ECL '25: Winter - Lite | Playoffs: Round 1 Preview - ECL

Lite Playoffs: The Road to Glory Begins

After an intense group stage filled with thrilling performances and unexpected upsets, the Lite Playoffs are set to begin. Throughout the regular season, several teams established themselves as dominant forces, while others fought their way into the postseason with grit and determination.

Project X stood out as the most dominant team, finishing with an impressive 60 points and a league-best 4.54 goals per game. Puck Over Glass, Kikkakirja, and Sunne IK Esport also had strong campaigns, showcasing high-powered offenses and disciplined defensive structures.

Individually, JusaSoLow 84 points, Toukokuu) led the scoring race, closely followed by ViSiOnZ97_(80 points, Hockeyholics) and Teemu_Underdawg (79 points, Toukokuu). Among goaltenders, Masamone30 (87.21% SV%) and Lidman1 (86.76% SV%) emerged as key players for their teams.

Lite Division Playoff schedule (BO7)

Round of 32: January 5th – 9th
Round of 16: January 12th – 16th
Quarterfinals: January 19th – 23rd
Semifinals: January 26th – 30th
Finals: February 4nd – February 5th

ECL_25_Winter_Lite_Playoffs_Round_1_Prev

Project X (1) vs. Coup de Grace (32)

Project X has been dominant all season, led by Jessel2002 (78 points) and Konsuk05 (76 points). Their defensive structure is strong, backed by goalie niebulaa (82.76% SV%). Coup de Grace lacks the firepower to keep up, with Matth3ws34 being their lone bright spot. Expect a comfortable sweep.

Predictions:
AI: Project X wins 4–0
@Pekedipeks: Project X wins 4–0

Puck Over Glass (2) vs. German Ice Gladiators (31)

Puck Over Glass' offense, led by Hydeee_24(77 points), will likely dominate the series. Pirtsa-, their goalie, provides solid netminding with an 81.13% save percentage. German Ice Gladiators have struggled defensively, despite the efforts of Trollstivegen28, making it hard for them to extend the series.

Predictions:
AI: Puck Over Glass wins 4–1
@Pekedipeks: Puck Over Glass wins 4–1

Kikkakirja (3) vs. Saucer Hockey (30)

Kikkakirja's offensive juggernaut j1mppa_(52 goals) will be a nightmare for Saucer Hockey. Their goalie, pelkonen-, has been stable in net with an 80.77% save percentage. Mazu_Pizu will be Saucer Hockey’s main threat, but Kikkakirja should win comfortably.

Predictions:
AI: Kikkakirja wins 4–1
@Pekedipeks: Kikkakirja wins 4–0

Sunne IK Esport (4) vs. Technical Disaster (29)

Sunne's offense is powered by forreberra (66 points), and their defense, led by benjamint737 in goal (2.83 GAA), provides stability. Technical Disaster’s wrlster is their main offensive force, but Sunne’s depth will prove decisive.

Predictions:
AI: Sunne IK Esport wins 4–2
@Pekedipeks: Sunne IK Esport wins 4–1

MoDo Hockey (5) vs. SCB eSports (28)

MoDo’s offensive leader Mathiasgamer_07 (65 points) and Aleksalt1122’s reliable goaltending (78.89% SV%) make them clear favorites. SCB eSports' Killerashrom1994 might steal a game, but MoDo should close out the series quickly.

Predictions:
AI: MoDo Hockey wins 4–1
@Pekedipeks: MoDo Hockey wins 4–1

Ruuti Ruuti (6) vs. UnderRated (27)

Ruuti has one of the best defenses in the league, with Temettti boasting an 86.15% save percentage. anttiko10_2(61 points) leads their offensive attack. UnderRated’s ePsych0- (68 points) is a strong player, but Ruuti is too dominant.

Predictions:
AI: Ruuti wins 4–0
@Pekedipeks: Ruuti wins 4–1

Kertoimia Vastaan (7) vs. DEG eSports (26)

With a top powerplay (32.26%) and penalty kill (95.83%), Kertoimia Vastaan is a tough team to break. Masamone30 (87.21% SV%) gives them a strong backstop. DEG eSports' Daaiim0n(52 points) will make an impact, but Kertoimia’s system will win out.

