Fallen Rangers completed their perfect playoff run and are your ECL '25 Winter - Neo Champions. They dominated the division all season long and left nothing up to question. Salaseurue gave them a good fight but in the end, there was nothing stopping Sidney @Sebko99 Kiska and the Fallen Rangers squad. Congratulations to the Champions!

Fallen Rangers finished at the top of Group 5 and went into the playoffs as the number one seed. After scoring 8.5 goals per game during the regular season they were the favorites for many to make it all the way. They continued their dominating performance in playoffs sweeping one opponent after another. Despite their defensive mishaps in some of the games, their offense was always able to come through finishing the playoffs with an average of 6.8 goals per game. Salaseurue was able to challenge them momentarily in the finals but they were unable to convert those good moments into wins. After a record-breaking regular season, Sebko99 continued to lead the offense and finished the playoffs with 85 points. PR3D4T0R6083 gave excellent support from the back end with 50 points and mildalempik posted a 80.5% save percentage and three shutouts in their 15 playoff games.

We got a chance to interview Fallen Rangers Captain Peter @Kiso69 Kiska after the finals series. He talked about how the team got started and how it is to have teammates from the same family.

Road to the Championship

Regular season: 12-0-0-2, 36 points, 1st in Group 5, 1st overall
Round 1: 3-0 vs Davemiehet
Round 2: 3-0 vs Hannover Indians Esports
Quarterfinals: 3-0 vs Hawks HC
Semifinals: 3-0 vs Viitapohja Vikings
Finals: 3-0 vs Salaseurue

Championship roster

Peter @Kiso69 Kiska (C)
Jan @Zaky111 Žák (A)
Sidney @Sebko99 Kiska
Kristián @PR3D4T0R Kiska
Jane @Jane PhDr Wolf PhDr Wolf
Milan @mildalempik93 Lempera
Pavel @cangis01 Hoang (A)
Martin @Hori68 Hořavson

Thank you to all the teams for an amazing season and we hope to see you in the Spring season! Congratulations to Fallen Rangers, your ECL '25 Winter - Neo Champions!

Sunne IK Esport were crowned your ECL '25 Winter - Lite Champions after managing to beat the Finnish side Setelikerho in overtime of game seven. After finishing first in their group, Sunne marched convincingly all the way to the finals and pulled off a comeback in the Finals after being down 1-3 in the series. With their Championship, they gain automatic promotion to the Pro division for the Spring season, where they'll be joined by the second-place finisher Setelikerho and the third-place Project X. Congratulations to Sunne IK Esports!

Sunne IK finished on top of Group 3 after a tight race, putting them in a good position going into the postseason. Through the first four rounds of the playoffs, the team put on a clinic, losing only five games on their way to the finals. After the first night of the Finals they found themselves down 1-2 and the game 4 blowout loss the following day put them in a tough position down 1-3 in the series. In game 5 they were one minute away from defeat but thanks to Prolane's last-minute tying goal they headed into OT. The game went all the way to the third overtime before Forreberra found the winning goal and the series was back alive. Forreberra's hattrick in game 6 pushed the series into game seven despite a last-minute scare. Setelikerho got a quick start to the deciding game with a goal from tbnantti but Captain 03_Dafa tied the game in the dying seconds of the second period. After some big saves in each end of the ice the game headed into overtime where Svana_22 was the hero scoring the series winner from a partial breakaway.

We got a chance to interview Mathias @Prolane Larsson after the series, where he shared his thoughts and told how believing in themselves played a big role in the comeback.
 

Road to the Championship

Regular season: 13-4-0-5, 47 points, 1st in Group 3 and 4th overall.
Round 1: 4-1 vs Technical Disaster
Round 2: 4-2 vs HC VADELMA
Quarterfinals: 4-1 vs Seinajoki Noms
Semifinals: 4-1 vs Farmalaget
Finals: 4-3 vs Setelikerho

Championship Roster

David @DAFA_03 Halvorsen (C)
Mathias @Prolane Larsson (A)
Fredrik @Larzzon96 Larsson (A)
Edvin @forreberra Bengtsson
Andreas @Svana_22 Svanberg
Benjamin @benjamint737 Tallgren

Kalle @trikishash Sjoblom
Kai-Remi @sneipmusic Berge
Tobias @Pettersson18 Pettersson

Thank you for a great season and congratulations to your Champions Sunne IK Esport!

It's time to decide the ECL '25: Winter - Neo Champion - the finals await us! We started the season with 48 teams and now we're left with the best two of them, quite literally, as the two top-seeded teams made it to the finals. Can Fallen Rangers make it all the way as the number one seed or will Salaseurue be able to crush their hopes of a near-perfect season on the last hurdle? The best of five finals series will be covered tonight, Sunday 9th of February, starting at 20.15 CET on twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG

.

(1) Fallen Rangers -  (2) Salaseurue 

Storylines to follow

• High-scoring gameplay - Both teams have been scoring at an impressive rate, Salaseurue with 4.4 and Fallen Rangers with 7.1 goals per game. Fallen Rangers definitely have the edge here but they've also had some very wild games in the playoffs, like a 8-7 OT win in the Semifinals. Both teams are averaging around 2.75 GAA but Salaseurue has had more defensive stability in the later rounds of the playoffs.
   
• Battle of the LWs - Fitting the theme of the two best teams, this series also features the two highest scorers of the playoffs. @Sebko99 has been leading the scoring race all season and playoffs and has scored 73 points in his 12 playoff games. @nikezuki He is on an impressive run of his own, scoring 61 points in 17 games. Both players have contributed to over 80% of their teams' goals scored and they will be the main targets to stop for both defenses.
   
• Goalies in a tough spot - @mildalempik93 (79.62%, 2.67 GAA) and @Zhenda tt3mee (81.68%, 2.82 GAA) have both had good playoff runs and have improved their numbers with the season progressing. As mentioned earlier Fallen Rangers have had some crazy games during the season and it seems like defense has not always been the first priority for the team, and those games are not always the most enjoyable for the goalies. On the other side, tt3mee will have the job of trying to stop Fallen Rangers offense, something that no team or goalie has been able to do so far.
• Salaseurue lineup? - Salaseurue used nine skaters during the regular season and in the playoffs, they have had seven different skaters. Looking at the numbers, all of them have been performing very well but it will interesting to see which lineup we'll see in the playoffs. You also can't leave out that the team Captain and scoring leader Nikezuki seems to already be looking for a new team for the next season. Definitely an interesting choice from the Captain with the finals still yet to be played.
• Fallen Rangers unbeaten run - They've gone through four rounds of playoffs without losing a single game. Semifinals were the first time they were somewhat challenged and they still have the toughest task waiting for them in the finals. They did lose two games in the regular season, one of them being a 2-10 blowout loss, so teams at this level have shown that they can't just cruise through all the games.

Watch the finals broadcast:

The Neo Finals will be played in a best-of-five format with all the games played tonight. We wish both teams good luck in the finals and see you all on the broadcast, starting at 20.15 CET on twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!

We have crowned another Champion as Silver Sword Griffins took home the title in the Core division after a thrilling seven-game series against KOST Wolves. After a dominant regular season, which saw SSG heading into the playoffs as the number one seed, they continued to show their excellence throughout the playoffs. Huge congratulations to the Latvian side for the Championship and congratulations as well to KOST Wolves and Rusty X for their second and third-place finishes!

The Silver Sword Griffins have been around since the very first ECL tournament and are known to be the Latvian powerhouse. With some of their current players having played in some of those very first tournaments they truly are one of the longest standing teams in the ECL.

After a great regular season, the team headed into the playoffs as the number 1 seed. In the postseason they went through round by round without much trouble but in the finals, they found themselves in a difficult spot. After winning the first game they lost three games in a row and were their back against the wall heading into the third period of game 5 being down by two goals. That period ended up being the turning point of the series as they managed to tie the game in the last minute and took the win home in OT. A dominant 6-2 victory in game 6 saw them heading into the deciding game seven with all the momentum and they used it.  @LATMinx has been with the team from day one and was their MVP of the season, scoring 20 points in the finals series, and finishing the playoffs with an impressive 38+38=72 point total.
 

We got a chance to interview SSG's left defenceman Linards @Lxnards Logins after clinching the title, you can watch it below.

Road to Championship:

Regular season: 17-1-1-1, 54 points, 1st in Group 3 and Seed 1
Round 1: 4-2 vs EV Duisburg
Round 2: 4-1 vs Salaseura
Quarterfinals: 4-1 vs HC Last Resort
Semifinals: 4-1 vs Rusty X
Finals: 4-3 vs KOST Wolves

Championship Roster

Mārtiņš @martinssilins Siliņš (C)
Kristaps @kriteris Grinfelds (A)
Robert @LATMinx Zariņš (A)
Edgars @Shmiha99 Naida
Linards @Lxnards Logins
Gatis @gacorigavecit17 Klekers
Henrihs @Rocket_Science72 Lazdāns
Kristaps @CapinsH-LV Zūdiņš

Thank you for the great season and once again Congratulations to the Silver Sword Griffins!

ECL '25 Winter - Lite: The Final Showdown Between Sweden and Finland

After weeks of intense competition, standout performances, and thrilling matchups, ECL '25 Winter Lite has reached its grand finale. Two of the most battle-tested teams remain, as Setelikerho and Sunne IK Esport prepare to face off in a championship clash between Finnish experience and Swedish structure. Setelikerho, a team filled with seasoned veterans, has once again proven their quality by eliminating top-seeded Project X in the semifinals. Now, they look to cap off their impressive run by securing the title against a well-organized and disciplined Sunne IK Esport squad.

Meanwhile, Project X, the pre-tournament favorite, will battle Farmalaget, the surprising 16th seed, for the bronze medal. Both teams are eager to end their campaigns on a high note after tough semifinal losses.

With Finnish skill and Swedish precision set to collide, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the Winter Lite season. Will Setelikerho’s experience and offensive firepower lead them to victory, or will Sunne IK’s tactical approach and structured play secure the title? And in the fight for third place, can Project X bounce back, or will Farmalaget continue to defy expectations?

All will be decided as ECL '25 Winter Lite reaches its thrilling climax!

Setelikerho and Sunne IK Esport Set for Championship Clash

Setelikerho (18) eliminated the top-seeded Project X (1) in a hard-fought 4-2 series victory, proving once again that they belong among the best. With a combination of experience, balanced play, and clutch goaltending from Jugi9 @Jugi9, Setelikerho outperformed the tournament favorites and secured their place in the Finals. Their disciplined approach and ability to rise to the occasion have brought them to the brink of the championship.

On the other side, Sunne IK Esport (4) showcased their consistency and structure with a commanding 4-1 win over Farmalaget (16). The Swedish squad’s well-organized play, led by forreberra and standout goaltending from benjamint737 @benjamint737, proved too strong for their opponents. With their tactical approach and strong defensive core, Sunne IK heads into the Finals with momentum and confidence.

These results set up a thrilling championship battle, pitting Setelikerho’s offensive firepower and experience against Sunne IK’s structured and disciplined play. Both teams have proven their strength throughout the tournament, and now only one can lift the ECL '25 Winter Lite trophy.

Finals:

Sunne IK Esport (4) vs. Setelikerho (18) 

Sweden vs. Finland

Overview

The Finals bring a thrilling matchup between two teams with contrasting paths to the championship. Sunne IK Esport enters the Finals as the steady, balanced Swedish powerhouse, while Setelikerho, the lowest seed to reach this stage, represents Finnish grit and determination. The clash is not only a battle for the ECL '25: Winter - Lite title but - as usual when these two countries are in play - also a representation of national pride between Finland and Sweden.

Path to the Finals

Sunne IK Esport (4)

Sunne IK Esport (4) has demonstrated consistency and structure throughout the tournament, delivering strong performances in every round. They started their campaign with a solid 4-1 victory over Technical Disaster (29), followed by a well-executed 4-2 win against HC VADELMA (20) in Round 2. Their ability to control games and dictate the pace made them a tough opponent for any team.

Building on their momentum, Sunne IK secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Seinajoki Noms (21) in the quarterfinals, showing their ability to shut down opponents efficiently. In the semifinals, they once again displayed their depth and discipline with a 4-1 win against Farmalaget (16), securing their place in the Finals. With a structured playstyle, strong defensive core, and reliable goaltending.

Setelikerho (18)

Setelikerho’s Path to the Finals has showcased their quality and experience throughout the tournament, earning their place in the Finals with a series of strong performances. Their journey began with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Macho HC (15) in Round 1. In Round 2, they took down MoDo Hockey (5) with a convincing 4-2 win, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level.

Continuing their strong form, Setelikerho secured a 4-2 victory over Kertoimia Vastaan (7) in the quarterfinals, handling the pressure with confidence. In the semifinals, they delivered another impressive 4-2 win against top-seeded Project X (1), proving their ability to overcome any opponent. With a combination of experience, depth, and disciplined play.

Key Matchups

1. Offense vs. Defense: Setelikerho’s high-octane offense, powered by tbnantti @tbnantti (59 points) and Timotei_97 @Timotei97 (53 points), will face their toughest challenge yet against Sunne IK’s disciplined defense, led by 03_DAFA @DAFA_03 and backstopped by benjamint737 @benjamint737.
2. Goaltending Duel: Both goalies Jugi9 @Jugi9 for Setelikerho and benjamint737 @benjamint737 for Sunne IK have been exceptional. Their performances will likely determine the outcome of this series.
3. Momentum vs. Consistency: Setelikerho thrives on energy and unpredictability, while Sunne IK relies on their structure and methodical approach. The team that imposes their style of play will have the upper hand.

Key Players to Watch

• forreberra @forreberra (Sunne IK): With 36 points in 21 games, he is the centerpiece of Sunne IK’s attack and a player Setelikerho must contain.
• tbnantti @tbnantti (Setelikerho): The leading scorer of the tournament with 59 points, his ability to find the net under pressure makes him a constant threat.
• benjamint737 @benjamint737 (Sunne IK): His elite goaltending has been the foundation of Sunne IK’s success. He will need to be at his best to shut down Setelikerho’s dynamic offense.
• Jugi9 @Jugi9 (Setelikerho): The backbone of Setelikerho’s defense, his clutch saves and composure will be critical in this high-stakes series.

Prediction: A Split Decision Among Experts

With two experienced teams battling for the championship, opinions on the outcome are divided. Some believe Sunne IK Esport’s structured and disciplined gameplay will give them the edge in a tight series, while others see Setelikerho’s high-scoring offense and vast experience as the key to victory. Here’s how our experts predict the Finals will unfold:

• AI: 4-3 Sunne IK
• Vamoux: 4-2 Setelikerho
• hifk_fani: 4-0 Setelikerho
• Pensasmies: 4-3 Sunne IK
• Pekedipeks: 4-2 Setelikerho
• eSwahn: 4-2 Setelikerho

With four out of six predictions favoring Setelikerho, the Finnish squad enters the Finals with strong backing. However, Sunne IK’s ability to control the pace and dictate the game’s tempo shouldn’t be underestimated. If the series goes the distance, their structured playstyle could prove decisive.

Bronze Game:

 Project X (1) vs. Farmalaget (16)

Overview

The Bronze Game features two teams that came up short in the semifinals but still have much to fight for. Project X, the pre-tournament favorite, looks to salvage their campaign after their shocking loss to Setelikerho. Meanwhile, Farmalaget, who exceeded expectations as the 16th seed, hopes to cap their impressive run with a podium finish.

Key Players to Watch

• Konsuk05 @Konsuk05(Project X): The tournament’s top scorer with 45 points will look to lead his team back to victory.
• sallee42 @Sallee42(Farmalaget): With a 1.55 GAA and an 88.03% save percentage, Farmalaget’s goaltender remains a crucial piece in their strategy.

Prediction

Project X’s depth and offensive firepower give them the edge, but Farmalaget’s resilience cannot be underestimated. Expect Project X to bounce back with a 4-2 win and claim third place.

Don’t Miss the ECL '25: Winter - Lite Finals!

The Finals will be broadcast live on Wednesday and Thursday, February 5-6, exclusively on twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG. Tune in to witness the drama, skill, and passion as the ECL Lite reaches its thrilling conclusion. Don’t miss out on the action—this is hockey esports at its finest!

The Final Chapter: Bronze Battle and Championship Clash

The playoff journey has brought us to its most exciting and decisive stage: the Bronze Series and the Grand Finals. After weeks of intense matchups, unexpected upsets, and stellar performances, the teams are ready to leave it all on the ice. Lutunilkat and Rusty X, two squads that have fought valiantly but fell just short in the semifinals, now face each other in the Bronze Series, with pride and a podium finish on the line.

Meanwhile, the championship spotlight shines on the Silver Sword Griffins and KOST Wolves. The Griffins, as the top seed, have lived up to expectations with dominant performances and a clear path to the Finals. However, the Wolves have proven to be the playoff dark horse, showcasing resilience and determination as they knocked out higher-ranked opponents on their way to the final clash.
 

ECL '25: Winter - Core Finals:

Silver Sword Griffins (1) vs. KOST Wolves (8) 

Path to the Finals

The Silver Sword Griffins entered the playoffs as the top seed, and they’ve lived up to their billing as the team to beat. Dominating every round, the Griffins displayed their prowess early with a commanding 4-2 win against EV Duisburg in the first round. They followed it up with a decisive 4-1 victory over Salaseura in the second round. In the quarterfinals, they dismantled HC Last Resort with another 4-1 series win, showing both offensive firepower and defensive discipline. In the semifinals, they faced Rusty X, a team riding high on momentum after knocking out Tikitaka. Despite Rusty X’s efforts, the Griffins' skill and depth proved too much, and they advanced to the finals with a 4-1 victory.

On the other hand, the KOST Wolves have been the underdog story of the playoffs. Entering as the eighth seed, they’ve defied expectations at every turn. The Wolves started their journey with a strong 4-1 win over The Ghillie Gang. They then faced CapeTown Kings in the second round, where their tenacity and team cohesion shone in a 4-2 series triumph. In the quarterfinals, they stunned Turun Gasellit with a flawless 4-0 sweep, showcasing their ability to adapt and dominate against higher-ranked opponents. Their Semifinals matchup against Lutunilkat was their toughest test yet, but the Wolves prevailed in a hard-fought 4-2 series, punching their ticket to the finals.

