ECL '23 Winter: Lite Season Preview

SportsGamers,

ECL Lite is the third tier of competition under the European Championship League umbrella and features several established teams that have been building their story for years, such as Nordic Nosebleed, Lutunilkat, Resurrection or Armada Hockey. In addition, we also have the first Xbox Series X|S team xBOTS in this division, so we should have some cool storylines to follow!

Many old teams and even more new teams are here to fight for prizes and promotion to the higher divisions. The road isn’t always the easiest and as we've seen in the past, a good regular season doesn’t mean anything when the really big games start in the Playoffs. It's definitely going to be a season to keep your eye on with several good teams, and even better individuals.

Season Information

ECL '23 Winter Lite features 64 teams divided in four groups with 16 teams each. Eight teams per group will make the Playoffs, which are played in a best-of-seven manner.

Head to the league page here to view the groups and game schedule.

ECL '23 Winter: Lite Schedule

• Qualifiers: 24.11-8.12.2022
• Regular Season: 13.12.2022-18.1.2023
• 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

Season preview

Preview written by @Miettinen14

The new season brings many new teams to Lite due to many of last season's top end teams getting their place in the higher division, Pro. Big Mistake is one of the interesting new teams. 12-0 in qualifiers is rare and is really a storm warning given to the opponents in the division. The squad consists of several experienced players and young prodigy @Allupekkaz, who is expected to have a proper breakout season. Gunners HC is another club that looks great coming into their first ever ECL campaign. They've got some experienced players who played together in the eSM and got into the top 16, beating the mighty HAVU Gaming on their way there. If they'll be able to find that same form and keep their heads cool, they could end up being solid contenders this season. As mentioned before, the first ever Xbox team signed up, xBOTS is another one to keep your eyes on. Their players might not sound too familiar at this point, but on the 1v1 side of the game, the roster is stacked with talent. It's going to be interesting to see how they play and if they can match up well against some of the more established PlayStation squads. 

The more experienced side is really well represented too. For example Armada Hockey, Finnish Hockey Legends and Oulunsalo HT have made up the core of the Lite division for some seasons already. We are looking for them to eventually find a way to level up their game or at a minimum solidify their spots as consistent Playoff contenders. One very experienced team, that we haven't seen on the 6v6 ice earlier is Vizio, consisting of several well performing 1v1 players and led by @Artuzio. We've seen similar projects in the past, and they've never really taken off to the extent that their potential would suggest. However, it is certain that these players hold the skill required to really make their mark in this division and above. 

It'll also be extremely interesting to see what community sweethearts Lutunilkat will be up to this season. They're a team that certainly knows how to get a buzz going around them and have proven their skill on the social media side of things in the past, maybe now is the time to transition that onto the ice?

Lite also has the Central European teams very well represented, with the likes of SCB eSports, EHC Dinamo Riga, Nurnberg IceTigers eSport, Eisbaeren Lauf Gaming, Gleumes Hockey Krefeld and many more participating. These are teams that are always tough to get a read on as they play a lot in their DACH-bubble, which is both a disadvantage and an advantage. The community has grown a great lot over the years and these teams are able to get quality practice on a regular basis, with the exception of the very top teams. However, the issue might be not seeing that much of the northern teams, but in turn, these northern teams don't see too much of the central teams either. 

Players to watch

Lite holds a lot of interesting and highly skilled players this season. It has traditionally been one of those levels, where individual players get to shine more, before moving up to the more defensively sound Pro and Elite divisions.

@Valee__, Hunters
Valee will be playing for his old team Hunters this season. He took one season in Pro and is now back with his old team trying to achieve what they couldn’t do in the past.

@Maexsa, Stone Age
A true veteran and the heart and soul of Stone Age. The team is a lite mainstay, but missed out on playoff competition in the Spring season, warranting a comeback story. We'll see Maexsa take the lead in that push for glory.

@sisu33_, Vizio
The young gun for this season is sisu33_. Maybe not the most known player in the 6v6 scene but proving himself on the 1v1 side already. Maybe we see him breaking into sixes this season alongside some of the most highly skilled players around in Vizio.

@Markus strandfeldt (Strandis96), Skellefteå AIK
Strandis96 is an interesting player also. Has built up his resume between Core and Pro and has shown potential to become a great player, even in the near future. Changing the scenery every season may be the problem but maybe Skellefteå is the right place to grow for him.

@JesseL2002, Project X
Project X have gotten JesseL2002 back from Reality Check. He has proven his level and even got the Elite promotion with Reality Check. Fortunately for Project X, they are getting a very welcome familiar face to their squad! 

@Youtube_Azzez, Purification
Azzez has great hands and vision. Showing great potential and this might be the season for him to really blossom. Has surrounded himself with likeminded players that are also looking for a spot to break out, perhaps they'll elevate each other.

@sylvesterrr87 (Bafligen), Ghost
Ghost has a really good center in Bafligen. Really shines with his two-way play and can help his team in both ends of the ice. A very mature player, who you can really count on.

@Artuzio, Vizio
A player you can never count out. Has won almost everything you can imagine on the 1v1 side of things, but success has eluded him in sixes. Maybe a couple youngsters and some of his old trustees by his side will help him turn the tide. 

ECL '23 Lite competition officially starts tonight, with several teams having their opening matchups scheduled! Make sure to follow the tag #ECL23Winter on social media to stay up to date on all the latest news and gameday updates. As always, Good luck, play hard and have fun!