ECL '23 Winter Elite: Semifinals Preview

SportsGamers,

We're down to the top four teams in the ECL '23 Winter Elite division and with that, these teams are only eight wins away from a title, and a spot in the inaugural World Finals! This round will offer some highly exciting action and a classic between hREDS and Frölunda HC. which one of these teams will be the first to claim a spot in the Finals?

Schedule

• Quarterfinals: 25.1-1.2.2023
• Semifinals: 5-8.2.2023
• Finals: 24.2.2023 (Live in Helsinki)

Tunnel Vision  (1)  vs JYP Jyväskylä  (5)

TOP SCORER
Arttu @laitineen64 Laitinen 5 GP, 5+6=11 vs Santeri @indi969 Pendolin 5 GP, 5+4=9

GOALTENDER
Niklas @uhNikke Nieminen 5 GP, 4 W, 80,43 SV%, 1.8 GAA, 1 SO vs Kasper @Kaz_zu Ramstedt 5 GP, 4 W, 84,48 SV%, 1.8 GAA, 2 SO

REGULAR SEASON RECORD
27-0-3 vs 18-9-3

REGULAR SEASON SERIES
7-2, 7-3

When these two teams clashed in the regular season, the story was very lopsided, and Tunnel Vision managed to have their way with JYP in two high-scoring victories. While it seemed like JYP has struggled a bit with defensive collapses throughout the regular season, they've really tightened things up in the Playoffs and managed to wear out Reality Check HC in the Quarterfinals. Tunnel Vision also had no issue overcoming JANO in their Quarterfinals matchup. Thus far, neither of these teams have been forced to flex all of their muscles, and we can expect the pace to pick up even more moving forward, but Tunnel Vision will more than likely be better accustomed to the kind of hockey that it will take to win this series, and they'll be able to play on the chemistry of their core and ride the hot blade that Arttu @laitineen64 Laitinen has been having all season long. Kasper @Kaz_zu Ramstedt was excellent for JYP in their Quarterfinals matchup and even secured some wins for the club with massive saves in the dying seconds of the game, whereas Niklas @uhNikke Nieminen still has some room to improve for Tunnel Vision. 

Prediction: 4-1, Tunnel Vision.

hREDS  (2) vs Frölunda HC  (3)

TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen 4 GP, 2+5=7 vs Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha 4 GP, 4+7=11

GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Filip @Faze91- Azri 4 GP, 4 W, 92,31 SV%, 0.75 GAA, 2 SO vs Casper @ICappeI Lundgren 4 GP, 4 W, 94,39 SV%, 0.5 GAA, 3 SO

REGULAR SEASON RECORD
24-4-2 vs 22-4-4

REGULAR SEASON SERIES
1-3, 3-2

We're in for a real treat in these Semifinals as hREDS and Frölunda HC are about to clash. These are two greats of the game and while in recent years, hREDS have been the torchbearers on the big stages, Frölunda HC have never stopped their grind, and this season they are looking better than ever on the prowl for another big title. Is this the time they'll be able to trample that hREDS dynasty?

A look in the crease reveals two real legends of the position, but interestingly enough, neither Casper @ICappeI Lundgren or Filip @Faze91- Azri managed to quite reach their top level in the regular season. However, they've both made a really quick turnaround and picked up their game in impressive fashion. With three shutouts in four games played and a high-flying 94,29 SV%, Cappe is tough to beat for the best goalie in the Playoffs at this moment, but Faze will certainly look to give him a run for his money. 

Statistically, this will be one of those series that could very well end up going all the way, and split points in the regular season indicate something in that direction too. Both of these teams know each other very well, so expect to see tight checking and a bit of a slower start to the series. 

Prediction: 4-3, hREDS.

Join us for the first Semifinals gameday TONIGHT at Twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG! Both series will see their start, and we'll really be able to see in which direction these matchups start moving.