Quarterfinals Set in ECL '25 Winter Core
The ECL '25 Winter Core Playoffs have reached the Quarterfinals. After a thrilling Round 2, only eight teams remain, each determined to fight for a spot in the Semifinals. The second round saw dominant performances from top contenders Silver Sword Griffins (4-1 over Salaseura) and Lutunilkat (4-2 over Pulp Odyssey), as well as the continuation of inspiring underdog stories, with Karmadillos (20th seed) defeating Maitojuna (3rd seed) 4-1, and HC Last Resort (21st seed) shocking Dynamo HC (2nd seed) in a 4-1 series victory.
The quarterfinal matchups are now set, featuring a mix of powerhouse teams and dark horses ready to challenge the status quo. Let’s take a closer look at the matchups and what to expect as the journey toward the semifinals begins!
Quarterfinal Matchups:
Silver Sword Griffins (1) vs. HC Last Resort (21) 
This series pits the top-seeded Silver Sword Griffins against the underdog HC Last Resort, who continue their Cinderella run after eliminating the second-seeded Dynamo HC in a thrilling five-game series. Both teams bring momentum into this matchup, and while the Griffins are the favorites, HC Last Resort has proven their ability to defy expectations.
Silver Sword Griffins: The Offensive Juggernaut
The Griffins have been dominant throughout the playoffs, showcasing their offensive firepower in Round 2 against Salaseura. LATMinx @ProMinx24 (31 points in 11 games) continues to lead the league in scoring, combining speed, skill, and finishing ability. Alongside him, martinssilins @martinssilins (24 points) and Shmiha99 @Shmiha99 (24 points) provide critical secondary scoring, making this team difficult to contain.
On defense, the Griffins rely on solid two-way play from kriteris @kriteris (12 points) and Rocket_Science72 @Rocket240593 , while goaltender gacorigavecit17 @gacorigavecit17 has been reliable with an 83.44% save percentage and 2.27 goals-against average (GAA). However, the Griffins did show moments of vulnerability, particularly in tight games against Salaseura, and they’ll need to tighten up defensively against a scrappy opponent like HC Last Resort.
Key Player to Watch:
- LATMinx: As the league’s leading scorer, his ability to dictate play will be crucial in breaking down HC Last Resort’s defense.
HC Last Resort: The Underdog Story
HC Last Resort has been the story of the playoffs so far, pulling off upset victories against both ARMEIJAN KURI and Dynamo HC. Their strength lies in their balanced offense and incredible goaltending. Tolliikkii @Tolliikkii (28 points in 9 games) has been unstoppable, combining creativity with lethal finishing, while Burritokuningas_ @Burritokuningas (20 points) and eissi83 @eissi83 (19 points) add depth to their attack.
In net, Vxxlle-_- @Vxxlle-_- has been nothing short of phenomenal, boasting a 90% save percentage and a league-best 1.89 GAA. His ability to shut down high-powered offenses has been key to HC Last Resort’s success, and he’ll need to maintain that form against the Griffins’ elite scorers.
Key Player to Watch:
- Vxxlle-_-: If HC Last Resort is to pull off another upset, their star goaltender must continue to be the backbone of their defense.
Keys to Victory
- Silver Sword Griffins: Utilize their depth and offensive firepower to overwhelm HC Last Resort early. Their ability to capitalize on power-play opportunities and dominate puck possession will be critical in wearing down their opponent.
- HC Last Resort: Lean on their disciplined defensive play and elite goaltending. Slowing the game down and keeping the Griffins to the outside will give them a chance to frustrate the top seed and create counterattack opportunities.
Prediction:
Silver Sword Griffins advance (4-2).
The Griffins’ offensive depth and playoff experience give them the edge, but HC Last Resort’s stellar goaltending and resilience will make this a hard-fought series. Expect the top seed to move on, but not without some scares along the way.
Lutunilkat (4) vs. Karmadillos (20) 
The quarterfinal showdown between Lutunilkat, one of the top seeds, and the surprising Karmadillos, who continue their underdog journey, promises to be an intriguing battle. While Lutunilkat has relied on their high-scoring offense and strong structure to dominate, Karmadillos have thrived on resilience, clutch performances, and a never-quit attitude.
Lutunilkat: The Offensive Powerhouse
Lutunilkat enters the quarterfinals riding the momentum of a 4-2 series win over Pulp Odyssey. Their offense has been one of the most dangerous in the playoffs, led by lutuniemi @lutuniemi , who has been a standout with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 10 games. Supporting him is mikkihiiri-- @mikkihiiri--, who has tallied 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) and shown the ability to deliver in key moments. This dynamic duo is backed by a solid supporting cast, including Pyssyh @Pyssyh, who provides steady play on both ends of the ice.
In net, Hiatala_ @Janne Hietala has been reliable, posting an 83.57% save percentage, though he will need to step up against Karmadillos’ opportunistic scorers. Lutunilkat’s game plan revolves around controlling possession, creating high-danger scoring chances, and putting opponents on their heels with relentless offensive pressure.
