can prove to be a problem for many teams in the postseason. The team relies on high-end individual skill and quick puck movement, which could spell trouble for Armada Hockey in this matchup. Armada have the ability to shut down high-end teams at their best, though. Prediction: 4-0 Pirati Chomutov Esports Vizio (6) vs Sawolanche (27) Vizio was one of the teams we expected to see a lot from at the start of the season, and they didn't disappoint. However, they have so much skill in the bank that they should be able to up their scoring numbers. Sawolanche could be in a world of trouble with these guys. Prediction: 4-0 Vizio Project X (7) vs xBOTS (26) Project X is the third highest scoring team in the league, while defense wasn't one of xBOTS' strong suits. If this turns into a shootout, the more experienced Project X will advance with ease. Prediction: 4-0 Project X Prestige (8) vs BIG Mistake (25) We're in for a fun one here. Prestige have high-skill individuals who can score on command and win series by themselves. On the other side, BIG Mistake is a well composed team, who struggled to find their stride at times. BIG Mistake might be better equipped for Playoff hockey. Prediction: 2-4 BIG Mistake Technical Disaster (9) vs DEG eSports (24) Technical Disaster have built a well balanced team with puck moving skill even on the back end. DEG have had trouble keeping the puck out of their own net at times, but could be able to keep up in a scoring race. This will come down to which team is ready to defend with more patience. Prediction: 4-1 Technical Disaster RoKi Esports (10) vs EHC Dinamo Riga (23) RoKi played an excellent regular season in a tough group with Six Sticks Misfits and Pirati Chomutov running away with the top two spots. They had Prediction: 4-2 RoKi Esports Neptune Hockey (11) vs Unique (22) This could end up being a highly competitive matchup, between two very similar teams. Both squads have some high skill players in their roster and they've found a way to gel together throughout the season. Neptune Hockey found a way to win more tough matchups in the regular season, so we'll give them the slight edge here. Prediction: 4-3 Neptune Hockey Timrå IK Esport (12) vs Blessed Suedis (21) Timrå IK excels at special teams and that form alone could be enough to decide this series, if they are able to keep it up. Blessed Suedis will not be giving up easily and they have shown in the regular season, that they are able to challenge good teams. Prediction: 4-2 Timrå IK Esport EHC Kloten eSports (13) vs Stone Age (20) EHC Kloten eSports are an offensive minded squad, who were the second highest scoring team in Group 3. This Swiss squad is statistically way ahead of Stone Age at the moment, but the mammoths might be able to utilize their experience to gain an edce in some games. Prediction: 4-3 EHC Kloten eSports Skelleftea AIK (14) vs Herforder Ice Dragons (19) Skelleftea AIK can at best be the perfect Playoff team, who are able to shut down the neutral zone and be opportunistic with their own chances. They'll be a good test for Herforder Ice Dragons in this one, so we'll see which team eventually comes out on top. Prediction: 4-2 Skelleftea AIK Purification (15) vs Lions Academy (18) Despite Purification coming into this series as the higher seed, they have dropped off in form towards the end of the season. Lions, on the other hand have been great and are coming in with a 7-2-1 record in their last 10, which is why we're giving them the edge. Prediction: 3-4 Lions Academy Ultimatum (16) vs NOSTREETSPORTS (17) This is a very tough matchup, that could end up going either way. Both teams have put forth a very balanced campaign, but Ultimatum has been the slightly better team offensively throughout the regular season. If they are able to keep that up, they'll come away with the win. Prediction: 4-2 Ultimatum

