SportsGamers,
The first round of the ECL '23 Spring Pro Playoffs is now in the books, and we're quickly pushing on to the Quarterfinals already! After some hard fought battles, we're now left with eight of the best teams left, and they're quite a healthy mix of squads from both regular season groups. At this point, all teams have secured a part of the prize pool, but now it's time to go for the title and increasing that cash prize!
LainaaECL '23 Spring Pro Schedule
Registration period: 18.3.-13.4.2023Regular Season: 24.4.-25.5.RO16: 29.5.-1.6.- Quarterfinals: 5.-8.6.
- Semifinals: 12.-15.6.
- Finals: 19.-22.6.
Luleå Hockey 
(1) vs RCTIC 
(15)
The match between Luleå Hockey and Oskarshamn ended with Luleå winning 4-2. Luleå had already been leading the series 3-0, but faced difficulties when Oskarshamn fought back and won a couple of low-scoring games. @Janski (Jansku23) was the highest scorer in the series, while @Janne Hietala (Hiatala_) maintained an impressive 85% save percentage. Luleå is typically considered the favorite in every playoff series, but the added pressure can sometimes work against them if the game doesn't go as planned. In addition, @Migo_boo has been impressive aswell and is tied for the first place in defenders top points.
RCTIC surprised everyone by defeating SIKA with a score of 4-0. SIKA failed to dominate in the offensive zone, as none of their forwards scored more than a point per game. RCTIC starts as the clear underdog in the preliminary settings, but they shouldn't be completely underestimated. Their strong defensive play can make things difficult for Luleå. @Okke40 (hifk_FANI), playing as a right wing has been particularly effective with 13 puck steals in 4 games. This allows players like @Limbe65 and @yrjoo to focus more on the attack. @Hokiboi18 has taken over as the number one goalkeeper for the team and has an impressive 92.86% save percentage, the best in the Pro league from the first round.
In the upcoming match, we can expect to see a clash between individual skill and a tightly-knit team defense. The author had a casual conversation with the RCTIC right wing, @Okke40 (hifk_FANI) and here are some of their responses:
How come SIKA was so bad?
They weren’t bad at all, just had a hard time scoring.
Luleå’s weakest link?
I don’t know much about Luleå. I know that their goalie is talented.
Deadly Phantoms 
(2) vs HV71 
(8) (Written by @OGjahajaha)
This is going to be a hard fought series to say the least. Both teams are highly experienced, like to play a tough defensive game and slow down the pace when beneficial for them. In a Playoff series, that's just about the recipe for success and it gets me beyond excited to watch this clash unfold. Both of their regular season games were extremely tight and saw the Phantoms come away with two wins 4-2 and 3-2. @Rayman was on his game with 3+2=5 in the double header.
The Phantoms are sporting a rather deep roster with options for rotation, @xXPsykoSkillsXx and @ProfaneKiss are locks for the starting lineup, supposedly together with the experienced @gzell60. Goaltender @RPH_31 is arguably one of the best in the division and has the stats to back that up. In their first round matchup against Otukset, the Phantoms were in for an interesting battle against a highly skilled offensive minded group, which played right into their basket as a strong unit dependent on good counter attack and efficient finishing. The upcoming series against a very different style of play is going to pose a fresh challenge for the Germans.
HV71 are a rather similar squad who benefit greatly off the puck possession skill of captain @Demski_, evident by the possession numbers. This team doesn't move the puck that much, but likes to wait for their opponents to overcommit and strike when they spot an opening. Much alike their German opponents, HV71 are backed up by elite goaltending in the form of @Tiipponenii (Coffelainen), who managed to record two shutouts in their six game series against Gunners HC in the first round. In general, this is going to be a battle in which both goalies will have important roles.
Ahead of the next round we reached out to @ProfaneKiss for a few comments on the series:
How do you think your style of play will match up against HV71?
We’ve faced these guys numerous times over the years in Pro. I think we have pretty similar styles and both teams like playing within their structure. Usually the games are tight and low scoring.
What did you learn from facing them in the regular season?
That we have to start on time! They scored two goals early in the 1st period in both games, but luckily we managed to come back and win both.
Series prediction?
I expect close games and probably a tight series as well. DPH in 7.