Key Players to Watch

For the Silver Sword Griffins, LATMinx @ProMinx24 has been the heartbeat of the team. Leading the playoff scoring charts with 56 points in 21 games, LATMinx has delivered consistent performances in every round. Supported by martinssilins @martinssilins and Shmiha99 @Shmiha99 , the Griffins’ offensive trio is a nightmare for any defense. In net, gacorigavecit17 @gacorigavecit17 has been a rock, with a 82.3% save percentage and timely stops in crucial moments.

The KOST Wolves, meanwhile, have relied heavily on their star forward MaroulCZE @MaroulCZE, who has amassed an impressive 65 points in 21 games. His ability to find the back of the net and set up teammates like freez_skillers77 @freez_skillers77 and TakableAxe5 @Jimmy21 makes him the Wolves’ biggest threat. Goalie Lazan31 @Lazan23 has been the unsung hero, making crucial saves and maintaining a 78.1% save percentage despite facing some of the league’s most potent offenses.

Prediction

This matchup pits the league’s most dominant team against its grittiest underdog. The Griffins have the experience, depth, and top-tier talent needed to control the game, while the Wolves bring momentum, belief, and a never-say-die attitude that has carried them through tough battles. The key to victory for the Wolves will be neutralizing LATMinx and capitalizing on counterattacks, while the Griffins must maintain their structured game and avoid underestimating the Wolves’ ability to turn the tide.

While the Wolves have proven themselves as giant-slayers, the Griffins’ consistent dominance and playoff pedigree make them the favorites in this matchup. Expect a thrilling contest, but the Silver Sword Griffins seem poised to hoist the trophy at the end of this incredible playoff run. Final prediction: Silver Sword Griffins in 5 games.

Bronze Game:

Lutunilkat (4) vs. Rusty X (15) 

Path to the Bronze Game
Lutunilkat's journey to the Bronze Game has been impressive, showcasing their offensive capabilities. However, their semifinal loss to KOST Wolves (2-4) highlighted areas of improvement in their defensive strategies. Rusty X, on the other hand, entered the playoffs as the 15th seed and shocked many with strong performances. Despite falling 1-4 to the top-seeded Silver Sword Griffins in the semifinals, they’ve proven to be a resilient team.
 

Key Players to Watch

• Lutunilkat: mikkihiiri- @mikkihiiri-- (61 points in 20 games) has been an unstoppable offensive force and will need to lead his team one last time.
• Rusty X: Hrustyler @Hrustyler (43 points in 21 games) will be the key to Rusty X’s offensive efforts, with his ability to create chances under pressure.

Prediction
This game will be an exciting battle of contrasting styles. Lutunilkat’s offensive firepower could give them the edge, but Rusty X’s knack for pulling off surprises might swing momentum. Expect a close match, with Lutunilkat edging out a victory to claim bronze.

The Final Chapter

As the season reaches its dramatic conclusion, all eyes are on the championship clash between the Silver Sword Griffins and the KOST Wolves. Both teams have proven their mettle throughout the playoffs, and now, only one can rise to claim the title.

Mark your calendars, as the bronze game and finals will be broadcast live on Sunday, February 2nd at 20:15 CET and Monday, February 3rd, at 20:45 CET. Tune in to witness the action unfold on twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG. 

Our first champion has been crowned in the ECL '25: Winter season with Blackbirds defeating SSK Esports 4-0 in the finals of the Pro Division. With their championship, they clinch their spot in Elite in the upcoming ECL '25: Spring season whereas SSK will have to fight for their spot in the qualifiers.

The core of the Blackbird squad goes all the way back to the ECL '22: Spring season but they really got going in the ECL '23: Spring Lite season with the xBOTS squad and earned a spot in Pro. After a very short-lived stint in the Pro Division, they got their original squad back together for another season in Lite. After that season they made some key changes in the lineup, acquiring their new goaltender and attacker who would end up being their top-scorer of their Championship season. Interestingly enough, prior to this season the team had never made it past the second round of the playoffs.

The Blackbirds squad started their season in the Pro Qualifiers, which they went through in the second stage. After an up-and-down regular season, they found themselves in fifth place in Group 1 heading into the playoffs. In the postseason we saw a total turnaround from the team as they crushed opponents one after another, losing only two games on their road to the Championship. We got to see some great offense from the team as each of their attackers scored over a goal per game in the playoffs as well as one of the best goalie performances to remember. Following the footsteps of the Almost Famous team from the ECL '24: Spring season, they're now the second team to win a Championship in the Pro Division straight after being promoted.

We got a chance to interview Blackbirds' captain and right winger Lauri @sopulii04 Enström after clinching the title, where he spoke about their season and the dominant playoff run.
 

Blackbirds' Road to the Championship:

Regular season: 13-5-5-7 (54pts) - 5th in Group 1
Round 1: 4-0 vs Aspyre
Quarterfinals: 4-1 vs Ismon Valinta
Semifinals: 4-1 vs NOVA
Finals: 4-0 vs SSK ESPORTS

Blackbirds' ECL '25: Winter - Pro Championship Roster

Forwards:
Lauri @sopulii04 Enström (C)
Olli @I0LL1 Sorsa (A)
Aatu @aomyo6195 Myöhänen

Defense:
Tommi @Kibeeex Lehtimäki
Onni @ONN123 Forss (A)

Goalies:
Jesse @Jeerik17 Leppä
Miika @miiixu96 Pulkkinen
 

Huge congratulations to the team and all the players! See you in Elite

The SportsGamer Wraparound looks to bring you weekly conversations around the league, recapping some of the events around the divisions throughout the week.

Remember to post your highlights on socials using the hashtag #ECL25Clips and reach out if you would be interested in appearing on the Wraparound in the form of interviews or additional content.

We’re thrilled to launch a special perk for our valued ECL License holders:
🎁 3 Months FREE Membership to the SportsGamer Health & Performance Program!

This program is designed to support your journey toward enhanced performance and well-being—both in and out of the game.

Gain access to tools and resources aimed at improving your performance, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying at the top of your game.

To claim your free membership as an ECL '25 Player License, simply check your email - we have sent you an email with the link and code to start your your journey. In case you can't find it - be sure to check your spam folder just in case.

Non-license holders can use the code SPORTSGAMER1 for 1 month off!

Limited Time Offer: Get a free ticket to Assembly Winter 2025 on Thursday, February 20th! Come and enjoy the ECL ‘25: Winter - Elite Finals and hang out with the community. Once you’ve purchased your ECL license, fill out this form to apply for your free ticket. Act fast—tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. https://forms.gle/eZdDm63kdv3ksa4L9

What a great playoffs it has been and now it's time to decide the champion. Both of the finalists have been playing against all of the previous predictions and for that reason, there won't be any predictions from us for the Finals. Will it be the young guns of the Blackbirds or will SSK ESPORTS continue their miracle run from the last seed? We welcome you to join the live broadcast of the finals at twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG on Monday the 27th at 19:15 CET and on Wednesday the 29th at 21:15 CET.
 

The Road to Finals

Blackbirds
Round 1: 4-0 vs Aspyre
Quarterfinals: 4-1 vs Ismon Valinta
Semifinals: 4-1 vs NOVA

SSK ESPORTS
Round 1: 4-2 vs NOSTREETSPORTS
Quarterfinals: 4-3 vs POGGERS
Semifinals: 4-3 vs Otukset
 

(10) Blackbirds   - (16) SSK ESPORTS

Predicted lineups

LW @aomyo6195 - C @I0LL1 - RW @sopulii04 

           LD  @Kibeeex - RD @ONN123

                          G @Jeerik17 

 LW @PSchibra - C @Rubituss - RW @zuppe_29

                   LD @Janikka - RD @pakjiz

                 G @Brokenrice2000 / @Jonte05_

I think most of us knew the potential of Blackbirds but for them to cash it out this way on their first season together with this lineup was not something many had in their cards. They had a good regular season finishing fifth in Group 1 but as the year changed something must have clicked within the team and in the playoffs we've seen the team on a whole another level. Through the first three rounds, they have only lost two games and within the 14 playoff games they've only allowed 22 goals while scoring 50 themselves. The biggest change I see is in their offense. @aomyo6195 (15+21=36) was their leading scorer in the regular season and scored half of the team's goals. He has still kept his numbers up leading the team but @I0LL1 (14+21=35) and @sopulii04 (17+13=30) have stepped up big time when it matters the most. Especially @I0LL1 has caught my eye scoring 6 game-winning goals in the playoffs and almost matching his point totals from the regular season with half the games played. @ONN123 (1+20=21) and @Kibeeex (3+10=13) have been great on both ends of the ice and have given @Jeerik17 (87.13%, 4 SO, 1.57 GAA) a chance to put up great numbers. He has definitely stolen quite a few games for this Blackbirds team and is high on my list for the "MVP race".

To quote my fellow writer @Pekedipeks before the playoffs "SSK is an alright team despite their seed" and well they've definitely proven to be much more than just that. Comebacks have been the story of the playoffs for SSK ESPORTS. They were 0-2 down in the first round before winning four straight, came back 1-3 down against POGGERS, scoring the winning goal in the last minute of game 7, and were down 1-2 against Otukset winning the series eventually in game 7 overtime. They have one of the most experienced teams in the division and that has definitely shown in the playoffs. @zuppe_29 (22+16=38) leads the league in playoff scoring and has been their most important player. @PSchibra (15+13=28) has been a big addition to their scoring power after playing just 10 games in the regular season. Their center @Rubituss (9+8=17) hasn't quite kept up with the scoring but has scored some big goals for the team, including the game 7 OT winner against Otukset. He's also been stellar in the faceoff circle winning 55% of the faceoffs. The Finnish defense duo of @Janikka (3+14=17) and @pakjiz (0+20=20) are second and third in scoring for defenders and have been a crucial part of their great defensive play through the regular season and playoffs. The least experienced players in the team are between the pipes as @Brokenrice2000 (84.09%, 3 SO, 2 GAA) and @Jonte05_ (81.19%, 2 SO, 2.38 GAA) have been sharing the playtime all season long and will be seen if that continues in the finals.

Both of these teams' seasons have already been a great success story but only one of them can be the champion and claim the direct spot in Elite for the spring season. It will come down to small details in the finals matchup as both teams have the tools to finish the job. If the series goes all the way it will be interesting to see how Blackbirds will react as they've managed to win all their series quite early on. SSK is coming off of two cruelling games sevens where they've shown their clutch factor. Experience can be the key in those moments but this Blackbirds team has surprised us so many times that you can't count them out at any point.
 

Follow the Finals broadcasts:

You can watch SportsGamer's live coverage of the semifinal matchup between Blackbirds and SSK Esports on Twitch, YouTube, and X. 

• Monday the 27th at 19:15 CET | Games 1-3
• Wednesday the 29th at 21:15 CET | Games 4-7

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!

The ECL '25: Winter - Lite Playoffs have reached the thrilling semifinal stage, where only four teams remain. After an exciting quarterfinal round filled with surprises and dominant performances, the race for the Lite championship intensifies.

The quarterfinals saw top-seeded Project X (1) continue their impressive run with a convincing 4-1 victory over Including Me (22). Sunne IK Esport (4) also impressed, dispatching Seinajoki Noms (21) by the same margin. The biggest upsets came from some lower seeds, as Setelikerho (18) triumphed over Kertoimia Vastaan (7) with a strong 4-2 series win, and Farmalaget (16) shocked Six Sticks Misfits (8), advancing with another 4-2 result.

The semifinal matchups now feature Project X (1) taking on the underdog Setelikerho (18), while Sunne IK Esport (4) faces the red-hot Farmalaget (16). Both series promise thrilling battles as these teams fight for a place in the grand finals, set to take place on February 4th – 5th.

In this article, we’ll break down the key matchups and what to expect as the ECL '25: Winter - Lite season reaches its crescendo.

Semifinal Matchup:

 Project X (1) vs. Setelikerho (18) 

An All-Finnish Battle

Path to the Semifinals:

• Project X has dominated every stage of the tournament, starting with a 4-0 sweep of Coup de Grace (32) in Round 1. They followed it up with a commanding 4-1 victory over Kolikot Esports (24) in Round 2 and dismantled Including Me (22) 4-1 in the quarterfinals. Their journey has been marked by clinical execution and consistent performances.
• Setelikerho started as the 18th seed but quickly showed they were more than capable. They edged out Macho HC (15) 4-3 in Round 1 and then shocked MoDo Hockey (5) with a 4-2 upset in Round 2. In the quarterfinals, they overcame Kertoimia Vastaan (7) with a convincing 4-2 win, solidifying their status as a dangerous underdog.

Project X enters the semifinals as the undisputed top seed, having dominated every round so far. With a high-powered offense led by Konsuk05 @Konsuk05(39 points) and JesseL2002 @JesseL2002(37 points), their ability to control the puck and overwhelm opponents has been unmatched. Their defensive stability, anchored by the consistent play of Fin_torspo @Fin_torspo90 , ensures they rarely give their opponents opportunities to capitalize. Add to that the stellar goaltending from niebulaa @Niebula, who boasts a 2.08 GAA and an 82.99% save percentage, and you have a team firing on all cylinders.

On the other side, Setelikerho has proven to be the dark horse of the tournament. Starting as the 18th seed, they’ve taken down higher-ranked opponents with their tenacity and balanced play. Their offense is driven by tbnantti @tbnantti (49 points) and Timotei_97 @Timotei97(46 points), who have been dynamic in creating scoring opportunities. Goaltender Jugi9 @Jugi9 has been their backbone, delivering an impressive 2.11 GAA and an 83.26% save percentage. Setelikerho’s resilience and discipline make them a dangerous opponent for the tournament favorites.

This matchup features the clinical precision of Project X against the grit and determination of Setelikerho. While Project X is the clear favorite, Setelikerho has shown they thrive as underdogs, making this an intriguing battle.

Key Players to Watch:

• Konsuk05  (Project X): With 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 14 games, Konsku05 is the engine of Project X's offense, constantly creating scoring opportunities and finishing with precision.
• Timotei_97 (Setelikerho): Timotei has been a revelation for Setelikerho, with 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 19 games. His ability to control the pace and find teammates makes him a critical player in this matchup.
• niebulaa (Project X): The goaltender for Project X has been stellar, with a 2.08 GAA and an 82.99% save percentage, providing the backbone of their defense.
• Jugi9 (Setelikerho): The Setelikerho goalie has been equally impressive, with a 2.11 GAA and an 83.26% save percentage. His ability to keep them in games has been vital to their Cinderella run.

Prediction:
While Setelikerho’s journey has been inspiring, Project X’s depth, firepower, and defensive consistency make them the favorites. Expect Project X to advance with a 4-2 series win.

Sunne IK Esport (4) vs. Farmalaget (16)

An All-Swedish Showdown

Path to the Semifinals:

• Sunne IK Esport opened their campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Technical Disaster (29) in Round 1. They then defeated HC VADELMA (20) 4-2 in Round 2, showcasing their ability to handle adversity. In the quarterfinals, they continued their strong run with a 4-1 victory over Seinajoki Noms (21).
• Farmalaget, seeded 16th, has been the story of the tournament. After a 4-1 win over Wida (17) in Round 1, they shut out Ruuti (6) with a 4-0 sweep in Round 2. They maintained their momentum in the quarterfinals, taking down Six Sticks Misfits (8) 4-2.

Sunne IK Esport has been a model of consistency throughout the tournament, utilizing their depth and strong defensive play to outlast their opponents. forreberra @forreberra leads the charge with 30 points, supported by Prolane @Prolane (28 points) and Svana_22 @Svana_22 (22 points). Their defense, led by 03_DAFA @DAFA_03, has been excellent at controlling the puck and limiting quality chances. Between the pipes, benjamint737 @benjamint737 has been a standout performer, boasting a 1.56 GAA and an 87.75% save percentage. Sunne IK Esport’s balanced approach and goaltending make them a formidable contender.

Farmalaget, meanwhile, has ridden a wave of momentum to the semifinals, knocking out higher-seeded teams with their balanced attack and disciplined play. Disctrasan- @Disctrasan- (26 points) and Jarvinder_ @Jarvinder (24 points) have been the driving forces of their offense, while their defense has shown an ability to disrupt even the best offensive units. Their biggest strength lies in net, where sallee42 @Sallee42has been nothing short of spectacular, posting a 1.33 GAA and an 88.64% save percentage. Farmalaget’s ability to play a structured game and capitalize on their chances makes them a tough opponent.

This matchup pits Sunne IK’s structure and goaltending against Farmalaget’s balance and momentum. Both teams have proven they can step up in critical moments, and this series could go the distance.

Key Players to Watch:

• forreberra (Sunne IK): With 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 16 games, forreberra has been the driving force for Sunne IK, providing leadership and consistent offensive production.
• Disctrasan- (Farmalaget): The Farmalaget captain has 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists) and has been the anchor for their attack, combining vision with creativity.
• benjamint737 (Sunne IK): Sunne IK’s goaltender has been elite, with a 1.56 GAA and an 87.75% save percentage. His ability to make key saves has been crucial in their run.
• sallee42 (Farmalaget): With a 1.33 GAA and an 88.64% save percentage, sallee42 has been Farmalaget’s MVP, keeping opponents at bay with clutch performances.

Prediction:
This matchup is a battle of disciplined teams with outstanding goaltenders. While Farmalaget has the momentum, Sunne IK’s depth and balanced approach give them a slight edge. Sunne IK is predicted to win a close 4-3 series.

Looking Ahead to the Finals

Both semifinals promise thrilling action as the teams battle for their spot in the finals, scheduled for February 4-5th. Will the top seeds, Project X and Sunne IK Esport, live up to expectations, or will the underdogs, Setelikerho and Farmalaget, continue their Cinderella runs? Only time will tell as the stage is set for two unforgettable matchups.