SportsGamers, It is now time to turn to the final stages of this ECL '23 Core Season and we will try here to go through some facts for each series. Schedule RO32: 22.-26.1.2023 RO16: 29.1-2.2.2023 Quarterfinals: 5.-9.2.2023 Semifinals: 12.-16.2.2023 Finals: 19.-23.2.2023 Cheeky Grinders (1) vs Ambri eSports (16) By beating Deggendorfer in his last outing and forcing the German team to a final overtime, the Swiss from Ambri managed to qualify for the playoffs in extremis and despite a chaotic journey during the season. But the fight will be difficult for the Swiss against the best formation of the regular season. Admittedly Ambri managed to extract a point in overtime during their confrontation but the Finns who have lost only four times during the season should advance without too much difficulty. Facts - Cheeky Grinders has three players who exceeded 75 points in the regular season: @Ekifoukka (81), @Yaredhagos (80), @tonninen (78) - Of all the teams qualified in the playoffs, Ambri is the team that has won the fewest faceoffs (40.82%) HC Korobka (2) vs WarHeads (15) What if this confrontation was much more balanced than it might seem? The Russians won the two games that opposed them to the Finns, including one after extra time, but the end of the season for Korobka showed a team that seemed to run out of steam. Winners of their first fourteen games, the Russians then experienced relatively unexpected difficulties. WarHeads is a recent team but seems to have grown in strength over the season. Facts - @lordkomar91, for Korobka, is the best scorer of the entire regular season with 93 points (50+43) - With 81.98% of saves @QzRiiot, the French goalkeeper of WarHeads, had the best of his seven ECL seasons Hannover Indians eSports (3) vs Black Hurricanes (14) Hannover came close to finishing first in their group at the expense of Korobka. The Germans had a few upheavals during their season but never really seemed to be in real danger. Their balanced team has a powerful attack and a solid defense coupled with a very good goalkeeper. For the Finns of Black Hurricanes the start of the season was relatively peaceful but the end was a failure with eight consecutive defeats at the end of the calendar. Let's hope for this team that a breath of fresh air will help them in the playoffs, otherwise their first round may be complicated. Facts - @MMTS, for Hanover, totals 86 points in its first season in ECL. - With 1-7-2, the Black Hurricanes worst L10 record in the playoffs. Predators (4) vs Remparts de Tours Esport (13) The formation of Predators is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous. They score quite a bit but at the same time also concede a few goals. Predators have the best defensive record in the entire league, just behind Olten. They are the only ones, with the Pirates, to have beaten Cheeky Grinders in regular time in the Gr.2. For its part, Tours is a team that has had the experience of the Lite division. The all-French team experienced an irregular championship but has, especially in the net, resources capable of turning this series to its advantage. To do this, he will have to outwit one of the best defenses today. Facts - There are eight different nationalities in the Predators roster. - With 283 games played at SportsGamer, Tours is the most experienced team of all those qualified in the playoffs. North Sawo Lions (5) vs HC Pustertal eSports (12) The North Sawo Lions season has been consistent and even linear. A few missteps but overall a coherent course and efficient statistics in all areas of the game, except perhaps in the net where the goalkeeper is below 78% of saves. On the other hand, the Austrian team of Pustertal had a difficult start with seven defeats in their first eight games before the team finally found their rhythm. If Pustertal manages to stay on their end-of-season trend, they could come and upset the established order and perhaps eliminate an opposing team that has had a better run, but Sawo Lions won't let themselves be defeated easily. Facts - North Sawo Lions had just 111 hits on the season, the lowest total in the entire Core Division. They are also the least penalized in the entire championship. - Pustertal used a total of eleven players during the season, one of the highest numbers in the Core Championship Deggendorfer SC Esports (6) vs Fenris Wolves (11) The remaining three series are fully open and each of the six teams can advance to the next round or stay back and leave to play golf prematurely. However, Deggendorfer's German team showed muscles during the season and their number of goals scored clearly indicates a tendency to hit the scoreboard hard. On the other side of the fence, Sweden's Fenris Wolves scored far less than their opponents but also conceded far fewer goals. However, it is difficult to make this type of comparison between two teams that have not played in the same group. Facts - Deggendorfer won few faceoffs, only 45.37% during the season - On the other hand, Fenris Wolves was one of the good students in this sector, winning 54.69% of its face-offs EHC Olten eSports (7) vs CapeTown Kings (10) This is an incredible matchup. The best defense in the league against one of