ECL '25: Winter - Lite | Quarterfinals Preview

Quarterfinals Set in ECL '25 Winter Lite

After an exciting and unpredictable Round 2 in the ECL '25 Winter Lite division, the stage is set for the Quarterfinals. The competition has been fierce, with several underdog teams making their mark and showing they belong among the best. Top-seeded Project X and fourth-seeded Sunne IK Esport continue to showcase their dominance, but underdogs like Including Me (22) and Seinajoki Noms (21) have defied expectations and emerged as serious contenders.

Let’s dive into the matchups and what to expect in this thrilling stage of the tournament!

Quarterfinal Matchups:

 Project X (1) vs.Including Me (22) 

The quarterfinal clash between Project X, the tournament’s top seed, and Including Me, the underdog story of the playoffs, promises to be a battle of contrasting styles. Project X has dominated with their well-rounded and high-powered gameplay, while Including Me has relied on clutch performances and resilience to reach this stage.

Project X: The Tournament Favorites

Project X enters the quarterfinals as the team to beat. They swept Coup de Grace in the opening round and secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Kolikot Esports in Round 2. Their offensive strength lies in their dynamic trio of Konsuk05 @Konsuk05 (27 points), JesseL2002 @JesseL2002 (26 points), and Fin_torspo @Fin_torspo90 (20 points), who have been instrumental in their success. These players have consistently found ways to break down defenses and create high-quality scoring opportunities.

Defensively, Project X remains solid, led by goaltender niebulaa @Niebula, who boasts a 2.29 goals-against average and an 82.8% save percentage. Their structured play and ability to control the pace of games make them a formidable opponent.

Key Strengths:

• Offensive depth: Project X can rely on multiple players to deliver points.
• Defensive stability: Their ability to neutralize opponents’ key players is a significant advantage.

Including Me: The Resilient Underdogs

Including Me has captured the spotlight with their surprising playoff run. They survived a tough series against Hopfensmoothie HC in Round 1 and then delivered a stunning 4-2 victory over Puck Over Glass in Round 2. Their offense is led by the sensational Lotiseva @Lotiseva, who has put up 36 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 12 games. Supporting him are Miklu19 @Miklu19 (36 points) and Thounimeister @Thounimeister (29 points), who provide additional firepower.

Defensively, Including Me has been less consistent, with goaltender vaajanen @pera_peraa posting a 78.26% save percentage and a 3.13 GAA. While their defense may not be as strong as Project X’s, their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities has kept them alive in tough matchups.

Key Strengths:

• Star power: Lotiseva has been one of the most dominant players in the playoffs.
• Offensive explosiveness: Their ability to score quickly can swing games in their favor.

Keys to Victory

• Project X:
  Project X must stay disciplined and use their defensive structure to neutralize Lotiseva and the rest of Including Me’s attack. Offensively, they should rely on their balanced scoring and avoid unnecessary risks to maintain control of the series.

• Including Me:
  To have a chance, Including Me must continue to lean on Lotiseva’s offensive brilliance while tightening up their defensive game. They will need big performances from vaajanen in goal to contain Project X’s top forwards.

Prediction:

Project X advances (4-2).
While Including Me’s offensive firepower is impressive, Project X’s depth, structure, and defensive reliability give them the edge. Expect Including Me to steal a game or two with Lotiseva's heroics, but Project X’s balanced approach should ultimately secure them a spot in the semifinals.

This series will be a thrilling display of offense versus structure, with both teams bringing their unique strengths to the ice. It’s a matchup that promises excitement and high-scoring action.

Sunne IK Esport (4) vs. Seinajoki Noms (21) 

This quarterfinal pits the high-powered Sunne IK Esport against the underdog Seinajoki Noms, a team that has already shocked the competition by making it this far. Both teams enter this matchup with momentum, but with vastly different paths to the quarterfinals.

Sunne IK Esport: A Well-Rounded Powerhouse

Sunne IK Esport has showcased their strength in all aspects of the game, advancing through the earlier rounds with dominant performances. Their top scorer, forreberra @forreberra, leads the way with 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 11 games, displaying a combination of skill and composure that makes him one of the key players in this matchup. Prolane @Prolane, with 22 points, adds another scoring threat, while Svana_22 @Svana_22 brings balanced play and reliability with 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists).

On the back end, Sunne IK’s defensive effort is anchored by their goaltender benjamint737 @benjamint737, who boasts an impressive 87.67% save percentage and a league-best 1.64 GAA. His consistency and ability to deliver shutouts have given Sunne IK a solid foundation to build on.

Key Strengths:

• Offensive firepower: With multiple high-scoring players, Sunne IK can overwhelm opponents.
• Defensive reliability: Their disciplined structure and elite goaltending make them tough to break down.