The ECL '25: Winter - Core Playoffs are entering their most thrilling stage yet: the Semifinals. After an intense quarterfinal round, only four teams remain, each vying for a place in the finals.

In the quarterfinals, Silver Sword Griffins (1) displayed their dominance with a commanding 4-1 victory over HC Last Resort, while Rusty X (15) continued their Cinderella run, beating Tikitaka (5) in an impressive 4-2 series. On the other side, Lutunilkat (4) shut out the underdog Karmadillos (20) with a decisive 4-0 victory, and KOST Wolves (8) triumphed over Turun Gasellit (11) in a  4-0 series.

Now, the semifinals feature two intriguing matchups: the powerhouse Silver Sword Griffins take on the red-hot Rusty X, and the high-scoring Lutunilkat face the resilient KOST Wolves. Each series promises an exciting clash of styles, with spots in the championship on the line.

In this article, we’ll break down both semifinal matchups, analyzing the key players, team strengths, and what to expect as the battle for the ECL '25 Winter Core title intensifies.

Semifinal Matchups:

Silver Sword Griffins (1) vs.Rusty X (15) 

The first semifinal pits the top-seeded Silver Sword Griffins against the 15th-seeded Rusty X, a matchup between a dominant favorite and a team riding an underdog wave of momentum. Both teams have had impressive playoff runs but with very different paths to this stage.

Silver Sword Griffins: The Powerhouse

The Silver Sword Griffins have lived up to their billing as the top seed, dispatching opponents with ease throughout the playoffs. After defeating EV Duisburg (4-2) in Round 1, they steamrolled Salaseura (4-1) in Round 2 and followed it up with another 4-1 victory over HC Last Resort in the quarterfinals. Their strength lies in their depth and consistent performances across the roster.

• Key Players:
  • LATMinx @ProMinx24: The playoffs’ standout player for the Griffins, LATMinx leads the team with 44 points (25 goals, 19 assists) in 16 games. His ability to score in key moments makes him the engine of their offense.
  • martinssilins @martinssilins: With 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists), Martinsilins provides a potent secondary scoring threat.
  • gacorigavecit17 @gacorigavecit17: In net, he has posted an 82.08% save percentage and 2.38 GAA, giving the team a reliable backstop.

The Griffins are a team built on balanced play, leveraging their depth and offensive firepower to control games. Their ability to dominate possession and capitalize on scoring chances makes them the team to beat.

Rusty X: The Cinderella Story

Rusty X has defied expectations as the 15th seed, sweeping NAM3LESS (4-0) in Round 1, upsetting PANIC ON ICE (4-2) in Round 2, and knocking out Tikitaka (4-2) in the quarterfinals. Their run has been fueled by stellar goaltending and timely scoring.

• Key Players:
  • Hrustyler @Hrustyler: With 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists), Hrustyler has been the offensive leader for Rusty X, delivering in clutch situations.
  • ksilentt @Kirill Anikeev: Their standout goaltender has an impressive 85.22% save percentage and a 2.27 GAA, often single-handedly keeping Rusty X in games.
  • Kasterly_ @-Tarr-  and Lordkomar91 @lordkomar91: These players provide additional offensive depth, combining for 45 points in the playoffs.

Rusty X thrives on a combination of disciplined defense and opportunistic counterattacks. Their ability to frustrate opponents and convert limited chances has been the cornerstone of their Cinderella run.

Keys to Victory

• Silver Sword Griffins:
  The Griffins must continue to dominate possession and lean on their offensive depth to overwhelm Rusty X’s defense. LATMinx and Martinsilins will need to stay consistent, while Geacorigavecti17 must stay sharp to counter Rusty X’s clutch scorers.

• Rusty X:
  Rusty X needs another stellar performance from Ksilentt in net to neutralize the Griffins’ high-powered offense. Hrustyler must maintain his scoring form, and the team must play mistake-free hockey to capitalize on any opportunities.

Prediction:

Silver Sword Griffins advance (4-2).
Rusty X’s incredible run has been inspiring, but the Griffins’ depth, offensive firepower, and consistency make them favorites in this matchup. Rusty X may steal a game or two thanks to Ksilentt’s brilliance, but the Silver Sword Griffins’ overall quality should see them through to the finals.

This series promises to be an exciting clash between the league’s top team and its most surprising contender, showcasing the best of what the ECL '25 Winter Core Playoffs have to offer.
 

Lutunilkat (4) vs. KOST Wolves (8) 

The second semifinal features Lutunilkat, a powerhouse team ranked 4th, against the 8th-seeded KOST Wolves, a team thriving on offensive dominance and resilience. Both teams come into this clash riding high after dominant quarterfinal performances and strong playoff campaigns.

Lutunilkat: Balanced and Consistent

Lutunilkat has showcased their dominance throughout the playoffs with a perfect sweep of RAIDERS HC (4-0) in Round 1, followed by a 4-2 win over Pulp Odyssey and a commanding 4-0 shutout over Karmadillos in the quarterfinals. Their success is rooted in their balanced scoring, exceptional playmakers, and reliable goaltending.

• Key Players:
  • mikkihiiri- @mikkihiiri--: With 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 14 games, Mikkihiiri- is the offensive juggernaut of Lutunilkat. His ability to score and create plays will be pivotal.
  • Pyssyh @Pyssyh: The team’s secondary threat has contributed an impressive 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists), providing depth to their scoring.
  • Hiatala_ @Janne Hietala: Their goaltender has been rock-solid with an 83.07% save percentage and a 2.29 GAA, giving them a strong backbone in net.

Lutunilkat’s balanced approach and ability to overwhelm opponents with both skill and discipline make them a formidable opponent.

KOST Wolves: High-Octane Offense

The KOST Wolves have relied on their explosive offense to advance through the playoffs, with convincing victories over The Ghillie Gang (4-1), CapeTown Kings (4-2), and a stunning 4-0 sweep of Turun Gasellit in the quarterfinals. They’ve proven themselves capable of outscoring anyone.

• Key Players:
  • MaroulCZE @MaroulCZE: Leading the team with 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) in 15 games, MaroulCZE is the heart of KOST Wolves’ attack and one of the league’s top playmakers.
  • freez_skillers77 @freez_skillers77: A secondary offensive powerhouse with 30 points (23 goals, 7 assists), he complements MaroulCZE perfectly.
  • Lazan31 @Lazan23: Their goaltender has been ok with a 75.58% save percentage, but he probably needs to step up a notch which he has the capacity to do .

KOST Wolves thrive on outscoring opponents with their relentless attack, but their defense must hold firm against Lutunilkat’s depth.

Keys to Victory

• Lutunilkat:
  Lutunilkat must use their balanced attack to maintain puck possession and exploit any defensive vulnerabilities in KOST Wolves’ structure. Mikkihiiri- and Pyssyh need to keep delivering, while Hiatala must remain sharp to handle the Wolves’ offensive pressure.

• KOST Wolves:
  KOST Wolves need another dominant performance from their offense, especially MaroulCZE and Freez_skillers77, to crack Lutunilkat’s defense. Lazan31 must step up in net to counter Lutunilkat’s relentless scoring threats.

Prediction:

Lutunilkat advance (4-3).
This series is poised to be a tight contest between Lutunilkat’s balance and the Wolves’ explosive offense. While KOST Wolves can outscore any team, Lutunilkat’s depth, discipline, and reliable goaltending give them the edge in what should be a thrilling seven-game series.

This semifinal matchup highlights two contrasting styles and promises high-intensity action, with a spot in the finals on the line.
 

The Grand Finale Awaits

The stage is set for an epic conclusion to the ECL '25: Winter - Core Playoffs. After weeks of intense battles, only two teams will advance to the finals, scheduled to take place on February 2nd and February 3rd. 

The playoff race tightens as we're left with four teams battling it out for the title. In the semifinals we'll see if the top 2 seeds hold their own and who'll fall short on the last hurdle. I wish all the teams good luck!

Neo Division Playoff schedule (BO5)

• Semifinals: January 26th – 30th
• Finals: February 9th

SEMIFINALS PREVIEW

(1) Fallen Rangers - (10) Viitapohja Vikings

To no one's surprise, Fallen Rangers kept their unbeaten playoff record in the quarterfinals and score a whopping 30 goals in those three games. @Sebko99 (31+27=58) continued from where he left off but @Kiso69 (11+30=41) and @Zaky111 (21+15=36)  have also been giving strong support averaging 4 PPG. When you add the great goaltending numbers from @mildalempik93 (82.24%, 2 SO, 2.11 GAA) they continue to be the frontrunner for the title. Viitapohja Vikings managed to overcome the strong Taifun Veterans in a five-game series. They seem to have found a clear structure to their game, at least looking at the statistics, defenders defend and attackers attack. (Two games from the QF series missing stats) @Liimiz (24+20=44) has led the team in offense in the playoffs and had 13 points in their three wins in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, defenders @manizeri and @Jurrin Kari (ettutah) have combined only 10 points in the playoffs and have significantly less time with the puck compared to the offense.
 

Fallen Rangers has been dominating the Neo division all season long and I don't see anyone putting a stop to that. Viitapohja Vikings will need to put up their absolute best performance to have a fighting chance. I don't want to fully count them out but a lot will have to happen for them to be able to stop this team.

 (2) Salaseurue - (7) The Worn Out Wiseman 

Salaseurue continued their familiar way winning their series with a score line of 3-1 once again. They've had no trouble finding the back of the net and their captain @nikezuki (28+21=49) is second in the playoff scoring. He's been responsible for half of the team's scoring and is by far their most valuable player. Despite their high-scoring playstyle @Zhenda (tt3mee) (81.63%, 1 SO, 3GAA) has posted solid numbers between the pipes and has been improving throughout the playoffs. The Worn Out Wisemen made it look easy against one of the best goalies in the league and stormed through the quarterfinals. Scoring nineteen goals and only allowing two is definitely one of the most impressive performances these playoffs. @Samito97 (88.8%, 3 SO, 1.4 GAA) has been the best goalie in the postseason and a strong part of their league-leading defensive numbers. @Ma-X-imilian (18+23=41) and @j_u_h_i_987 (18+21=39) are leading the offense and @iWeeb22 (11+19=30) also has impressive numbers despite missing some games.

Two different types of play clash in this matchup and it will be an exciting one. Both teams can score goals for sure but in defense and goaltending, The Worn Out Wisemen have the edge heading into the series. If Salaseurue can tighten their defense and @nikezuki keeps providing some magical moments, I wouldn't be surprised to see this series going all the way to game 5.

Follow the Playoff streams:

Please post dates, times, and links for streams in the comments of this news story and social media, to help everyone find your team streams.

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!

After an exciting set of quarterfinals we're left with four teams looking to claim the trophy and also possibly a spot in the Elite division. Interestingly enough all these teams have already faced each other in the regular season as the semifinalists all played in Group 1. It is definitely a top four that not many would have predicted with many of the favorites falling short early in the playoffs. As always we'll be covering the playoffs on Tuesday the 21st of January. This time we'll be jumping into the matchup between Blackbird and NOVA. Stay tuned for more details.

Pro Division Playoff schedule (BO7)

• Round of 16: January 6th – 9th
• Quarterfinals: January 13th – 16th
• Semifinals: January 20th – 23rd
• Finals: January 29th – 30th

 (7) Otukset - (16) SSK ESPORTS

Otukset

Round 1: 4-1 vs Bjorkloven Esport
Quarterfinals: 4-0 vs Herlev Eagles

Otukset have left nothing up to question after storming through the first two rounds losing only one game in the progress. @Roisto999 has been the key behind their success posting 4 shutouts and 88.68% save percentage and has given them a chance to win the tight games that you can expect to have in the playoffs. Their offense has been continuing to produce at a good rate with @Miguli36 (8+12=20) leading the way. Despite being the least experienced player in their lineup he's shown his skillset but it also doesn't hurt to have two seasoned veterans in @Pursuitti (6+10=16) and @James (MachineGunKalle) (10+7=17) beside him. @Mikka and @juhkis96 have been one of the best defensive duos in the playoffs so far and the team has allowed only 12 goals in the playoffs (6 of those came in their only loss).

SSK ESPORTS

Round 1: 4-2 vs NOSTREETSPORTS
Quarterfinals: 4-3 vs POGGERS

What a run have they made all the way from seed 16 defeating two of the highest scoring teams in the playoffs and now fighting for a spot in the finals. Could you say that defense wins cham... maybe not quite yet ;). They've continued to show their defensive excellence and found ways to win the tight games. During the regular season 10 out of their 15 losses were by one goal but now they've managed to turn that stat around. @zuppe_29 (14+11=29) has really stepped for them and has been their most important player with @PSchibra (10+8=18) is giving good support. They have two solid options between the pipes as @Brokenrice2000 (84.21%, 2 SO) and @Jonte05_ (85.07%, 1 SO) have been sharing the playtime so far.

The regular season saw these teams both winning one game with SSK getting the extra point in overtime. Both of them have been rock solid in their own end and a low scoring series can be expected. Almost all of the statistics are on the side of Otukset but that hasn't stopped SSK so far. They will need to find new ways to score as Otukset is defensively much more solid than their previous opponents and also have one of the hottest goalies in the league. @Rubituss was SSK top scorer during the regular season but hasn't found his groove quite yet in the playoffs and will need to step up. They'll once again have a mountain to climb but if they can find that small improvement again it could be enough.

Prediction:

@Vamoux 4-2 Otukset

(10) Blackbirds   - (11) NOVA 

Blackbirds

Round 1: 4-0 vs Aspyre
Quarterfinals: 4-1 vs Ismon Valinta

Blackbirds is one of the great success stories of the season and they were very close to sweeping their first two rounds of the playoffs. Offense has been their way to success and after scoring only 2.77 GF/GP in the regular season that number is now up to 4.22 in the playoffs. Their offensive trio in @aomyo6195 (12+16=28), @I0LL1 (9+17=26) and @sopuli04 (13+10=23) are all top five in playoff scoring and are showing that they could be future stars. @ONN123 (1+14=15) is leading the defensemen scoring has been their go to guy starting the plays from their own end. After having a tougher first round @Jeerik17 (83.49%, 2 GAA, 1 SO) also improved his numbers and has been looking solid. 

NOVA

Round 1: 4-2 vs HC Lugano eSports
Quarterfinals: 4-0 vs RYHTIC

NOVA proved their doubters wrong with a sweep over the long time pro powerhouse in RYHTIC. Their starts to the games were particularly great scoring a goal within 4 minutes of game time in three of the games. After having 78.4% in the regular season @Baranizer has been the best goalie in the playoffs with 90.16%, 1.2 GAA and 4 shutouts and is having a playoff run to remember. @Nester4343 (12+16=28) is tied for the lead in playoff points and has scored five game winning goals. @Vladyan (8+15=23) is also in great form and has an impressive 54.7% faceoff percentage. You also can't leave out @KingOfApes_ (3+10=13) who's the backbone of the team and responsible for most of the playmaking in the team.

These teams split their series in the regular season but a lot has changed since then. Blackbirds is the only team left in the playoffs who have no Elite experience but they have shown that they're definitely heading that way. They've made a huge improvement to the playoffs and at some points even made their opponents look like fools with their aggressive play. Many people have looked past NOVA so far but they've shown to be a force to reckon and looking at their roster, why wouldn't they be? They have the most experienced and accomplished player of the league in their team and their key players are performing. They are coming into the series in a 8 game winning streak in which they've let in only six goals. Both teams have been able to make some great plays off the rush but Blackbirds have been more relying on their counter attacks and breakaway chances and I don't expect them to get those at the same quantity in this series. Blackbirds will be facing their biggest challenge yet and their ability to adapt and keep improving will be the key for this series.

Prediction:

@Vamoux 4-2 NOVA
 

Follow the Playoff streams:

Please post dates, times and links for streams in the comments of this news story and social media, to help everyone find your team streams.

You can watch SportsGamer's live coverage of the semifinal matchup between Blackbirds and NOVA on Twitch, YouTube, and X on Tuesday, January 21st. Exact time is still TBC. Follow our socials to stay up to date!

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!

The SportsGamer Wraparound looks to bring you weekly conversations around the league, recapping some of the events around the divisions throughout the week.

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Returning top-four veterans flying new colours, newcomers making it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time, at least one completely new team guaranteed to be in the finals... welcome to the ECL ’25 Winter edition of the Elite Semifinals.
First off, let’s congratulate GOONS, EXEN, The Black Jacks and Mythix on successful campaigns, even though they fell short in the Quarterfinals. Making the Elite playoffs is never not a herculean achievement and these teams and their players should feel a sense of pride in their performance this season.

Now, let’s get into the first matchup – one between old rivals.

 (1) Parasite vs (4) Voittamaton 

We’ll hold off on proclaiming anything definitive, but for all intents and purposes this matchup is likely to contain the majority of players in the starting lineup for Team Finland at the upcoming SportsGamer World Cup. With the rule in place of “two starters per team, maximum” we’ll obviously see some diversity of roster, but with the skill, experience and winning pedigree featured among these players, it would come as no surprise if four out of the six starters came from Parasite and Voittamaton. 

Getting into the matchup itself, it's hard to overlook the fact that Parasite are the clear favourites – having completed a historically great regular season (27-1-0), including 6-2 and 2-0 wins over Voittamaton, followed by a 4-0-sweep against first-round opponent GOONS. 

There are no weaknesses on the Parasite roster. 

From the unparalleled goal-scoring of @Vattuyy (Elite-record 65 goals in the regular season, 6 goals in 4 playoff games), to the playmaking abilities of @NikkeDangles (league-leading 58 assists in the regular season) to the overall two-way abilities of captain and team heartbeat @Beniittto, the forward line is second to none. Combine that with the defensive lineup of @Teemuyy (Elite-record 64 points in the regular season) and @tomboo-_- (Elite-record 46 assists in the regular season) and goaltending duo @FINSeRe and @uhNikke – both playoff-hardened Elite champions – and it's not a secret why most are picking this team to win.
On the other side, we find a whole lot of experience. And to quote Captain Rex from Star Wars: Clone Wars (2008): “In my book, experience outranks everything.”

