SportsGamers,

Get ready for an electrifying showdown in the ECL Pro final series as the Gotham Knights clash with Renascor. The two powerhouse teams bring unmatched skill and strategy to the rink, promising a nail-biting battle for supremacy. With star players on both sides, this series is bound to have fans on the edge of their seats the whole series! With high expectations from both sides to win the PRO division, who will claim the coveted championship trophy of the second highest level of European eHockey, we’ll try and take a small peek into this series beforehand and see what all the buzz is about!

(1)  Gotham Knights vs (4)  Renascor

TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Jere @keranee Keränen 14 GP, 20+18=38 vs Evgeny @Virusactive Popov 17 GP, 10+15=25

GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Philip @Discokryckan Johansson 11 GP, 9 W, 87,57 SV%, 1.91 GAA, 2 SO vs Joona @Hullued Saarinen 17 GP, 12 W, 83,43 SV%, 1.76 GAA, 4 SO

REGULAR SEASON RECORD
21-3-2-4 vs 19-3-2-6

This upcoming week we’ll see who will play in Elite next season, and who will play another series in the upcoming weeks to take that last and final step towards the highest tier of European eHockey. With all predictions this writer has seen, heard, and asked about from different tiers of ECL, every single one had the same response, “Gotham takes it”, this should serve as nothing else but hard motivation for Renascor to take the win here and show everybody they’re wrong.

With an astounding 38 points (20+18) in 14 games, all eyes will be on Jere @keranee Keränen to step up and take this team back to Elite where they once upon a time had their opponent on their knees, he’ll get some much-needed help with all forwards putting up decent points this postseason. Assuming we’ll see Philip @Discokryckan Johansson in net for the final series, the goalie matchup will be fierce as outfielder-turned-goalie Joona @Hullued Saarinen, will start for Renascor and make sure his team has a fighting chance in this series.

With Renascor battling it out in the semis, and proving this writer wrong with taking out Purification, they seem to have nothing to lose, other than a spot in Elite of course, this will be the ultimate test for Evgeny @Virusactive Popov who will finally have a chance to take his team the whole nine yards. If Renascor can keep the games low scoring, they will have a chance of beating the heavily favoured Gotham Knights with a few goals here and there, if Gotham gets their flow going, this will be a quick series ending in the favour of Gotham, tight defence and finishing your chances is the name of the game, whoever executes in these areas will take home that trophy.

Prediction: Gotham 4-1

It's time for the ECL '24: Winter - Core Semifinals, and without further ado, let's jump into our Semifinal Preview!

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Semifinals: 23.-29.1.
  • Finals: 31.1.-1.2. *

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.
 

Semifinal Previews: Matchup 1

 SACK BROTHERS (2) vs  BushWhackers (12)

Between these two matchups, this one could be probably called some kind of a David vs Goliath matchup, although both teams have skilled individuals and good team chemistry.

Sack Brothers have a lot of experience from many seasons in ECL Lite, Pro, the Elite Qualifiers, and as a matter of fact, they won the ECL Lite 10 championship back in the day with some of the same players in their current lineup. 

On paper, Sack Brothers could have arguably the best roster in the Core division this season and that could indeed be the case since they finished the regular season as the #2 seed and have been going strong playoff run recording only 2 losses so far. Their expected starting goalie in this series @Janucek has been outstanding between the pipes with a save percentage of 92.41 and a GAA of 0.86 being #1 in both stats in the playoffs.

Speaking about stats-leading players, C/RW @Jjomppa has been one of the most point-producing players in Core, finishing #2 in the regular season (41G+53A=94P) and is leading the playoffs in points (37G+18A=55P) with a remarkable difference to other names on the top and making it even more impressive; in a significantly lower amount of games played than anyone else in the top 5. And if that's not enough to think about for BushWhackers, @snippystatue is currently #6 (22G+19A=41P) so they really have to figure something out to stop them from continuing point-bursting like that.

That being said, stopping firepower is something that BushWhackers managed to do, as their solid defense and @HiBaZiBa- finessed 3 shutouts in the Quarterfinals, where they defeated last season's Core champion HC Gaming (previously named French Eagles), whose every 3 starter forward is currently in the top 5 in playoff points. While Sack Brothers is the more experienced team and have mostly dominated their way to the semifinals, for most players in BushWhackers this has been the second or even first season in the ECL. For example, @BounTy JokerZ is having his debut season, yet finished #4 in regular season points (28G+64A=92P), and @Pensasmies finished his second regular season in a row as a top 2 in points for defensemen.

After just barely missing playoffs last Core season, rebranding the team, and the addition of @hifk_FANI as a versatile player rotating on different positions yet still #5 in defensemen points and @esdor bringing big energy in the roster they have been taking big steps at growing their team together and showing up with a solid 6 so far just at the times when they have been needing it the most. After beating the previously mentioned reigning champion in the rollercoaster series in game 7, also beating Lutunilkat in an entertaining thriller series in game 7 shutting off their deadliest weapon @Wpaanane in the series before that, they surely have every bit of confidence needed to take one extra win in the do-or-die moments. If this series needs a game 7 again, maybe this will be an advantage for BushWhackers?

Another interesting thing to follow is how former Pro teammates - hifk_fani vs @IKarkkiI & jjomppaa - from RCTIC will play against each other. Both sides would definitely love to take the final spot over familiar faces. Maybe it gives a different approach compared to their previous series in these playoffs as they might know what tricks the opponent has up their sleeves?  

Prediction:

@Pekedipeks: Sack Brothers 4-3

How to follow the series

Sack Brothers feed: https://twitch.tv/snippystatue

BushWhackers feed: https://twitch.tv/pensasmiess

Semifinal Previews: Matchup 2

 Mights (7) vs  Belissimo (9)

Mights was formed during the offseason and as a new squad had some ups and downs at the beginning of the regular season. They also had some mid-season roster changes but in the end got their puzzle pieces together and finished second in Group 1 with seed #7 into the playoffs.

Instead of having one top-scoring player, all of their three main forwards got points evenly throughout the regular season. Their defense has been solid with a brilliant PK% (92.45) in the regular season and @Madladcas making huge saves which also may have been the biggest key point of their playoff run. They have been playing with a convincing mentality when playing under pressure, being 1-3 down in the round 2 series against Rusty Bulls, yet managed to scramble their way to a game 7 win. And not only that, but manager another 7-game series win right after that in the quarterfinals against Aspyre Dragons.

On the other side of the ice to face this newly-formed defensive team is Belissimo - the team who have played together for a few seasons having made their debut as a team in the ECL 12 season. Will there be any kind of difference seen due to more experience playing as a squad? While Mights did not have any skaters as the top scorers in the regular season, Belissimo's d-men @SirSamul1 and @Pyllyhaiseva both were productive ending the regular season as #3 (16+25=41) and #6 (5+32 = 37) in defensemen points. 

When two possibly even lineups of similar playstyles meet, a goalie battle could be a big factor in deciding the outcome of the series, which I would also predict to be pretty even as Belissimo's goalie @Odexm also has been doing a great job in the playoffs being #4 in save percentage (82.99). Both teams' goalies have been doing a decent amount of work to achieve this with 16 & 17 games played in 3 rounds.

