ECL 11 Elite Playoffs: Semifinals Preview

NHLGamers,

...and then there were four. After a surprisingly lopsided  group of series in the first round, we're down to the best of the best, which in all honesty weren't that tough to predict this season. FILADELPHIA, HAVU Gaming, hREDS and JYP Jyvaskyla are going to determine who will be the one to hoist the trophy this season in the most prestigious league in virtual hockey. All of these teams are viable options to win it all and we'd certainly feel good about handing the trophy over to any one of these squads - we know they are worthy. Now it's time to really bite down and go for that final push.

Lainaa

10.5.1 ECL Elite Playoff Schedule
• Quarterfinals: 24.1 - 27.1 (BO7)
• Semifinals: 1.2 - 4.2 (BO7)
• Finals: 12.2 - 13.2 (BO7)

Without further nonsense, here are your ECL 11 Elite Semifinal matchups:

(1)  FILADELPHIA vs JYP Jyvaskyla  (5)

TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Erik @Eki Tammenpää (5 GP, 3+6=9) vs Valtteri @Vattu__ Virtanen (6 GP, 8+3=11)

GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Casper @ICappeI Lundgren (5 GP, 78.79 SV%, 1.4 GAA, 2 SO) vs Santeri @Sandr0hh Reijasalo (4 GP, 80.65 SV%, 1.5 GAA, 2 SO)

FILADELPHIA did as expected and overcame Northern Ascendancy with a rather routine performance in the quarterfinals. The #1 seed didn't display anything out of the ordinary and simply showed up, getting the job done - the kind of stuff you can do when you're one of the best teams around. Statistically, FILADELPHIA outplayed their opponents in each of the five games in the quarterfinals, outshooting NOR by a large margin throughout the series. @ICappeI played a major role by solidifying a series lead with two shutouts to start the series. No changes are expected or needed for that matter in the semifinals. Going up against JYP, FILA will be facing a slightly more skilled and experienced opponent, but if the regular season games are to judge by, they will not meet their match at this stage yet.

I was expecting JYP to be at least slightly fazed going up against Farjestad BK in the quarterfinals, but their disappointment back from ECL 10 didn't show the slightest. Despite the series ending up at 4-2, JYP was in the drivers seat and stayed in control throughout the series. Youngster @Vattu__ took a big step up on his left wing, building on a successful regular season and now leading his team and the entire playoffs in scoring at 8+3=11. Vattu is also displaying next lefel efficiency, burying his chances at over a 50% success rate over the six games played so far. Another interesting factor for JYP is how they are going to play their goalies. Both experienced @Sandr0hh and newcomer Teemu @ITemeI Laukkanen have put forth great performances, but one would imagine their long time netminder Sandro will get the start tonight.

Prediction:
We're going to see two very skilled teams going up against each other and we know that both of them will be able to win games when they get to stay on the puck more. FILADELPHIA is expected to drive most of the play, whereas JYP will be forced to pick their chances a bit more, when having a hot scorer like Vattu on their side might prove to be crucial. JYP will be able to take at least one victory, but I can't see them walking away with the series. FILADELPHIA wins 4-1.

(2)  HAVU Gaming vs hREDS  (3)

TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha (4 GP, 6+1=7) vs Joakim @Joukki Nyholm (4 GP, 2+4=6)

GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Oskari @SibeIius Grönroos (4 GP, 83.33SV%, 1 GAA, 0 SO) vs Mika @FinKonna Paasikontu (4 GP, 87.5 SV%, 1 GAA, 1 SO)

In their quarterfinal bout against Roots Gaming, HAVU managed to take their green rivals down without any sign of trouble. Yes - two of the games were extended to overtime. Yes- the games were tight, but the bottom line here is that HAVU won four straight and winning those tight battles is what it's really about in the playoffs. HAVU managed to stay on the puck for most of the series and while it didn't show on the scoreboard this time, it makes me believe that they are in good form moving forward. If anything, they will need to find some efficiency from other guys outside their top scorer @FlyerKungen as all other players except him and centerman Risto @Dominointi Järvi are still at one goal each in the playoffs.

I was perhaps expecting hREDS to be able to bully Vesa Pompa in the quarterfinals, as the Swedish squad made playoffs somewhat surprisingly in my books still, but that didn't turn out happening. Despite the series score being lopsided, hREDS didn't look as strong as I expected all the time. Some games they managed to dominate from time to time, but their x-factor in the quarterfinals was really goaltender @FinKonna, who is sporting an impressive 87.5 SV% moving on to the semifinals. A high save percentage usually shows that the team has helped out their goaltender well, forcing low danger chances. If hREDS can keep that up while staying dangerous offensively, they are still a team I could see in the finals this season.

Prediction:
This is going to be a tough one, not just because two very closely matched squads are clashing but because I like both of these teams as options moving forward. However, it's a fact that one unbeaten streak in the playoffs will be broken at approximately 21:45 CET tonight and that will set the tone for the rest of the series. For the sake of changing things up I'll pick hREDS to win in 7.

Don't miss tonight's broadcast. The first night of ECL 11 Elite Semifinals is on at 19:45 CET!