Seinajoki Noms: Grit and Determination

Seinajoki Noms have embraced their underdog status, pulling off surprises in the first two rounds. Their leader Kujumi @Kujumi has been on fire with 30 points (19 goals, 11 assists) in 13 games, making him the focal point of their attack. Simbee434 @Simbee434 (26 points) and zteeli @zteeli (24 points) provide strong support, ensuring the Noms have multiple scoring options.

Goaltender mralisalo @mralisalo has been solid between the pipes, posting an 82.14% save percentage and a 2.69 GAA. While not as dominant as Sunne IK’s benjamint737, mraisalo’s ability to make clutch saves has been instrumental in getting Seinajoki Noms this far.

Key Strengths:

• Star power: Kujumi’s scoring ability can change the outcome of games in an instant.
• Resilience: Their ability to stay competitive against higher-seeded teams has been impressive.

Keys to Victory

• Sunne IK Esport:
  Sunne IK must leverage their depth and structure to neutralize Kujumi and the Noms’ top scorers. If their defense stays disciplined and benjamint737 continues his stellar play, they should have the edge in this matchup.

• Seinajoki Noms:
  The Noms need to disrupt Sunne IK’s rhythm by capitalizing on turnovers and maintaining an aggressive forecheck. Kujumi and Simbee434 must lead the way offensively, and mraisalo will need to elevate his play to keep them competitive.

Prediction:

Sunne IK Esport advances (4-2).
While Seinajoki Noms have proven themselves as a resilient underdog, Sunne IK’s depth, balanced attack, and elite goaltending make them the favorites. Expect the Noms to steal a game or two with clutch performances from Kujumi and mralisalo, but Sunne IK’s overall strength will likely carry them to the semifinals.

This matchup highlights the classic clash of a dominant favorite versus a scrappy underdog, promising exciting moments and plenty of drama along the way.

Kertoimia Vastaan (7) vs. Setelikerho (18) 

This quarterfinal battle sees Kertoimia Vastaan, the structured and disciplined 7th seed, take on the dark horse of the playoffs, Setelikerho, ranked 18th. Both teams have had strong showings in the postseason, and this series promises to be a clash of styles and strategies.

Kertoimia Vastaan: Tactical Excellence

Kertoimia Vastaan has earned their spot in the quarterfinals with a strong mix of offense and defense. They defeated DEG eSports 4-0 in Round 1 before overcoming HC Pustertal eSports 4-1 in a series in Round 2. Their balanced offense is led by Playmeikkeri @Playmeikkeri (20 points) and jorkkiiz @jorkkiiz (20 points), while Kasperi88 @Kasperi88 (14 points) provides additional scoring depth.

In net, Masamone30 @Masamone30 has been stellar, posting an outstanding 88.89% save percentage and a league-best 1.64 GAA. His ability to make crucial saves has been instrumental to Kertoimia Vastaan’s success and could be the deciding factor in this matchup.

Keys for Victory:

• Continue to rely on defensive structure and Masamone30’s goaltending.
• Leverage their depth scoring to keep Setelikerho’s defense on their heels.

Setelikerho: Riding the Momentum

Setelikerho has been one of the surprise teams of the playoffs, defeating Macho HC 4-3 in Round 1 and upsetting MoDo Hockey 4-2 in Round 2. Their success has been driven by their explosive offense, led by tbnantti @tbnantti (35 points), Kozeec @Kozeec (33 points), and Timotei_97 @Timotei97 (30 points). These three players have formed a formidable offensive core that has overwhelmed opponents throughout the postseason.

Goaltender Jugi9 @Jugi9 has been solid, with a 2.15 GAA and an 84.36% save percentage, providing crucial support in tight games. Setelikerho’s ability to score in bunches makes them a dangerous opponent for any team, including the disciplined Kertoimia Vastaan.

Keys for Victory:

• Exploit their high-powered offense to put pressure on Kertoimia Vastaan early.
• Ensure defensive consistency to counter Kertoimia’s structured attack.

Keys to the Series

• Kertoimia Vastaan: Stay disciplined defensively and focus on limiting Setelikerho’s top scorers. Their ability to control the pace of the game will be key.
• Setelikerho: Use their offensive firepower to dictate play and force Kertoimia into a more open game, where Setelikerho thrives.

Prediction:

Setelikerho advances 4-3.
While Kertoimia Vastaan’s defensive structure and elite goaltending will keep this series close, Setelikerho’s ability to score in bunches gives them the edge. Expect a thrilling series with plenty of offensive fireworks, culminating in a narrow victory for the underdog Setelikerho.

This matchup is a classic battle of offense versus defense and promises to be one of the most exciting series of the quarterfinals.