ECL 11 Neo: Mid-season report - Groups 1-5

NHLGamers,

Welcome to the first half of the ECL Neo mid-season report. As things begin to heat up in the race for the playoffs, we will take a look at the at the teams leading the race in pursuit of Group glory, the teams chasing those elusive final playoff spots, and the teams at the bottom looking to cause problems. Let's get on with the good stuff:

Situations may have changed since the writing of this article - the article was written on 3.12.2020.

Group 1

We begin with EV Duisburg and Reign who sit tied with 18 points each at the top of the group. Reign, however, hold two games over their rivals at the top. Reign will have their work cut out as they look to create an assured lead at the top of Group 1, they play their two fixtures in hand this Saturday evening against ambitious Piukat Paikat who sit just below them in third place, albeit with four more fixtures played. Both Reign and Duisburg then have a huge night this Sunday as they hold double headers. Duisburg play Eskilstuna Snake at 20:00 CET, and Reign face Black Wings HC, before the two meet each other in what could be a winner takes all encounter at 21:00 CET. 

In mid table, Rostedtin Jetit could remain the surprise package of the group. An incredibly tough early schedule has seen them face all the teams above them already, losing just twice. They finish the season with games against teams in the bottom 3 of the group, but fixtures with Black Wings and Northmen before this stretch could see their group topping dreams diminish. Northmen’s debut season in the ECL has been successful so far, with a staggering 72% powerplay success rate being the key to their success, but an opening day OT loss against Black Wings could come back to haunt them.

In the race for the final playoff spot, Black Wings sit in 6th place with a comfortable three-point lead over nearest challengers, Alpenforcer.  With a game in hand, they will look to extend this lead further. Eskilstuna Snake are the only team outside the playoff spots with a real chance to make up their point deficit, but 4 wins in a row for a team who have only won 2 games all season may be too much to ask. At the bottom, Polish Patriots have lost by 11 goals four times this season and will be hoping that they can recover some pride before the end of the season.

Key team stats
Most points per game:  Reign (1,8)
Most goals per game:  Piukat Paikat (4.71)
Least goals against per game:  EV Duisburg (1.5)
Best power play:  HC Northmen (72.73%) 
Best penalty kill:  Alpenforcer (89.29%)

Group 2

It’s tight at the top of group two as 5th Line Heroes, Aladinit, Pinaattikone and Bauer Rangers GmbH battle it out for Group winners. With no team in these four having lost more than two games in regulation, it boils down to a number of big fixtures between the teams in the closing gamedays. Pinaattikone will face all three of their rivals in their final 6 games, meaning they are the only team in the group that control their own destiny: win all 6 in regulation and they will win the group, lose one and it all gets very complicated!

In mid table, Mora IK eSport should have done enough to secure their playoff spot considering the struggles of the teams below them. While their tough finishing schedule contains group challengers Bauer and Aladinit, they have a fixture against group whipping boys Valhalla Riddare HC which should give them the 4 points needed to guarantee their progress.

Occupying the final playoff spot is HC PyllistyS. They must defeat Redlight Jokers this Sunday to secure their own progress. Redlight, who also control their own fate, must win both games vs PyllistyS in regulation to give themselves hope of progressing before facing fellow playoff hopefuls Iserlohn Roosters and finally, Valhalla Riddare. Pirate Esports must also hope for a Jokers win vs PyllistyS, as they face the challenge of a penultimate game vs 5th Line Jokers before concluding their season against PyllistyS.

For Valhalla it has been a debut season to forget. 11 games, 11 losses. Nevertheless, they hold they hold the key to other team’s playoff fates in their hands and will look to throw a spanner in the works before the end.

Key team stats
Most points per game:  5th Line Heroes (1.75)
Most goals per game:  5th Line Heroes (5.08)
Least goals against per game:  Bauer Rangers GmbH (1.4)
Best power play:  Aladinit (21.05%) 
Best penalty kill:  5th Line Heroes (97.44%)

Group 3

Group 3 is the most cut and dry group in the division. Electric-paced newcomers Fila De La HC have raced to the top of Group 3 and are yet to lose in regulation. Their final fixtures against fellow challengers Sesku Patversme and the always dangerous Russian Lightning give Fila the chance to win the group outright having never lost a match in 60 minutes. A stat that would mark them out as extremely dangerous opposition for any potential playoff opponents. Sesku Patversme could still upset their party however, a double victory over Fila, combined with wins over third place Sawolanche, and some help from Russian Lightning in their fixtures over Fila gives them a chance of upsetting the odds.

