ECL 10 Elite tonight: Playoff push time

NHLGamers,

Tonight's games are offering up a bit of everything. The middle pack in the standings are desperately fighting for points to solidify their playoff spots and that's exactly the kind of battle we'll be in for tonight. In the first matchup, Roots are facing Checkmate whereafter we'll see hREDS go head-to-head with Lulea Hockey, who seem to have been finding a good run of form as of late.

Dynamic duo @Tougie24 and @Cyn will be casting the action tonight.

 Roots vs Checkmate 
RECORD
10-8-4 vs 9-11-2

TOP SCORER
Miko @Migo_boo Nurmi (12+19=31) vs Jonne @TackleControl Nikkinen (19+10=29)

GOALTENDER
Joonas @swagx88 Kuossari (10 W, 82,37 SV%, 2,23 GAA, 2 SO) vs Juuso @Juizki Nikkinen (9 W, 79,67 SV%, 2,77 GAA, 0 SO)

The first matchup of the evening sees two teams effectively battle for the same spots above the playoff line. Roots have fallen on a losing path but look to turn things around after quite surprisingly taking 3/4 points out of their matchup against JYP last night whereas Checkmate are in a similar situation, recently having turned around a starting losing streak. Both of these teams have a realistic opportunity of making the playoffs and will fight tooth and nail for all points up for grabs. Roots are known for making games low-scoring, whereas Checkmate have had a tough time converting on chances with only a 1,77 goals for average. Might that be one of the key factors in the game or will we see something entirely different from these teams that are frantically trying to claw themselves into playoff position?

 Lulea Hockey vs hREDS 
RECORD
7-10-5 vs 12-6-2

TOP SCORER
Ville @hpkfani Luukkonen (13+12+25) vs Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen (20+18=38)

GOALTENDER
Ville @Supreex Korhonen (7 W, 78,3 SV%, 2,32 GAA, 4 SO) vs Mika @FinKonna Paasikontu (4 W, 81,97 SV%, 1,83 GAA, 2 SO)

Lulea Hockey and hREDS will be offering some exciting virtual hockey in the later matchup of the evening. The two teams come into these games from rather different angles, as Lulea has been struggling mightily for a long time, but seem to have found some run of form to mount a final playoff push. The REDS, on the other hand were expected to finish among the top teams and have mostly performed accordingly. Their team offense was suffocated completely in their two latest games against JYP, so the big bad red will be itching to get their engines revved up again. Lulea have scored the least goals out of all teams in the division (1,45 GF average), which is a beast that might come to haunt them when facing hREDS and veteran goaltender Mika @FinKonna Paasikontu, who is making his 7th and 8th appearances of the season in these games. 

Tune in for all the action starting tonight at 20:00 CEST over at www.twitch.tv/nhlgamer, alternatively ISTV and Ruutu for our Finnish viewers.