FCL 6v6 Playoffs: Round 3 Preview

NHLGamers,

We're now down to the top 16 teams in the FCL and really boiling down to those most meaningful games of the season. It is at this point we'll be starting to see some really interesting clashes and we truly recommend following along with the action on twitch and social media. The third round of playoffs is to be played between today, 13th of September and Thursday, 16th of September. The playoffs are played in a best-of-five manner.
 

Lainaa

FCL 6v6 Playoff schedule:

• Round 1: 2.-5.9.
• Round 2: 6.9.-9.9.
• Round 3: 13.9.-16.9.
• Quarterfinals: 20.9.-23.9.
• Semifinals: 27.-29.9.
• Finals: 2.10.

(1)  FILADELPHIA vs Conquer Gaming  (23) 

FILADELPHIA haven't really gotten their engines started properly yet, with only six rather easy-win games in the rearview, opposition is now starting to get increasingly tougher. Conquer gaming is a team they've met before in various competitive settings but recent memory doesn't hold an occasion where Conquer would have left as the victor, even in a single game. With that in mind, FILADELPHIA should be set for success in this series too. Conquer Gaming find themselves in this position as the result of their own doing, after a rather underwhelming performance in the group stage, they are now stuck with the lowest seed in the playoffs and face a tremendous uphill battle. Expect an onslaught from FILADELPHIA and Conquer will attempt to weather the storm and counter when given the chance. 

Prediction: 3-0
 

(2)  hREDS vs FILADELPHIA Academy  (22) 

We're used to seeing hREDS and FILADELPHIA clash in big time battles, but this time it's the FILA Academy team that is making waves around the community. The academy team has shown their potential and are now starting to play true to their level, attempting to challenge reigning European champion hREDS in this series. So far, the big, bad Reds are the only remaining team to go undefeated in the league and being the highest scoring squad around while doing so. While it was rather evident that they weren't going on full steam in the first two playoff rounds, it'll be interesting to see if they are coming out with the goal to crush the affiliate team of one of their biggest rivals in this one.

Prediction: 3-0
 

(3)  IQUE vs Otukset eSports  (16) 

These two got the action started early on Sunday evening already and we ended up seeing the first real shocker of the 2021 FCL playoffs. After going undefeated through the group stage and the first round, IQUE had some minor issues with Tohtorit in the second round and came to a grinding halt in the third round against Otukset eSports, who completely shut down the party. 

Result: 0-3
 

(4)  POGGERS vs Sack Brothers  (15)

POGGERS is another one of the teams that had a great group stage, going undefeated. They had some trouble against Nordic Knights in the first round, but quickly redeemed themselves in the second round against Blacklist. We know POGGERS as a high-scoring team with rather fast offense, a style that also Sack Brothers like to employ when given the chance. In the end, we will see two rather similar squads match up, but POGGERS hold a higher standard and will be coming out as the winner. 

Prediction: 3-1
 

(5)  HAVU Gaming vs Kiekko-Espoo Esports  (14)

While they've maintained their spot among the top teams around, HAVU have been in a seemingly vulnerable position for quite some time already. In this round, Kiekko-Espoo Esports are the ones posing the challenge. Kiekko-Espoo are an interesting team, who possess some top-tier talent and have the ability to create witty plays on offense, but their form tends to be very fluctuant. Although HAVU hasn't been able to rise to their best level recently, their baseline is still above that of Kiekko-Espoo and they should be able to walk away from this one unscathed. 

Prediction: 3-0
 

(6)  Dynastia vs SAWO ESPORTS  (11) 

Now this could be a tough battle. We've been pumping the tyres of Dynastia for quite some time already and it's definitely deserved, but now they'll be running into a SAWO ESPORTS, who have slightly underperformed so far. These two clashed in the group stage already, where they traded wins, but Dynastia walked away with an extra point from an OT loss. Despite their high seed, Dynastia haven't had a cakewalk in the playoffs and have seen some issues especially in the first few games of series. They'll need to be alert in this one, or else SAWO could run them over early. 

Prediction: 2-3
 

(7)  JYP Jyvaskyla vs KOVA Esports  (10) 

This series features two squads where we could see a bit of a rivalry forming - or at least could wish for it on the sidelines. Both clubs hailing from Jyväskylä in central Finland fought in the relegation zone of ECL 12 Elite and are now clashing for the first time since those fierce battles. JYP have slightly retooled, adding 1v1 champion @Artuzio on their left wing, while KOVA have been sticking with their guns, true and tested. The history between these clubs suggest low-scoring games that will sway either direction based on opportunities converted from mistakes. It's a matchup to keep an eye on for sure!

Prediction: 3-2
 

(8)  GOONS vs Tunnel Vision  (9)

In that mid-tier matchup at this point of the playoffs, GOONS and Tunnel Vision are going to fight it out. Both squads are in a similar position, having established themselves as Elite level squads after their first campaign in the European top 16 and now looking for success in the domestic FCL. While GOONS have largely remained in a similar composition, Tunnel Vision have seen some changes since their Elite campaign, however, it looks like they could be a stronger team than before. GOONS is a more aggressive team that likes to attack the net more and put a heavier pressure on puck carriers, which could tip the scales in their benefit for this series. If Tunnel Vision can find a way to bait penalties or match that aggression, they could pose a serious threat.

Prediction: 3-2

Make sure to join us tonight for two exciting matchups, first JYP Jyvaskyla and KOVA Esports clash, after which HAVU Gaming take on Kiekko-Espoo Esports. In the booth, Arttu Hämäläinen and Oskari Koski! Tune in for the action at www.Twitch.tv/NHLGamer starting 19:45 CEST.