To offer a retort; does it, though? Because while no one can argue with the experience of the multiple Elite titles won by @Eki, @Patzlaf, @FlyerKungen and @Hansulinho, it has indeed been a while since they found themselves at the top of the ECL mountain. 
Even so, the team – then known as ‘Straikers’ – did push eventual ECL ’24: Spring Champions Tunnel Vision to seven games in the semifinals last spring, with a roster that contained 4/6 players from the current lineup: Eki, FlyerKungen, @temppanen and Hansulinho. 
But it is in the two “new” additions to the team we find the Voittamaton X-Factors for this matchup. 
The two-way play and playoff pedigree of Patzlaf, the captain’s captain of the ECL scene and long-time running mate to Eki, was sorely missed for Straikers last season. Here is a player who just seems wired to raise his game the bigger the stakes are. And if Voittamaton are to pull off the upset in this series, the team needs “Game 7 of the Finals”-level play from Patzlaf, right from the first puck drop. 
@J-_-Jamaltheman actually played in ECL Lite in the spring but made his grand return to the Elite scene this winter – and successfully so. While the defender's point totals (34 points during the regular season) are impressive, he also seems to have brought a wave of unpredictability and fun to the team – often being celebrated in the team party for his creative plays at key times. At least judging from the behind-the-scenes content Eki has been posting at the SportsGamer forums.

We won’t offer any series predictions in this preview, but let’s just say Voittamaton needs a lot of things to go right if they are to knock off this generational Parasite roster. 

Next up, we have the battle between two comparatively “new” teams...

 (2) Tohtorit vs (3) Mustaa Kultaa 

Had someone predicted a Tohtorit – Mustaa Kultaa semifinal matchup going into the ECL season – with one of these teams being guaranteed to become first-time finalists – we’re not sure they would’ve gotten much backing from the rest of the community. 
That’s not to say these two teams aren’t filled with great players in their own right, it’s just that the odds were quite long for this particular matchup going into the season. 

Tohtorit were coming off a disappointing playoff appearance in ECL ’24: Spring, having been swept in the first round after finishing 4th overall in the regular season. Even so, the team opted to stay together – a rare occurrence in the ECL competitive scene – and fielded the exact same roster going into ECL ’25: Winter. The gambit, or lack of a gambit, ended up a huge success with Tohtorit improving their regular season result and finishing second in the league behind Parasite. More importantly, they improved upon their playoff performance by decisively ousting EXEN by a 4-1-series score in the first round of the playoffs.

The team has had plenty of heroes during their run this season, including leading point- and goal-scorer (in both the regular season and the playoffs) @profiilipakki and the always calm @Kkarkass who has led the team in terms of puck possession both the in regular season and in the playoffs. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight goaltender @Stammer70. Not only did this netminder lead the regular season in terms of save percentage (86,0) while making the most saves (350) out of any goalie in the league, he’s taken his game to a whole new level in the playoffs. 

Through the five games he’s played so far, Stammer is rocking a save percentage of 96,49 (!), with a goals against average of 0,40 and three shutouts. 

If there was such a thing as an ECL “Vezina Trophy”, Stammer would’ve already had that locked up. Not to mention he’d be a worthy Hart Trophy candidate, even with the historic Parasite run. Now, “all Stammer needs to do” is lead his team to the Elite Finals and he’ll have a good shot at the Conn Smythe Trophy as well. 

Standing in the way of that are Elite newcomers Mustaa Kultaa. 

One of the youngest and most promising teams in Elite, “MK” has truly had a Cinderella run thus far this season. Going from a promotion in the spring (by way of a 4-0 sweep against GOONS), to a shocking 3rd-place finish in their first Elite regular season, to eliminating The Black Jacks in the first round... nothing seems to faze this team. 

The only two players who are currently starters for the team that filled the same role in Pro last spring, are playmaking forward @Allupekkaz and goaltender @LatveX. But the players coming in, @xAaro89x, @Launonexx, @Miseee96and @NuariJamal, seem to have immediately gelled with the team and created an environment where the group collectively fears no one and nothing.

Keep an extra eye out for left wing xAaro89x, who finished second in the regular season when it comes to goals (40), and is currently tied with teammate launonexx for the playoff lead (7) in that same category.

Goaltender LatveX also seems to have found an extra gear for the playoffs, going from an 81,51 save percentage in the regular season to an 87,84 percentage in the playoffs.

As for who’s going to come out on top in this battle between two distinctly separate team-building philosophies – keeping a roster together and honing chemistry vs. recruiting the “right” new players – we’ll just have to tune in to SportsGamer Twitch to find out. 

Semifinals Broadcast Schedule

Want to watch it all unfold for yourself? Then make sure to tune into our live coverage of EVERY GAME of the Elite Division playoffs on Twitch, YouTube and X.

• Sunday, January 19th, 2025
  • Matchup 1: Voittamaton (#4) vs Parasite (#1) | Games 1-2 |  ⚠️  19:00 CET
  • Matchup 2: Mustaa Kultaa (#3) vs Tohtorit (#2) | Games 1-2 |  ⚠️  ~20:35 CET
• Monday, January 20th, 2025
  • Matchup: Voittamattomat (#4) vs Parasite (#1) | Games 3-7 | ⚠️ 19:30 CET
• Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025
  • Matchup: Mustaa Kultaa (#3) vs Tohtorit (#2) | Games 3-7 | ⚠️ 19:30 CET

Action kicks off today, Sunday, January 19th with the matchups between both semifinal matchups. Be sure to tune in at 19:00 CET!

So who do you think will punch their ticket into the semifinals? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments?

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.

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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Neo Division Playoff schedule (BO5)

We're down to the last eight teams in the Neo division as teams continue their battle in the playoffs. Similar to round one the second round saw very few surprises as the top-seeded teams continued their dominance from the regular season. Let's dive into the four exciting matchups that the Quarterfinals bring us!

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

QUARTERFINALS PREVIEW
 

(1) Fallen Rangers - (16) Hawks HC 

Fallen Rangers continued their dominant season with a sweep in the second round outscoring their opponent 20-1. Nobody has found a way to stop their offense all season long and they're looking to be the lead runner for the title. @Sebko99 (17+17=34) is tied for the lead in the playoff scoring and @mildalempik93 is having an amazing playoff run with an 88.46% save percentage and 2 shutouts. Hawks HC pulled off the biggest upset in round 2 winning their series 3-1 after four high-scoring and tight games. @Hodja (18+13=31) has been leading them all season long and continued his great form.

Hawks' HC high-scoring playstyle plays right into their opponent's hands. Fallen Rangers have the edge on all parts of the ice and are the clear frontrunners for the title at the moment. They should be able to handle this series without much trouble.

Prediction: 3-0 Fallen Rangers

 (2) Salaseurue - (12) Nordic Knights 

Salaseurue vs Nordic Knights - Part 2. After beating Nordic Knights's second team in round 1 Salaseurue now face the first team. Their captain @nikezuki is coming off an 11-goal series and he's leading the whole playoffs with 20 goals and 34 points. Nordic Knights continued to show their defensive abilities stopping one of the highest-scoring teams of the league in a 3-0 series victory. @cassebassepowerer (86.79%, 2 SO) continued to shine between the pipes and has really stepped up in the postseason. @Torrannare has also found another gear in the playoffs and he leads the team with 24 points in 7 games.

This matchup will be a very tight one but at this point of the season defense and goaltending play a bigger role. Nordic Knights have the edge on those departments heading into the series. They will still need to find a way to stop @nikezuki who will need his teammates to step up to help with scoring if they want to advance.

Prediction: 3-2 Nordic Knights

(4) Taifun Veterans - (10) Viitapohja Vikings

Taifun Veterans had a rough start to the playoffs but swept their series in the second round. @Sqeek_40 (Hoklundd) showed up big time letting in only two goals and posting a 96.67% save percentage in the three games. The team had some trouble finding scoring with their top scorer @Chluda15 missing from the lineup and it will be interesting to see if he'll be available for this round. Viitapohja Vikings had no trouble finding goalscoring in their second-round matchup and also only allowed 5 goals in the four games. @Liimiz (18+13=31) has been red hot in the playoffs and @TepeV has posted a 86.05% save percentage and two shutouts.

This is looking up to be a battle between two hot goaltenders. If both teams have their best lineups available it will be a tight and hard-fought series that can go either way. Both teams have struggled on the powerplay in the postseason and improving on that could be the deciding factor.

Prediction: 3-2 Taifun Veterans

 (5) HC WOLVES -  (7) The Worn Out Wiseman 

HC WOLVES had to battle from being down 0-2 in the second round but managed to turn the series around. Their starting goalie @AndyJester (90.16%, 2 GAA) was not playing in those two losses and that proved how important he is to this team. They've also been highly relying on @Skeleton-1978 (19+5=24)  who has scored 67% of the team's goals in the postseason. The Worn Out Wisemen dominated their opponent in the second round and are looking like a very strong all-around team. @iWeeb22 had 16 points in the second-round series but he has played less than half of the games during the season. It will be interesting to see if his strong performance will shuffle their lineup in some way.

This series showcases two of the best defensive teams of the season. HC WOLVES has been highly relying on their top players all season long while The Worn Out Wisemen are a more balanced team. That balance gives them the edge heading into the series. It will be a low-scoring one and @AndyJester can steal games for the WOLVES but will it be enough?

Prediction: 3-1 The Worn Out Wisemen

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What a first round we had! It was full of surprises with only one out of the top 6 seeds continuing to the second round. This definitely shuffles the pack around quite a bit so let's take a look at what the quarterfinals bring to us. We welcome you all to join the featured broadcast on Tuesday the 14th of January as we'll be covering Otukset vs Herlev Eagles.

Pro Division Playoff schedule (BO7)

• Round of 16: January 6th – 9th
• Quarterfinals: January 13th – 16th
• Semifinals: January 20th – 23rd
• Finals: January 29th – 30th

 (4) POGGERS - (16) SSK ESPORTS (12-3-3-12) 

POGGERS

Round 1: 4-1 vs The Oldtimers

Poggers showed their experience in the first round and went through without much trouble. It was a good performance from the whole team with each of the attackers contributing offensively and @Terodee (LaurinHaavi) 3+6=9 providing strong support from the blue line. After allowing 3.47 GAA in the regular season it went down to just 1.8 GAA with @Samilandia upping his save percentage to 85.94%.

SSK ESPORTS

Round 1: 4-2 vs NOSTREETSPORTS

After somewhat of a controversial series SSK managed to take advantage of their opponent's roster struggle. They continued their strong defensive play with two shutouts and were in control of the play for most of the series. They did allow two late-minute goals in two of the games which is something that they can't let happen going into this series. @zuppe_29 (8+7=15) is tied for the lead in points after round one and he will need to continue to lead their offense.

Poggers are known as a team who are here to enjoy their time and have fun. When you add their skill level and experience into that it often turns tight games in their favor. They also showed their ability to adjust to playoff hockey. SSK will face yet another team that has high scoring power but now they won't have additional factors helping them. They will need to stay out of the box against the league's best powerplay and use their counter-attacking chances efficiently.

Predictions:

@Vamoux 4-2 Poggers

@Pekedipeks 4-1 Poggers

@hifk_FANI 4-0 Poggers

@IJepuxI 4-2 Poggers

 (7) Otukset - (15) Herlev Eagles  

Otukset

Round 1: 4-1 vs Bjorkloven Esport

After a tough first game, Otukset found their groove winning four games straight allowing only 3 goals. @Roisto999 was their star of the round posting 86.96%, 1.8 GAA, and 2 shutouts. If their 5-0 victory in game 5 was a statement of what's to come they will be a tough team to beat. Leading the way offensively for them was @Miguli36 with 4 goals and 7 assists.

Herlev Eagles

Round 1: 4-3 vs DILAC

Herlev Eagles was responsible for one of the biggest upsets in round 1. They managed to shut down DILAC in game 7 after a thrilling series which included 3 overtime games. Heading into the series a lot of expectations were set on @MartindalexC and he delivered leading the team with 7 goals and 7 assists. @Dreamickie also had a strong series posting 14 points as well.

Both of these teams have been in the pro division for a long time but playoff success has avoided them. Now one of them will make their way to the top 4. They both have the offensive power needed but I will be looking at the goalie play in this series. @Roisto999 has seen it all on the highest levels and has been strong all season long. For Herlev, the situation is more open with @jubens_ getting the responsibility in round 1. He played well but @Provokacija has been their main guy throughout the season and was clearly stronger during the regular season.

Predictions:

@Vamoux 4-2 Otukset

@Pekedipeks 4-3 Otukset

@hifk_FANI 4-1 Otukset

@IJepuxI 4-3 Herlev Eagles

(10) Blackbirds   - (13) Ismon Valinta  

Blackbirds

Round 1: 4-0 vs Aspyre

Blackbirds stormed through Aspyre and were the only team to sweep their series in round 1. Lead by @sopuli04 and @aomyo6195 (7+8=15 each) their offense was on a whole another level almost doubling their regular season numbers. They were able to generate a lot of scoring chances and used them very well with shooting percentage nearing 30%.

Ismon Valinta

Round 1: 4-1 vs Zenegeim

Ismon Valinta played a tight and low-scoring series against Zenegeim before blowing them out 9-0 in game 5. @Hulkkol posted an impressive 87.88% with one shutout and gave them the support to win the tight games in the series. @xrikardo55 (7+8=15) was their highest scorer but 9 of those points came in the blowout win which leaves the question open whether they can find more offense in the following rounds.

Either of these teams making it to the top 4 could be considered a slight surprise. Blackbirds have proven their doubters wrong again and again, and are making a great run on their first pro season. Ismon Valinta has one of the most experienced defense partners in the league and has made a successful switch from forward to defense for the playoffs. Ismon Valinta is the stronger side defensively and their hot goaltending gives them a slight edge heading into the series but I could see it going either way.

Prediction:

@Vamoux 4-3 Blackbirds

@Pekedipeks 4-3 Ismon Valinta

@hifk_FANI 4-0 Blackbirds

@IJepuxI 4-3 Ismon Valinta

 (11) NOVA   - (12) RYHTIC  

NOVA

Round 1: 4-2 vs HC Lugano eSports

NOVA had their season on the line after losing the first two games of their series in overtime. On the deciding matchday, something changed and they were dominating winning the last 4 games with a 14-1 goal difference. @Baranizer (90%, 1.17 GAA, 3 SO) was the best goalie of round one and was their most important player through the series. @Nester4343 continued to lead their offense with 3+11=14 points but the whole team was contributing with the lowest scorer having 7 points.

RYHTIC

Round 1: 4-3 vs Gotham Knights

RYHTIC arguably got one of the toughest matchups for round 1 and came out victorious after the game 7 "bouncefest". Statistically, they might not have been the better team but the team used their chances and were solid defensively. Goaltender @JussinSisko had a great series with 84.38% and one shutout. @Limbe65 (6+2=8) scored some important goals including two game-winners and their powerplay was on point with 6 goals scored on 11 chances.

RYHTIC has been in this position for multiple seasons in a row now and has been performing well. They're hoping that this could finally be the season they can take the step that would take them to Elite after being so close so many times. Their opponent NOVA found their form at the correct time but RYHTIC will still be heading into the series as favorites. If NOVA can keep playing the way they played the last four games of the first round, anything can happen. A lot will depend on whether @Baranizer can keep up his red-hot form.

Prediction:

@Vamoux 4-2 RYHTIC

@Pekedipeks 4-3 RYHTIC

@hifk_FANI 4-1 RYHTIC

@IJepuxI 4-3 RYHTIC

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The Playoff Battle Heats Up in Lite

With an exhilarating first round completed, the ECL '25 Winter Lite Playoffs have already delivered thrilling action and unexpected upsets. While many of the top seeds successfully advanced, several lower-ranked teams defied the odds and shook up the bracket.

One of the biggest surprises came from Kolikot Esports (24th seed), who stunned Toukokuu (9th seed) with a commanding 4-1 series victory, showcasing a well-structured defensive system and standout goaltending from Jakkez98- @Jakkez98- (88.68% SV%). Meanwhile, Including Me (22nd seed) pulled off a strong performance, winning against Hopfensmoothie HC (11th seed) 4-2, thanks to offensive production from Miklu19 @Miklu19 (19 points, 15 assists).

While top-seeded teams like Project X, Puck Over Glass, Kikkakirja, and Sunne IK Esport handled their series as expected, the competition is only getting fiercer. Mathiasgamer_07 @Mathiasgamer_07 (19 points, MoDo Hockey) has established himself as one of the most dominant forwards in the playoffs so far, while Masamone30 @Masamone30 (94.37% SV%, Kertoimia Vastaan) and salle42 @Sallee42 (91.3% SV%, Farmalaget) have been game-changers in goal. Another mentionworthy performance came from Farmalaget (16th seed), who eliminated Wida (17th seed) 4-1, powered by salle42’s @Sallee42 stellar 91.3% save percentage.

With only 16 teams remaining, Round 2 promises even more intensity, as underdogs look to continue their Cinderella-runs while top contenders fight to maintain their dominance. Let’s dive into the Round 2 matchups and break down which teams have the edge as they battle for a spot in the Quarterfinals (January 19th – 22nd).
 

Round of 16 Matchups and Predictions

 Project X (1) vs.Kolikot Esports (24) 

Project X continued their dominant form in Round 1, sweeping Coup de Grace (4–0). Jessel2002 @JesseL2002 (17 points in 4 games) and Konsuk05 @Konsuk05 (18 points in 4 games) were unstoppable. Goalie niebulaa @Niebula will have to stay sharp against Kolikot’s Jakkez98- @Jakkez98- (88.68% SV%), one of the best goalies in the playoffs. Kolikot pulled off a shocking upset against Toukokuu, but stopping Project X’s high-scoring attack will be a tall order.

