ECL 12 Lite Playoffs: Round 1 Preview

NHLGamers,

The ECL 12 Lite regular season has finished and we are ready for the playoffs. It is time to speculate briefly on the fixtures and predict the outcome of those exciting series. There are many very even matchups ahead and some with a bit more of favorites but like we have seen in previous ECL seasons, the playoffs are full of surprises and there are many competitive teams so anything can truly happen.

Note: At the time of writing this GIFU Hockey vs VANHAT KYLJYKSET series has already begun so it is left out in this preview for that reason.

Lainaa

10.6.3 ECL Lite Playoff Schedule
• Playoffs Round 1: 15.6 – 20.6 (BO7)
• Playoffs Round 2: 22.6 – 1.7 (BO7)
• Quarterfinals: 4.7 – 8.7 (BO7)
• Semifinals: 11.7 – 15.7 (BO7)
• Finals: 19.7 – 21.7 (BO7)

(1) Reality Check HC vs Grilli Tulille (32)

Number one seed with lots to prove Reality Check HC faces the very multi-talented team Grilli Tulille, consisting of several players merited on the virtual football pitch. Grilli Tulille had a very tight situation to even reach the playoffs with both Thunder United and them being tied in all tie-breakers. The two completed a best-of-three series, ending in Grili Tulille claiming the last Playoff spot.

In this game, we've got the top seeded team versus the bottom seeded team. Reality Check HC had a huge regular season as expected and Grilli Tulille barely managed to squeak into the playoffs by the narrowest possible margin. Grilli Tulille is already accustomed to playoff style hockey, but they are unlikely to beat a team as talented as Reality Check.

Prediction: Reality Check HC wins 4-2.

(2) noRex Gaming vs The Last Line (31)

Two teams from the same group in the regular season will face off. noRex Gaming won both regular season games. Both squads are in good form to start the playoffs - The Last Line beat Powerhouse HC in the last game and had an impressive 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games, whereas noRex finished their regular season campaign with a 7-1-2 record in their last 10. Quite an interesting point is that The Last Line beat Powerhouse HC in the last game and noRex Gaming lost to the same team in their last game. Despite that, noRex Gaming is without a doubt the favorite in this clash.

Prediction: noRex Gaming wins 4-2

(3) GIFU Hockey vs VANHAT KYLJYKSET (30)

This series has already started and is even at 1-1.

(4) Royal HT vs BIK Karlskoga Esport (29)

Both teams were in same group. Royal HT won the group and BIK Karlskoga Esport barely reached the playoffs. Royal HT won both their games between each other quite comfortably so there is a clear favorite in this series. BIK Karlskoga Esports needs all going exactly as planned and lots of luck to advance from this series as their opposition has already proven their skill against their system in the groupstage. Goaltending must be on top and BIK would need to convert on any chance they get, although unlikely, anything could theoretically happen.

Prediction: Royal HT wins 4-0

(5) Barys eSports vs United Front (28)

Barys eSports have been quite impressive in their debut season in the ECL. They finished second after noRex Gaming in their group and with that reached a favorable position in the postseason. United Front finished 7th in their group after a decent regular season. They had quite the roller-coaster form throughout but overcame teams like FILADELPHIA Academy and in the last matches played rather tight games against group winners GIFU Hockey. Barys eSports seems to be a slight favorite but this series is likely to be tighter than you might expect.

Prediction: Barys eSports wins 4-2

(6) UNI Gaming vs Hokurit (27)

UNI Gaming finished 2nd in their group and Hokurit 7th respectively. Hokurit had a fluctuating regular season but beat teams like Powerhouse HC so they have the caliber to challenge UNI Gaming for sure. On the other hand, UNI Gaming has been strong throughout and possess quality and experience from Pro last season, they also beat their group winner GIFU Hockey an both occasions in the regular season, which is a show of strength. UNI Gaming is the favorite but Hokurit is capable of challenging well in this series.

Prediction: Hokurit wins 4-2

(7) IK Oskarshamn vs Almost Retired (26)

Two teams that were in the same group. Both games between these teams went the way of IK Oskarshamn, but one of them did take overtime. IK Oskarshamn is a favorite no doubt. We could restate the same mantra as in many other series, we've got a heavy favorite going up against an underdog that needs all the hockey gods on their side in order to overcome the big obstacle and move on.

Prediction: IK Oskarshamn wins 4-0

(8) TuTo Esports vs Baby Goons (25)

Again we've got two Finnish squads who already clashed in the groupstage. TuTo won both tight games, out of which one extended to OT. This series is likely to be tight even though TuTo finished second and Baby Goons 7th in the group. Baby Goons have underachieved and could fulfil their potential come playoffs.

