ECL 12 Lite Playoffs: Round 2 Preview

NHLGamers,

We're happy to admit our shortcomings and with that it's great to see several upsets in the first round of ECL 12 Lite Playoffs. On the other hand, three of the top seeded teams are still in the race. In this preview, brief speculation on each of the fixtures lies ahead.
 

Lainaa

10.6.3 ECL Lite Playoff Schedule
• Playoffs Round 1: 15.6 – 20.6 (BO7)
• Playoffs Round 2: 22.6 – 1.7 (BO7)
• Quarterfinals: 4.7 – 8.7 (BO7)
• Semifinals: 11.7 – 15.7 (BO7)
• Finals: 19.7 – 21.7 (BO7)

(1)  Reality Check HC vs BIK Karlskoga Esport  (29)

The #1 seed facing the bottom seed is always an interesting setup. Underdog BIK Karlskoga Esport had their day in round 1. Will history be able to repeat itself in round 2 as they are now definitely facing their toughest challenge yet? Reality Check HC quite comfortably won 4-1 in Round 1 even though Grilli Tulille gave good opposition in that series for example winning once and in the other games keeping it close. The black and yellow are in a good form and hard it's to imagine lightning strikes twice in the same place for Karlskoga. BIK Karlskoga Esports were underdogs against Royal HT but won that series and this can have an impact in this series against Reality Check HC by boosting their confidence.

Prediction: Reality Check wins 4-2
 

(2)  noRex Gaming vs United Front  (28)

This is also the case of a heavy favorite facing a true underdog. Similarly to before, it is tough to imagine United Front being able to cause another consecutive upset. In my opinion, however, United Front has better chances to repeat the surprise when compared to Karlskoga because they are on paper a slightly stronger team with a more playoff-friendly style of play. noRex Gaming lost one game to The Last Line but in general took home the series win in convincing fashion. United Front eventually beat Barys eSports in a tough game 7 series. 

Prediction: noRex Gaming wins 4-2
 

(3)  GIFU Hockey vs Hokurit  (27)

GIFU Hockey advanced quite easily from Round 1 and their matchup against VANHAT KYLJYKSET. This time it most likely won't be that easy. Hokurit is in great form and are coming off of a tough seven game series against UNI Gaming which has surely put them in that winning mentality. This could be the chance that is there for the taking for Hokurit, if they keep their strong play going, this could be a legendary run.

Prediction: Hokurit wins 4-1

(9)  Powerhouse HC vs Almost Retired  (26)

Powerhouse HC in, as their name suggests, powerful form and with that one of the serious contenders for winning the Lite title this season. Powerhouse HC defeated experienced Tic Tac Toes in a very tight, low scoring series 4-2. Almost Retired pushed through against all odds by beating IK Oskarshamn in a tough series as an underdog. The question is: did their fuel run out in that series or could there still be some left in the tank? Powerhouse HC might be too tough of an obstacle in this series.

Prediction: Powerhouse HC wins 4-2
 

(11)  Lulea Hockey vs Baby Goons  (25)

Baby Goons' good form from the regular seasons continues and a fierce battle in this series is to be expected. Lulea Hockey had a huge and tough series but won it in a game 7 against Hyperion. Baby Goons also won their series against TuTo Esports in Game 7 so both squads are now in playoff mode for sure. Baby Goons are most likely at their peak in terms of confidence. Their glory is likely to continue in this series but it won't be easy getting past Lulea Hockey. 

Prediction: Baby Goons wins 4-3
 

(12)  Spirit vs Södertälje SK  (23) 

Spirit won Ducktales BK 4-1. Notable in that series was that all games went to OT which is quite extraordinary. Södertälje BK had two OT's in their seven game series against Central Hockey Canucks. Both have experience in tough and tight battles, but spirit should be the ones advancing.

Prediction: Spirit wins 4-1
 

(13)  Unwanted vs EHC Biel Bienne eSports  (18)

EHC Biel Bienne Esports have been in good form this season so far and have continued that run into the playoffs by beating AiKnown in a tight round 1 series. Unwanted extended into a seven game series against RoKi Esports and managed to advance. They are a mentally strong team that also possesses tremendous amounts of skill, but EHC Biel Bienne eSports are great in the underdog position, and their form will not stop yet.

Prediction: EHC Biel Bienne wins 4-2
 

(14)  Project X vs AfroDunk  (16)

Along with Powerhouse HC, Project X is one of the black horses to grab the title in my books and now they're continuing their road to glory. AfroDunk is a good team that beat TTK with relative ease in the first round, however they lack the toolset to overcome a team as strong as Project X.

Prediction: Project X wins 4-2

Players to watch

In the players to watch-section we'll take a look at players that had a great contribution to their teams already in the regular season and further continued their form in the first round of playoffs. One of the most notable stars so far in the playoffs have been Project X goaltender @Easygame20(Torvelajr_) with a SV% above 90% and a very low GAA to go with that. Two EHC Biel Bienne Esports players @KG12PK88and @Red09Dragon08 have made remarkable contributions to their team in the playoffs. Both are among the top 10 in scoring stats for their position.

@Pursuitti Reality Check HC GP 28 35+54=78 Regular Season / GP 5 4+4=8 Playoffs

@Toivonen_ Spirit GP 29 40+44_84 Regular season / GP 5 3+5=8 Playoffs

@Burtsi980H Baby Goons GP 28 48+38=86 Regular Season / GP 6 8+4=12 Playoffs

@GERxVillain noRex Gaming GP 28 14+27=41 +38 Regular season / GP 5 1+6=7 Playoffs

@samppa1995(xTuhlaajapoika) Baby Goons GP 26 36+37=73 Regular Season / GP 6 6+10=16 Playoffs

@IDangledYouOut noRex Gaming GP 28 26+24=50 Regular Season / GP 5 6+9=15 Playoffs

@Easygame20 (Torvelajr_) Project X GP 28 W 21 L 7 OTL 0 SV% 76,99 GAA 1,96 Regular Season / GP 5 W 4 L 1 OTL 0 SV% 93,75 GAA 0,6 Playoffs

@KG12PK88 EHC Biel Bienne eSports GP 20 2+12=14 Regular Season / GP 6 2+6=8 Playoffs

@Red09Dragon08 EHC Biel Bienne eSports GP 24 22+31=53 Regular Season / GP 6 6+6=12 Playoffs