Prediction: Project X wins 4–1

 Puck Over Glass (2) vs. Including Me (22) 

Puck Over Glass is led by Hydee_24 @Hydeee_24 (14 points in 5 games) and Keittola782 @keittola (13 points). Pirtsa- @Pirtsa89 (84.21% SV%) has been solid in goal. Including Me, however, has one of the best playmakers in the playoffs, Miklu19 @Miklu19 (4G, 15A in 6 games). If Including Me can capitalize on their chances, they might steal a couple of games, but Puck Over Glass remains the favorite.

Prediction: Puck Over Glass wins 4–2

Kikkakirja (3) vs. Seinajoki Noms (21) 

Kikkakirja swept Saucer Hockey (4–0) and remains one of the strongest teams. J1mppa_ @j1mppa_ (12 points in 4 games) and PyroNiko__ @PyroNiko (10 points) will be key to their attack. Seinajoki Noms advanced after a hard-fought series against ACEsquad (4–2), led by Kujumi @Kujumi (14 goals in 6 games). Their goalie, mralisalo @mralisalo, has struggled with a 78.49% save percentage, which could be their downfall.

Prediction: Kikkakirja wins 4–2

Sunne IK Esport (4) vs. HC VADELMA (20) 

This will be a closely contested series. Sunne IK Esport’s forreberra @forreberra (8 points in 5 games) and benjamint737 @benjamint737 (87.14% SV%) will be key players. HC VADELMA, however, eliminated Hockeyholics 4–1, thanks to juuhen25 @hene kettu (14 points) and Awesome_Zone_ @Awesome_Zone_ (13 points). If HC VADELMA’s Fidelww @Fidelvv (94.29% SV% in 2 games) continues his elite goaltending, an upset could be on the table.

Prediction: Sunne IK Esport wins 4–3

MoDo Hockey (5) vs. Setelikerho (18) 

MoDo’s Mathiasgamer_07 @Mathiasgamer_07 (19 points in 6 games) leads the playoff scoring race. Aleksalt1122 @Aleksalt1122 (82.3% SV%) has been solid in net. Setelikerho’s tbnantti @tbnantti (16 points) and Kozeec @Kozeec (18 points) have been offensive powerhouses. Jugi9 @Jugi9 (84.81% SV%) will need to steal a game or two. MoDo’s depth should carry them through, but Setelikerho won’t go down easily.

Prediction: MoDo Hockey wins 4–2

Ruuti (6) vs. Farmalaget (16)

Ruuti is led by Mikse94 @Mikse94(17 points) and anttiko10_2 @anttiko10 (12 points). However, their goalie Temettti @Temetti71 (81.2% SV%) will need to improve. Farmalaget, meanwhile, is coming off an impressive upset win over Wida (4–1). salle42 @Sallee42 (91.3% SV%) has been one of the best goalies in the playoffs. This will be a defensive battle, but Ruuti’s superior offense should carry them in Game 7.

Prediction: Ruuti wins 4–3

Kertoimia Vastaan (7) vs. HC Pustertal eSports (14) 

Kertoimia Vastaan is built on elite defense and special teams, with Masamone30 @Masamone30 (94.37% SV%) being the best goalie in the playoffs so far. HC Pustertal’s PetmanGOAT @Ollizhki (15 points in 4 games) has been one of the best playmakers, and Kibk_RuZaKuZa @Kibk_RuZaKuZa (87.5% SV%) has been rock solid. Kertoimia’s structured play and goaltending edge should be the deciding factor.

Prediction: Kertoimia Vastaan wins 4–2

Six Sticks Misfits (8) vs. SSK Prospects (10) 

Six Sticks Misfits have been one of the most balanced teams, with Henkkaheinone @Henkkaheinone (14 points in 5 games) and ROUHEEE @ROUHEEE (14 points) leading the way. Ranta83 @RaNtA (87.8% SV%) has been excellent in net. SSK Prospects, however, has a shutdown goaltender in Lidman1 @lidman1 (91.07% SV%). This could go the full seven games, but the Misfits’ superior offense should give them the win.

Prediction: Six Sticks Misfits wins 4–3

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The Playoff Battle Heats Up

With an exciting first round now in the books, the ECL '25: Winter - Core Playoffs are proving to be as unpredictable as they are intense. While the top-seeded teams largely lived up to expectations, we also witnessed some major upsets that shook up the bracket.

One of the biggest surprises came from Salaseura (23rd seed), who stunned Sopranos (10th seed) with a 4-1 series victory, showing incredible resilience and strong defensive play. HC Last Resort (21st seed) also made headlines by sweeping ARMEIJAN KURI (12th seed) 4-0, powered by outstanding goaltending from Vxxlle- @Vxxlle-_-, who posted an incredible 95.4% save percentage, proving to be a true game-changer in the series. Karmadillos (20th seed) pulled off another shocker, eliminating Koppibuutti (13th seed) in a thrilling 4-3 series, thanks to clutch performances from Stimperi @stimperi and Julmuri89 @Julmuri89.

While top-seeded teams like Silver Sword Griffins, Dynamo HC, Maitojuna, and Lutunilkat handled their matchups as expected, the road ahead is getting tougher. lutuniemi @lutuniemi (25 points) from Lutunilkat and MaroulCZE @MaroulCZE (21 points) from KOST Wolves were among the standout forwards, while ksilentt @Kirill Anikeev (88.52% SV%) and Smiiga @sMiiga (88.46% SV%) have provided elite goaltending performances. Meanwhile, IrJe2023 @Irje2023 (91.84% SV%) from Pulp Odyssey emerged as a key defensive piece, leading his team to an unexpected sweep over Nordic Nosebleed.

With only sixteen teams left, Round 2 promises even tighter matchups, with underdogs looking to continue their Cinderella-runs and top contenders hoping to stay dominant. Let's break down the Round 2 matchups and see who has the edge in the battle for a spot in the Quarterfinals.

Silver Sword Griffins (1) ) vs. Salaseura (23) 

The Silver Sword Griffins faced an unexpectedly tough challenge in Round 1 against EV Duisburg but ultimately advanced with a 4-2 series win. Their offense, led by LATMinx @ProMinx24 (17 points) and Martinssilins @martinssilins (13 points), remains a serious threat. However, goaltender Gacorigavecit17 @gacorigavecit17 will need to keep his form after posting an 83.75% save percentage in Round 1.

Salaseura, on the other hand, pulled off an upset against Sopranos, winning their series 4-1 thanks to a balanced team effort. Old_33 @old_33 (17 points) was their offensive leader, while Aivokuollut @Aivokuollut__ (87.32% SV%) was among the best goalies in the first round. If they can maintain their defensive structure, they have a shot at making this series competitive.

Prediction: Silver Sword Griffins advance (4-2)

Dynamo HC (2) vs. HC Last Resort (21) 

Dynamo HC survived a tough battle against MIESKISSAT, eventually winning 4-3. Their star duo, Dcon2silly  @Dan (20 points) and Harten7 @Harten7 (20 points), were pivotal in the series. However, goaltender Calxm86 @Calxm41 (84.3% SV%) will need to tighten up after a shaky performance in Round 1.

HC Last Resort pulled off one of the biggest surprises, sweeping ARMEIJAN KURI 4-0 thanks to elite goaltending from Vxxlle-_ @Vxxlle-_- (95.4% SV%), the top goalie in the playoffs so far. Their defense was nearly impenetrable, and if Tolliikkii @Tolliikkii and company can generate just enough offense, they could make life difficult for Dynamo.

Prediction: Dynamo HC advances (4-3)

Maitojuna (3) vs Karmadillos (20) 

Maitojuna had a comfortable 4-1 victory over Reckless Panthers, showcasing their offensive depth. Minaolenmakke @MinaolenMakke (20 points) and Annttone @Annttone (15 points) have been among the top scorers, while FeikkiNambo @priima-namu (82.95% SV%) has been steady in net.

Karmadillos pulled off a thrilling 4-3 win over Koppibuutti, relying on Julmuri89 @Julmuri89(17 points) and Stimperi @stimperi (11 points) for offense. Their goaltending duo, VilppiSami @ChildishGerm8 (87.5% SV%) and HOOVER-THE-BRAVE @Rum4Drunk , played key roles in their success. However, against a high-powered Maitojuna team, they will need their best defensive performance yet.

Prediction: Maitojuna advances (4-2)

Lutunilkat (4) vs Pulp Odyssey (19) 

Lutunilkat dominated RAIDERS HC with a 4-0 sweep, driven by Lutuniemi @lutuniemi (25 points) and Mikkihiiri-- @mikkihiiri-- (21 points), who were the top two scorers in Round 1. Their offense looks unstoppable, and Hiatala_  @Janne Hietala (81.82% SV%) will need to be solid against a defensive-minded Pulp Odyssey team.

Pulp Odyssey stunned Nordic Nosebleed with a 4-0 sweep, thanks to IrJe2023 @Irje2023 (91.84% SV%), the second-best goalie in the playoffs so far. Their ability to shut down high-scoring teams will be tested against Lutunilkat, but if they can slow the pace and rely on Risbe85 @temguila85 for scoring, they might push this series deep.

Prediction: Lutunilkat advances (4-1)

Tikitaka (5) vs.KELAGOLDCARD HC (16)

Tikitaka comfortably defeated BACKCHECK BOYS 4-1, with TansKungen @tanskuuzz (15 points) and R2-ATTE- @R2-ATTE- (16 points) leading the way. Their structured offensive approach and strong goaltending from HakkisBro @HakkisMakkis (84.93% SV%) make them one of the more well-rounded teams left.

KELAGOLDCARD HC edged out Prowlers 4-2, with Romurallimies @Romurallimies (12 points) and Ilaril98 @Ilaril98 (13 points) playing key roles. Their goalie, K3mpny @K3mpny (86.73% SV%), will need to be at his best to stop Tikitaka’s offensive flow. If they can find a way to counter Tikitaka’s balanced play, this could be an interesting series.

Prediction: Tikitaka advances (4-2)

 PANIC ON ICE (6) vs.Rusty X (15) 

PANIC ON ICE swept The Solution 4-0, with Wpaananen @Wpaanane (14 points) and Moikka11 @moikka11 (11 points) leading the charge. Their offensive speed and chemistry make them a serious threat. Smiiga @sMiiga (88.46% SV%) has been a standout goaltender, giving them confidence on the back end.

Rusty X also had a dominant 4-0 series against NAM3LESS, thanks to Kasterly_ @-Tarr- and strong goaltending from Ksilentt @Kirill Anikeev (88.52% SV%). However, their defensive style will be put to the test against PANIC ON ICE’s high-powered attack. If they can slow the game down and frustrate their opponents, they could force a long series.

Prediction: PANIC ON ICE advances (4-2)

Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki (7) vs.Turun Gasellit (11) 

Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki looked dominant in their 4-1 series win over HC Ohiveto, with TheKapoZ @thekapoz (13 points) and OUTO HYYPIO @O.B.L (13 points) leading the way. Larde64 @Larde (86.6% SV%) has been one of the best goalies in the playoffs and will be key in this matchup.

Turun Gasellit survived a tough 4-3 series against SKYFALL, led by Pohjarzinho @pohjarzinho (18 points) and Johtaja_Lebi @johtaja_lebi (18 points). Their offense is clicking, but their defense, which allowed 24 goals in the first round, will need to tighten up against Hiljainen.

Prediction: Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki advances (4-3)

KOST Wolves (8) vs.CapeTown Kings (9) 

This is one of the closest matchups of Round 2. KOST Wolves defeated The Ghillie Gang 4-1, with MaroulCZE @MaroulCZE (21 points) and Pinci71 @Pinci71 (15 points) leading the charge. However, their goalie, Lazan31 @Lazan23 (74.36% SV%), had some struggles and will need to be better in this series.

CapeTown Kings won their series 4-1 against Taskubilis, with Black1Eagle1 @Black1Eagle1 (13 points) stepping up. Moneygunx @Moneygunx (83.61% SV%) has been reliable in goal, which could give them a slight edge over KOST Wolves.

Prediction: CapeTown Kings advance (4-3)

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It's time for the second round of the ECL Neo Winter 25 Playoffs as the last 16 teams continue the battle. Interestingly on the first round only one of the lower seeded teams managed to play their way through to the second round. Is that a sign of the coming or will we be seeing some upsets this round? Let's take a look at each of the matchups.

Neo Division Playoff schedule (BO5)

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

ROUND OF 16 PREVIEW
 

(1) Fallen Rangers - (25) Hannover Indians Esports 
Fallen Rangers continued their great form with a sweep on the first round. @Sebko99 (8+8=16) continued his impressive form and was their leading scorer. Hannover Indians Esports start their playoff journey against one of the toughest opponents possible after getting WO on the first round. They struggled offensively in the regular season scoring only 2.71 GF/GP which was 6th lowest in the whole division. Defensively they were relatively solid led by their goaltender @Flouzn (4-2-0, 88.76%, 1.67 GAA, 2 SO) but this will be a whole other challenge. They have a mighty mountain to climb and it could be too much for them to handle.

Prediction: 3-0 Fallen Rangers

 (2) Salaseurue - (20) Lassen Lampaat 

These teams faced of in the regular season in Group 2 and split the high-scoring series. Salaseurue had their struggles in the first round but came away with a 3-1 series win. They allowed a lot of shooting opportunities to their opponent and that is definitely something they'll have to work on. @nikezuki and @Mikeditz were their leading scorers with 9 goals each. Lassen Lampaat was the only team that managed to play their way through the first round as the lower seed and they did it with style. @JJokkeri (9+5=14) lead them offensively and @CharlieRunkkeli CharliCalifornia (86.89%, 2.67 GAA) put up one of the best goalie performances in the first round. Lassen Lampaat has the experience needed and if these teams continue the way they played in the first round, we could be in for an upset.

Prediction: 3-2 Lassen Lampaat
 

(3) Brothers In Gaming - (16) Hawks HC 
This one is another rematch from the regular season from Group 1. Hawks HC came out on the losing side in both of their matches and are now looking for revenge. Brothers In Gaming cruised through the first round while Hawks HC had to all the way to game 5 against Moukka HC. Wingers from both teams are in hot scoring form and everything is pointing towards a high-scoring and exciting series. @Mesrine_Jak leads the way for Brothers In Gaming with 13 goals and Hawks HC @Hodja (10+8=18) will have his hands full trying to keep up with that. Hawks HC is heading into the series as underdogs but if they can tighten up defensively while still keeping the scoring up they can make it a tight series.

Prediction: 3-1 Brothers In Gaming

(4) Taifun Veterans - (15) Beastie Boys 
Taifun Veterans had a surprisingly tough time in the first round but came out victorious in game 5. @Chluda15 (Lukas_Chludil) (13+8=21) was the highest scorer in round one and despite allowing 4 GAA their goaltender @Sqeek_40 (Hoklundd) still put up a solid 82.61%. Beastie Boys swept their first round but also had trouble keeping the puck out of their net with 11 goals allowed in 3 games. Goaltending was their biggest downfall with 63.33% but @Luki_Luki_99 (X9__Gl4tch__x9) showed in the regular season that he is capable of doing much better. Taifun Veterans has more room to improve from the first round and that gives them the edge heading into the series.

Prediction: 3-0 Taifun Veterans

 (5) HC WOLVES -  (14) Nordic Macabre 
It's already been 2,5 weeks since HC WOLVES finished their first-round sweep and it will be interesting to see what kind of form they bring to the new year. @Skeleton-1978 has been the leading scorer for them all season long but their most important player can be found between the pipes. @AndyJester put up the league-leading 89.63% in the regular season and only improved (90.41%) from that in the first round. Nordic Macabre also swept their series with 2 OT wins similar to their opponent. They have a more balanced offense with @Marja_keitto (8+3=11) leading the way in the playoffs. @Parmakitti (85%, 3 GAA) also put up solid numbers in the first round. HC WOLVES has been the better team all season but if Nordic Macabre can shut them down and manage to solve AndyJester they can make the series interesting.

Prediction: 3-1 HC WOLVES

(6) Veljeskunta HC - (12) Nordic Knights 
Veljeskunta HC lived up to their promise of being a team without defenders scoring 24 goals and allowing 16 in their first round 3-0 victory. All of the stats are not up to date but @Elop-_- (8+6=14) was leading the way in the first two playoff games. They'll be facing the hottest goalie in the league in @cassebassepowerer (casse 33 40) who posted 92.31% and two shutouts in Nordic Knights 3-1 series win. If he can stay close to those numbers they will definitely have the goalscoring needed to advance to the next round. Veljeskunta HC has been one of the highest scoring teams but at some point they have to start defending also and that could be now. I can see this series going either way and a lot will depend on the form of the day.

Prediction: 3-1 Nordic Knights

(7) The Worn Out Wiseman -  (11) Kasanovat 
The Worn Out Wisemen continued their hot form from the end of regular season with 3-1 series win in the first round. Led by @Ma-X-imilian (3+5=8) this team seems to be made for the playoffs. @Samito97 also continued his strong season with 85.11% and 1.75 GAA. Kasanovat had much tougher time getting here and were especially struggling in their own zone allowing 19 goals in 5 games. @Mage Man (Rankku8317) posted 11 points from the blueline and has the main responsibility to control the puck for them. The Kasanovat offense will really be tested against the best defensive team in the league so far. A lot has to go right for them if they want to advance to the top 8.

Prediction: 3-0 The Worn Out Wisemen

(9) Clowns On Ice (12-1-1-4) -  (10) Viitapohja Vikings (9-1-1-3) 
Clowns On Ice has been heavily relying on @PaddyD1412 to be their offensive threat and that continued on the first round of the playoffs. He posted 16 points in their 3-1 series victory and was doubling the time on puck compared to his teammates. @Liimiz (10+7=17) led Viitapohja Vikings through the first round 3-1 series win and continued his great goalscoring form. They also only let in 7 goals with @TepeV (TTV-Tepevi) posting 82.93% and a shutout. Due to their experience I would give a slight edge to Clowns On Ice but they've had to do lot of lineup shuffling during the season. That hasn't hurt them yet but it's something that Viitapohja Vikings can definitely take advantage of if given the chance. It will be a very even series with special teams and goaltending playing a big role.