the best attacks. Olten is the only team to have conceded less than two goals per game. "Attack wins games but defense wins championships", so in this case the Swiss are one to watch. But opposite CapeTown has managed to score four goals in each of its matches. The initial balance weighs in favor of the Swiss but CapeTown are a patient team and build their game intelligently. The fight will be fierce. Facts - With four shutouts and 88.28% saves in twenty games, the Olten goalkeeper, @HousePro99, was undoubtedly the best goalkeeper of the season - Only 67.65% efficiency in shorthanded play for CapeTown, the lowest total of teams qualified in the playoffs Pirates eSports (8) vs MoDo Hockey (9) Traditionally the last series of the playoffs tree is always the most open as the gaps between the two teams are so close. Offensively the favor goes to the Swedes who score more. But defensively the French did slightly better. However, it is a team that scores little and wins few faceoffs, thus having to suffer the rhythm of its opponent. But by beating Cheeky Grinders the Pirates showed solid skills. These are two teams that take few penalties but the superiority game of the Swedes is much better than that of the French. Facts - Formerly Cancun Hockey Club, the Pirates are the oldest French team in activity with a first ECL in 2018 and a total of eight participations in the ECL - @MrXbox79 of MoDo is the player who scored the most powerplay goals during the season, 6, tied with @Mestar93 of Black Hurricanes

SportsGamers, We've arrived at the Playoff stage also in our fifth tier of competition, the Neo division. Let's take a quick look at how these Playoffs will proceed an which teams are still in contention for the title! Schedule RO64: 22.-25.1.2023 RO32: 29.2.-1.2.2023 RO16: 5.-8.2.2023 Quarterfinals: 12.-15.2.2023 Semifinals: 19.-22.2.2023 Finals: 26.2.-1.3.2023 These teams seeded #1 to #8 have already secured a spot in the RO32: #1 Rusty Bulls #2 Pirati Chomutov Academy #3 The Real Rookies #4 Kanukit #5 Belissimo #6 Old Hogs #7 LETTLAND #8 EASHL Russian Their opponents will be coming out of the winning teams in the first round, RO64. For instance, Rusty Bulls will face the team with the lowest seed from RO64 and so on. Please find here the first round matchups for the teams seeded #9 to #24 Jokers Cergy (9) vs Wildcats esport II (24) Nbg Ice Tigers 2 (10) vs SWISS TIGERS (23) Unknown Heroes (11) vs FRONTALIERS ESPORT (22) Atomic Hamsters (12) vs Bulle HC (21) RAUTANE REMMI (13) vs Red Lightning (20) Engerau Pythons (14) vs Russian Lightning (19) Dompa HC (15) vs Progress (18) Kiipelin Kiekko (16) vs HC Northmen (17) The Neo Championship playoffs are always difficult to predict and this ECL '23 Winter is no exception to the rule. Obviously the Top 8 teams are already favorites but honestly the gaps between #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11 and #12 are not huge. It's all the more possible that the teams which have to go through a preliminary round can pull a beneficial effect due to the pace of competitive matches from the outset, while the teams at the top of the table will be resting for a short week. Let's have a look at some stats that might help to predict what will happen next. Individuals Most points : @ReKoJ-12 (Jokers Cergy) : 72 points (46+26) Most goals : @ReKoJ-12 (Jokers Cergy) 46 Most assists : @MrMikkiL (Belissimo) : 35 Most hits : @hapsukka (Hauhtonen) (Belissimo) : 124 Most PIM : @HulluSavolainen (HC Northmen) : 32 Most blocked shots : @xagon (Bulle HC) : 47 Most interceptions : @Nassundeerus (SpadduKeisari) (RAUTANE REMMI) : 99 Best saves % (at least 8 GP) : @Berty (Nbg Ice Tigers 2) : 88.98% Most shutouts (at least 8 GP) : @Patelaine (Lohilokeetto) (Kanukit) : 3 Teams Most goals scored : Belissimo 92 / Jokers Cergy 86 Lowest goals allowed : EASHL Russian 25 / Nbg Ice Tigers 2 27 Most faceoffs won : EASHL Russian 64.84% / Old Hogs 63.29% Most hits : HC Northmen 250 / The Real Rookies – HC MAD ROCKETS 245 Less PIM : Russian Lightning 14 / Glasbanken se 22 Most shots : RAUTANE REMMI 372 / Belissimo 313

