ECL 11 Pro Playoffs: Finals Preview

NHLGamers,

Two months ago we started the ECL 11 Pro season with 32 teams and over 260 players. Along the way we saw great games, beautiful goals and some surprises. In the end it’s fair to say that the favorites didn’t disappoint us this season. GOONS and Enigma are the best two teams of the season and they’ve deserved the spotlight of the ECL 11 Pro finals. One of these teams will win the cup and earn the direct promotion to the ECL Elite. Without further ado let’s take a look at our finalists. 

The ECL 11 Pro Finals will be played tonight, on Monday, 8th of February at 20:00 CET and on Wednesday, 10th of February at 19:45 CET.

(1)  GOONS
Road to finals
Regular season: 1st in Group 1 (25-4-1)
Playoffs round 1: 4-0 vs Sack Brothers
Quarterfinals: 4-0 vs RCTIC
Semifinals: 4-2 vs ZSC Esports

Predicted starting roster and playoffs stats
LW: @pikkuroger: 14GP (23+34=57p)
C: @xKeskitalo: 14GP (17+26=43p)
RW: @kriketski17: 14GP (21+26=47p)
LD: @viba2008: 14GP (3+8=11p)
RD: @Miika: 14GP (1+14=15p)
G: @SanteriAK47: 14GP (80,56%, 2 GAA, 1SO)

Backup players:
@McSEPPO
@yolonaattori69 (profiilipakki)
@Aitis

GOONS have had an almost perfect run to the finals. They were the best team in the regular season and in the playoffs the team have crushed their opponents game after game. The team was still without a loss in the playoffs before the semifinal series against ZSC Esports, but the Swiss Lions fought bravely and managed to beat GOONS twice. Despite GOONS being clear winners of the series, ZSC Esports exposed the mortality of their opponents and proved there are some vulnerabilities in GOONS' playing as well. This sends an encouraging message to their final opponents but also helps GOONS to keep their feet grounded.

(6)  Enigma

Road to finals
Regular season: 3rd in Group 1 (20-9-1)
Playoffs round 1: 4-0 vs Company of Geeks
Quarterfinals: 4-1 vs Vaxjo Lakers
Semifinals: 4-2 vs Tunnel Vision

Predicted starting roster and playoffs stats
LW: @Nieppii: 15GP (10+24=34p)
C: @laitineen64: 15GP (14+20=34p)
RW: @sannteri : 15GP (17+8=25p)
LD: @Makeaxl: 15GP (2+11=13p)
RD: @zNico: 15GP (1+9=10p)
G: @Pirtsa89 : 15GP (79,28%, 1,53 GAA, 1SO)

Backup players:
@Tappu
@Torpantienkovalchuk (JumalanTuhnu)
@Jaakkomusta

Enigma had a rough start for the season but they managed to improve the further the competition progressed. Especially the last two series wins against Vaxjo Lakers and Tunnel Vision proved that the team has left all their worries behind and are playing with their full potential. The team has been able to turn really close games to their favor and I like to believe they want to continue the same trend in the finals as well. This is the second time in a row that Enigma is playing in the Pro finals so the experience is on their side. However their opponent won’t get any easier than last time against Black Horse.   
 

NHLGamer decided to contact the captains of both teams for a short interview. Both teams answered the same questions and they haven’t seen their opponents answers:

1. Your team managed to secure the Pro finals spot in an impressive way. What do you think is the key factor behind the success? Were you convinced already at the start of the season that the finals and possible championship are realistic goals for your team? 

Before the season started, when I decided to establish GOONS, our aim was to become one of the top teams in the league and to make it even close to the realistic target we needed to sign top players. I introduced the project to @kriketski17 who became excited and started working on gathering a competitive team for the season. I already knew the potential of @pikkuroger and @viba2008, and Kriketski signed the rest of the players to the team. The last piece in the puzzle was when Kriketsi and his team at that time JYP Jyvaskyla made an agreement of the player himself moving to our team. After adding Kriketsi I personally became certain that it would require a really great team to beat GOONS in a seven game series and since then our only goal has been winning the Pro championship. - @Aitis

I would say the reasons are the same as in the previous season - individual talent, experience and trusting your own doing. Our team spirit is really good and we are constantly looking for ways to improve our game and willing to hear new advice from each other. As last seasons finalists we were hungry for winning the championship this time but we started the season really poorly. However after we decided to sign young prodigy @laitineen64 to our team, things started to work out and we have had a strong belief in our team again. The main goal was to reach the Elite relegation series but of course we are working towards championship and hopefully we will be able to win it. - @Nieppii 

2. What do you think are your biggest strengths in the finals compared to your opponents?

We will just play our own game and enjoy. It should be enough to win the cup. - @viba2008 

Our strength is in teamplay. We have a great chemistry and everything new we plan to do seems to work out. For example in the Tunnel Vision series we managed to win one of the games following a faceoff set play that we were working on in practice mode. Above all we also have strength between the pipes. @Pirtsa89 has been playing very well and he has saved many almost certain goals. - @sannteri 

3. How will the final series end? 

The final series will end 4-1 in GOONS' favor. Enigma has been able to improve their game during the season and the games will be really tight, but GOONS will bring the cup home. - @Aitis

The final series will certainly be tight and small things will make a difference. I would say our sauna is ready for the cup after a 4-2 series win. - @Nieppii 
 

As you can see from the answers, both teams are very confident to see the cup in their own sauna after the finals. Especially GOONS are very certain that they don’t need to change a thing in their playing and that’s something we all can really agree on. Enigma has found the winning patterns during the season which they believe will lead them to become the champions. There is also a little mind games in the answers as Enigma would like to pile the pressure on GOONS side. However they are not settling for underdogs status and have a lot of faith in their changes.     

Interesting points to follow:

• Former JYP Jyvaskyla teammates right winger @kriketski17 and left defender @Makeaxl will go head to head in opposite teams.  
• There are two players from last seasons champions Black Horse. Enigma center @laitineen64 and GOONS defender @Miika. Which of the players will be able to secure the back to back Pro championship?
• GOONS and Enigma played against each other in the regular season. GOONS was able to win both games (3-2 and 2-5) but this happened before Enigma signed their key player @laitineen64.
• Both centermen have pretty similar numbers in faceoff stats (49,7% vs 50,4%) so every faceoff will be decisive. 
• GOONS forwards have over 40% average shooting percentage and they all have scored over 40 points each in the playoffs. Enigma needs to keep these numbers in check if they want to win. 

Prediction: It’s really hard to pick the favorites for the finals especially after Enigma’s great display against Tunnel Vision who plays with quite similar strengths as compared to GOONS. As captain Nieppi said in the interview, the playoff experience is on Enigma’s side but on the other hand inexperience on the GOONS side hasn't shown in any way this season. The series will be extremely tight and the games will end with minimal goal margins. I believe Enigma will benefit from their excellent form and previous seasons experience ultimately lifting the trophy after a game seven win. Enigma will win the series 4-3.    
 

What does the community think? Even though Enigma is now predicted to win the cup, I would still keep the sauna warm in the GOONS camp as well. GOONS has been absolutely outstanding this season but Enigma has once again plowed through adversity to the finals. As always we wish you enjoy the series and cheer for your favorite team. You don’t want to miss this!