Prediction: 3-2 Viitapohja Vikings

 

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Around three weeks ago LA received a report that @Keuschemisch was adding additional points to game reports that were not present in-game. After investigation, here are the findings:

In order to carry out the investigation we cross-referenced SportsGamer match results with EA API metadata from seven tournaments stretching across two EA NHL titles. By comparing what we have on record vs. what EA says happened we can see if the stats line up. For instance, in the screenshot below we can see what it looks like when the stats between the two sources line up. All of the players listed have the same number of goals and assists on both the EA API, as well as what has been reported on the SportsGamer site after the games were finished.

Generally speaking, people seem to be doing a pretty good job at maintaining the balance between accuracy and speed at which the reports are completed – so to the captains of the SportsGamer community, good work!

That said, mistakes do happen and there are times when an extra assist gets added to one player that should have gone to someone else, however as shown in the screenshot below Keuschemisch is a major outlier. No other player across the seven tournaments worth of data is even close. To make matters worse, those 25 points came over the course of only four of those said seven tournaments.

For completeness here is the list of players who have had points deducted by accident over those same seven tournaments.

Furthermore, as seen in the overview below, a number of Keuschmisch’s additional points come by way of assists being granted when the EA API does not note one being recorded.

In order for this to occur when reporting, the individual must edit the EA readout at the bottom of the page before then going back up to the dropdown box to select their name as one of the assisters on a goal. This means that it changes from a potential ‘misclick’ to a two-step process as seen below.

Finally, when a game report is completed, it saves the username of the individual who did it, and in these games Keuschemisch was the user who completed the game reports.

Therefore, we believe with the evidence listed above that the increase in stats seen on Keuschemisch is not by chance or an error and is in fact a conscious effort to boost their point totals artificially. Keuschemisch claims that the reason for this stats increase is a box score glitch. It is worth noting, that we have also seen video evidence of games where the alleged assists have taken place and been able to confirm that the player in question was nowhere near to getting an assist.

Due to the scale of the stats manipulation across multiple tournaments and EA NHL titles, we have decided to suspend Keuschemisch from all SportsGamer tournaments from today’s date (10/01/2025) up to and including 28/02/2026, furthermore, Keuschemisch will receive a captaincy suspension that will run from today’s date (10/01/2025) up to and including 10/01/2030.

Finally, for full disclosure, LA received the original report regarding this on the 20^th of December 2024. To facilitate this investigation we had to create from scratch a tool to ingest and transform the data from EA’s API into a viewable account of all games from any tournament played on the SportsGamer platform, which we will now be using going forward to proactively scan for players manipulating statistics in a competitive environment.

(Update: It should also be noted that from this investigation and the evidence gathered, LA is confident in saying that captains @Toneee9, and @Timasy were not aware of the stats manipulation that was going on, and as such should not face any public (or private) backlash.)

League Administration

The SportsGamer Wraparound looks to bring you weekly conversations around the league, recapping some of the events around the divisions throughout the week.

Remember to post your highlights on socials using the hashtag #ECL25Clips and reach out if you would be interested in appearing on the Wraparound in the form of interviews or additional content.
 

We’re thrilled to launch a special perk for our valued ECL License holders:
🎁 3 Months FREE Membership to the SportsGamer Health & Performance Program!

This program is designed to support your journey toward enhanced performance and well-being—both in and out of the game.

Gain access to tools and resources aimed at improving your performance, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying at the top of your game.

To claim your free membership as an ECL '25 Player License, simply check your email - we have sent you an email with the link and code to start your your journey. In case you can't find it - be sure to check your spam folder just in case.

Limited Time Offer: Get a free ticket to Assembly Winter 2025 on Thursday, February 20th! Come and enjoy the ECL ‘25: Winter - Elite Finals and hang out with the community. Once you’ve purchased your ECL license, fill out this form to apply for your free ticket. Act fast—tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. https://forms.gle/eZdDm63kdv3ksa4L9

Six weeks and 28 games later, eight teams have emerged as the best that the Elite division has to offer, and now just 12 wins separate them from the chance to lift a championship trophy at Assembly Winter in February. Some teams are hoping to add to their respective legacies, whole others are looking to start one of their own. That playoff journey starts with the Quarterfinals, so let's take a look at each of our four Elite matchups and break down what we can expect to see.

Oh and before we start, remember that these are all just my personal opinions and analysis! You are allowed to disagree with them, just do it respectfully. None of this really means anything and it's all about just trying to come up with good content for the league that people can enjoy, so please don't take anything here personally or to heart. None of this is that serious! And if I end up being wrong on any of this, then congratulations on proving me wrong! I'll be happy to be one of the first people to admit that you did. Anyways, let's get into why you all are reading this, previewing our four quarterfinals series!

 (1) Parasite vs (8) GOONS 

Regular Season Series (December 17th):

Parasite 9-3 W, Parasite 5-3 W

 Parasite: There's dominance, and then there's what Parasite did during the regular season. Many people had Parasite notched as the championship favorite heading into the season, but somehow they still managed to blow the preseason expectations completely out of the water. Not only did they win 27 of their 28 games, with 24 of those wins being in regulation, but they also finished the regular season as the highest-scoring team in Elite division history, putting up a mind-lowing 5.32 goals for per game. In case that wasn't enough, out of those 27 wins, only six of them were by less than three goals. That is ridiculous in every sense of the word (in a good way).

Though it's tough to single out players on a team that has been so complete, Valtteri @Vattuyy Virtanen has been an unstoppable force this season, notching an ECL-record 65 goals during the regular season to go along with 39 assists for 104 total points. He wasn't the only one to put up one of the best regular seasons in ECL history however, as Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen posted a career-high for points (96), goals (38), and assists (58) (ECL competition only). Alongside them, Teemu @Teemuyy Polttila has also had a season to remember. Not only does he lead all defensemen with 64 points, he also ranks sixth out of all skaters in the Division. Outside of his three forward teammates, only TWO PLAYERS in the division racked up more points than him. That's genuinely absurd. The goalie tandem of Sebastian @FINSeRe Remes and Niklas @uhNikke Nieminen split time evenly during the regular season at 14 games a piece, with FinSeRe posting an 85.4 SV% and UhNikke earning an 80.82 SV% and three shutouts. 

To summarize all of this, this team isn't good, they're great. It's no surprise to see them as the #1 seed and they are the hands-down favorites to win it all heading into the playoffs. Whoever matches up against this team will certainly have their hands full.

 GOONS: Regardless of how their playoff run goes, this season has to be viewed as a pretty successful one for GOONS. Don't believe me? Just think about where this team found itself just a few months ago. In the Spring season, not only did GOONS finish 13th in the standings and forced into a relegation series, but they were swept in said relegation series by Mustaa Kultaa and were out of the Elite Division entirely. Luckily for them, they were thrown a lifeline with the division having two spots open up and earned their way back into Elite through the ECL Qualifier in early November. Considering this with the fact that they had 5 roster players returning, many thought that they would end up around no man's land and in the middle of the table, but a hot run of form in the middle of the season that saw them win 11 of 12 games was enough for them to lock up a playoff spot despite a tough final week of the regular season. 

This team brings the same identity as many GOONS teams of the past, which is a physical game that tries to throw around bumps and crushing hits every chance they can. GOONS led the league in hits with 824, making this the sixth straight season that they would lead the league in hits (the last time they didn't was in ECL '22: Winter, where they finished second). They also feature a balanced scoring attack, with four skaters notching double-digit goals this season. 

Despite all of the good, there are some concerns that I think are fair to have of this GOONS team. The first concern that I have is their performance against fellow playoff teams, as they went 3-11 in those games and two of those wins came against the same team, Mythix. They also have not proven to be particularly strong on special teams, as they had the division's worst power play at 9% and ranked bottom five on the penalty kill at 70.9%. That's not ideal in a series where you are facing off against the #1 power play and #2 penalty kill team in the division. They also are one of two teams in the playoff bracket that finished with a negative goal differential at -7. GOONS are a team that have talent throughout the lineup and they play a unique style that teams have to prepare differently for, however, if they want to have a chance at pulling off the upset, all of these things are going to have to get cleaned up.

Prediction 

I'll be honest, I'll be surprised if this game goes more than five games. It's not a slight against GOONS, because I do think that they are a capable squad, but we have to look at the facts in front of us. It's a matchup of arguably the most dominant regular season team in division history vs a team that struggled to beat fellow playoff competition and has notable weaknesses where their opponents' strengths lie. Combine that with the fact that Parasite heavily out-attacked GOONS in the regular season series, and it doesn't result in much confidence that we'll be seeing some sort of upset in this series.

Now to be clear, we've seen crazy things happen in this league, so if GOONS can play a perfect four games, who knows. They also played Parasite in their last series of the regular season, so the lessons that they learned in that series should be very fresh in their minds. I just don't think that will be enough however. If GOONS can prove me wrong, then I'll be one of the first to admit that and congratulate them on the biggest upset in ECL history.

 Parasite in 4

  (2) Tohtorit vs (7) EXEN 

Regular Season Series (December 8th):

Tohtorit 4-3 W, Tohtorit 2-1 W

  Tohtorit: Well, if there was any doubt about where Tohtorit stood in the hierarchy of the Elite division, they made it known that they aren't just in the conversation for one of the division's best teams, but that they're also here to stay. As one of the few teams that returned its entire roster from last season and didn't make a single change to it, Tohtorit felt like a team that would do one of two things, fall back to the place where many thought they would be before the Spring '24 season started, or assert itself as a championship threat and build on their campaign from last season, and they did exactly the latter. 

Interestingly enough, a lot of their stats from the regular season are pretty similar to what they did last season. They finished with the same amount of regulation wins with 14 and had 56 points in the standings, two more than they did in the Spring. They were also pretty much the same team as last season defensively, as they gave up nearly the same amount of goals, going from 2.1 to 2.04, and saw their penalty kill also come out nearly identical from last season, going from 61.76% to 62.5% Someone specifically to look out for in this series will be defenseman Timi @Kkarkass Kärkäs, as he led the division this season in time with the puck, logging 207:15 of possession time during the regular season. He was the only player in Elite to have the puck on his stick for over 200 minutes and the next player closest to him possessed the puck for 33:38 less.

While they did improve offensively going from 2.43 goals for per game to 2.79, the one area where they saw a significant downturn was on the power play oddly enough, as Tohtorit went from having the division's fourth-best power play last season at 31.43% to having the division's worst power play this season at 12.5%. Negatives aside though, Tohtorit pretty much produced as they did last season while proving that they belong in the tier of championship contenders (they went 4-2 against their fellow Top 4 teams). These playoffs for Tohtorit will be showing that they have taken a step forward from last season, and what better way to do that than knocking out the team that swept you in the Quarterfinals last season?

 EXEN: If there is one word that I could use to describe EXEN's regular season, it would be turbulent. This team was supposed to be a bonafide lock to make the playoffs and finish as a Top 4 seed, yet it took them winning 9 of their last 10 games to clinch one of the last remaining playoff spots during the last days of the regular season, and only two of those wins were against a fellow playoff team in GOONS. The regular season was an unmitigated disappointment for this team that only could've been worse if they had missed the playoffs entirely, which considering that they only had a four-point cushion over Polski Boys who were the first team outside of the bracket, is something that wasn't far off from becoming a reality.

Nevertheless, none of that matters anymore for EXEN. The regular season is now behind them and the "real season" - as some may call it - has now begun with the postseason. EXEN made it to that season and that's all that ultimately matters. Looking at this team, their defense and goaltending this season was actually quite impressive considering where they ended up in the standings. They only allowed 2.25 goals per game, which ranked 4th in the division. They also sported the league's fourth-best power play at 80.49%.

Where things went wrong for this team was its lack of goal-scoring, which is honestly really surprising to see considering how much offensive talent they have on this roster. EXEN averaged just 2.32 goals for per game, which tied for 5th lowest in the league. For reference, the average for Elite this season was 2.97, which is a division record. At one point EXEN was dead-last and averaging less than 2 goals per game, but saw that number spike with their late run of form to the end of regular season, as they averaged 3.3 goals for per game during that final 10-game stretch. EXEN did lose seven of their 13 total lost games (regulation and OT) by one goal, so if this goal-scoring can keep up, it could be the difference in their turnaround, however, their struggle against other playoff teams this season is a cause for concern, even if it was early in the season. Is the version of EXEN that we saw during the last week and a half of the season the real EXEN? Or is it the EXEN who struggled with top-end teams earlier on in the season? This series will tell us all that we need to know in answering that question.

Prediction

If I had a nickel for every time that Tohtorit and EXEN met in the Quarterfinals, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. To me, this series is definitely one of the most intriguing. While last season, this series was a story between seeds #4 and #5, where the teams had battled for playoff positioning throughout the season, this season's story is the #2 vs #7 matchup where one team was one of the most consistent teams in the division and had locked up a playoff spot before any other team, while the other had considerable expectations and had to scratch and claw their way to even get into the playoffs at all. Overall, this series will be close despite their contrasting regular season campaigns.

You can doubt EXEN if you want to, and honestly I can understand why with how they've looked at times this season, but the talent on this roster is just simply undeniable, and I feel confident that this will be a competitive series. The biggest question will be whether or not Tohtorit can live up to the moment in a best-of-seven series in the Elite division. This team has won a championship before at the Pro level, and multiple players on this roster were on that team, but this division, against this EXEN team, is so much different than that. Tohtorit will need to show that it's better than it was this time seven months ago. If it can, they could very well find their way into the semifinals.

 EXEN in 7

 (3) Mustaa Kultaa vs (6) The Black Jacks 

Regular Season Series (December 16th):

The Black Jacks 6-1 W,  Mustaa Kultaa 2-1 W

 Mustaa Kultaa: In one of the more impressive Elite debut seasons that we have seen in recent memory, Mustaa Kultaa was a team that many felt should make it into the playoffs with the multiple big transfers that they added over the offseason. Well, not only did they make it into the eight-team bracket, but they made a statement early in the season that they were a force to be reckoned with, starting the Winter campaign with a 16-1-2 record that pretty much locked their place in the playoffs and a Top 4 seed by midseason.

This Mustaa Kultaa team is also one of the most effective scoring teams that we have seen in some time, as their 3.36 goals for per game ranked second in the division this season, and actually ranks in the Top 10 all-time in the Elite. Aaro @xAaro89x Aarvala has emerged as one of the league's top goal-getters once again this season, finishing with 40 goals, which ranked him second among all skaters. This group also features a trio of rookies who could very well all end up being candidates for Rookie of the Season in forward and team captain Alex @Allupekkaz Buntsel (26 goals, 29 assists for 55 points), defenseman J-J @NuariJamal Raatikainen (29 assists for 31 points and 148 interceptions) and goaltender Veeti @LatveX Laitinen (81.5 SV% and 2.36 GAA while starting all 28 games). 

I've been on record saying how much I respect this Mustaa Kultaa team. I think that they have the makings of being a truly special team that can play for championships in the future if they continue the path that they are currently on. They score at a ridiculous rate, they play solid defense that ranked in the Top 5 in the Division this season, and they have a goaltender that on multiple occasions showed that he can step up when the attack is on from the opposition. That typically is a good combination for success, especially in the playoffs. Though they did lose their form a bit towards the end of the season, going 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, their impressive play throughout the season sees them as a legitimate title threat. The biggest question will be whether or not this team's regular season success will translate in its first Elite playoff run against a team that is very familiar with this situation.

 The Black Jacks: The playoffs have become a familiar sight for The Black Jacks, with this being the team's third-straight Quarterfinals appearance. They kept things rather close in their first two Quarterfinals appearances, being the #8 seed both times and pushing the #1 seed of Tunnel Vision to six games and Valokuitunen Esports (now Parasite) to seven. Will the third time be the charm for TBJ? Well, I think that this is certainly their best chance at it and the most even matchup of the three.

The biggest talking point for The Black Jacks this season has to be their improved offense. Even though their offense has seen a significant uptick around the league this season, TBJ is easily the most dangerous that we have seen them in terms of their scoring ability, as this season they finished fifth in goals for per game at 2.82. To compare, in Winter 24 they finished 11th with 2.2 and in Spring 24 they ranked as the third-worst team in the division at 2.03 goals per game. Meanwhile, they haven't had too big of a drop off in goals against, as they ranked 6th with 2.39 allowed per game, just barely pacing outside of the Top 5. For a team that has long been known to have solid play in their own end, this jump in production on the offensive side is massive, and could very well be a difference for them in the playoffs as well.

Though they have a pretty well-balanced scoring attack, with each of their three starting forwards scoring 20 goals or more (TBJ was one of just four teams that did such), their primary point production came from the winger duo of Kevin @Keuschemisch Berg (54 points) and Tim @Timasy Hess (52 points). The next closest skater was Niklas @xXPsykoSkillsXx Schmitz who had 37 points, who ranked tied-3rd in points for defensemen. Speaking of PsykoSkills, not only was he a threat on the offensive end for TBJ this season, but he was also one of the league's most disruptive defensemen this season, leading the Elite division in interceptions with 225. He was also one of the league's best in takeaways during the regular season with 98. Overall, this is probably the most complete that this team has looked heading into the playoffs and they have significantly more playoff experience than their opponent this time around outside of a few players. We will see how much of a difference it makes.