Prediction:

@Pekedipeks: Belissimo 4-3

@hifk_FANI: Belissimo 4-3

How to follow the series

Gotham Knights feed: https://twitch.tv/madladcas

ECL '24: Winter - SportsGamer Wraparound:
The Wraparound covers what's been happening in the ECL '24: Winter - Elite, Pro, Lite, Core & Neo Divisions. We also look at the results for the first two Leijonat eHockey tournaments and the excitement of the PlayStation Showdown.

ECL '24: Winter - Core Prize Pool:

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

16 became eight. Eight has become four. Four is about to become two. Ahead of the ECL ’24: Winter – Elite Semifinals, SportsGamer Guest Writer Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt goes in-depth with each of the Final Four teams in their Quest for the Cup…

A DIFFERENT TEAM

It is said that you never read the same book twice. At face value, it is an inane statement. 

“Surely, I have read my favorite book more than one time, and you can’t tell me I haven’t.”

That’s not the point, though. The point is that each and every time you read a book, you are inherently a different person. The things you experience in life – good and bad – continuously shape you into something different from what you once were.
Maybe not from one day to another, but certainly from one year to another.

And so, the Lord of the Rings you read when you were 12 years old is not the same Lord of the Rings you read 20 years later. You are a vastly different person, connecting with different themes in the text, making it a different reading experience. 

For all intents and purposes: a different book.

The hREDS of 2024 is not the same hREDS that nipped at the heels of FILA in ECL Elite for several tournaments before dethroning them. Nor is it the same hREDS that reigned supreme in Elite in for what felt like – and probably was – literal years, before finally being forced to bow down.

The players are mostly the same, the game style is similar to what it always has been. But the players that make up the team are inherently different. The things they’ve experienced in the ECL – euphoria as well as heartbreak – have shaped them into something different.
For all intents and purposes: a different team.

So, what is hREDS in 2024? Leave it to left defenseman Aaro @xDoumi Ruuhinen to explain things.

“hREDS in 2024 is a hungry team”, the former ECL Defender of the Year-recipient says. “Our goal every season is to win the title. When we don’t, we consider the season a disappointment. It’s been a while since we won our last title though, so now… we want to win as much as possible. There is a hunger there.”

“I don't see any reason why we can't win the championship this season”, Ruuhinen adds. “We are playing really well at the moment.”

Indeed, they are.

hREDS won 23 out of 30 games in the regular season yet finished fourth in the standings – a testament to the quality of play in the Elite division. But also a testament to the fact that hREDS went through some changes in the off-season. 

Forward Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen missed two thirds of the regular season due to his commitment to the Finnish military service and two-time champion center Aleksi @MozjaTG Kähkönen, formerly of Tunnel Vision, was brought in to play at a position fairly new to him: right wing. 

At the same time, hREDS brought in a new goaltender in Sebastian @FINSeRe Remes. 

“‘Mozja’ was a really big help for the team when we needed a replacement for ‘Nikke’”, says Ruuhinen. “I remember how he stepped up to secure a couple of regular season games for us this season with his goals. He played well the whole season. The team didn’t always play up to its capabilities, but that wasn’t on him.”

“At the same time, you can’t overstate how important ‘Nikke’ is to hREDS. He is a long-term member of the team and in my opinion the most skilled and mechanically gifted player in Europe.”

With his military service now over, Tukiainen has returned to man the RW spot for the team.

As for goaltending, Ruuhinen says the team has been more than happy with Remes

“’Sere’ has played really well, we have no criticisms there. He currently has the second-highest save percentage in the playoffs, so, we can just let the statistics speak for themselves.”

When it came time for the playoffs, hREDS didn’t waste any time in setting up their Semifinal appearance, dispatching Radical – featuring friend-turned-foe @Tuukka.R (KingOfApes_) – in a swift five-game series (4-1) in the Quarterfinals.

And after all, it is not all that surprising that hREDS seems to have raised their level going into the playoffs. This is a team that was, is and probably always will be, built for the postseason. A team that has experienced everything the Elite division has had to throw at them through the years – and more often than not has come out on top. 

Image: The Tunnel Vision roster, from left to right: NikkeDangles, Beniittto, FINSeRe, Vilupoika, Teemuyy, xdoumi & Mozjayh

“I don’t think the regular season matters all that much in the end”, says Ruuhinen. “All the teams that reach the semifinal stage are there for a reason. You should always have the mindset that it doesn't matter who you face. To be the best, you must beat the best.”

Leading the way for the team in both regular season – winning the scoring title by a 13-point margin with 90 points (43+47) in 30 games – and the playoffs, has been superstar center Perttu @Beniittto Kemppainen.

“Perttu has always been a great player”, says Ruuhinen. “He is our captain and leader – and he really picked up the squad and carried it in his backpack during the regular season. I hope the same momentum continues for him in the playoffs.”

So, what’s the secret?

“Perttu said he quit energy drinks and replaced them with water, maybe that's it?”

As for his own regular season, where he scored an impressive 42 points (4+38) in 30 games, Ruuhinen places the emphasis on his partnership with equally gifted defender Teemu @Teemuyy Polttila:

“I think I played quite well throughout the season. My role has changed a bit, though. I feel like I don't have to focus as much on the offensive side of the game when I have Teemu playing next to me. He enjoys carrying the puck just as much as I do.”

Now, the time has come to face off with a familiar, yet inherently different, opponent in Straikers. And while hREDS is still made up of the mostly the same exact members that they’ve always been, they too are a different team. 

United in their hunger for another title win.

“What makes this team special, outside of the players’ skill, is of course the fact that we have played together for such a long time and become good friends”, says Ruuhinen. “That bond is something special.”
 

Watch the ECL Elite Semifinals at twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG

16 became eight. Eight has become four. Four is about to become two. Ahead of the ECL ’24: Winter – Elite Semifinals, SportsGamer Guest Writer Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt goes in-depth with each of the Final Four teams in their Quest for the Cup… 

A TARGET ON YOUR BACK 

Being the best at what you do means having a target on your back. It means others will want to take you down, either to prove themselves or to install themselves in your place. This happens to every champion, of every sport, in all forms of competition. The ECL Elite is no different. The skaters of Straikers – made up of parts from former powerhouses HAVU and FILA/Frölunda – experienced it for a number of tournaments. hREDS experienced it for years once they dethroned the former champions. 

And now, no target is bigger than the one on the backs of two-time reigning champions Tunnel Vision.

While the team is currently still the apex predator of the competitive scene, other predators are circling – probing for weaknesses and waiting for the chance to strike. Like great white sharks, waiting for that first drop of blood to appear before initiating their attack. 

Some would say that the first drop of blood has already been drawn; that it was in the water even before this season began.

Indeed, deciding to replace a (potentially) vital cog in the machine that brought you two straight championships is no small thing. Yet, that is what Tunnel Vision decided to do when they recruited outspoken star forward Kristian @kriketski17 Veijola to man the center spot that had previously been occupied by Aleksi @MozjaTG Kähkönen.

But if you thought 23-year-old Veijola would feel any additional pressure to perform under such circumstances, you’d be wrong. 

“To be honest, (the pressure) does not affect me personally”, says Veijola. “I have played with many of these players before and I know how they like to go about things.” 

