SportsGamers,
The Playoffs are coming in hot for the Lite division, and we're starting the action today! We've got 32 teams left in the competition and now it's time to start the real grind for that Championship, the biggest part of the prize pool, and a future spot in the bright lights of the Pro division!
Schedule
- RO32: 22.-25.1.2023
- RO16: 29.1-1.2.2023
- Quarterfinals: 5.-8.2.2023
- Semifinals: 12.-15.2.2023
- Finals: 19.-22.2.2023
Without further ado, here are all of our matchups:
Six Sticks Misfits (1) vs TROJANS (32)
Six Sticks Misfits is a high-scoring team with one of the more experienced rosters in the league. They should be able to advance with relative ease against Trojans in this first round matchup.
Prediction: 4-0 Six Sticks Misfits
Hunters (2) vs Resurrection (31)
This could be a cool one to watch. Hunters have managed to stay on top of their game all season long and as a result have deserved their #2 seed. Resurrection can be competitive on a good day, but have been a bit inconsistent.
Prediction: 4-1 Hunters
Gunners HC (3) vs SCB eSports (30)
Gunners HC looked a bit slow to start the season, but really got up to speed towards the end. Can struggle with scoring, but managed to be the divisions best defensive squad. SCB has a massive challenge ahead of them, but they have a deep roster with several variations, so we'll see what they'll be able to pull out of their bag of tricks.
Prediction: 4-0 Gunners HC
Sodertalje SK (4) vs Lemmenvelhot (29)
Sodertalje managed to really shut the doors defensively throughout the season and the team is in excellent form at the moment. They should be able to win this series against Lemmenvelhot, who were just a point away from a significantly higher seed due to the extremely tight situation that Group 4 finished in.
Prediction: 4-0 Sodertalje SK
Pirati Chomutov Esports (5) vs Armada Hockey (28)
The offensive powerhouse Pirati Chomutov Esports can prove to be a problem for many teams in the postseason. The team relies on high-end individual skill and quick puck movement, which could spell trouble for Armada Hockey in this matchup. Armada have the ability to shut down high-end teams at their best, though.
Prediction: 4-0 Pirati Chomutov Esports
Vizio (6) vs Sawolanche (27)
Vizio was one of the teams we expected to see a lot from at the start of the season, and they didn't disappoint. However, they have so much skill in the bank that they should be able to up their scoring numbers. Sawolanche could be in a world of trouble with these guys.
Prediction: 4-0 Vizio
Project X is the third highest scoring team in the league, while defense wasn't one of xBOTS' strong suits. If this turns into a shootout, the more experienced Project X will advance with ease.
Prediction: 4-0 Project X
Prestige (8) vs BIG Mistake (25)
We're in for a fun one here. Prestige have high-skill individuals who can score on command and win series by themselves. On the other side, BIG Mistake is a well composed team, who struggled to find their stride at times. BIG Mistake might be better equipped for Playoff hockey.
Prediction: 2-4 BIG Mistake
Technical Disaster (9) vs DEG eSports (24)
Technical Disaster have built a well balanced team with puck moving skill even on the back end. DEG have had trouble keeping the puck out of their own net at times, but could be able to keep up in a scoring race. This will come down to which team is ready to defend with more patience.
Prediction: 4-1 Technical Disaster
RoKi Esports (10) vs EHC Dinamo Riga (23)
RoKi played an excellent regular season in a tough group with Six Sticks Misfits and Pirati Chomutov running away with the top two spots. They had
Prediction: 4-2 RoKi Esports
Neptune Hockey (11) vs Unique (22)
This could end up being a highly competitive matchup, between two very similar teams. Both squads have some high skill players in their roster and they've found a way to gel together throughout the season. Neptune Hockey found a way to win more tough matchups in the regular season, so we'll give them the slight edge here.
Prediction: 4-3 Neptune Hockey
Timrå IK Esport (12) vs Blessed Suedis (21)
Timrå IK excels at special teams and that form alone could be enough to decide this series, if they are able to keep it up. Blessed Suedis will not be giving up easily and they have shown in the regular season, that they are able to challenge good teams.
Prediction: 4-2 Timrå IK Esport
EHC Kloten eSports (13) vs Stone Age (20)
EHC Kloten eSports are an offensive minded squad, who were the second highest scoring team in Group 3. This Swiss squad is statistically way ahead of Stone Age at the moment, but the mammoths might be able to utilize their experience to gain an edce in some games.
Prediction: 4-3 EHC Kloten eSports
Skelleftea AIK (14) vs Herforder Ice Dragons (19)
Skelleftea AIK can at best be the perfect Playoff team, who are able to shut down the neutral zone and be opportunistic with their own chances. They'll be a good test for Herforder Ice Dragons in this one, so we'll see which team eventually comes out on top.
Prediction: 4-2 Skelleftea AIK
Purification (15) vs Lions Academy (18)
Despite Purification coming into this series as the higher seed, they have dropped off in form towards the end of the season. Lions, on the other hand have been great and are coming in with a 7-2-1 record in their last 10, which is why we're giving them the edge.
Prediction: 3-4 Lions Academy
Ultimatum (16) vs NOSTREETSPORTS (17)
This is a very tough matchup, that could end up going either way. Both teams have put forth a very balanced campaign, but Ultimatum has been the slightly better team offensively throughout the regular season. If they are able to keep that up, they'll come away with the win.
Prediction: 4-2 Ultimatum
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.