Prediction

Personally, I think that this is the series that I am anticipating the most in the Quarterfinals. Not only is this series something completely new and fresh from any series that we've seen before, but it's also two teams who are looking to show that they are in the top tier of teams in this division, as whoever wins will secure its first-ever Elite semifinals birth. Mustaa Kultaa are the new kids on the block who have made a ton of noise in their first Elite season. They've dominated at times and look like a team that could very well be playing for a championship at Winter Assembly in February. Meanwhile, The Black Jacks have been at this for years, originally under the ZSC Esports branding and now as TBJ, and though they've been a team that has had incremental improvements over the last few seasons, a playoff victory is something that still alludes a team that has long been seen as a playoff-caliber team, but not a true championship contender. Both sides have the equal opportunity to completely shift the narrative about their respective side, but I do think that one team is significantly more desperate than the other. This series feels like The Black Jacks' best opportunity to prove that they can be more than a one-and-done. They are the more experienced team, they are playing significantly better than they have in past seasons offensively, and they just played this Mustaa Kultaa team during the final week of the season and split the season series. They also are playing a Mustaa Kultaa team that struggled at the end of the season, so it remains to be seen whether or not they corrected some of those struggles over the holiday break. I think the series is a toss-up that will go either way, so I won't be shocked if I'm wrong considering how good the other side is, but as the old saying goes, "fortune favors the brave", so give me the upset pick.

 The Black Jacks in 7

 (4) Voittamaton vs (5) Mythix 

Regular Season Series (December 1st):

Voittmaton 3-2 W,  Mythix 2-1 W

 Voittamaton: Another season, another impressive Voittamaton campaign. Their regular season performances have sort of just become run-of-the-mill for these guys. They've proven to be a lock to make the Top 4 for years now, and despite heavy competition with the teams that placed 1-3, they were able to still secure one of those top spots in the standings. They tied for 3rd in goals for per game at 3.11 and tied for 2nd in goals against per game at 2.04. 8 of their 11 losses were by one goal and all 17 of their wins came in regulation games. They do it by playing the same game that this team has mastered for years. Possession-based hockey that can wear their opponent into a defensive mistake., combined with lockdown defense and steady goaltending behind them that can clean up anything that happens to get through. 

In terms of contributors, Erik @Eki Tammenpää has been one of the best in the league once again, notching a team-high 64 points, with 27 of those points being goals and 37 being assists, which ranked Top 10 in the division. His fellow winger Teemu @temppanen Karvonen wasn't far behind him with 27 goals of his own to go with 27 assists, giving him a 54-point season. He also had 11 game-winning goals this season which was tied for most in the league (Vattuyy of Parasite was the player tied with him). These two have been the dynamic duo that have produced a majority of Voitttamaton's scoring chances, so expect them to be present and active again in this playoff run. This team also has an impressive goalie duo of Hannes @Hansulinho Kettunen (18 games played) and Oskari @Zande95 Grönroos (10 games played) who both posted a save percentage higher than 80%, so regardless of who lines up between the pipes, they'll show quality play.

Overall, there isn't much more to say about this team that isn't already known. There could potentially be concerns about how they looked at times at the end of the season, as they finished their last 10 games at 5-5, and three of those losses were to non-playoff teams. In their defense, two of those five losses were also to Parasite, so it's hard to criticize them for dropping a pair of games to a team that has only lost one game all season. With the team's pedigree and the fact that they have never once been bounced earlier than the Semifinals, its understandable why many feel that they can be playing for a championship once again next month.

 Mythix: Earlier in the season, things did not look pretty for Mythix. From the start of the season to Dec. 5th, Mythix had a record of 7-10-1 and looked like they were going to need a miracle to make it into the playoffs, let alone a Top 5 seeding. Then on December 11th, everything for this team changed. They lost just one more game the rest of the season and were able to lock up a playoff spot during the last few days of the season, even somehow having a 7-point cushion over 9th by the time it was all said and done. This marks the second straight season that Mythix (formerly Bjorkloven Esport) have made it into the playoffs, which considering that this is just their second season of Elite competition is quite impressive. Last season however they fell to the eventual champions, Tunnel Vision, in five games, so they will hope to lean on that experience in combination with their hot run of form that they had to end the season.

One of the biggest positives for this team is that they come in as arguably the hottest team in the league, sporting a 9-1 record in their last 10 games and six of those wins were against fellow playoff teams in Tohtorit, Mustaa Kultaa and The Black Jacks. They also have a pair of 40-point getters in Miikka @koleslaav_ Kolehmainen (30 goals and 13 assists for 43 points) and Oskar @x-_-BoBi-_-x Hautala (13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points). They also have been a significantly better team when Arttu @Thewix93 Harju has been in the lineup, as Mythix is 11-1 in games he has played this season (10 games at defense and 2 at center). He is also the only player on their roster with a positive plus/minus, sporting a +9. Additionally, they are one of the division's best groups at special teams, as they rank as the league's 2nd-best power play (34.3%) and its 5th-best penalty kill (78.95%).

Outside of those numbers though, many of their statistics are overwhelming. They are the one of just two teams in the playoff field with a negative goal differential at a -4 during the regular season and they shot the puck as little as any team in the division, ranking second-to-last in shot per game at 12.4 shots per game. They also ranked second-to-last in face-off percentage (46.04%) and will be going up against the team that was the best in the league at face-offs in Voittamaton (54.96%). Combining these factors with Voittamaton's preferred possession-dominant style of play, Mythix will need to correct a few of these factors if they want to find their way into the semifinals. 

Prediction

I'm going to be honest, I like this Mythix team and can see the upset appeal with the way these two teams trended during the final week of the season. However, I feel like you have to look at each side's full body of work as well, and if I'm being honest with myself, I just don't feel confident that this Voittamaton is a good matchup for Mythix. Their weakest points directly match up against Voittamaton's biggest strengths, and with a team in Voittamaton that has so much experience and overall talent, I just have a hard time imagining that this won't be an issue for Mythix in this series. Now in their defense, they did beat five of the seven playoff teams at least once this season, with Parasite and GOONS being the only teams that they didn't at least split with that are in the bracket, however, unless Mythix can find a way to create more offense and mitigate Voittamaton's ability to control the style of the game, it's going to be hard for them to find their way to four wins. That doesn't mean it can't happen, but it will certainly be difficult.

 Voittamaton: in 5

Quarterfinals Broadcast Schedule

Want to watch it all unfold for yourself? Then make sure to tune into our live coverage of EVERY GAME of the Elite Division playoffs on Twitch, YouTube and X.

• Monday, January 6th, 2025
  • Matchup 1: Tohtorit (#2) vs EXEN (#7) | Games 1-2 | 20:00 CET
  • Matchup 2: Parasite (#1) vs GOONS (#8) | Games 1-2 | ~21:20 CET
• Wednesday, January 8th, 2025
  • Matchup 3: Mustaa Kultaa (#3) vs The Black Jacks (#6) | Games 1-2 | 20:00 CET
  • Matchup 4: Voittamattomat (#4) vs Mythix (#5) | Games 1-2 | ~21:20 CET
• Thursday, January 9th, 2025
  • Matchup: Voittamattomat (#4) vs Mythix (#5) | Games 3-7 | ⚠️ 19:30 CET
• Monday, January 13th, 2025
  • Matchup: Tohtorit (#2) vs EXEN (#7) | Games 3-7 | ⚠️ 19:30 CET 
• Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
  • Matchup: Mustaa Kultaa (#3) vs The Black Jacks (#6) | Games 3-7 | ⚠️ 19:30 CET 
• Thursday, January 16th, 2025
  • Matchup: Parasite (#1) vs GOONS (#8) | Games 3-7 | ⚠️ 19:30 CET

Action kicks off today, Monday, January 6th with the matchups between EXEN and Tohtorit, and GOONS and Parasite. Before puck drop, join @Tougie24 at 18:50 CET for the SportsGamer Wraparound as he wraps things up leading into the post-season!

So who do you think will punch their ticket into the semifinals? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments?

It's time for the Pro playoffs. Here we'll be taking a short look at each matchup and how their regular season went. The first round will be featured on the SportsGamer broadcast on Tuesday, January 7th, where we'll have Gotham Knights and RYHTIC finishing their series (games 3-7). 

Pro Division Playoff schedule (BO7)

• Round of 16: January 6th – 9th
• Quarterfinals: January 13th – 16th
• Semifinals: January 20th – 23rd
• Finals: January 29th – 30th

 (1) DILAC (19-3-2-6) - (8) Herlev Eagles (11-4-5-10) 

DILAC managed to top Group 1 after a strong finish to the season. They seem to have found a very good balance within the team with each and every player contributing and the statistics are showing that. Their offense was led @punt1la98 with 39 goals. Another key for their success was their ability to turn tight games in their favor: Out of the 15 games decided by one goal they won 10. Herlev Eagles made their season interesting with a losing streak at the halfway of the season but just managed to get the wins needed to get to the playoffs. They picked up @MartindalexC mid season and he's been a crucial part of their offense and they will need him to produce in this series. DILAC definitely has the edge defensively in this series so Herlev defense and goaltending have to be on top of their game.

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI  4-0 DILAC

@Vamoux  4-2 DILAC

@Pekedipeks  4-1 DILAC

@Pensasmies  4-1 DILAC

 (1) NOSTREETSPORTS (23-4-1-2) - (8) SSK ESPORTS (12-3-3-12) 

NOSTREETSPORTS as the number 1 seed going into the playoffs was not something we had in our cards but after dominating their group here we are. @Toivone_ led the whole league in points and @Tumuttaja (xxHise) scored 50 goals to top the league. There are though some big question marks around this team and the lineup going into the playoffs. With @Bot_hene starting his military service @Tappu will be taking the center spot and @Gaabrielii will play his first games of the season in defense. This means an even bigger role for the league leading defenseman @Azzez_88 (8+51=59). Whether they can overcome these changes will be seen but it will be a tough challenge. Against them will be stepping up the best defensive team in the league in SSK Esports. Their offense is lead by @Rubituss and @zuppe_29 who both bring lot of experience to the table. SSKs keys for the series will be to limit the scoring chances of NOSTREETSPORTS, attacking effectively and capitalizing on the mistakes that the roster changes of their opponent will eventually bring. 

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI 4-1 NOSTREETSPORTS

@Vamoux  4-2 NOSTREETSPORTS

@Pekedipeks 4-3 SSK ESPORTS

@Pensasmies  4-2 NOSTREETSPORTS

 (2) Zenegeim (21-0-2-7) - (7) Ismon Valinta (10-6-5-9) 

Zenegeim core group of players have been together for a quite a while now and they played a great regular season. They got a balanced offensive output from all their players and got solid defense and goaltending. @rakkauspakkaus- was leading the way with 68 points and @MCH_98 continued his impressive scoring numbers as defenseman. And we all know never to bet against @imosi as he scored 41 goals leading the team. Their goalies split the games this season but I'm expecting @jubex0r to get the starting role heading into playoffs. Ismon Valinta was one of the teams I was hoping a bit more from in the regular season. They were tied for the most overtime games with 11 and won 6 out of those. Playing quite low scoring hockey their leading scorer was @Jusu121 with 52 points. Their lineup shuffled quite a bit during the season and if their best players are available they could make a surprise run in the playoffs.

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI  4-0 Zenegeim

@Vamoux  4-2 Zenegeim

@Pekedipeks  4-2 Zenegeim

@Pensasmies  4-3 Zenegeim

 (2) POGGERS (17-2-4-7) - (7) The Oldtimers (14-2-0-14) 

Poggers played very high scoring hockey finishing the season second in goals but also letting in the most goals out of any playoff teams, and by a large margin. @JaKurrii (47+47=94) and @Migo_boona (34+48=82) were their top scorers and @Terodee (LaurinHaavi) supported from defense with 51 points. There should be no question that this team will be able to adjust to the playoff style hockey with their experience. With the adjustment they'll be hoping also to bring the goalie numbers up a bit. The Oldtimers were leading their group at the start but slowed down towards the end of the season having won only 4 out of their last 12 games. Lot of their offense has gone through @Werppi with @japi_kuittaa being the main goal scorer. They've been strong defensively, tied for league best GAA, but they will need to step up for this new challenge.  @TiSuLiNo had a good regular season in goal and will need to have a very strong series if they want to compete against POGGERS.

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI  4-0 Poggers

@Vamoux  4-0 Poggers

@Pekedipeks  4-1 Poggers

@Pensasmies  4-1 Poggers

 (3) Gotham Knights (15-5-2-8) - (6) RYHTIC (13-4-4-9) 

It is somewhat surprising to see these team facing off already on the first round and it will be a very disappointing season for the team coming out on the losing side of this matchup. Gotham Knights were looking to secure group victory but lost their last 6 games and slipped to third place. They did play against some of the top teams in their group but the opponent isn't getting any easier now. If their record 3-5-2 from last 10 games tells anything from their form they'll be in for a tough matchup. @Rimpe (40+29=69) will be their main guy to look out for in offense and he led the team in shots by a very large margin. @Kussan82 had a strong season in goal and he's hoping to bring that form into his first Pro playoff games. RYHTIC was one game away from making it into Elite before the season and now find themselves placing sixth in Group 2 and having a tough bracket. @Limbe65 had a strong season for them scoring 40 goals and he needs to get support from his offensive partners. They will also need a strong showing from their goalie in @JussinSisko and he's proven to able to do that.

Tune in to this series and its decisive moments on Tuesday, January 7th on the SportsGamer broadcast.

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI  4-2 Gotham Knights

@Vamoux  3-4 RYHTIC

@Pekedipeks  4-2 Gotham Knights

@Pensasmies  4-1 Gotham Knights

 (3) HC Lugano eSports (15-4-4-7) - (6) NOVA (15-4-0-11) 

For a long time it looked like HC Lugano eSports would be battling for the last playoff spots but their amazing end to the season lifted them all the way to third in Group 2. A lot of that is thanks to @xEispiratx  who could arguably be the best goalie of the regular season. @jasomnajlepsi led the team with 40 goals with @CMB-wf- doing lot of the playmaking. The biggest question for this team is their defense. @Yasu39x played most of the season but he has had three different defensive partners throughout the season. He hasn't been the strongest with the puck and that is something that NOVA could be trying to take advantage of. NOVA is to no ones surprise led by @KingOfApes_ who finished second in defenseman scoring and does most of the playmaking in the team with @Nester4343 being their main offensive guy to finish those chances. They'll be wanting to play with lot of pressure and if they manage that it could turn the series in their favor.

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI  4-1 NOVA

@Vamoux  4-3 HC Lugano eSports

@Pekedipeks  4-1 NOVA

@Pensasmies  4-2 NOVA

 (4) Otukset (15-4-2-9) - (5) Bjorkloven Esport (13-5-5-7) 

Otukset find themselves exactly where most people expected to find them. Playoff success has avoided them in the past and they'll be looking to turn that around. They had all around a solid season with every player performing well. @Roisto999 had a terrific season in goal with 82.5%, 2.27GAA and 5 shutouts. They also got great goalscoring numbers from all over the ice and that will be a key if they want to have a long playoff run. Bjorkloven Esport went into the season with high hopes but the reality of Pro division brought them down a little bit. @Alpha borje is a key player in their offense and he posted 40 goals and 73 points in the regular season. It looks like they haven't been able to find that last piece to the puzzle and that could hurt them down the way. They're  though a team full of young and skilled players and if everything goes right they could find themselves far in the playoffs.

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI  4-3 Bjorkloven Esport

@Vamoux  4-2 Otukset

@Pekedipeks  4-3 Otukset

@Pensasmies  4-2 Bjorkloven Esport

 (4) Aspyre (16-3-0-11) - (5) Blackbirds (13-5-5-7) 

Aspyre could be considered another surprise of the season and they were one of the best offensive teams in the league. @Tihizu (41+49=90) is the heart and soul of the team and the game mostly runs through him. His time with puck, 191.5 minutes, tops the league, and rest of the team being around 90 minutes tells you who to watch out for. @IJepuxI and @Jomppe78 gave strong support with 78 and 75 points. If they can take this offensive form to the playoffs they could be a dark horse to look out for. Blackbirds played lot of tight games during the regular season and managed to turn enough of them in their favor. @aomyo6195  scored 41 goals which was half of the teams goals. They will need to find some secondary goalscoring support if they want to take the next step. @Jeerik17 in goal is able to steal a game for them but they'll need strong defense to support him along with stronger special teams. This is definitely a team to look out for in the future but whether they're up to the task now, will be seen.

Predictions:

@hifk_FANI 4-0 Aspyre

@Vamoux  4-3 Aspyre

@Pekedipeks Plays for Aspyre

@Pensasmies  4-3 Aspyre

Follow the Playoff streams:

Please post dates, times and links for streams in the comments of this news story and social media, to help everyone find your team streams.

You can watch SportsGamer's live coverage of the first round matchup between RYHTIC and Gotham Knights on Twitch, YouTube, and X on Tuesday, January 7th.

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!

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

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

Predictions:
AI: Wida wins 4–2
@Pekedipeks: Farmalaget wins 4-3

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The ECL '25 Winter Core playoffs are finally here, and the battle for supremacy is set to unfold in an intense best-of-seven format. After an action-packed group stage, the top 32 teams are ready to prove themselves on the big stage. This year’s playoff field features a mix of dominant favorites, dark horse challengers, and hungry underdogs looking to upset the balance of power. Each team will need to rely on their star players, tactical depth, and mental resilience to navigate through the grueling rounds of competition.

At the forefront are top-seeded teams like Silver Sword Griffins and Dynamo HC, both of whom showcased their dominance in the group stage with impeccable performances. The Griffins, led by the dynamic duo of LATMinx and Martinssilins, are an offensive juggernaut that poses a serious challenge for any opponent. Dynamo HC, on the other hand, boasts a more balanced approach, anchored by Harten87’s scoring brilliance and Galxm86’s stellar goaltending, making them a top contender for the title.

Other teams like Maitojuna, with their explosive trio of Minaolenmakke, Annttone, and RAMIFIN, and Lutunilkat, powered by the chemistry of Mikkihiiri-- and Pyssyh, are also expected to go deep into the playoffs. However, the best-of-seven format allows for surprises, and lower-seeded teams with standout players—such as Stu_rulez from SKYFALL or Stimperi from Karmadillos—could make life difficult for the top teams.

Goaltending will also play a pivotal role in determining playoff success. Calxm86 (Dynamo HC), Hiatala_ (Lutunilkat), and sMiiga (PANIC ON ICE) enter the playoffs as some of the top-performing goalies from the group stage, and their ability to remain consistent under pressure could be the difference in tight series. At the same time, goalies like MarvinJVfL1848 (EV Duisburg) and MikkeH (MIESKISSAT) will need to deliver standout performances to give their teams a shot against overwhelming odds.