Lutunilkat is easily the most hard-hitting team in the division, with 828 hits in the regular season. The 2nd team in this statistic was HC Ohiveto with 670 hits and the division average was 325 hits during the regular season. Not entirely surprising is that Lutunilkat also had the most penalty minutes, with 108 PIM recorded during the regular season. Lutunilkat continue as the #1 team in both hits (350) and PIM (40) in the playoffs as well, but while their penalty kill in the regular season was average at about 79%, their PK in the playoffs has been at an astonishing 95%. Ideally, Lutunilkat will have to stay out of the box, but assuming their trend of high-hitting action continues, their PK can do the next best thing and continue playing the full 2 minutes of PK 95% of the time.
Key Player to Watch:
- lutuniemi, with 35 points in 10 games, is Lutunilkat’s offensive engine. His ability to score and create plays will be crucial to breaking through Karmadillos’ defense.
Karmadillos: The Resilient Underdogs
The 20th-seeded Karmadillos have defied expectations at every turn, knocking out Koppibuutti (13) in a dramatic seven-game series before stunning Maitojuna (3) with a dominant 4-1 victory. Their success has been driven by the exceptional play of stimperi @stimperi, who has tallied 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in the playoffs, and Julmuri89 @Julmuri89, who has added 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) and emerged as a key difference-maker.
Goaltending has been a cornerstone of their game, with VilppiSami @ChildishGerm8 posting an 87.84% save percentage and making critical saves in high-pressure moments. Karmadillos thrive on playing a gritty, defensive game, capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes and turning defense into quick counterattacks. Their ability to play as a cohesive unit has been the foundation of their playoff run.
Key Player to Watch:
- Julmuri89: For Karmadillos to continue their Cinderella run, Julmuri89 must deliver another standout performance. His clutch scoring and playmaking will be vital in overcoming Lutunilkat’s strong attack.
Keys to Victory
-
Lutunilkat:
Lutunilkat needs to dictate the pace of play and lean on their offensive depth to overwhelm Karmadillos early in the series. Lutuniemi and Mikkihiiri-- must continue to lead the charge, while Hiatala_ will need to make key saves to keep Karmadillos’ opportunistic attack at bay. With the high-hitting and penalty prone hockey that Lutunilkat plays, their penalty kill needs to stay as sharp as it has so far in the playoffs. -
Karmadillos:
For the Karmadillos, it’s all about playing disciplined, mistake-free hockey. They must stay compact defensively, frustrate Lutunilkat’s top scorers, and rely on counterattacks to generate offense. VilppiSami will need to maintain his stellar form in net to give his team a fighting chance.
Prediction:
Lutunilkat advance (4-2).
While the Karmadillos have been impressive in their Cinderella run, Lutunilkat’s offensive firepower and depth give them the edge. Karmadillos will likely steal a couple of games with their defensive resilience and clutch scoring, but Lutunilkat’s ability to control the game and create scoring opportunities will ultimately secure their spot in the semifinals.
This series promises to be a test of Lutunilkat’s offensive consistency against Karmadillos’ defensive determination, making it an exciting matchup to watch in the quarterfinals.
Tikitaka (5) vs. Rusty X (15) 
The quarterfinal clash between Tikitaka and Rusty X promises to be a tightly contested series, with both teams showing strong performances in the playoffs so far. Tikitaka’s balanced offense and disciplined play meet Rusty X’s gritty defense and clutch scoring, making this an intriguing battle of contrasting styles.
Tikitaka: Balanced and Efficient
Tikitaka has proven themselves as one of the most well-rounded teams in the playoffs, advancing with a 4-1 win over BACKCHECK BOYS and a hard-fought 4-1 victory against KELAGOLDCARD HC in Round 2. Their offense is spearheaded by R2-ATTE- @R2-ATTE-, who has racked up 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 10 games, and TansKungen @tanskuuzz (26 points), who provides consistent secondary scoring. The team’s ability to share the offensive load is one of their biggest strengths.
On defense, Tikitaka relies on solid team play and the contributions of Niccoers @Niccoers and TTUSE98 @TTUSE98, both of whom have been key in transitioning play and shutting down opposing attacks. Goalie HakkisBro @HakkisMakkis has been reliable, with an 80.15% save percentage and 2.6 GAA, and his ability to step up in crucial moments will be vital against Rusty X’s opportunistic offense.
Key Player to Watch:
- R2-ATTE-: Tikitaka’s offensive leader with 31 points in 10 games, R2-ATTE has been instrumental in their success. His ability to create and finish plays will be key in breaking through Rusty X’s disciplined defense.
Rusty X: Grit and Goaltending
Rusty X comes into this series full of confidence after a convincing 4-2 win of PANIC ON ICE in Round 2. Their standout player has been Kasterly_, who has amassed 20 points (6 goals, 10 assists) in 10 games, while Hrustyler has matched his output with 20 points as well. Their scoring depth is complemented by Lordkomar91, who adds another dimension to their attack.