Golden Nights 
(3) vs Purification 
(7)
The Golden Nights performed impressively and exploited Project X's weaknesses, winning the series 4-1. While I don't want to solely focus on @kkostiiii in every article, his outstanding 91.8% save percentage cannot be ignored. He might possibly be the best goaltender in the Pro league. @Mikka, my writer daddy, worked diligently and showcased his skills both defensively and offensively, contributing 1 goal and 7 assists in 5 games. The team's cooperation in their own end was effective, as Project X was only able to score an average of one goal per game.
As suspected by the writer, the series between Purification and Pirati Chomutov was filled with goals and fast-paced attacking play. The lowest number of goals scored in a game was 4, while all other games had 5 or more goals. This is evident in the point standings of the playoffs, with all of Purification's attackers occupying the top 5 positions. The team demonstrated that despite the beginning of the playoffs, the players maintained their composure, although they now face tougher opponents.
I can confidently say that the Golden Nights do not allow Purification to enter the offensive zone as easily as Pirati Chomutov does. One of Purification's greatest strengths lies in their ability to quickly turn the game around. However, if the Golden Nights become aware of this strategy, it may pose a challenge for the Purification team. There are rumors suggesting that Mikkaah always performs exceptionally well in the quarterfinals. Similarly, Purification's players have reportedly expressed their reluctance to face the Golden Nights.
I had little chat with the Golden Nights Left Wing, @jm98II:
How did @kkostiiii have such a good save percentage?
Opponent shot from everywhere & prayed for lucky bounces.
Opponent’s forwards are in top 5 positions in points. Will they continue the scoring or what do you have in mind?
The “makuupaikat” are already reserved.
Polski Boys 
(5) vs Renascor 
(6)
Polski had a tough time in the first round against Prestige. Parked bus in the front of the net, combined with the outstanding saves by @karlsson_adam11 and quick counter-attacks, clearly exposed Polski Boys' weaknesses. While they dominated in terms of puck possession in every match, they struggled to convert their chances into goals. It will be exciting to see also what kind of tweets we will be seeing from Polski’s funniest guy, @kungenkurwa before and after the games. The author wonders why @vote_10 has had the most puck possession in the team. It's possible that there may be an error in the statistics.
Renascor delivered a decisive blow to Be a Bro and won the series 4-1. Three out of the 5 games went into overtime, indicating a closely contested battle. However, Renascor managed to come out on top most of the time. Russia's Top Center, also known as @Virusactive, led by example and scored an impressive 6 goals and 10 assists in 5 games. This performance currently places him in third position in the points. @TeikDaun, the goalkeeper for Renascor, deserves recognition with an 86% save percentage. However, his level of play can vary from day to day. @maximkrinitsyn88 (fire_cats88), who played in the previous season in Neo and now in the Pro quarterfinals, might be considered Russia's most promising talent at the moment.
The upcoming series is expected to be an exciting battle. Russia's two highly skilled players, @Motov and Virusactive, can pose a significant challenge for Polski’s defenders. However, Polski also has their own weapons in the form of @Brockela22 and @xSaski_. The series could go either way, and the author is interested to see if Polski’s Winchester will make an appearance in the games. If so, it would mean that the Russian team has a Finnish goalkeeper and the Finnish team has a Russian goalkeeper.
Random facts/opinions/notes/questions section from round 1:
@Jondeezz last FIVE playoff appearances have been first round exists (ECL 10 (Lite SOPPAJENGI) lost to HC Skull Town, ECL 22 Winter (Hokurit) lost to reality check, ECL 22 Spring (Hokurit) lost to AHJO, ECL 23 Winter (HanaaHC) lost to Nemesis, ECL 23 Spring (SIKA) lost to RCTIC), this might be some kind of record?
Be a Bro, what is happening? Change your name and bring back @rakkauspakkaus- and @Janikka with his +200e controller, don’t recruit these washed up players.
Gunners lead the G6 2-0, but @Zupancic_King424 (Zuppe_29) scored 2 goals 59:00 and 59:52 (on penalty kill) so I think it’s the choke of the playoffs this far.
@wickmanwOw leads the penalty minutes section, 16 pim 7gp, his teammate @eBasstian close second with 13 pim.
These Central Server players always reply back to you after the games, come on boys lets get some pre-game hype going, not this weak stuff. @Keuschemisch @ProfaneKiss
Stay-at-home defender @vote_10 with most interceptions, 44.
@Adri1_SCP with an impressive total of 8 penalties drawn.
@Deathstrokeris (DeathcoreFace) wouldn’t even catch a beach ball, 67% save percentage.
RCTIC has been playing better ever since SupremeJay started to cast their games. I kinda miss MANAGERI tho.
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