Upcoming Playoff Matchups – Towards Round 3
The first round of the Playoffs has concluded, and the advancing teams are now decided. Surprises, close matches, and some less close ones, outstanding individual performances, and excellent team play were all seen in the first round. Now the stakes get higher as the prize is a spot among the top 8 and a step closer to the championship. Three out of four group leaders made it through to the second round, and a few smaller surprises have mixed up the order for this round, so now we’ll watch how the underdogs heading into the series — Mieskissat, Beer Bears, Nordic Knights, and Bare Knuckles Hockey — handle a tougher level of opposition.
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HC Purijat – Mieskissat _20241116-082238.png){kind=logo}
Introduction:
HC Purijat’s primary strength in this series will be their rock-solid defense. Having shown excellent defensive play in the regular season and first round, this team carries the pressure of being the favorite expected to deliver, while Mieskissat enters with a “nothing to lose” mentality. If Mieskissat wants to put at least some pressure on their opponent, they must significantly improve their defense and goaltending, as well as reach the next level in their fighting spirit and discipline.
Decisive factors:
- Balance between five-player offense and defense : This is a clear indicator how Mieskissat would have even a thin chance. You have to block those attacks!
- Key players’ performance: How does @Japemode, @nuariatte and @majavanaama50 perform for their team is going to be the key factor for this series
- Special teams (power play and penalty kill)
Players to watch:
- @Japemode (G) : Regular season stats: 87.30% save percentage – 1.41 GAA – 4 shutouts
- @nuariatte (LW) : Regular season stats: 24GP – 42G + 25A – 13 game-winning goals
- @majavanaama50 (LW) : Regular season stats: 23GP – 19G + 26A – 123 interceptions
Match prediction (Jiihooo86):
HC Purijat 4 – 1 Mieskissat
2. 
Armeijan Kuri – Beer Bears 
Introduction:
True to its name, Armeijan Kuri embodies a disciplined attacking mentality. The team, averaging 4.21 goals per game in the regular season, surely trusts in their offensive efficiency to topple their upcoming opponent. Beer Bears, who were one of the surprises in the first round by defeating Viitapohjan Vikings in a seven-game series, come in as clear underdogs. This team won’t lack determination and is ready to take down one of the preseason favorites in the new playoff series. But does the team have enough skill, depth, and discipline against the systematicly playing Armeijan Kuri? The first two games will clearly show the direction the series is heading.
Decisive factors:
- Power dynamics: Army Discipline vs. the “happy, drinking furballs”
- Goaltending: Who will start in goal for Armeijan Kuri? Can @J-PV86 (Pataruma) perform better in Beer Bears’ goal than in the first round and stop shots at a rate higher than 77% and 4 GAA?
- Special teams: Armeijan Kuri took 11 penalties in 5 games during the first round, so Beer Bears must capitalize on those chances. However, if their power play stays at 10% like in the regular season, it won’t help much.
Players to watch:
- @MutainenMalik (LW) : Regular season stats: 24GP – 22G + 41A – 23.9 shooting %
- @kasuri1 (G) : Regular season stats: 86.11% save percentage – 2.19 GAA – 3 shutouts
- @Jezzezz (LW) : Regular season stats: 23GP – 19G + 26A – 123 interceptions
Match prediction (Jiihooo86):
Armeijan Kuri 4 – 0 Beer Bears
3. 
Dynamo HC – Nordic Knights 
Introduction:
Battle of the countries! This series features players from many different nations. Switzerland, USA, Sweden, Great Britain... These are split so that Dynamo HC’s roster includes the mentioned countries, while Nordic Knights consists solely of Swedish players. Dynamo HC enters as the clear favorite, but Nordic Knights proved to be a worthy opponent by defeating Sopranos in the first round, even though Sopranos had more experienced and higher-ranked players. Definitely one of the most interesting second-round series!
Decisive factors:
- Goaltending: Dynamo HC’s goalie @Calxm41 has shown excellent performance, stopping 91.67% of shots and averaging only 1.4 goals against — the second lowest in the playoffs. On the other side, @Melker Tongring (Tfue4173) may start for Nordic Knights, who played with a decent 82% save percentage and allowed 2.5 goals per game in the first round.
- Game speed: Nordic Knights’ counterattacks in the Sopranos series were fast and the puck moved quickly into the offensive zone, creating chances. This could be a big factor here as well, and if the Knights can utilize it well, an upset is possible.