In the middle of the pack, NHLgang and Goosebumps look clear favourites for the final playoff positions. UnknownHeroes sit just outside the playoff spots and will look to overhaul NHLgangs points advantage. With this said, their inability to defeat the Gang in the last round of fixtures leaves their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Particularly with NHLgang still to face the 0-10 Galaxy Huskies.

At the bottom of the group, Galaxy Huskies prop up the table, but close out the season with fixtures against fellow strugglers OilBarons and Tango Delirium which gives all three teams a chance to avoid last place in the group and the dreaded wooden spoon.

Key team stats
Most points per game:  Fila De La HC (1.86)
Most goals per game:  Sesku Patversme (6.58)
Least goals against per game:  Sesku Patversme (1.25)
Best power play:  Sesku Patversme (26.09%) 
Best penalty kill:  NHLgang (100%)

Group 4

At the top of Group 4 Ultimatum are also unbeaten so far this season in regulation, racking up a frightening average of 7.5 goals per game on their journey to the top. Hannover Indians eSports look to be the only team left in the group that can challenge Ultimatum, with the two teams set to meet this Sunday in a top of the table encounter.

Packing out the rest of the playoff spots are Million Plus, EHC Basel eSports, SCB eSports. With Fearless Knights holding on to the final play-off spot, their fixture with 7th placed HC Sokol Moscow this Sunday could be a knockout blow for the Moscow side should they fail to take all 4 points on offer against the Knights. Given that they entertain Group leaders Ultimatum and challengers Hannover prior to the season’s conclusion, 4 points is a must for the Men from Moscow. The two Swiss sides Basel and Bern have enjoyed strong debut seasons, and with their Points per game positions will both enjoy pressure free games vs Ultimatum before the close of group play as they seek to send out a playoff warning to potential rivals in the next round. 3rd place Million Plus, with their low points per game average, will also be watching this weekends fixtures with a bit more anxiety as they seek to avoid being pulled into a playoff spot struggle.

Legion of Doom, who sit dead last in Group 4, having been crushed 19-1 by Ultimatum in Season 11’s biggest margin of defeat, entertain fellow strugglers Puliveivarit and HC Porokeisarit. These 3 teams may look at these encounters as a way to build a winning mentality in competitive 6’s before their return to ordinary play.

Key team stats
Most points per game:  Ultimatum (1.89)
Most goals per game:  Ultimatum (7.56)
Least goals against per game:  Ultimatum (2)
Best power play:  Ultimatum (48.28%) 
Best penalty kill:  Ultimatum (100%)
 

Group 5

‘It’s lonely at the top, but the view is nice.’ - Rahinakaukalo.

Finnish club Rahinakaukalo have utterly dominated Group 5. 12 played, 12 wins and 15 goals conceded in the process. They have defeated 2nd place Norrland twice this season, and face 3rd place Dead Evil on Sunday. You would be hard pressed to find someone willing to bet against them winning 18 straight, they have been that dominant. Norrland and Dead Evil also look secure in their playoff qualification and it would take a monumental collapse by both teams to see them enter the playoff battle.

In 4th place, 3Tuna Le Sport are being led to a fine season by Captain TableHockey, and despite some last-minute roster changes prior to the season puck drop, they have looked convincing. Tough single goal losses to Norrland in the last round of fixtures were a sore blow to the Swedes, but they do not look like slowing down in their playoff pursuit. Team Rocket, Yellow Jackets and KulmalaHengaus will battle it out for the final playoff sport, with less than 3 points separating these teams with 6 fixtures remaining, it’s going to be a no holds barred battle in the Group 5 playoff hunt.

KulmalaHengaus hold the advantage in the pursuit for the playoffs, facing both Yellow Jackets and Team Rocket in their remaining fixtures. Full points from these games would place them in the playoff spots going into the final fixture round.

At the bottom HC Lachen’s troubles continue, they are 1-11 going in to a 3-game stretch against 3 teams in the playoff hunt. With this said, their single victory this season came against 3rd place Dead Evil, with no pressure on Lachen, they could always create another upset.

Key team stats
Most points per game:  Rahinakaukalo (2)
Most goals per game: Rahinakaukalo (5.83)
Least goals against per game: Rahinakaukalo (1.25)
Best power play:  Yellow Jackets (32.26%) 
Best penalty kill:  Dead Evil (100%)

That's it for the first part of our mid-season report! We'll be releasing the overview of the rest of the groups shortly.