Prediction: TuTo Esports wins 4-2

(9) Powerhouse HC vs Tic Tac Toes (24)

Both of these squads were in the same group and if we looked at it ahead of the season, the seeds should perhaps be inverted. Powerhouse came through this season, though and won both games between the two with two goal margins. Tic Tac Toes is a team with tremendous talent and has challenged the likes of noRex Gaming very well.

Prediction: Powerhouse HC wins 4-3

(10) Central Hockey Canucks vs Södertälje SK (23)

Central Hockey Canucks has put forth impressive efforts against top teams like Project X and GIFU Hockey throughout the season. Södertälje SK has also in their own group had some good games against top teams like IK Oskarshamn. Therefore, there isn't any major favorite in this series and it could eventually swing either way.

Prediction: Central Hockey Canucks wins 4-2

(11) Lulea Hockey vs Hyperion (22)

Lulea Hockey did pretty well in their group, which included some high seeded teams like IK Oskarshamn and Reality Check HC. They played tight games against both, winning once in each matchup. Hyperion finished 6th in a tough group as well, beating teams like GIFU Hockey and Project X both once along their way. Hyperion has potential although Lulea is a favorite in this series.

Prediction: Lulea Hockey wins 4-1

(12) Spirit vs Ducktales BK (21)

Spirit ended their regular season in good form: 10 games and 8 wins (1 OT win) and 2 losses (one in OT), which pushed them into 3rd place in their group. Ducktales BK also had similar form at the end of the regular season (8 wins/3 OT and 2 losses/1 OT). Both were in the same group and played two even games against each other. Spirit won both times but with narrow goal margins on both occasions. We're expecting a tight series with lots of drama, especially as both clubs come into the clash in good form.

Prediction: Ducktales BK wins 4-3

(13) Unwanted vs RoKi Esports (20)

Unwanted finished 4th and RoKi Esports 5th in the same group. The two played each other just before the end of the regular season and shared wins, but Unwanted walked away with a point more through an OT loss. RoKi Esports had a disappointing last season so they have a lot to play for. Game 7 is most likely a very good guess in this series.

Prediction: RoKi Esports wins 4-3

(14) Project X vs FILADELPHIA Academy (19)

These teams were in positions 4th and 5th in the same group. Project X won both their tight regular season games so FILADELPHIA Academy has it out for them in the form of revenge on their minds. FILADELPHIA Academy has the reputation and integrity of their mother club to play for alone, but also has the backing of FILA-fans alike behind them going into this bout. A lot of pressure for success in Lite this season. We're in for an exciting and tight series with potential to extend into a game 7.

Prediction: Project X wins 4-3

(15) AiKnown vs EHC Biel Bienne eSports (18)

These teams finished 4th and 5th in their groups respectively. AiKnown has the skill and experience in their roster and has showcased it by beating a strong squad like Royal HT which is an achievement in itself. HC Biel Bienne eSports beat IK Oskarshamn 4-2 and lost only in OT so you could say they've done exactly the same on their own part.

Prediction: HC Biel Bienne eSports wins 4-2

(16) AfroDunk vs TTK (17)

TTK started the regular season in their group with 7 consecutive wins, but later on their form has cooled off a bit. There is potential for the better, however. AfroDunk challenged teams like Reality Check and IK Oskarshamn in their group and won once each without conceding a goal and just before playoffs. AfroDunk finished 4th in their group and TTK 5th. Expecting a 7 game series.

Prediction: AfroDunk wins 4-3

Players to watch

As usual, Lite has showcased some exceptional skill this season and with that, here are just few players to follow in the playoffs. Grilli Tulille is an exceptional team due to their multi-game talent and their goaltender has also done well against tough opponent - if the mechanical skill isn't there, the mental strength definitely should be.

It'll be exciting to see new names rise to stardom in the crucial moments of these series. Here we are trying to highlight top players for their teams that are expected to shine in these big games of the season too.

some defensemen have also been highlighted, and for these guys the +/- stat is something that was looked at besides point production. The +/- is a decent measure of individual defensive skill but even more than that, team defensive skill. A high production paired with a good +/- is a sign of a winning team.

@egoapina Grilli Tulille GP 12 7+14=21

@Valdoboii Grilli Tulille GP 15 10 4 1 SV% 86,21 GAA 1,87

@Pursuitti Reality Check HC GP 28 35+54=78

@Toivonen_ Spirit GP 29 40+44_84

@Oliverigood TuTo Esports GP 30 29+47=76

@s_w1ld_rus Barys eSports GP 28 22 4 2 SV % 82,05 GAA 1,75

@Burtsi980H Baby Goons GP 28 48+38=86

@GERxVillain noRex Gaming GP 28 14+27=41 +38

@Tumpp1A Royal HT GP 30 5+27=32 +66

@Fightlocke3 noRex Gaming GP 28 21 1 6 SV % 83,71 GAA 1,29

@PSchibra Barys eSports GP 28 9+32 =41

@JLopatko noRex Gaming GP 28 27+27=54