Around the same time Veijola was brought on to replace Kähkönen, goaltending stalwart and former ECL cover athlete Niklas @uhNikke Nieminen left the team for Straikers, leaving Tunnel Vision with the unenviable task of trying to replace a championship-winning goalie. The choice fell on Ben @benu Rinnet, a long-time Elite netminder who had already caught the eye of several top teams over the years during his extended run as the number one for the Unlucky Boys/YMCA Esports franchise.

At this point of the story, it is important to note that the ECL ’24: Winter edition of Tunnel Vision has thus far been successful in fending off any and all attackers brave enough to challenge them. The team finished first overall in the standings during the regular season and managed to defeat the #8 seed The Black Jacks by a 4-2 margin in the playoff quarterfinals. 

Furthermore, both of the new recruits have fared well with the team; Veijola by matching his career-best in Elite with 65 points (30+35) in 30 games and Rinnet by notching an 85,19 save percentage, 1,75 GAA and two shutouts over 16 games, amongst shared goaltending duties with long-time Tunnel Vision back-up – and former ECL champion himself – Oskari @SibeIius Grönroos (14GP, 88,13%, 1,36 GAA, 4 SO). 

“The thing is… because of these roster changes we know there are a couple of teams out there that think they are stronger than Tunnel”, says Veijola. “We are here to find out if that is true or not.” 

Well, so far, so good. 

Both Veijola and Rinnet seem to have handled the newfound target on their backs quite well, adequately adapting to everyday life on a championship team. A life which the Core Four of Veeti @Wenger Paloneva, Tomi @tombo_02 Laitinen, Valtteri @Vattuyy Virtanen and Arttu @laitineen64 Laitinen have grown accustomed to.

But as far as the recruits themselves… well, they couldn’t be more different. Where Rinnet is ice – displaying unshakable calmness between the pipes, rarely taking a wrong step in the crease – Veijola is fire. 

Image: The Tunnel Vision roster, from left to right: Kriketsi, Tomboo-_-, @Pikkardz, wengerii,Laiitinen, benuh_, Vattuyy, SibeIius

The former GOONS captain and general manager utilizes the same passion and fervor on the ice – lining up massive hits, dangling his way through crowds and firing the puck with malicious intent – that he uses to handle his opponents off the ice. As for who his opponents off the ice are… well, judging by the centers’ social media feed over the past few months, it could be pretty much anyone. Upcoming semifinal opponent Vesa Pompa was one of the teams to take a good lick as Tunnel Vision scored two convincing wins over the team during the regular season.
 

As this writer can personally attest to, it is not always fun being on ‘krikes’ bad side. And yet, hidden beneath the steely exterior, there is a fun-loving personality who simply enjoys a bit of smack talk.

“Honestly, most of it is just me having a bit of fun”, Veijola explains. “I do enjoy making things a bit spicy. Having conflicts between players and teams makes the games more special… suddenly, there is a story to it. Naturally I am going to try and knock my opponents’ teeth in when they talk smack at me, and I know that they would love to do the same to me. To me, that is good."

"These days, it seems everybody just plays – there is not enough emotion involved in the game.”

For Tunnel Vision, a team that was already hunted, the addition of one of the communities’ strongest personalities certainly hasn’t made the target on their backs any smaller. Then again, perhaps that “us against the world”-mentality is exactly what this squad needed – a well-placed shot in the arm, if you will – as they pursue their third straight championship.

An ECL championship win, by the way, that if it happens would be Veijolas first. As one of the best players in Elite yet to have win a championship, you’d think that would be on his mind going into the next round of the playoffs.

Turns out, you’d be wrong again. 

“I don’t really think about it. It will come when the time is right.” 

Is it now?

Watch the ECL Elite Semifinals at twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG

16 became eight. Eight has become four. Four is about to become two. Ahead of the ECL ’24: Winter – Elite Semifinals, SportsGamer Guest Writer Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt goes in-depth with each of the Final Four teams in their Quest for the Cup… 

CLIMBING EVEREST AGAIN

To climb Mount Everest, you need commitment. You need passion, but also patience. Hunger, but also poise. An iron will, but also an ability to be flexible.

Don’t take my word for it, I’ve never ventured up a tall mountain – much less the world’s highest peak. But those who have climbed it and lived to tell the tale speak of the burning desire to reach the top, but also the unrelenting struggle to do so as every element around you – the cold, the ice, the altitude, the very air you breathe – is working around the clock to try and stop you.

But what happens when you’ve already climbed Everest once? Once you’ve already felt that sense of accomplishment; that feeling of absolute pride in completing a task that many might deem impossible.

Once you’ve been at the top of the mountain… are you still willing to put absolutely everything you have into doing it all over again, knowing you can never recapture that sense of first-time accomplishment?

Now, let’s get a few things out of the way. Winning the ECL Elite title is not the same thing as climbing Mount Everest. There are no elements out to kill you while progressing through the Elite playoffs – at least none that I am aware of – nor will there be a mention of ECL winners in the history books 100 years from now. 

But winning the ECL Elite title, the Cup if you will, is in fact the absolute highest peak of EASHL competition in Europe. Almost a decade into the SportsGamer era, the number of players that can claim they’ve stood at the very peak of this particular mountain still only numbers in the dozens – even with over 20,000 users registered at the website today.

So, when you have a team full of players that have reached the top not just once or twice, but whose combined Elite “summits” number in the dozens, how do you go about motivating yourself to once again make the climb?

Turns out, 27-year-old Straikers RD Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha has asked himself that very question on a number of occasions:

“To be honest, I've had to look at myself in the mirror a few times in the last couple of years”, Kuha admits. “Just to ask myself why I still play, you know? With the players we have on this team… I think our legacy has already been established, in a way, and we don't need to prove anything to anyone.”

Don’t mistake Kuha's doubts and musings for weakness, though. He still demands the very best of himself – and his teammates, for that matter.

“I guess it just comes back to the competitive mindset most, if not all, of us have had since childhood. It is simply a part of you. To me, seeing and hearing the passion in our party chat and the joy that winning brings… that’s what drives me. Never, ever would I fail my team because I lacked motivation or focus. I want to win with, and for, the boys.”

“Give 100 percent, or step aside. I don’t accept anything less.”

Kuha, now in his second season as a defenseman after an illustrious career as a center and right winger, finished top-10 in defensive scoring for a second straight ECL, notching 36 points (5+31) in 30 games.

It’s fair to say the transition from forward to defender has been a smooth one for Kuha.

“I felt horrible at right-wing back in ECL '23: Winter. It was the first time in my playing career I’ve felt uncomfortable at forward. The idea to change back to defense was definitely there during that season, but it took a push from @Eki (Erik Tammenpää) for me to actually do it.”

“The idea was to get the old ‘Eki’-‘ @Patzlaf (Joonas Paatiala) combo back and it’s been working better this way. Playing with a new group of players and at a new position has given me a fresh perspective on the game.”

After helping to lead his team Straikers – the roster previously represented Frölunda HC but was signed by the Finnish esport organization going into NHL 24 – to a second place-finish in the regular season, Kuha has continued to perform well for the team in the postseason, posting seven points (0+7) in six playoff games.