Core 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 2nd – 3rd

ROUND OF 32 PREVIEW

Silver Sword Griffins (1) vs. EV Duisburg (32) 

Silver Sword Griffins come into this series as the top seed and overwhelming favorites. Their offensive duo of LATMinx and martinssilins was dominant in the group stage, combining for over 100 points. Supporting them is goaltender gacorigavecit17, who posted a stellar 1.88 GAA and will look to stifle EV Duisburg’s limited offensive threats.

For EV Duisburg, the spotlight falls on their leading scorer, GreatOne139, who will need to find ways to crack the Griffins’ defense. Goaltender MarvinJVfL1848 faces an uphill battle, but a standout performance from him could help Duisburg stay competitive. However, with Duisburg’s 79.67% team save percentage and a defense that allowed 80 goals in the group stage, it’s hard to see them keeping pace over a seven-game series.

Prediction: Silver Sword Griffins advance (4–0)

Dynamo HC (2) vs. MIESKISSAT (31) 

Dynamo HC’s balanced roster makes them one of the favorites to win it all, and they’re expected to sweep this series. Harten7, their leading scorer with 63 points, will likely lead the offensive charge alongside Dcon2Silly. In net, Calxm86 boasts the league’s best numbers with an 87.55% save percentage, providing Dynamo with unmatched defensive security.

MIESKISSAT enters as a heavy underdog. Their top scorer, Kaittssuuu, will need to have the series of his life, supported by key contributions from secondary players like Sarsson. Goalie MikkeH, who struggled in the group stage with a 75% save percentage, must elevate his game to stand a chance against Dynamo’s relentless attack.

Prediction: Dynamo HC advances (4–0)

Maitojuna (3) vs. Reckless Panthers (30) 

This series pits Maitojuna’s high-scoring offense against the defensive-minded Reckless Panthers. Maitojuna’s trio of Minaolenmakke, Annttone, and RAMIFIN combined for over 200 points in the group stage, making them the most potent offensive line in the playoffs. Goaltender FeikkiNambo provides additional confidence with his 87.15% save percentage.

The Reckless Panthers will lean heavily on their defensive structure and the goaltending of Just-Boopi. While their offense, led by Powerdonald99, struggled at times, finding ways to counter Maitojuna’s firepower will be essential. Boopi in particular, will need to raise his game significantly, as his group-stage save percentage of 76% won’t be enough to withstand the onslaught Maitojuna can deliver.

Prediction: Maitojuna advances (4–1)

Lutunilkat (4) vs. RAIDERS HC (29) 

Lutunilkat’s dynamic offense, driven by Mikkihiiri--  and Pyssyh, should give them a clear edge in this matchup. Their chemistry and ability to score in key moments make them a tough team to contain. Goaltender Hiatala_, with his 84.95% save percentage, will need to remain sharp to prevent RAIDERS HC from finding any momentum.

RAIDERS HC will rely on XHowe X 9 to lead their offense. As their leading scorer, XHowe must create opportunities and capitalize on power-play chances. On the defensive side, Duff_Man2309 needs to deliver big performances in goal to keep the series competitive. RAIDERS HC has shown resilience in the group stage, but their defensive inconsistencies could cost them in a longer series.

Prediction: Lutunilkat advances (4–1)

Tikitaka (5) vs. BACKCHECK BOYS (28) 

Tikitaka enters the series as heavy favorites with a balanced roster. Ratamursu69 and Tanskungen lead their offensive efforts, while goaltender HakkisBro’s strong performances have provided a solid foundation. Their ability to play a structured game should allow them to dominate BACKCHECK BOYS.

For BACKCHECK BOYS, the key to success lies in finding offensive production from Ydstie99 and defensive stability from goalie Davvem26. However, with a 77.4% save percentage in the group stage, Davvem will need to elevate his game to keep Tikitaka’s scorers in check.

Prediction: Tikitaka advances (4–1)

 PANIC ON ICE (6) vs. The Solution (27) 

PANIC ON ICE comes into the series with one of the most dangerous offensive units in the league, led by wpaananen, who tallied an incredible 78 points during the group stage. Supported by moikka11 and OMG_ImSoBad, this trio is poised to dominate The Solution. Goalie sMiiga’s steady play will ensure defensive consistency.

The Solution’s hopes rest on the shoulders of their top scorer, skillfull85, and goaltender Liimp_92. While skillfull will need to create offensive opportunities against a superior opponent, Liimp must dramatically improve his save percentage to keep the games competitive.

Prediction: PANIC ON ICE advances (4–0)

Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki (7) vs. HC Ohiveto (26) 

Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki’s well-rounded play gives them the upper hand in this series. Kalsarikalle123 and OUTO HYYPIO lead the offensive charge, while goaltender Larde64 provides a reliable presence in net with his 86.13% save percentage.

HC Ohiveto will look to their star forward Hefezuk85 to lead the offense, but they’ll also need secondary contributions from players like LeMagnifigue2. In net, kasuri1 must step up and improve upon his 79.92% save percentage to give HC Ohiveto a fighting chance.

Prediction: Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki advances (4–1)

KOST Wolves (8) vs. The Ghillie Gang (25) 

This could be one of the tighter series in Round 1. KOST Wolves’ offense, powered by freez_skillers77 and MaroulCZE, has the depth and firepower to outlast The Ghillie Gang. Goalie Lazan31 will need to maintain focus to prevent the Gang from building momentum.

For The Ghillie Gang, XWilssoni must lead the way offensively, while goalie Janucek needs to deliver standout performances to keep his team competitive. The Wolves’ depth gives them the advantage, but the Gang’s grit could push the series to six or seven games.

Prediction: KOST Wolves advance (4–2)

CapeTown Kings (9) vs. Taskubilis (24) 

CapeTown Kings come into this series as the favorites, boasting a potent offense led by sambleri and Peenkuins, who combined for nearly 100 points in the group stage. Their power play was one of the best in the league, converting close to 30% of their opportunities. Moneygunx will need to stay sharp in goal, as Taskubilis has the firepower to challenge them.

Taskubilis, while the lower seed, has offensive threats in Jalitmane10 and Mida13, who both had strong group-stage performances. Their goaltender Lyynas  will need to be at his best to withstand the Kings' offensive onslaught. If Taskubilis can capitalize on defensive mistakes, they may be able to stretch this series.

Prediction: CapeTown Kings advance (4–2) 

Sopranos (10) vs. Salaseura (23) 

This matchup is expected to be tightly contested, with Sopranos bringing a structured, two-way approach led by asaastamo. Their ability to maintain possession and control the tempo will be key in breaking down Salaseura’s defensive setup.

Salaseura will lean on JAMJAM923 and Old_33 to create offense while keeping the Sopranos' attack in check. Aivokuollut_ in goal had an impressive group stage, and if he can maintain that form, this series could go the distance.

Prediction: Sopranos advance (4–3)

Turun Gasellit (11) vs. SKYFALL (22) 

Turun Gasellit had a strong group stage, finishing 3rd in Group 3. Pohjarzinho  and johtaja_lebi, who will need to maintain their scoring form. Their goaltender SirRaitanen had a solid but unspectacular campaign, and this will be a big test for him against SKYFALL’s explosive attack.

SKYFALL’s offense is led by stu_rulez who put up 64 points in the group stage. If he and Koutsinaattori continue their scoring form, SKYFALL could pull off an upset. However, their defense allowed nearly 3.5 goals per game in the group stage, and Stolid-Goalie will need to step up significantly.

Prediction: Turun Gasellit advance (4–3)

ARMEIJAN KURI (12) vs. HC Last Resort (21) 

ARMEIJAN KURI is one of the strongest defensive teams in the tournament, allowing just 2.27 goals per game in the group stage. MutainenMalik and Wirta88 provide the backbone of their structure, while KunKKu_1998 has been rock solid in net.

HC Last Resort will look to Tolliikkii and ESSRV to provide scoring, but their defense will need to step up against ARMEIJAN KURI’s well-structured gameplay. Vxxlle-_- in goal will need to have a standout series for HC Last Resort to pull off an upset.

Prediction: ARMEIJAN KURI advance (4–1)

Koppibuutti (13) vs. Karmadillos (20) 

Koppibuutti relies on their structured gameplay and solid goaltending from Adelyn10. Nixa666 leads their offense with a strong supporting cast, and their disciplined defensive approach gives them an edge in this matchup.

Karmadillos, however, are one of the highest-scoring teams in the playoffs. Stimperi  finished the group stage with 60 points, and Julmuri89 has been a key contributor. If they can break through Koppibuutti’s defense, this series could be closer than expected.

Prediction: Koppibuutti advances (4–2)

Nordic Nosebleed (14) vs. Pulp Odyssey (19) 

Nordic Nosebleed had a solid group stage, finishing 4th in Group 2. Jcarlton89 and Sayatu14 lead their attack, and Jean-Claes provides steady goaltending. They are a balanced team with no glaring weaknesses, which could serve them well in a best-of-seven format.

Pulp Odyssey, meanwhile, has relied on strong defensive play to reach this stage. Risbe85 has been their standout offensive player, but they will need more scoring depth to compete in this series. Goaltender IrJe2023, who posted an 84.93% save percentage in the group stage, will need to continue his strong play.

Prediction: Nordic Nosebleed advance (4–2)

Rusty X (15) vs. NAM3LESS (18) 

This is one of the closest matchups in Round 1. Rusty X relies on defensive discipline, with Kasterly_  leading their offense and ksilentt providing strong goaltending. Their ability to shut down high-powered teams could make them a dark horse in the playoffs.

NAM3LESS, on the other hand, plays a more aggressive style. jimmiNOhands is their key playmaker, and Altsu123  provides additional scoring punch. Their defense, however, has been inconsistent, and goaltender SaberLionZero will need to elevate his game to counter Rusty X’s ofensive setup.

Prediction: Rusty X advances (4–3)

KELAGOLDCARD HC (16) vs. Prowlers (17) 

This is another evenly matched series, with both teams finishing mid-table in their respective groups. KELAGOLDCARD HC relies on Romurallimies and leevijopo01 to generate offense, while K3mpny will need to be steady in goal.

Prowlers, led by the dynamic RHannu, who netted 43 goals in the group stage, have the firepower to win this series. However, their defense has been shaky, conceding over 3.3 goals per game. Goaltender p3h4 will need to find his best form to ensure Prowlers can withstand KELAGOLDCARD’s attack.

Prediction: Prowlers advance (4–3)

With the schedule set and anticipation building, it’s time for the action to begin. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will fall short? The race to the ECL '25 Winter Core championship is officially underway—let the games begin!

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Please post dates, times and links for streams in the comments of this news story and social media, to help everyone find your team streams.

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!

The holiday season is over and it's time for the first round of the playoffs. After an exciting and high-scoring regular season we're down to 32 teams so let's take a quick look at each matchup. These predictions are mostly based on the stats of the regular season and how they've progressed throughout the season. If you have any insights or want to tell me more about your team, feel free to send me a DM here or over on Discord!

Neo Division Playoff schedule (BO5)

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

ROUND OF 32 PREVIEW
 

(1) Fallen Rangers (12-0-0-2) - (32) Davemiehet (7-0-3-8) 

Davemiehet will have their hands full trying to control the offensive powerhouse that Fallen Rangers proved to be in the regular season. @Sebko99 scored the second most goals (63) in all of the ECL divisions and averaged almost 5 goals a game. The series is looking out the be a high-scoring one and that is exactly what Davemiehet doesn't need if they want to have a chance to go through to the next round.

 (2) Salaseurue (10-1-1-2) - (31) Nordic Knights II (6-1-2-7) 

Salaseurue topped Group 2 while Nordic Knights II placed 7th in Group 3. Statistically, these teams are not too far from each other and the series could be tighter than one could expect. Nordic Knights II had a good showing against their group winner and showed that they should not be taken lightly. Both teams have had a lot of movement in the lineup so it will be interesting to see the playoff lineups.

(3) Brothers In Gaming (14-0-0-4) - (30) Eishockeynet Yetis (3-2-0-9)

After finishing 6th in Group 5 Eishockeynet Yetis will have to stop the high-scoring duo @Xx_Vador_98 and @Mesrine_Jak of Brothers In Gaming. They'll have to greatly improve their defense and goaltending or this could be a quick series.

(4) Taifun Veterans (12-0-1-3) - (29) KARIT (4-1-1-8)

Taifun Veterans were expected to be one of the strongest teams heading into the regular season and they delivered with a group win. They've had a balanced offensive output with four players scoring at least 17 goals. KARIT got a surprise ticket to the playoffs and will be heading into the series as big underdogs.

 (5) HC WOLVES (12-2-1-3) - (28) Twisted Clowns (8-0-2-8) 

The series was played over Christmas with HC WOLVES sweeping the series 3-0. Twisted Clowns put up a good fight with two of the games going to OT after late tying goals but ended up falling short in OT. @Skeleton-1978 continued his good form from the regular season with 8 goals and 10 points and @AndyJester posted an impressive 90.41% save percentage to take the team to the second round.

(6) Veljeskunta HC (11-0-0-3) - (27) Stockholm Vikings (7-1-0-8) 

Veljeskunta HC was the second-highest-scoring team in the league and got strong offensive numbers from the whole lineup. They state on their page that they're "a team without defenders" and that will be put up to a test with playoff hockey starting. Stockholm Vikings got half of their goals from @Andreengand will be highly relying on him for goalscoring.

(7) The Worn Out Wiseman (12-1-2-3) - (26) Seurakunta (8-1-2-7) 

These teams faced off already in Group 1 and The Worn Out Wiseman got both wins with a 10-1 goal differential. They allowed the least goals in the whole division with @Samito97 posting 88.12% save percentage. Seurakunta will need a way to get around that wall and powerplay could be their chance if they can keep scoring like they did in the regular season (45.16 PP%). They will still be facing a 93.75% Penalty Kill so it will not be an easy task.

(8) Red Bull Munich Academy (11-1-0-4) - (25) Hannover Indians Esports (4-1-1-8) 

After finding out about foul play in the form of one of their key players discovered playing for 2 teams at once, Red Bull Munich Academy has decided to withdraw from the post-season. As such, Hannover Indians Esports continues to the second round with a walkover win from the series.

(9) Clowns On Ice (12-1-1-4) - (24) THE BOYS ARE BACK (4-1-3-6) 

Clowns On Ice put up good offensive and defensive numbers with @PaddyD1412 leading the pack with 60 points. THE BOYS ARE BACK struggled defensively allowing 6.5 GAA but they did face off against the two highest-scoring teams in the league. They haven't also been able to find a consistent lineup having 12 skaters and 3 goalies play games in the regular season. When you add the experience from Clowns On Ice, they are the big favorites to go through to the next round.

 (10) Viitapohja Vikings (9-1-1-3) - (23) Hc Total Chaos (7-1-0-8) 

Viitapohja Vikings had a solid season all around and are looking to continue that way in the playoffs. Both teams need to improve their special teams and especially powerplay. That being said it could be one of the deciding factors in this series. If Hc Total Chaos can also improve their goaltending, look out for a tight series.

 (11) Kasanovat (11-0-0-3) - (22) Ice raptors (8-2-0-8) 

Kasanovat takes the edge in almost all of the statistics in this matchup. They had a strong offense with almost 6 GF/GP, were good defensively, and also managed to snatch a win against the number one seed in the playoffs. Ice raptors does not fall far behind but they will still be heading into the series as underdogs. The key for them will be to stop the Kasanovat offense while still being able to use their scoring chances. Small improvements overall from Ice raptors could take this series far.

(12) Nordic Knights (11-1-1-5) - (21) Wildcats esport II (9-2-1-6) 

Nordic Knights were one of the stronger defensive teams and had a good regular season in tough Group 1. Wildcats esport II had a rough start to the season but finished very strong. If they can keep up that momentum and manage to score enough goals, it's expected to be a tight series. Both teams are looking to improve their powerplay numbers as those could be deciding the tight games.

 (13) The Flying Elbows (9-3-1-5) - (20) Lassen Lampaat (5-1-0-8) 

Lassen Lampaat didn't have the regular season they were hoping for and are now in for a tough challenge in the playoffs. The Flying Elbows were one of the handful of teams having less than 3 GAA and also scored 12 PPG posting 48% powerplay, topping the league. Lassen Lampaat had a good penalty kill but they need to stay out of the box and they weren't able to do that in the regular season. Special teams and goaltender battle will be deciding factors in the series and both teams have multiple solid options between the pipes.

 (14) Nordic Macabre (7-1-2-6) - (19) Karhukissat (5-2-0-7) 

Nordic Macabre had an up-and-down season with multiple big wins but also some big losses. They will need to find consistency heading into the playoffs. Karhukissat had a strong ending to the regular season but they did struggle defensively against the top teams in Group 5 posting a -16 goal differential. Both teams have multiple players capable of scoring but the goalie battle does slightly favor Nordic Macabre.

(15) Beastie Boys (5-0-4-5) - (18) Viksberg Puckrats (8-0-1-7) 

If you count goals scored and goals against, Beastie Boys were the second last in the league averaging around 3 goals for and against. They heavily relied on @tolltroll1986 who scored 57% of their goals. Viksberg Puckrats on the other end played very high-scoring hockey with multiple players contributing. Beastie Boys will need to find more offense from their other players or they will have a tough time finding goals with the expected tighter defense in playoffs.

 (16) Hawks HC (11-0-0-7) - (17) Moukka HC (8-4-0-6) 

As their seeds tell us these two teams are very evenly matched. Hawks HC top scorers @Hodja and @XxjolinoxX had 55 goals combined and had 51% and 44% shooting percentage respectively. Those numbers are very impressive but they're bound to come down at some point. Moukka HC had strong special teams with 43% PP and 80% PK. Whichever team manages keep their numbers up has a high chance of going through.

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