Defensively, Rusty X has leaned on elite goaltending from ksilentt, who boasts an impressive 87.2% save percentage and a 2.1 GAA. His ability to make key saves under pressure has been instrumental to their playoff success. Rusty X’s defense also benefits from physical play and timely interceptions, frustrating opponents and creating counterattack opportunities.
Key Player to Watch:
- ksilentt: Rusty X’s star goaltender has been a rock in net with an 87.2% save percentage. If Rusty X is to pull off the upset, Ksilentt must continue his stellar form and frustrate Tikitaka’s high-powered offense.
Keys to Victory
-
Tikitaka:
Tikitaka must continue to utilize their balanced scoring and disciplined play. R2-ATTE- and TansKungen need to lead the offense, while their defense and goaltending must stay sharp to counter Rusty X’s clutch scorers. -
Rusty X:
Rusty X’s success hinges on their ability to frustrate Tikitaka’s attack and capitalize on mistakes. ksilentt will need to maintain his stellar form, while Kasterly_ and Hrustyler must produce offensively to keep their team competitive.
Prediction:
Rusty X advances (4-3).
While Tikitaka has the edge in depth and discipline, Rusty X’s goaltending and ability to deliver in clutch moments make them a dangerous opponent. This series is likely to go the distance, with Rusty X pulling off a narrow victory thanks to ksilentt brilliance in net and their knack for scoring key goals under pressure.
This matchup promises to be a battle of Tikitaka’s structured approach against Rusty X’s gritty, opportunistic style, making it one of the most exciting series of the quarterfinals.
KOST Wolves (8) vs. Turun Gasellit (11) 
This quarterfinal matchup pits the offensive firepower of KOST Wolves against the balanced and resilient Turun Gasellit. Both teams have shown their strengths in the playoffs so far, let's take a closer look below.
KOST Wolves: Offensive Firepower with Room for Improvement in Goal
The KOST Wolves had a strong run in the first two rounds, defeating The Ghillie Gang and CapeTown Kings in back-to-back series. Their offense has been driven by MaroulCZE @MaroulCZE, who leads the playoffs with an incredible 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 11 games. Supporting him is Pinci71 @Pinci71 (24 points), whose finishing ability complements MaroulCZE’s playmaking. Meanwhile, freez_skillers77 @freez_skillers77 (23 points) and TakableAxe5 @Jimmy21 (15 points) round out one of the deepest offensive units in the tournament.
Defensively, the Wolves have struggled at times, with goaltender Lazan31 @Lazan23 posting a 73.44% save percentage and a 4.25 GAA. This defensive vulnerability could become a major issue against a team like Turun Gasellit, who thrive on converting scoring chances.
Key Player to Watch:
- MaroulCZE: Leading the playoffs with 36 points in 11 games, MaroulCZE is the heart of KOST Wolves’ offense. His playmaking and goal-scoring ability will be crucial to breaking down Turun Gasellit’s strong defensive structure.
Turun Gasellit: Balanced Play and Strong Goaltending
Turun Gasellit enter this series following a convincing 4-1 victory over Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki in Round 2. Their success has been built on a balanced roster, with johtaja_lebi leading the way offensively with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 12 games. pohjarzinho @pohjarzinho (25 points) and MestariLepi @Mestarilepi (24 points) add depth to the attack, while Kostea2nen @Kostea2nen and Niittyvirta @niittyvirta provide defensive stability.
Goaltender SirRaitanen @SirRaitanen has been a standout performer, boasting an 85.32% save percentage and a 2.67 GAA. His ability to make key saves in critical moments has been instrumental in Turun Gasellit’s playoff success. The Gasellit’s defensive discipline and structured play make them a tough opponent for the Wolves’ high-flying offense.
Key Player to Watch:
- SirRaitanen: Turun Gasellit’s goaltender has been a game-changer with an 85.32% save percentage. If Gasellit is to contain KOST Wolves’ explosive offense, SirRaitanen must deliver another standout performance in net.
Keys to Victory
-
KOST Wolves:
The Wolves need to leverage their offensive depth to put pressure on Turun Gasellit’s defense. MaroulCZE and Pinci71 must continue their stellar play, while the defense and goaltending need to step up to limit scoring chances. -
Turun Gasellit:
Turun Gasellit must focus on their defensive structure and frustrate the Wolves’ top scorers. Quick counterattacks and consistent goaltending from SirRaitanen will be crucial to their success.
Prediction:
Turun Gasellit advance (4-3).
While KOST Wolves have the offensive talent to dominate, their defensive struggles could prove costly against Turun Gasellit’s balanced play and reliable goaltending. This series is likely to go the distance, with Turun Gasellit narrowly edging out the Wolves thanks to their superior defensive discipline and the heroics of SirRaitanen in net.
This matchup promises a thrilling battle between KOST Wolves’ offensive explosiveness and Turun Gasellit’s structured, all-around play, making it a must-watch series in the quarterfinals.
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