The Elite Quarterfinals series, which saw Straikers eliminate unexpected success story Unwanted by way of six hard-fought games, offered the team some unexpected adversity. Four of the games took overtime to decide and all but one ended by a one-goal margin.

The series featured a new-look Straikers, as the team decided to enlist another high-profile forward in Ilmari @Puantso Lehkonen to serve as left defenseman towards the end of the regular season.

“Well, we agreed before the season that @pikkuroger (Roope Bergström) would assume the left-wing spot when he finished his military service. At the same time, @Nassustelija (Kristian-Mikael Katajisto) wasn’t sure if he’d be available for all playoff dates”, Kuha explains. “We decided to try and add some versatility to our blueline.”

“‘Puantso’ is one of the greatest players in this game, he has excellent hockey-IQ, and we believe he can find his own style as a defenseman. It might take some time, but we’ve been liking his game.”

Image: The Straikers roster, from left to right: pikkuroger, Patzlaf, puantso, @Hansulinho,FlyerKungen, @uhNikke, EkiOriginal & Nassustelija
 

It remains to be seen how quickly the Straikers can get their game firing on all cylinders, as their semifinal matchup will see them go up against a familiar opponent; equally experienced – yet slightly younger – former Elite champions hREDS.

And while age is just a number and experience helps to make up for any loss in reaction time or thumb dexterity, Kuha says getting older has changed his outlook on things. After all, the Finnish native has been at, or near, the absolute top of the league for almost a decade at this point. 

Near the peak of ECL's own Mount Everest.

“Honestly, I’m having more fun these days. I don’t take everything as seriously as I used to. I am calmer and I think twice before acting on my emotions. When I first started out, I was almost looking for conflict as I wanted to show everyone what I could do. I don't know if that was some mental tactic to boost myself to reach my goals, or something. These days I still want to win just as badly, but I handle losing better.”

And if he could do it all over again?

“If I could talk to my younger self, I’d tell him to respect every player out there, especially your teammates, and to just calm down. Being humble and working hard will get you what you deserve in the end.”

Watch the ECL Elite Semifinals at twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG

16 became eight. Eight has become four. Four is about to become two. Ahead of the ECL ’24: Winter – Elite Semifinals, SportsGamer Guest Writer Hampus “l-Furyan-l” Duvefelt goes in-depth with each of the Final Four teams in their Quest for the Cup.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE UNDERDOGS

It is a tale as old as time. That of the underdog, the unlikely winner, staring down an overwhelming opponent, yet refusing to bow down or go quietly into the night.

Most underdogs fall short. Rarely do you hear those stories told. But is precisely that fact, that slim chance of success, that makes the underdog so appealing. It is why we cheer when Tony Stark fulfills the 1-in-14-million-chance of snapping Thanos out of existence, or when Han Solo successfully navigates an asteroid field even though the odds of doing so are 3270-to-1. 

The underdog is not expected to triumph. But boy is it spectacular when they do. 

You’d be excused for thinking that’s how the players of classic ECL franchise Vesa Pompa are hyping themselves up going into the Elite semifinals vs. #1 seed and reigning ECL champions Tunnel Vision.

But this is not your average underdog story and Vesa Pompa is not your average underdog team. This is a team brimming with confidence that is playing in its second straight Elite semifinal. A team that grabbed a point in 23 of 30 games this past regular season, scored the sixth most goals in the league, allowed the fifth fewest goals among all teams – and still considered it a “so-so” regular season.

Between the six skaters expected to take the ice for Vesa in the series against Tunnel Vision, they boast several national championship titles, plenty of high-level international experience, multiple LAN appearances and, lest we forget, the ECL 24 Winter cover athlete.

“Both teams in this series are really skilled”, says Adam @dzouvi Menšík, who is playing in his fifth Elite season and recently tied his career-high in the ECL top division with 45 points in 30 games.

“Tunnel Vision might be the favorites, but we are playing in our second straight semifinal, so we kind of know what to expect.”

Menšík, playing the right flank in a potent Vesa forward line that features 30-goal scorer Anton @antoniomannen004 Svensander to the left and two-way monster Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund in the middle, is the most decorated Czech player in the SportsGamer era – both 1v1 and 6v6 – and the first non-Scandinavian player to ever feature as the cover athlete.

“Back when I first began playing here at SportsGamer, it was my dream to one day be in Elite and to play with and against the best players on the European scene. I hope that in the future we’ll see more Czech players make the same journey as I have. At one point I had hoped to be a part of a sort of “national team” of Czech and Slovak players, similar to what the Black Jacks represent for the DACH area, but those plans have been shelved.”

“For now, at least.”

Even though he seems to finally have taken the step from underrated talent to established top-level Elite performer, even securing a spot as the cover athlete, 22-year-old Menšík says he has not felt any additional pressure to perform this past season. 

“No, no additional pressure for me”, says Menšík. “If anything, (the cover) increased my motivation to play even better than before. It is a huge honor.”

But even if Menšík, Svensander, Eklund and defenseman Sebastian @SebbeLarsen86 Larsen – a fan-favorite around the league due to his signature end-to-end rushes – are all established Elite performers with various title wins to their names, the team still features two rookies on its roster; defenseman Oliver @Pappen Papmehl and goaltender Santeri @kkostiiii Kostiainen.

Menšík made a point to shoutout Kostiainen after Vesa managed to defeat #3 seed JYP Jyväskylä in the first round of the Elite playoffs. The series ended 4-2 in Vesas favour, with Kostiainen allowing a total of eight goals through six games. 

Papmehl, having scored 30 points (4+26) in 30 games, and Kostiainen, with 18 wins, 4 shutouts, an 82,8 save percentage and a 2,17 goals against average in his first taste of Elite action, have both made strong cases to be considered for the Rookie of the Year crown this season.

Team captain Eklund, at 23 already an Elite veteran and almost four years removed from his own rookie season in the top division, couldn’t be happier with what he’s seen from the duo this season. 

“The way they’ve stepped up this season has been huge for us”, says Eklund. “Initially, we weren’t entirely sure what we were going to get, but we hit it off with both players – we already knew pappen quite well – and it’s been a joy watching them both grow as players over the last couple of months. They both deserve a lot of credit for the way they’ve handled themselves during their rookie seasons in Elite.” 

Image: The Vesa Pompa roster, from left to right: @EDHOLMEN3, pappeen, eken45jr, antoniomannen_, Dzouvi_, kkostiiii & Sebbelarsen86

Still, making the playoffs is one thing, winning the quarterfinals is another. And facing the reigning champions in a semifinal? Well... let's just say Vesa Pompa are up against a tough opponent.

Tunnel Vision notched two decisive victories over Vesa Pompa by scores of 5-0 and 5-1 during the regular season – the most lopsided defeats all season for the mostly Swedish side. But Eklund, who himself has found another gear in the playoffs – going from being the third forward on the team in terms of goals (19) and points (43) during the regular season to leading the squad in goals (6) and points (9) in the postseason – says the Vesa of today is different than the one who lost to Tunnel all the way back in November.

