ECL '24: Spring - Pro Finals Preview

SportsGamers,

We are ready to drop the puck on the ECL '24: Spring - Pro Finals. Who will come out on top, win the championship, and punch their ticket for an ECL Elite promotion? Read on to find out our predictions!
 

Falun Coal Miners (1) Almost Famous (8)

With two teams left in the Pro division, one will emerge as the victor, be crowned champion, and take their skills to the Elite division for next season. The stakes are high as only one team can advance and claim the highest prize.

Falun faced a real test in the semis, which culminated in a game 7 double-overtime winner on a penalty shot, which is quite unheard of. Taking down the skilled Mustaa Kultaa was no walk in the park for Falun and they were very close to elimination themselves. With a really great series to be played, they need to be more consistent in closing out the series when in the lead. With @Buffy leading the team in assists (19) and in penalty minutes (18), one of these stats might end up being quite important and he will need to keep his penalties to a minimum if Falun wants that trophy.

In a series where almost everyone was against them, Almost Famous prevailed and took down a strong team in RYHTIC. Their offense played a big part scoring 16 goals in 6 games, but more importantly, their defense proved to be good; for a team not known for their team defense conceding a mere 13 goals in 6 games is indeed impressive. @Jalkkin- is having a postseason to remember - he’s doing it all for Almost Famous who is facing one last obstacle. Jalkkin can really play at an Elite level, with quick puck movement and creative forwards.

We had a chance to talk with Falun Coal Miners captain Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt and Almost Famous captain Aaro @Ikavalko Ikävalko before the series - here's what they had to say:

What do you know about your upcoming opponent, and who is the difference maker on their team?

@l-Furyan-l: "Well, personally I go all the way back to 2018 with Almost Famous, and its captain and franchise player Ikavalko. He's remained the one constant for that team throughout the years - when they've been active - and even now, six years later, he is still leading the charge as a top center in the league... and in the community as a whole. AF is quite the powerhouse, though, and have multiple difference-makers. Another one that comes to mind is offensively gifted defender Jalkkin, who has been lights out in the playoffs thus far."

@Ikavalko: "Falun is a dangerous counter-attacking team. Especially their wingers play deep in the neutral zone, the defensemen are going for long passes down the wing and will keep our defensemen busy as soon as they get interceptions. Strandmannen not only knows how to follow this plan well but also knows how to challenge with the puck. We need to take away the space from him. Furyan can support attacks when he's in possession of the puck, so we need to minimize the time he has to play the puck as well. We have to be able to win the rebounds that our opponent throws at our net."

How have you prepared for the series and have you changed anything now that we are going into the Pro Finals?

@l-Furyan-l: "Well, we've rested a bit. Ran a practice or two and just talked things over. When you get this deep into the playoffs, not to mention the summer, it is not going to make a difference if you force the team to run one or two extra practice sessions. What will make a difference is staying loose, keeping the team spirit up and making sure the energy levels are fully replenished going into next round"

@Ikavalko: "We haven't played much since the semifinals.I think it's had a positive effect. After some time off, everyone can fully concentrate on one more playoff series."

What will it take for your team to win the ECL Pro Championship and what would that mean for you?

@l-Furyan-l: "I think it is going to take everything we've got and then some, if we are to win this thing. AF has been the hottest team in the playoffs, one could argue, and is peaking at exactly the right time. At the same time, we can't control how well they play. Not entirely. What we can control is how we play, how well we execute the things that have gotten us this far, and how much fun we have together. I genuinely think the team that has the most fun together over these two days will win this series. 

I'd rather not talk too much before the start of the series about what potentially winning would mean to me. Should I be lucky enough to be back here talking to you once the finals are over, I'm sure me or one of my teammates could elaborate further then."

@Ikavalko: "We will keep control of the puck, because offense is our strength. We won't be afraid of mistakes and we will enjoy the tight final games. Our individual talent for deciding the games is at a higher level, which will be a hopefully be the difference maker for us in the series. And as for the importance of winning, this is the "second coming" of AF. 
The first time ended with a back-to-back ascent from Lite to Elite as the first team in the scene. Of course, that was through qualification, so it would be cool to win the championship this time. I've played in many finals too, but the brightest medal is something I haven't had the pleasure of winning yet. That first win would be great to do with a team consisting of my IRL workmate (@grontti88), @xrikardo55 who is making a wild ascent to be one of the top players, and my long-time teammate @Jalkkin- - and of course overall the team is full of great guys."

Inside the Numbers: Finals Analysis

 Falun Coal Miners:

• Out of their 17 playoff games so far, 11 of Falun’s games were decided by a goal (7-4 in those games and 5-2 in OT games)
• In these playoffs, Falun have a record of just 3-4 in games that they can clinch the series
• Falun’s players have blocked 81 shots this postseason (an average 4.76 per game)

 Almost Famous:

• 13 of their last 14 games coming into this series were decided by 1 goal
• Have had more time-on-attack than their opponents in 15 of their 17 playoff games, including in 12 straight
• Lost LW Valee to a midseason transfer to Bjorkloven. He was replaced by Oxdoggi from Otukset and has been a key contributor
   

Players to watch: @STRANDMANNEN11 & @Ikavalko
 

Predictions: 

@bMaJuH 4-2 Falun Coal Miners 

@hifk_FANI: 3-4 Almost Famous 

Watch the series live:  twitch.tv/CoalMinersTV,  twitch.tv/mkine

FOLLOW THE ECL PRO FINALS LIVE

You can watch live coverage of the Pro Division Finals on our Twitch, YouTube, and X on Tuesday, June 18th.

Additionally, you can follow the teams' own coverage today, Monday, June  17th, using the links provided above.

Who do you think will win the ECL Pro Championship? Are there any key points or factors that we may have not covered? Let us know in the comments!