ECL '23 Winter Lite: Semifinals Preview

SportsGamers,

The Lite Semifinals are about to unfold in the upcoming days and with that, we've got four teams left, fighting for title and direct promotion in addition for the biggest share of the Prize pool. Make sure to tune in to the streams to root for your favorite teams!

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  Project X (7)

Six Sticks Misfits have now sent two Central European teams packing in back-to-back rounds of Playoff action, now making the return to their home server, they'll be facing Project X, a similar, quite experienced Finnish squad with a lot of upside. Both teams are some of the more offensively powerful squads in the league, and they've actually scored the exact same amount of goals in the Playoffs thus far, with Project X only taking one game longer to do so. This series could very well come down to which team better manages to shut down their own end, and statistically, Six Stick have been way better at that, with their 1,81 GAA against Project X's 2,18 GAA throughout the Playoffs. Six Sticks have been a bit undisciplined at times, but Project X's powerplay haven't been all too hot in the postseason, so we'll expect this one to be settled in a 5-on-5 setting. 

Prediction: 4-2, Six Sticks Misfits.
 

 Gunners HC (3) vs  Pirati Chomutov Esports (5)

Keep your eyes on this one! Gunners HC have put on an excellent defensive performance throughout the season, whereas Pirati Chomutov Esports have been on the other end of the spectrum, seemingly scoring at will, while not having the need to sweat about letting in some goals at times. Gunners' captain @Aarons has managed to compile a roster with the perfect balance of experience and youth, that has combined into an extremely well oiled machine, able to slow down any offense thrown at them. Now they're in for their biggest challenge yet, taking on the speedy wingers of the Pirates in @Adri1_SCP and @Winci, who receive great support from centerman @Kumbik. We're in for a battle of two very different styles of play, and couldn't be more excited to watch it unfold. 

Prediction: 4-3, Gunners HC.