- Which situation suits the teams better? Does the favorite’s role put more pressure on Dynamo HC or give them an advantage? Does the underdog role free Nordic Knights’ game and boost their confidence? Or will Dynamo HC sweep through, leaving the Northern Knights in the dust?
Players to watch:
- @Calxm41 (G) : Regular season stats: 86.44% save percentage – 2 GAA – 2 shutouts
- @Dan Dcon2silly (LW) : Regular season stats: 20GP – 34G + 36A – 7 game-winning goals
- @Elis is real (RW) : Regular season stats: 22GP – 35G + 15A – 33% shooting percentage (106 shots on goal)
Match prediction (Jiihooo86):
Dynamo HC 3 – 4 Nordic Knights
4. 
Conexion – Bare Knuckles Hockey 
Introduction:
Conexion showed exemplary defensive play in the regular season, finishing second in their group with the same points as the group winner, HC Purijat. They allowed only 1.58 goals per game, an impressive result over 24 games. However, in the first round of the playoffs, Conexion’s defense faltered somewhat, and their results were no longer as good — they conceded 14 goals in 5 games, statistically much worse than in the regular season. Bare Knuckles Hockey showed fighting spirit in the first round by beating a higher-ranked opponent in six games, scoring 22 goals. Can Bare Knuckles surprise and maintain scoring efficiency while stopping Conexion’s usually solid attacking play?
Decisive factors:
- Efficiency of the top players: Conexion’s @Jaks_10 (Jaksii_) and @Sweden2233 (SwedenFtW99), and Bare Knuckles’@taikatomi and @GoDe45!
- Importance of the first two games! If Conexion takes a big win in the first game, what effect does that have on Bare Knuckles’ mentality? And what if Bare Knuckles wins the first and possibly the second game? The series’ fate could be decided in these first two games!
- Breaking through the opponent’s defense: What are the ways Bare Knuckles can penetrate Conexion’s rock-solid defense to create scoring chances? Teams that scored well in the regular season are now being tested, and defensive discipline is put to the test!
Watch these players:
- @Joe NHL Gremlingawe (G) : Regular season stats: 81.37% - 1.58 GAA - 8 SO
- @Jaks_10 Jaksii_ (RW) : Regular season stats: 22GP - 20G + 35A - TwP: 128:06 min
- @taikatomi (LW) : Regular season stats: 20GP - 27G + 22A - 8 GWG
Match prediction (Jiihooo86):
Conexion 4 - 3 Bare Knuckles Hockey
5. 
Skyfall – Capetown Kings 
Introduction:
Skyfall relies again on incredibly strong offensive play. The team with the second most goals in the regular season aims to defeat CapeTown Kings by relying on their top scorers @Koutsi (Koutsinaattori) and @stu_rulez. How will CapeTown respond, and in what way? The primary issue is fixing the defense. They allowed over 3 goals per game in the regular season, a major vulnerability considering Skyfall’s star players. Can CapeTown’s goalie @Randomjanne start in goal by the team’s decision and continue the good form seen in the last games of the first round, or will @jorkka82 be placed in goal despite Randomjanne’s better stats?
Decisive factors:
- Unpredictability of CapeTown Kings’ defense and goaltending: Now is the time for goalies to shine for CapeTown. Skyfall’s offense has been crushing all season, so the last line of defense must be strong here. Can the defensive unit adapt to the strong offense and calmly build counterattacks, or will we see a breakdown and the kings’ downfall?
- Power play efficiency: Penalties against Skyfall must be minimized! The team’s power play percentage is an impressive 35.14% in the regular season, so this must be feared.
- Adaptation: How does the tougher opponent affect CapeTown’s play, and how well can they adapt?
Watch these players:
- @Jonza1990 (Hatsigaboom) (C) : Regular season stats: 16GP - 11G + 19A - 81 INT
- @Mikse94 (C) : Regular season stats: 18GP - 18G + 37A - 126 INT
- @stu_rulez (RW) : Regular season stats: 22GP - 35G + 43A - 123 INT
Match prediction (Jiihooo86):
Skyfall 4 - 1 CapeTown Kings
6. 