“We struggled a lot in the first 10-15 games, we couldn’t get our game going”, says Eklund. “It probably comes back to us not playing enough together as a unit during the pre-season. About halfway through the regular season, we decided to have me and Dzouvi switch positions, him going to right-wing and me taking center.”

“Once we made that adjustment, we really took off.”

In the end, despite all their experience, their previous success, and their confidence in their own (considerable) abilities, Vesa Pompa will still be considered the underdogs going into the ECL Elite Semifinals. At least by those on the outside looking in. But perhaps that is not such a bad thing. Because after all, who among us doesn’t love to root for the underdog?

In the words of a famous space smuggler and scoundrel:

“Never tell me the odds!”
 

Watch the ECL Elite Semifinals at twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG

SportsGamers,

As we approach the end of the ECL '24: Winter season, we still have the best of the ECL Pro division remaining. Four teams, two of whom will make it to the coveted final, but only one of them can be crowned champion of the Pro division. As always, the playoffs are the most exciting time of the year, and this season is no exception; underdogs prevail, and new names come up clutch for their team when they need them the most. Goalies, carrying their team. In this preview, we’ll take a look at both matchups, some of the players, and everything in between.

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Semifinals: 18.-23.1.
  • Finals: 25.-29.1. *
  • Promotion Battles: 1.-7.2.

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Semifinal Previews: Matchup 1

 Gotham Knights (1) vs   GIFU Hockey (7) 

In this highly anticipated semifinal matchup, GIFU Hockey and Gotham Knights are set to clash on the ice in a battle that promises to be a thrilling showcase of skill and determination. Both have worked hard enough to earn a spot in the finals, but only one of these teams can make it. Both teams have been at it for a long time. Knights under a few different names and different players. GIFU have grinded their way in Pro for a long time, and when I say long, I mean a very long time. From ECL 11 in Lite to playing Pro qualifiers not that many months ago.

With a strong quarterfinal showdown by GIFU, they will take this momentum to the regular season winners and hope to ride this wave to a championship. It’s been a pleasure watching them for a long time now and seeing their success. With a little mix of that Swedish talent, they have now taken their club to a spot where they will end up with some prize money - now it’s up to them to grow the amount of the winnings.

With their goalie @Sundstroom absolutely standing on his head in these playoffs for GIFU, there are not a lot of teams that can break him. An 87.84 save percentage and 1.61 goals against average is something not many can achieve in the Pro regular season, yet somehow he managed to up his game in the playoffs, with an astounding 90.23 save percentage and 1.3 goals against average so far. Don't, however, take anything away from GIFU Hockey's magnificent team defense in front of their star goalie who right now looks like a lock for playoffs MVP for GIFU Hockey. 21 points so far for all of Gifu Hockey forwards - this should come in handy when the game is on the line, as it's tough to defend a team where everybody puts up points.

Let us not forget the best team in the regular season, Gotham Knights, impressive all around for this team. Most of their team have at some point in their career played at the highest level of European virtual hockey - ECL Elite. That should tell us all we need to know: they are all extremely skilled and GIFU Hockey will be walking into their toughest matchup yet so far this season. When these two teams met in the regular season both teams took home 3 points, with both games being 1 goal games. If this does not excite you, I don’t know what will! This is ECL at its best. With Gotham Knights boasting the best offense in ECL Pro this season with 107 goals, if they can break GIFU Hockey's defense, this will be a short series. With the likes of @Rimpe (Rimpe37) leading the team, and @keranee not far behind, this team is also stacked on defense with a guy most of us NHLers know, @iilmarii, 8 games, 5+17. Not only does he lead the playoffs among defencemen in points, but he is 5th in points for all skaters, yes 5th! So be sure to tune in for some great hockey between these two teams!
 

Keys to the matchups:

1. Offense, offense, offense: Can GIFU match the offense of Gotham Knights? Most likely not, but will that stop them? Don't count on that. If they can, GIFU will take the series and advance.

2. Goalies: Specifically, the one this writer has been following these playoffs. Can he be the star we’ve seen he can be, or will the highest-scoring offense in ECL Pro finally get to him?

3. Nerves: Whose hands are shaking when it matters the most? With a tie game in game 7, who has the nerves to make that final play that takes their team to the final?

Prediction:

Hifk_fani: 4-2 Gotham Knights

@ripKeisari: 4-1 Gotham Knights

Interviews

We had a chance to talk to both teams before the matchup - here's what they had to say.
 

What are the biggest changes in your team from last season?

Gotham: "We are a completely new roster coming up to this season, but we already were familiar faces and friends with each other so it was easy to start grinding together this fall."

GIFU: "The team has changed quite a lot, there were a lot of twists and turns in the offseason. Three new guys were brought in over the summer, and since then we've been working together. Playing-wise, maybe the biggest change has been that we've been better with the puck and much better both on defense and offense. Overall, a pretty big change."

How are you preparing for this upcoming semifinal against your opponent?

Gotham: "We have a good flow going on right now so we just try to play as much as possible to keep that going."

GIFU: "Gotham is by far the toughest team we played against in the regular season and we know that this is not going to be easy. It's pretty well known how they play and we'll try to hit them. But in the big picture, we will try to play with our strengths and see where it is enough."
 

How do you feel your game compares to that of your opponent?

Gotham: "GIFU plays really solid team defense with amazing goaltending. Also, they rely a lot on punishing opponents on counter attacks. We more or less like to control the puck and play as much as possible in the offensive zone. So it's gonna be an interesting series."

GIFU: "Gotham likes to play a lot with the puck and they are very good at rubbing the pressure on the puck, while we play pretty straightforward. We managed to win the second game of the regular season, but it wasn't easy. Quite a lot of squatting on the defensive end. The guy plays with good composure, we could learn from it sometimes, even though it's good to be straightforward."

Series predictions: 

Gotham: "The better team wins."

GIFU: "Let's hope it will be a steady and entertaining series, it would be boring if Gotham didn't lose any games in the playoffs. G7 OT ordered! Can @ReDMisTi keep his head calm in the faceoff circle when I tie him up, and all of a sudden make a stick lift?"

How to follow the series

The series kicks off tonight at 19:30 CET. 

Gotham Knights feed: https://www.twitch.tv/redmisti

GIFU Hockey feed:  https://www.twitch.tv/Azzez_88

Semifinal Previews: Matchup 2

 Purification (2) vs  Renascor (4) 

One of the more defensive-minded matchups in these playoffs between Purification and Renascor will be as exciting as a masters chess match, which will be defined by the stalwart defense and special teams' play. These two teams have a lot to play for and hopefully, we’ll get a series that goes beyond 6 games.

With a good regular season by Purification, they set themselves up well for the playoffs with the number 2 seed and 2.32 points per game in the regular season. Only Gotham Knights was able to beat that by a slim margin of .05 points per game and taking the number one seed. @LaxenHD is paving the way for Purification in the playoffs with a strong performance so far in these playoffs with 19 goals in only 14 games. As such he will definitely throw his hat in the ring for MVP of these playoffs if Purification can take themselves to the finals. Another impressive postseason performance should be mentioned: the guy between the pipes - @karlssonadam_ - this season for Purification. He has been stealing games and with an impressive 1.50 GAA in the regular season, it can be said if he keeps this up, it won't be long before the Elite teams come knocking. Can Purification keep up their defensive prowess? Will Laxenhd score even more goals?