Predictions:
AI: Kertoimia Vastaan wins 4–2
@Pekedipeks: Kertoimia Vastaan wins 4–1

Six Sticks Misfits (8) vs. VBO STARS (25)

The Six Sticks Misfits have a strong offense, driven by Lamsa (76 points), and a solid goalie in Ranta83 (82.16% SV%). VBO STARS' I-Bror-I will be key for their chances, but the Misfits will be too strong.

Predictions:
AI: Six Sticks Misfits wins 4–2
@Pekedipeks: Six Sticks Misfits wins 4–2

Toukokuu (9) vs. Kolikot Esports (24)

Toukokuu is led by JusaSoLow(84 points) and Teemu_Underdawg (79 points). Kolikot Esports will struggle to contain their offensive depth. Their goalie Jakkez98- will be tested, but he may not be able to stop Toukokuu’s attack.

Predictions:
AI: Toukokuu wins 4–2
@Pekedipeks: Toukokuu wins 4–2

SSK Prospects (10) vs. VitosVitja (23)

SSK Prospects' sveti- (59 points) and goalie Lidman1(86.76% SV%) make them a formidable team. VitosVitja’s JamboLow13 (66 points) will push the series, but SSK’s defensive edge will prove decisive.

Predictions:
AI: SSK Prospects wins 4–3
@Pekedipeks: SSK Prospects wins 4–0

Hopfensmoothie HC (11) vs. Including Me (22)

Hopfensmoothie HC’s original-SnuS (60 points) and goalie BUrban__ (84.09% SV%) will be key factors. Including Me lacks the defensive structure to contain Hopfensmoothie HC’s attack.

Predictions:
AI: Hopfensmoothie HC wins 4–1
@Pekedipeks: Hopfensmoothie HC wins 4–3

ACEsquad (12) vs. Seinajoki Noms (21)

ACEsquad’s Dehliiin(64 points) and goalie Agent-T_02 give them a slight edge. Seinajoki’s Simbee434(54 points) will make this series competitive, but ACEsquad should take it in seven.

Predictions:
AI: ACEsquad wins 4–3
@Pekedipeks: ACEsquad wins 4–2

Hockeyholics (13) vs. HC VADELMA (20)

Hockeyholics’ ViSiOnZ97_(80 points) and strong powerplay (42.86%) give them an edge. HC VADELMA will rely on juuhen25, but Hockeyholics should win a close series.

Predictions:
AI: Hockeyholics wins 4–3
@Pekedipeks: Hockeyholics wins 4–3

HC Pustertal eSports (14) vs. Eisbaeren Lauf Gaming (19)

HC Pustertal eSports won both meetings against the Eisbaeren team in the regular season with the scores of 7-1 and 3-2, which may this series look like a cakewalk. Eisbaeren Lauf Gaming had a really tough middle point of the season, losing 7 games in a row and looking like they might even miss out on the playoffs. Something clicked though, and the team managed to string together an 8 game winning stream to end the season and finish 5th in group 2, with five points behind Pustertal who is also sporting a 7 game-winning streak. At least one of these winning streaks is about to come to an end. We expect HC Pustertal to barely edge them out, but this series could go the full seven games.

Predictions:
AI: HC Pustertal eSports wins 4–3
@Pekedipeks: HC Pustertal eSports wins 4–3

Macho HC (15) vs. Setelikerho (18)

Macho HC’s Strandis96 (67 points) and goalie Jerexu will be key. Setelikerho’s tbnantti(73 points) will keep it close, but Macho HC’s physicality will give them the edge.

Predictions:
AI: Macho HC wins 4–3
@Pekedipeks: Setelikerho wins 4–3

Farmalaget (16) vs. Wida (17) Wida
Wida’s nikitikitin (71 points) and goalie Mise13 (85.96% SV%) will be the difference-makers. Farmalaget lacks the depth to keep up.