Nordic Nosebleed – Kelagoldcard HC 
Introduction:
Nordic Nosebleed, second in their group, face Kelagoldcard HC, seeded 4th in their own group. The teams’ strengths differ completely: Kelagoldcard relies on trusted scoring, while Nordic Nosebleed play a balanced game with good offense. I predict Nordic Nosebleed to take this series based entirely on their clearly better team play than Kelagoldcard. Of course, the possibility of an upset remains—if Kelagoldcard can disrupt Nordic Nosebleed’s team play with their own offense, there is a chance to beat them, even if small.
Decisive factors:
- Symbiosis of scoring and defense
- Emergence of defensemen! This will definitely be crucial for Kelagoldcard. Can the defenders create dangerous shots from the blue line, distribute the puck, and be ready fast enough defensively so Nosebleed can’t launch quick counters? The main thing for the Defensemen is that their attacks last longer in the Nosebleed zone
- Counterattack play: Could this be one weapon for Kelagoldcard? Do the players have the courage for quick breakouts and slight guessing attacks to break Nordic Nosebleed’s team defense?
Watch these players:
- @Jean-Claes (G) : Regular season stats: 81.38% - 2.56 GAA - 4 BA saves out of 7
- @1mmu9 (LW/C) : Regular season stats: 22GP - 26G + 30A - TwP: 128:06 min
- @Jcarlton89 (C) : Regular season stats: 24GP - 36G + 30A - 37.9 S% (95 SOG)
Match prediction (Jiihooo86):
Nordic Nosebleed 4 - 2 Kelagoldcard HC
7. 
VBO Stars – HC Vilttimiehet 
Introduction:
HC Vilttimiehet, who have struggled with team play in offense, get the toughest possible opponent for the second round in their own oppinion. VBO Stars scored nearly 4 goals per game in the regular season and are clear favorites going into this series. Vilttimiehet will again rely on good defense and keeping matches tight—this has been their style all season. The team’s defensive ability has been respectable throughout the season, with a veteran goalie as the last line of defense who has kept his joints in shape so the puck still sticks to the glove. But will the good form in goal (91.25% save percentage in the first round, with the lowest goals-against average in playoffs at 1.17 GAA) continue against this opponent’s offensive onslaught or will @Jiihooo86 finally become Swiss cheese?
Decisive factors:
- Pressure tolerance: HC Vilttimiehet is an inexperienced team playing their first competitive ECL season. Veterans @Funkygames91 and @Jiihooo86 bear responsibility for preparing the team for the coming challenge. Will nerves break or can Vilttimiehet pull off an upset?
- VBO Stars’ offensive firepower: Can VBO Stars make Vilttimiehet’s defense struggle and generate a respectable number of shots on goal? Is time spent in the offensive zone the key factor in this series?
- Importance of defense: Neither team can afford poor defense in this series. Tight team play, good defense, and securing the series spot with no unnecessary risks.
Watch these players:
- @Jiihooo86 (G) : Regular season stats: 84.15% - 2.17 GAA - 6 BA saves out of 7
- @fisu123 The_Finisher90 (RW) : Regular season stats: 24GP - 24G + 23A - 159 Hits
- @Nilsson04_ (RW) : Regular season stats: 18GP - 33G + 22A - 8 GWG
- @priima-namu FeikkiNambo (C) : Regular season stats: 22GP - 20G + 29A - 111 Hits
Match prediction (eSwahn):
VBO Stars 4 - 3 HC Vilttimiehet
8. 
Fallen Rangers – Prowlers 
Introduction:
Fallen Rangers was the most dangerous scoring team in the entire CORE division during the regular season. 125 goals in 24 games show a tremendous offensive threat, and Prowlers will have to be cautious against this firepower. On the other hand, Fallen Rangers’ defense was relatively poor as they allowed almost 3.5 goals per game. This series promises a goal fest, but which team will advance?
Decisive factors:
- Momentum – who gets early success?
- Adapting playing style? Will either team change their style to focus more on defense? How does this affect the opponent?
- Pressure tolerance? How will the losing team turn things around? How important are the results of the first two games for mentality? Will frustrations arise?
Watch these players:
- @Sebko99 (LW) : Regular season stats: 24GP - 43G + 38A - 261 Shots!
- @Kiso69 (C) : Regular season stats: 24GP - 29G + 44A - 41 BS
- @RHannu(LW) : Regular season stats: 22GP - 25G + 29A - 11 GWG
Match prediction (Jiihooo86):
Fallen Rangers 2 - 4 Prowlers
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