Renascor on the other hand has had the same core of players for a while now with talented centerman @Virusactive leading the way in the regular season. We’ll see if the rest of Renascor can step up and help out their captain. With 117 penalty minutes (3rd most of all playoff teams) in the regular season, if you in the playoffs let a team like Purification on the powerplay too often, you make winning games an awful lot harder. Hopefully, with the trusty combination of defenceman for Renascor in @Motov (motzzyy) and @Serg1vratar (nyambl4) they will take on a defense-first Purification. Can the captain of Renascor contain the sometimes overeager on offense motzzyy? Can the boys in red white and blue overcome the hard defence of Purification? Will Renascor have enough firepower to reach the final?

Key to the Matchup:

1. Goalies: In my very faded memory of these two teams, whoever comes out with the better goalie in this series takes the win and advances. Cold hard nerves of the young Swede vs the older goalie for the Russians

2. Left-wingers: @Oxdoggi vs Laxenhd, both are extremely talented, both are 200-foot players with a good eye for the goal

3. Special teams: If Renascor can’t stay out of the box, this series will end fast.

Predictions:

hifk_fani: 4-1 Purification

@ripKeisari 4-1 Purification

Interviews

We had a chance to talk to both teams before the matchup - here's what they had to say.

What are the biggest changes in your team from last season?

Purification:  "We have two new players in the starting lineup, Johansson with a big push for our offense game, and Adam, one of the best goalies in the Pro League."

Renascor: "We haven’t changed much, we only got another goalie, who performs as great as most goalies who play with us."

How are you preparing for this upcoming semifinal against your opponent?

Purification: "Just try to focus on our game and stick to our game plan."

Renascor: "Some vod watching, applying the tasks."

How do you feel your game compares to that of your opponent?

Purification: "They play with forces and with speed and the big tipper ability. We try to play cycle hockey and controlled hockey."

Renascor: "Both teams like to fast-attack opponents"

Prediction?

Purification: "Tight series, 4-3, game 7 and we take the W"

Renascor: "Series: 4:2 Renascor"

How to follow the series

The series continues tonight at 21:00 CET. Purification leads 2-0.

 Purification feed: http://twitch.tv/PurificationNHL

 Renascor feed: https://www.twitch.tv/Renascor_NHL
 

ECL '24: Winter - Pro Prize Pool:

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

SportsGamers,

Esports enthusiasts and NHL video game aficionados, brace yourselves for the upcoming one-on-one battles in the ECL '24: Winter - 1v1 season that kicks off our ECL 1v1 year. As the frosty season unleashes its chilly embrace, gamers are gearing up to face off in a series of intense qualifiers set to take place on the 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th of February. The season will be played in the Online Versus game mode on PlayStation 5.

The competition's format is as thrilling as a sudden-death overtime, with each qualifier following a merciless double-elimination bracket. The stakes are high, as only the top 8 players from each qualifier will advance to the coveted TOP 32 group stage. The seeding is meticulously planned, ensuring a dynamic and suspense-filled progression through the tournament ranks.

The first seeds (1-4) will be the victors from the upper bracket of Qualifier 1, with the subsequent seeds (5-8) coming from the lower bracket's best. This pattern continues through the qualifiers, with each set of eight seeds alternating between the upper and lower bracket survivors, culminating in seeds 29-32 from the lower bracket of Qualifier 4.

This Winter season is not just a standalone event; it's a crucial part of the ECL '24: 1v1 year, which includes both Winter and Spring seasons. Competitors can net themselves not only glory but also cold, hard cash from both seasons. The heat will truly turn up for the top 4 from each season, who will clash in the Grand Finals for an even larger slice of the prize pool.

Speaking of rewards, a glance at the attached prize pool graphic reveals a treasure chest waiting to be unlocked. In the Winter season, the champion will skate away with 300 €, while the runner-up and the semi-finalists will claim 150 € and 75 €, respectively. The Spring season echoes the same tune, but it's the Grand Finals that hold the golden puck in the form of an additional 1800 € up for grabs - 700 € for the grand champion, decreasing incrementally down to €75 for those placing fifth to eighth.

To clarify, the TOP 4 from the Winter season will lock in their spots in the Grand Finals and will not take part in the Spring season.

With registration closing precisely at 23:59:59 CET the day before each qualifier, the countdown has begun. Participants are reminded to lace up their skates and register in time to secure their spot on the virtual ice.

Will you be the one to hoist the ECL '24: 1v1 Championship trophy this year? Only time, talent, and the spirit of competition will tell. Get ready for the puck to drop!

Note: Taking part in the ECL 1v1 seasons requires the purchase of the ECL '24 Player License.

Alternatively, you may purchase the ECL '24: Winter Season Player License, however, please note that only covers the Winter season.

ECL '23 Winter: 1v1 Schedule & Sign-up

Please note that you should sign up for all qualifiers individually, meaning if you want to take part in all four qualifiers, please sign up for all four using the buttons below.

Should you make the TOP 8 during a qualifier, you unlock your spot in the TOP 32 stage and thus should not play in the remaining qualifiers.
 

Qualifier 1 - Thursday 8.2

Quote

•  Sign up period
  • 15.1-7.2.2024
• Qualifier (BO1)
  • Thursday 8.2
    • Upper Bracket ⬆️
      • Upper Bracket Round 1 (128): 18:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 2 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 4 (16): 19:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 5 (8): 20:00 CET
    • Lower Bracket 🔽
      • Lower Bracket Round 1 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 2 (64): 19:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 4 (32): 20:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 5 (16): 20:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 6 (16): 21:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 7 (8): 21:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 8 (8): 22:00 CET

Qualifier 2 - Friday 9.2

Quote

• Sign up period
  • 15.1-8.2.2024
• Qualifier (BO1)
  • Friday 9.2
    • Upper Bracket ⬆️
      • Upper Bracket Round 1 (128): 18:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 2 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 4 (16): 19:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 5 (8): 20:00 CET
    • Lower Bracket 🔽
      • Lower Bracket Round 1 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 2 (64): 19:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 4 (32): 20:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 5 (16): 20:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 6 (16): 21:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 7 (8): 21:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 8 (8): 22:00 CET

Qualifier 3 - Thursday 15.2

Quote

• Sign up period
  • 15.1-14.2.2024
• Qualifier (BO1)
  • Thursday 15.2
    • Upper Bracket ⬆️
      • Upper Bracket Round 1 (128): 18:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 2 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 4 (16): 19:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 5 (8): 20:00 CET
    • Lower Bracket 🔽
      • Lower Bracket Round 1 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 2 (64): 19:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 4 (32): 20:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 5 (16): 20:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 6 (16): 21:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 7 (8): 21:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 8 (8): 22:00 CET

Qualifier 4 - Friday 16.2

Quote

• Sign up period
  • 15.1-15.2.2024
• Qualifier (BO1)
  • Friday 16.2
    • Upper Bracket ⬆️
      • Upper Bracket Round 1 (128): 18:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 2 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:00 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 4 (16): 19:30 CET
      • Upper Bracket Round 5 (8): 20:00 CET
    • Lower Bracket 🔽
      • Lower Bracket Round 1 (64): 18:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 2 (64): 19:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 3 (32): 19:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 4 (32): 20:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 5 (16): 20:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 6 (16): 21:00 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 7 (8): 21:30 CET
      • Lower Bracket Round 8 (8): 22:00 CET

TOP 32 Group Play

Group Play will be played in four (4) groups of eight (8) players. 