SportsGamers, What a regular season we had in the ECL '23 Winter Pro season once again! Incredibly high stakes right until the end as we saw Arkham Asylum battling for a Playoff spot against Herlev Eagles and Be a Bro going for the group win in their matchup against Luleå Hockey Academy. In the end, only Be a Bro managed to succeed in the task they set out to accomplish, and now we're getting ready to see them going at it in the Playoffs. We've got several highly competitive matchups already in the first round, so let's all enjoy the action! Schedule RO16: 19.-24.1.2023 Quarterfinals: 26.-31.1.2023 Semifinals: 2.-7.2.2023 Finals: 12.-14.2.2023 A big thank you to @ripKeisari for collaborating on this preview. (1) Be a Bro vs (8) Bjorkloven Esport The highly experienced Be a Bro have seemed to be in Playoff mode throughout the regular season and they've been able to clinch crucial points in tight matchups with a high percentage. They've went to overtime a total of 14 times this season and managed to win 11, which is a testament of their mental strength. Their goaltending is in great shape as @Svone10 put forth an impressive 85.27 SV% and on top of that, they've got one of the leagues most prolific offensive defensemen in @MCH_98, who has been dominating the defensemen scoring stats for a few seasons already. Be a Bro seems to like putting the puck on net and centerman @Sanezh has the propensity to find himself in the lane for deflections quite often. Björklöven have had somewhat of a turbulent season, making adjustments mid-season and eventually finding great form towards the latter half. This club hailing from Umeå, Sweden is coming into the Playoffs on an eight game winning streak and they'll be betting a lot on leading scorer @Pappen to make things happen for them. In order to adjust for the Playoffs, Björklöven will need to tighten things up defensively. Prediction: Be a Bro advances 4-1. (1) Renascor vs (8) Tohtorit The Russian side Renascor have been patiently developing their game over the past few seasons and they are slowly but surely showing signs of reaching their prime. @Motov and @Virusactive are some of their most efficient players and both of them excel with the puck on offense. @Stigi has been a great addition to the team and with his first full Pro regular season in the books, he is actually leading the team in scoring, now he'll just need to keep it up in the Playoffs. Tohtorit went into the season as one of the teams expected to be a contender, but they struggled massively at the start of their campaign. Towards the end of the regular season, this highly skilled roster managed to find their game and eventually cashed in enough points to squeak into the Playoffs. Tohtorit is currently running an 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games, so they're definitely coming in hot. This is a team with very high individual skill, and they are definitely able to expose teams for their mistakes. It'll remain to be seen if the playstyle will be suitable for the Playoffs, though. Prediction: Renascor advances 4-2. (2) Nemesis vs (7) HanaaHC Nemesis played an excellent regular season throughout and are league leading in GA/GP mostly due to their great goaltending tandem and very effective team defense. Both @Viltzup and @JaxonRules93 are sporting a SV% above 85 an it'll be interesting to see if they'll be sharing responsibilities in the Playoffs also. @temppanen has been great for Nemesis, leading the team in points and managing to always be dangerous with the puck. HanaaHC have established themselves as a consistent contender in Pro and even made an appearance in Elite Qualifiers due to their Top 4 finish last season. They'll definitely be looking for even more this time around, but some struggles were evident in the regular season. Both @eissi83 and @jg697000 (Gresu__) are highly capable goalies and have shared the duty throughout the season, so Hanaa could go with either one. @Rytze_ has been their offensive powerhouse and quarterbacks their offense most of the time, can score on command. Prediction: Nemesis advances 4-3. (2) Golden Nights vs (7) Deadly Phantoms It's been an excellent regular season for Golden Nights, who have been able to improve on top of their solid core season after season. Their newest acquisition @Timez (Timoccio) has succeeded big time, whereas @kkostiiii has been able to elevate himself into the discussion of top Pro goaltenders. Golden's strength is definitely a very balanced offensive trio, coupled with their determined defensive play, evident by the third lowest GA/GP in the division. For the famous Deadly Phantoms, it's been a whirlwind of a season. They've had heavy rotation in their squad with over 10 players making an appearance. Despite some turbulence, they've been able to make the Playoffs as expected, and that's where they've famously been able to perform even better. Long-time top defenseman @xXPsykoSkillsXx carried the team as the play driver