ECL '24: Spring - Lite Finals Preview

In this article, we’ll provide you with an in-depth analysis of both teams, how they managed to get to the championship, interviews, and much more!

(1) Nordic Stars vs Zenegeim (3)

Both teams have had quite the run this postseason, easily advancing from every round. Zenegeim not losing a single game so far, and Nordic Stars losing only three times is quite the accomplishment too, but after watching both teams from the opposing side, this writer can confidently say both teams play in the wrong division and we'll see both playing in the Pro division next season, and I suspect both will make the playoff there too if the rosters stay the same.

When both teams are on their game, the puck moves extremely well within the teams. This will be a good series for Lite teams to follow if they want a good look at what it takes to make it far in the Pro playoffs. Dare I say that neither team is known for their good defense? With both teams losing for a combined 3 games for the entire playoffs, there still is a very well-rounded defensive responsibility within both teams. @Esko-etikka (90,8% save percentage and 0,94 GAA) & @SakkeTheEngineer (86,31 and 1,94 GAA) both boast impressive stats with the number one spot going to the Zenegeim goalie (for now).

Before the season even started we had a clear favorite to win the Lite division. They’ve played together in previous seasons with good results and they're playing on that same level again this season. It has come to nobody's surprise that they’re in the finals. The team in question? Nordic Stars.

With the entire forward group placed at the top 3 in points, they now face their toughest challenge yet, with @Vire30 & @Jerax13 going for the all-time record in points, they’re going to fall just short now boasting 64 & 62 points each in these playoffs so far, they now face a stingy defense that haven’t lost a game yet. (There are games from previous series that haven't been reported and the points total could be higher)

With a strong offense, comes a defenceman with a lot of points, @katunarski has taken the responsibility on himself to deliver those points (5+31), with a plethora of experience from the highest division in Sportsgamer, the experience and certainty he brings to the blueline is impossible to replace. 

@SakkeTheEngineer taking the responsibility between the pipes for the number one seeded team has been playing on a different level, for those of you who don't know this is his first ECL season between the pipes, playing as a defenceman the year before this, quite an accomplishment.

Zenegeim has had an incredible run, as previously stated they haven’t lost a single game in these playoffs, sweeping all rounds including an impressive one against Mights in the semifinals, with all players contributing to this impressive run, they are indeed firing on all cylinders.

Even with a run like this, there are standout players, most notably @Esko-etikka, he boasts a 0.94 GAA, when a goalie lets in under a goal per game they really do give their team a good chance to take home the win. Another player who has taken a big role for Zengeim is @imosi, as their primary goal scorer he has netted an impressive 29 goals in 16 games, so far. If Zengeim wants to take on this Nordic Stars team, they once again need to rely on @imosi to light that red lamp.

Defense wins championships, ever heard of that line? With 16 games played, Zenegeim has let in 15 goals, and as we mentioned their goalie has been good, but a goalie is only as good as the defense in front of him. With @Juhaniz- making the jump from forward to defense you never know what you’re going to get, he impressed me personally with his defense-first mentality giving his partner @Saviinainen the more offensive role in the team, as a captain this is what we like to see putting his team first and his own points last.

We asked the captains some questions before the finals:

How have you prepared for these finals, and have you changed anything?

@Vire30: "We haven’t really prepared, haven’t played at all since the semifinal series against Sawolanche since our timetables haven’t matched up, now we’ll enjoy the midsummer and see how it goes. We’re not going to change anything, but obviously since all teams are different we’ll adapt to Zenegeim, but since we don’t really have any tactics they will surely adapt during the series."

@Juhaniz-: "We’re aware of how Nordic Stars will play and it’s going to take a tight defense and good man marking since they like those one-timers so much, we also need to have our heads up since they play very physical, but playing our own game is the most important thing”

“Who would you say is the weakest and strongest link from Zenegeim/Nordic Stars?”

@Vire30: "We haven’t really played against Zengeims roster at all, tough to say really anything but looking at the stats Imosi1 has 29 goals which is really impressive. Tough to find a weakness but I'm sure we’ll exploit Juhaniz’s side in offense."

@Juhaniz-: "Katunarski is surely the most creative player, with Vire they can create some nasty plays even in the finals."

What will it take to hoist that trophy and what does it mean to you on a personal level?

@Vire30: "I believe we’ll win just by playing our own game, and keep our level over half the games. Winning is always fun and the championship has been our goal this season. My own goal was to have fun with friends this season, and winning a championship would be icing on the cake."

@Juhaniz-: "Lifting the trophy requires two well-balanced nights from us, and that we stick to our own game, and as I said in earlier in the interview that it requires good team defense and that we exploit the few mistakes they make. Personally I’ve won already but my goal was to secure a spot in pro and that we already accomplished, but it’s always nice to win."

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI: 4-1 Zengegeim

@MCH_98: 4-3 Zengeim

@JepuXI: 4-2 Nordic Stars

Follow the Playoff streams:

Games 1-3: Monday, June 24th:

20:00 CEST: https://twitch.tv/juhaniz_
20:00 CEST: https://twitch.tv/nordicstarshockey

Games 4-7: Tuesday, June 25th:

19:45 CEST https://twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!