• Monday 19.2
  • R1: 18:00 CET
  • R2: 18:30 CET
  • R3: 19:00 CET
  • R4: 19:30 CET
• Wednesday 21.2
  • R5: 18:00
  • R6: 18:30
  • R7: 19:00
  • R8: 19:30

Playoffs (BO3)

• Monday 26.2
  • RO16: 18:00 CET
• Wednesday 28.2
  • Quarterfinals: 18:00 CET
• Sunday 3.3 - Online TOP 4 Finals Broadcast
  • Semifinals: 18:00CET
  • Finals: 20:00CET

SportsGamers,

The stage is set for the exhilarating ECL '24: Winter - Lite Quarterfinals, where the competition intensifies among the remaining 8 teams. Having advanced through the challenging second round of the playoffs, these teams are now on the cusp of a significant milestone in their ECL journey. Each match in the quarterfinals is a critical step towards their ultimate goal: earning a promotion to ECL Pro and seizing the esteemed title of Lite Division Champions. The stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting, as each team showcases their prowess, strategy, and teamwork. As fans and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate each game, the question looms: who will triumph in this pivotal round and move one step closer to etching their legacy in the ECL history? 

Schedule

You can find the schedule for the remainder of the season below. We have received multiple requests for an extra gameday this week as well and have decided to accept teams playing on January 22nd, with the requirement of teams reporting their results immediately after finishing their games so we can generate the next round for the semifinal round. The updated dates are reflected below.

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 32: 2.-7.1.
  • Round of 16: 9.-15.1.
  • Quarterfinals: 16.-22.1. ⚠️
  • Semifinals: 23.-28.1.
    • Finals: 4.-5.2. *

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Quarterfinal matchups

 Invasion (1) vs Almost Famous (12) 

 Bone Breakers (2) vs  Finnish Roosters (11) 

 HEXA eSports (3) vs  HC VADELMA (9) 

 Neptune Hockey (4) vs  Pasilan SKA (7) 

ECL '24: Winter - Lite Prize Pool:

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

SportsGamers,

As the excitement builds, we enter the thrilling ECL '24: Winter - Core Quarterfinals, where the top 8 teams from the Core Division showcase their skills and strategies in pursuit of glory. These formidable teams, having proved their mettle in the intense battles of the playoffs, now face off in the decisive quarterfinals. With the stakes higher than ever, each team vies not only for the prestigious promotion to ECL Lite but also for the coveted title of Core Division Champions. It's a spectacle of skill, teamwork, and determination as these contenders edge closer to etching their names in the ECL history. Who will emerge victorious and take a step closer to ultimate triumph? The battle for supremacy in the ECL '24: Winter - Core Quarterfinals is on!

Schedule

You can find the schedule for the remainder of the season below. We have received multiple requests for an extra gameday this week as well and have decided to accept teams playing on January 22nd, with the requirement of teams reporting their results immediately after finishing their games so we can generate the next round for the quarterfinal round. The updated dates are reflected below.

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 32: 2.-7.1.
  • Round of 16: 9.-15.1. 
  • Quarterfinals: 16.-22.1. ⚠️
  • Semifinals: 23.-28.1.
  • Finals: 31.1.-1.2. *

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Quarterfinal matchups:

 SACK BROTHERS (2) vs Viitapohjan Viikingit (23) 

 Mights (7) vs Aspyre Dragons (19) 

 Belissimo (9) vs  MoDo Hockey (16) 

 BushWhackers (12) vs  HC Gaming (15) 
 

ECL '24: Winter - Core Prize Pool:

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

SportsGamers,

It's time for the Quarterfinal stage of the ECL '24: Winter - Pro Playoffs. We are down to the 8 best teams of ECL Pro and the battle for a promotion to ECL Elite and a chance to be the Pro Division Champions is getting intense!

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 16: 4.-9.1.
  • Quarterfinals: 11.-16.1.
  • Semifinals: 18.-23.1.
  • Finals: 25.-29.1. *
  • Promotion Battles: 1.-7.2.

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Quarterfinal matchups

 Gotham Knights (1) vs  Herlev Eagles (11) 

 Purification (2) vs  Björklöven Esport (8)

 Opera Hockey (3) vs  GIFU Hockey (7)

 Renascor (4) vs  Mustaa Kultaa (5)

ECL '24: Winter - Pro Prize Pool:

Follow the Playoff streams:

SportsGamer will be covering the ECL Pro Playoffs with one broadcast per week. Please follow our Twitch channel and socials for more details.

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

SportsGamers,

We are in the second round of the ECL '24: Winter - Lite Playoffs, which means 16 teams are remaining in the ECL Lite battle for promotion to ECL Pro and a chance to be the Lite Division Champions!

Schedule

You can find the schedule for the remainder of the season below. We have received multiple requests for an extra gameday this week and have decided to accept teams playing on January 15th, with the requirement of teams reporting their results immediately after finishing their games so we can generate the next round for the quarterfinal round. The updated dates are reflected below.

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 32: 2.-7.1.
  • Round of 16: 9.-15.1.
  • Quarterfinals: 16.-21.1.
  • Semifinals: 23.-28.1.
    • Finals: 4.-5.2. *

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Round of 16 matchups

 Invasion (1) vs ACEsquad (20) 

 Bone Breakers (2) vs Shameful Knights (17) 

 HEXA eSports (3) vs  Mora IK (15)

 Neptune Hockey (4) vs  NOSTREETSPORTS (14)

 Toxic City (5) vs Almost Famous (12)

 Six Sticks Misfits (6) vs  Finnish Roosters (11)

 Pasilan SKA (7) vs  Technical Disaster (10)

 Pata Hellalla (8) vs  HC VADELMA (9)
 

ECL '24: Winter - Lite Prize Pool:

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

SportsGamers,

It's time for the ECL '24: Winter - Core Playoffs, where the TOP 16 teams of ECL Core battle for promotion to ECL Lite and a chance to be the Core Division Champions!

Schedule

You can find the schedule for the remainder of the season below. We have received multiple requests for an extra gameday this week and have decided to accept teams playing on January 15th, with the requirement of teams reporting their results immediately after finishing their games so we can generate the next round for the quarterfinal round. The updated dates are reflected below.

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 32: 2.-7.1.
  • Round of 16: 9.-15.1. ⚠️
  • Quarterfinals: 16.-21.1.
  • Semifinals: 23.-28.1.
  • Finals: 31.1.-1.2. *

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Round of 16 matchups:

 Silver Sword Griffins (1) vs Viitapohjan Viikingit (23) 

 SACK BROTHERS (2) vs  Jurvan Liekki (20) 

 Fiilis Hockey (3) vs Aspyre Dragons (19) 

Gleumes Hockey Krefeld (4) vs  MoDo Hockey (16)

 United Front (5) vs  HC Gaming (15)

 Lutunilkat (6) vs  BushWhackers (12)

 Mights (7) vs  Rusty Bulls (11)

 NAM3LESS (8) vs  Belissimo (9)

 

ECL '24: Winter - Core Prize Pool:

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

SportsGamers,

It's time for round 2 of the ECL '24: Winter - Neo Playoffs, where the remaining TOP 16 teams of ECL Neo battle for their chance to make the TOP 8 and eventually for the Neo Championship!