in the regular season and will need to continue unless they'll find a new name that steps up. Then, there's always the server question that comes into play, will DPH be able to utilize that against Golden Nights? Prediction: Golden Nights advances 4-3. (3) Örebro Hockey vs (6) Memento Örebro Hockey has really found themselves as an excellent offensive powerhouse this season. They're lead by comeback player @Rimpe up front, who clearly won both the goal scoring and points titles in the regular season, and has the experience and skill to continue inflicting damage in the Playoffs. This could be a dark horse to pick in the Championship race. Memento is an interesting combination of players, who have somewhat struggled to find success elsewhere and that's why we are a bit surprised by their success thus far. @Toivonen_ (Toikkaaz) is the teams driving player, who is most responsible for scoring and likes to stay on the puck. We know what goaltender @Hullued has been able to accomplish in the past and he could be on his way back to the top with the great form he's been able to find in net this season. Prediction: Örebro Hockey advances 4-1. (3) IK Oskarshamn vs (6) Leksands IF Before the season we didn't put much faith in IK Oskarshamn, which is why their great regular season campaign has come as somewhat of a surprise to many. They've been able to build a balanced team, where experience in @snippystatue meets youth in @Chevikov (Hikoilija) & @Ted Kempe(Smayk99). Most importantly, IK Oskarshamn will need to stay out of the penalty box, since they were the most penalized team in the regular season. It hasn't come back to bite them yet, but the Playoffs are a different beast. Leksands IF have had a rollercoaster of a season, but their rock has been goaltender @I-Lillebror-I all season long. He could even be in the discussion for best goalie in the division at this point with an above 86 SV% and 5 shutouts to his name. The older brother @Bror1326, on the other hand was able to generate offense for the club and was the teams leading scorer with a 30+38=68 stat line. Their playstyle might have to be slightly revised for the Playoffs and captain @iSvamp could have to pull out his old hockey bible in order for them to shut down opposing teams when the going gets rough. Prediction: Leksands IF advances 3-4. (4) Djurgården Hockey vs (5) Herlev Eagles Djurgården Hockey have been a consistent performer despite seeing some quite heavy roster changes almost every season. This time returnee @Strumpan87 and new recruit @pakjiz have been able to slot in quite nicely, helping the team succeed. DIF have been an excellent special teams squad, being best on the penalty kill and third best on the powerplay, which will definitely keep Herlev on their toes in this series. After some wild events on the last night of play, Herlev Eagles were able to pave their way into 5th place and got a rather favourable matchup against DIF in the first round. The changes Herlev has made have definitely strengthened the team and @Jjomppa was able to slot in very nicely alongside @Dreamickie and @vibholm10, who are once again expected to be able to carry the team in the Playoffs. Herlev have managed to play good on the penalty kill, but still has the highest goals against average of all Playoff teams. They'll need to adress that if they want to move forward. Prediction: Herlev Eagles advances 2-4. (4) VISU Gaming vs (5) RCTIC We're used to seeing VISU Gaming perform well and it's no surpeise that they've paved their way into the Playoffs once again. @MuKiMaisteri is one of the division's best forwards and he has a nose for the net unlike many others. He should be able to find those decisive goals in tough situations. @Tanski87 has been able to slot in well at his new winger position. He brings experience and leadership to an already experienced squad. Look out for this team, who are fit for fight in the Playoff environment. RCTIC saw some big changes in the offseason and for a while it looked like they might not participate, but they've been able to find their stride and eventually even make the Playoffs. Dynamic duo @yrjoo & @Limbe65 have performed well up front and we'll be excited to watch them go to work in the Playoffs again. We'll have to wait and see if RCTIC will play @layout, or if they'll go with @FakiiR1 and @IKarkkiI at the back end. Young @Ricco is their goaltender, who has been able to find a very high level of play, but can he keep it together in the Playoffs? Prediction: VISU Gaming advances 4-2.