ECL 12 Elite Playoffs: Quarterfinals Preview

It's the eve of the ECL 12 Elite quarterfinals start and we're all eager to begin this journey towards finding out an eventual champion, but first - let's take a look at the matchups we're in for!
 

Lainaa

10.6.1 ECL Elite Playoff Schedule
• Quarterfinals: 5.7, 7.7, 8.7 (BO7)
• Semifinals: 12.7, 14.7, 15.7 (BO7)
• Finals: 30.7, 31.7 (BO7)

 FILADELPHIA (1) vs. IQUE (8) 

Tale of the tape

(Reg. season record) 28-0-2 vs. 13-12-5

(GF/G) 3.67 vs. 1.83

(GA/G) 1.00 vs. 2.70

(Special teams %) 112.85 vs. 96.23

(Season series) FILA

First on the docket is FILADELPHIA vs. IQUE in what can only be described as a complete and utter landslide in favour of the orange and black brigade. No disservice to IQUE, but personally I just do not see a single aspect in their line-up that could challenge FILADELPHIA to any meaningful degree. If it becomes a high-scoring, end-to-end, affair – FILADELPHIA wins. If it becomes a low-scoring, cagey and uneventful display – FILADELPHIA wins. If it becomes a special-teams battle where games are decided upon critical penalties taken for, or against, a particular team – FILADELPHIA wins.

Can IQUE find a way to pull off the upset though? Well, to put it simply, they have to play perfectly. On top of this small task, they will need to lean heavily on @Pirtsa89, @Makeaxl, @zNico, and @laitineen64 to clog up anything in front, then, and perhaps most importantly of all, capitalise, on any quick counters using their wingers in @santeerii, and @Nieppii.

FILADELPHIA’s path to victory? Show up… and that’s about it.

Prediction: FILA in 4

 hREDS (2) vs. POGGERS (7) 

Tale of the tape

(Reg. season record) 25-4-1 vs. 14-13-3

(GF/G) 3.80 vs. 2.80

(GA/G) 1.40 vs. 2.63

(Special teams %) 116.70 vs. 98.85

(Season series) hREDS

Next up we have hREDS vs. POGGERS, which has the potential to be the highest scoring series in the ECL 12 Playoffs. Both teams are geared towards quick counters and ‘direct’ play. Both have shown throughout the season to be able to put up a large number of goals in a single game (7 for POGGERS, and 10 for hREDS). Both also boast a d-core that is offensively minded, with hREDS’s defenders (@xDoumi & @Tuukka.R) finishing 6^th and 10^th , and POGGERS’ (@Terodee & @Eemil) finishing 4^th and 15^th, respectively.

This similarity in style however can be POGGERS’ downfall here, however. Much like with IQUE before them, in order to secure their spot in the semi-final POGGERS cannot fall into the trap of believing they can simply just go toe-to-toe with hREDS and get into a scoring-fest. hREDS can, and will, skewer any exposed POGGERS defenders if given the chance, so anticipating this one would understand if POGGERS attempted to curtail their offensive aggression in an attempt to not only give themselves more time with the puck, but to give their defenders time and space to recover from the hREDS onslaught they are likely to receive. Indeed, even this might not be enough, with hREDS’ @Beniittto nigh on solely possessing the ability to create something from absolutely nothing – something that the POGGERS’ players will be very accustomed to as the series wages on.

Prediction: hREDS in 4

 HAVU Gaming (3) vs. YMCA Esports (6) 

Tale of the tape

(Reg. season record) 22-6-2 vs. 16-12-2

(GF/G) 2.87 vs. 2.47

(GA/G) 1.17 vs. 2.13

(Special teams %) 116.66 vs. 94.7

(Season series) YMCA

Again, no disrespect to the lower seeds mentioned previously, but these next two series are where the action will be if you are looking for series where the games have the potential to not only be competitive but could even go the distance to the always entertaining game 7.

HAVU Gaming, as always, has finished the season in a strong position, albeit I’m sure with a bit of anger stemming from not performing up to their usual stratospheric level. Indeed, this first round matchup presents HAVU with a real test for once in a long time, or at least one that has the potential for it. Throughout this season HAVU has been as ironclad defensively as seasons past, however their offense has spluttered compared to their usual pace and is sitting at ‘only’ 2.87, good for 4^th in the league ahead of a very close GOONS squad, and distantly back from Färjestad BK in 3^rd. Of course, it’s not like the forward core of HAVU hasn’t faced adversity in the past and overcome difficult situations – in fact it may very well be that the duo of @Dominointi and @FlyerKungen once again turn it up a notch and find that ‘extra’ gear now that the playoffs are upon us.

YMCA Esports on the other hand are coming into the series with the best defence out of the lower seeds (5-8) and the 4^th best amongst all ECL Elite Playoff teams, although it should be stated here that this comes with somewhat mild caveat of YMCAs offence being the second most anaemic out of all playoff teams. Nevertheless, if YMCA are able to score the first goal, thanks in no small part to the engine of the team at C in @Timasy, then they stand a real chance of doing some damage in this matchup. Outside of that and simply frustrating HAVU, it is still rather difficult to nudge the needle in favour of YMCA over the course of a BO7, regardless of the potential issues that HAVU may be facing.

Prediction: HAVU in 5

 Färjestad BK (4) vs. GOONS (5) 

Tale of the tape

(Reg. season record) 20-8-2 vs. 19-9-2

(GF/G) 3.30 vs. 2.83

(GA/G) 2.23 vs. 2.30

(Special teams %) 118.18 vs. 81.22

(Season series) GOONS

We now arrive at the series that has the most potential for an upset (whatever that means in a series where the 4^th seed plays the 5^th seed), but also one that has the potential to realistically go either way.

Much has been made about Färjestad BK over the past few seasons. Indeed, I’m sure everyone has their own opinion regarding how they play but one cannot argue with the results they have forged as of late. Back-to-back 4^th place finishes in the regular season is nothing to turn your nose up against, in fact this season they even cracked the 20-win plateau which is approaching some serious rarefied air as far as ECL Elite goes as very few sets of teams can join them in this achievement. Despite this, Färjestad BK comes into this series with nothing set in stone as their opponent in GOONS, whilst a lower seed, finished only a measly 2pts behind them in the standings and are seemingly finding more and more confidence as their season goes on.

In truth, I cannot quite pin down this series and predict how it will go with much certainty. Färjestad BK are battle-tested and experienced in playoff situations across all manner of tournaments, with all their players possessing vast experience from previous ECL or SCL Playoffs. That said, one could make the argument that they are somewhat one dimensional, with most of their attacks being structured around and emanating from @I-Maise-I – take particular care in shutting down the middle of the ice across all three zones and Färjestad BK may develop some issues. On the other hand, GOONS are somewhat similar in that @kriketski17 forms a large part of their offence in the way that he sets the tempo of the team before dishing it to his wingers, granted GOONS’ offence is much more free-flowing than Färjestad BK’s so if effort is made to shut-down @kriketski17, then this strategy may be dulled in its effectiveness by GOONS’ flexibility.

It should also be noted that Färjestad BK has a massive advantage on the special teams front, with a superior power-play and penalty-kill. Therefore, it would be wise for GOONS to minimise how often they go on little adventures to the box, lest they provide Färjestad BK’s deadly PP with an opportunity to be the difference maker. Indeed, it may very well be the case that the fate of this series is decided based on how many penalties GOONS offer up – although there is some hope that this won’t come to a head as GOONS recorded the fewest amount of PIMS this season.

Prediction: GOONS in 7