ECL '23 Spring Elite: Semifinals Preview

SportsGamers,

An exciting first round of Playoff action is over in the Elite division and while we've seen several extremely tight series already, more can be expected in the Semifinals! We've got two highly competitive series coming up, where the dominant Frölunda HC will face one of the hottest teams at the moment in Färjestad BK and in the second series, Tunnel Vision and hREDS will go at it in a rematch of their ECL '22 Spring Finals clash.

Lainaa

ECL '23 Spring: Elite Schedule

• Registration period: 18.3.-13.4.2023
• Regular Season: 24.4.-24.5.
• Quarterfinals: 29.5.-1.6.
• Semifinals: 4.-7.6.
• Finals: 16.-17.6.*
• Relegation: 26.-29.6. **

* TBC

** Series can be started as soon as pairs are known

(1)  Frölunda HC vs (5)  Färjestad BK

TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Erik @Eki Tammenpää 6 GP, 3+8=11 vs Anton @antoniomannen004 Svensander 5 GP, 5+4=9

GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Hannes @Hansulinho Kettunen 6 GP, 4 W, 73,53 SV%, 1.5 GAA, 1 SO vs Johan @McSavid Rundqvist 3 GP, 2 W, 84,38 SV%, 1.67 GAA, 1 SO

REGULAR SEASON RECORD
24-3-3 vs 16-9-5

The dominance of Frölunda HC has been impressive this season, but we can't go without mentioning the sweaty battles that Redhawks Esport put them through in the Quarterfinals. It's very rare for an 8th seed to be able to challenge the top team in the Playoffs, but the 4-2 series shows just how tight the Elite division has been this season. Statistically, Frölunda HC were able to limit the possession time of their opponents and we expect them to continue on the same path against their next Swedish rival Färjestad BK. FBK are one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment, which might spell trouble ahead, though. These teams clashed early in the season while Färjestad hadn't really found their groove yet, but the games were tight regardless. Expect a tough back and forth throughout the series. 

Färjestad BK is a team we cannot count out of the title fight this season. They are on a legendary run over the course of the past month or so, and after a catastrophic start to the season, this team has went 20-2-5 including the Playoffs since their initial losing streak. The team also has an interesting choice to make in terms of which goaltender to play, as both captain Johan @McSavid Rundqvist and Filip @Faze91- Azri have been in excellent form - Faze's outstanding 94,74 SV% and 0.5 GAA thru two games can't be missed though.

Prediction: Frölunda HC in 6. 
 

(2)  Tunnel Vision vs (3)  hREDS

TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Valtteri @Vattuyy Virtanen 7 GP, 4+10=14 vs Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen 4 GP, 7+1=8

GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Niklas @uhNikke Nieminen 26 GP, 4 W, 81,82 SV%, 1.19 GAA, 0 SO vs Teemu @ITemeI Laukkanen 4 GP, 4 W, 87,88 SV%, 1.00 GAA, 1 SO

REGULAR SEASON RECORD
24-4-2 vs 20-7-3

Tunnel Vision went a full seven games in their series against JYP in the Quarterfinals, which is somewhat of a surprise taking into account the sheer firepower Tunnel Vision displayed in the regular season. The experience and ability of JYP to match and at times even control the pace of play caused some trouble, but eventually Tunnel Vision came out victorious and are certainly very aware of what they need to do in order to take on hREDS in the Semifinals. Powerplay efficiency (62,5%) and excellent discipline were decisive factors in the Quarters, and the same weapons could end up working well for Tunnel this time around too. 

As expected, hREDS managed to pave their way through to the Semifinals, this time with a sweep against Leksands IF, who put up a valiant fight. The Quarterfinals series was a hard fought battle, and we could envision Leksands referencing Rod Brind'amour: “We didn’t lose four games. We got beat but…we were right there”. Regardless, hREDS are now moving on to a big rivalry series against Tunnel Vision, a team they're very familiar with and whom they've played in several legendary matchups over the years, but in fact only once in the Playoffs back in the ECL '22 Spring Finals. Quite interestingly, all but one game in their matchups over the past four ECL seasons have been one goal games, which goes to show just how tight of a battle we could be expecting in this one. Historically, hREDS have had Tunnel Vision's number, but could we see a shift of power creeping in?

Prediction:  Tunnel Vision in 7. 

Action kicks off already tonight at Twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG, so make sure to join us at 19:45 CEST!