ECL 12 Elite Playoffs: Semifinals Preview

After an action-packed quarterfinal round in which all top seeds advanced, we're now left with four familiar contenders, all eager to punch their tickets to the grand final. Number one seed FILADELPHIA are looking to defend their title and keep their impressive finals streak going, whereas hREDS and HAVU are clashing in a rematch of their ECL 11 semifinals series!

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 Färjestad BK (4) 

Tale of the tape

(Reg. season record) 28-0-2 vs. 20-8-2

(GF/G) 3.67 vs. 3.3

(GA/G) 1.00 vs. 2.23

(Special teams %) 112.85 vs. 118.18

(Season series) FILA

If you feel like you've seen this before, you're not wrong! FILADELPHIA and Farjestad have went head-to-head at this stage back in ECL 10, which was the last time Farjestad was seen in the semifinals. Back then, the Swedes faltered 4-1, but have strengthened their squad considerably since then, while keeping the core intact around captain Christoffer @I-Maise-I Berntsson. To differ from their previous seasons, the new and improved FBK are now on par with the best of them in terms of offensive power with the emergence of Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann and Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt among the very best of defensemen in terms of point production. The problem is - this has happened at the cost of defensive responsibilities at times - Farjestad has an average goals conceded way above the rest of the semifinalist teams, and a significant drop from their numbers last season.

FILADELPHIA, the reigning champions. They are on yet another impressive run towards their sixth consecutive finals appearance and is the only team currently in the Elite division to make the finals every season since they entered the top 16. On top of that impressive stat, the team also broke their own record of the highest regular season point total ever with a whopping 58(!). The black and orange remained undefeated in regulation throughout the regular season, but suffered their first loss against IQUE in the quarterfinals. Now facing the very familiar Farjestad, who they made easy work of in the regular season, there should be no stopping FILA in a long seven game series. 

This series will be decided in two main areas - the center lane and on defense. There is no doubt about the fact that FILADELPHIA captain Joonas @Patzlaf Paatiala has the edge on Farjestad center @I-Maise-I, and the Finn rarely takes days off. Maise needs to step up his game in the faceoff circle and find a way to help his team more off the puck if they are to overcome the beast of a team that FILA currently is. On defense, however, the current form of Farjestad duo @Lehmannens and @l-Furyan-l tops that of FILA's Aleksi @loimmu Loimuvirta and Teemu @Xteemuz Polttila in terms of production, but the Swedes will need to stay patient and not sacrifice their defensive end, since every mistake will be costly against the defending champs.

Prediction: FILADELPHIA in 6

 hREDS (2) vs HAVU Gaming (3) 

Tale of the tape

(Reg. season record) 25-4-1 vs. 22-6-2

(GF/G) 3.80 vs. 2.87

(GA/G) 1.40 vs. 1.17

(Special teams %) 116.70 vs. 116.66

(Season series) hREDS

hREDS is one of those teams that have been on the rise for quite some time already. Since entering the top 16 back in ECL 10, the squad has made minor changes and managed to improve every season. Their last campaign was their first finals appearance and ended in a rather quick exit, but now the offensive powerhouse could be ready to take things that one step further with last seasons experience in mind. Former radar duo Perttu @Beniittto Kemppainen and Vili @Vilupoika Häkkinen reunited this season, resulting in a career high in Elite points for both, while Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen followed close behind also reaching career high numbers. On defense, the addition of Aaro @xDoumi Ruuhinen alongside Tuukka @Tuukka.R (KingOfApes_) Röpelinen makes for an offense first-pairing, that have managed to help out young star goaltender Filip @Faze91- Azri in a great way so far. 

If hREDS have managed to improve on a steady pace, the engine of HAVU Gaming hasn't been chugging along quite as nicely. Despite making the playoffs in the top three once agains, the black and green collected their lowest point total ever (under the HAVU banner) in the Elite division and they mustn't be happy about that. The recent ground-and-pound laid upon YMCA Esports in the quarterfinals surely salvages some of that confidence and we'll see if HAVU can return to their strong form looking for revenge against hREDS. The return of Ilmari @Buantso Lehkonen to the left wing is massive for HAVU, as the man usually brings out the best of himself and his teammates in the playoffs. 

Last season, HAVU Gaming suffered from an inability to convert on scoring chances against hREDS, whereas the other side was the clearly more prevalent squad on that front. Looking blindly at the stats, it is apparent that we could be in for a similar show this season too, but as seen before - anything could happen in the playoffs. Special teams have been great for both sides and the two are very evenly matched in that department, but hREDS is the far more aggressive squad. In fact, hREDS were the most penalized team of the regular season and can't afford to continue that trend in the semifinals.

Prediction: hREDS in 7

Both matchups will be featured tonight on our broadcast, starting 19:45 CEST with Cody @Tougie24 Tougas and Paul @Cyn Anderson in the booth! See you there!