Schedule
You can find the schedule for the remainder of the season below. Due to requests and the fact that we have left some days between the rounds, we have decided to add one extra day at the end of each playoff round (not Finals) to give the teams a bit more flexibility to play their series'. The updated dates are reflected below.

• Playoffs (BO5)
  • Round of 32: 4.-8.1.
  • Round of 16: 11.-16.1. ⚠️
  • Quarterfinals: 18.-23.1.  ⚠️
  • Semifinals: 25.-30.1.  ⚠️
  • Finals: 1.-4.2.
     

Round of 16 matchups:

 Hc Ohiveto  (1) vs Oljefondet  (28) 

 Urban Evasion   (2) vs Troillan Esport (24) 

 Old Hogs  (3) vs Jaskan Sählykerho (20)  

Russian Lightning (4) vs Dirty Rabbits (18) 

 KOST Wolves (6) vs  Nurnberg Nidhoggr (16)

 Torspot (7) vs  IceVikings (14)

 Turun Gasellit (8) vs  HC Wild Hogs (12)

 CZ JDOUCI NA SMRT SK (10) vs  Overping Threshers (11)

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

PS: We are looking for writers:

If you are interested in contributing to making the ECL coverage better, please get in touch with @Kenu.

Happy New Year SportsGamers,

It's time for the ECL '24: Winter - Elite Playoffs, where the TOP 8 teams of ECL Elite battle for the biggest prize and the title of ECL '24: Winter Champion!

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Quarterfinals
    • 3.1. 20:00 CET | 4vs5 & 1vs8 | Games 1-2
    • 7.1. 18:30 CET | 4vs5 | Games 3-7
    • 8.1. 19:30 CET | 1vs8 | Games 3-7
    • 9.1. 20:00 CET | 3vs6 & 2vs7 | Games 1-2
    • 10.1. 19:30 CET | 2vs7 |Games 3-7
    • 11.1. 19:30 CET | 3vs6 | Games 3-7
  • Semifinals
    • 17.1. 20:00 CET | 2vs3 & 1vs4 | Games 1-2
    • 22.1. 19:30 CET | 1vs4 | Games 3-7
    • 24.1. 18:30 CET | 2vs3 | Games 3-7
  • Finals
    • TBC
  • Relegation: 1.-7.2.

Quarterfinal matchups

 Tunnel Vision (1) vs The Black Jacks (8) 
 Straikers (2) vs Unwanted (7) 
 JYP Jyväskylä (3) vs Vesa Pompa (6) 
hREDS (4) vs Radical (5) 

ECL '24: Winter - Elite Prize Pool:

Follow the Playoff streams:

SportsGamer will be covering the ECL Elite Playoffs fully, covering each matchup from start to finish. Please follow our Twitch channel and socials for more details and see the above schedule to know when to tune in.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

Happy New Year SportsGamers,

It's time for the ECL '24: Winter - Pro Playoffs, where the TOP 16 teams of ECL Pro battle for promotion to ECL Elite and a chance to be the Pro Division Champions!

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 16: 4.-9.1.
  • Quarterfinals: 11.-16.1.
  • Semifinals: 18.-23.1.
  • Finals: 25.-29.1. *
  • Promotion Battles: 1.-7.2.

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Round of 16 matchups

 Gotham Knights (1) vs Valco (8) 

 Purification (1) vs N0VA (8) 

 Renascor (2) vs Gunners HC (7) 

 Opera Hockey (2) vs Vizio (7) 

 Mustaa Kultaa (3) vs Supernatural (6) 

 RCTIC (3) vs Herlev Eagles (6) 

 GIFU Hockey (4) vs Nurnberg IceTigers eSport (5) 

 Björklöven Esport (4) vs Kallion Dynamo (5) 

ECL '24: Winter - Pro Prize Pool:

Follow the Playoff streams:

SportsGamer will be covering the ECL Pro Playoffs with one broadcast per week. Please follow our Twitch channel and socials for more details.

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

Happy New Year SportsGamers,

It's time for the ECL '24: Winter - Lite Playoffs, where the TOP 32 teams of ECL Lite battle for promotion to ECL Pro and a chance to be the Lite Division Champions!

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 32: 2.-7.1.
  • Round of 16: 9.-14.1.
  • Quarterfinals: 16.-21.1.
  • Semifinals: 23.-28.1.
  • Finals: 4.-5.2. *

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Round of 32 matchups

 Invasion (1) vs Bad to the Bone (32) 
 Bone Breakers (2) vs Armada Hockey (31) 
 HEXA eSports (3) vs Niitti Pohjassa (30) 
 Neptune Hockey (4) vs Hannover Indians eSports (29) 
 Toxic City (5) vs Including Me (28) 
 Six Sticks Misfits (6) vs Swedish Stars (27)
 Pasilan SKA (7) vs Trojans (26) 
 Pata Hellalla (8) vs A Laget (25) 
 HC VADELMA (9) vs Carolus Icemen (24) 
 Technical Disaster (10) vs Nelos kentta (23) 
 Finnish Roosters (11) vs Ghost (22) 
Almost Famous (12) vs Bustdown Rollie Avalanche (21) 
 Rocking Bears (13) vs ACEsquad (20) 
 NOSTREETSPORTS (14) vs Niederrhein Canucks (19) 
 Mora IK (15) vs Sunne IK Esport (18) 
 Ismon Valinta (16) vs Shameful Knights (17) 

ECL '24: Winter - Lite Prize Pool:

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

Happy New Year SportsGamers,

It's time for the ECL '24: Winter - Core Playoffs, where the TOP 32 teams of ECL Core battle for promotion to ECL Lite and a chance to be the Core Division Champions!

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO7)
  • Round of 32: 2.-7.1.
  • Round of 16: 9.-14.1.
  • Quarterfinals: 16.-21.1.
  • Semifinals: 23.-28.1.
  • Finals: 31.1.-1.2. *

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Round of 32 matchups:

 Silver Sword Griffins (1) vs HC Palosaari (32) 
 SACK BROTHERS (2) vs Kettukarkki (31) 
 Fiilis Hockey (3) vs Capetown Kings (30) 
Gleumes Hockey Krefeld (4) vs HC Last Resort (29) 
 United Front (5) vs VitosVitja (28) 
 Lutunilkat (6) vs Spartans eSport (27) 
 Mights (7) vs Wida (26) 
 NAM3LESS (8) vs Puliveivarit (25) 
 Belissimo (9) vs Nordic Nosebleed (24) 
 Bare Knuckles Hockey (10) vs Viitapohjan Viikingit (23) 
 Rusty Bulls (11) vs Polarbears HC (22)
 BushWhackers (12) vs Darra Stars (21) 
 Saunatakit (13) vs Jurvan Liekki (20) 
 Latvian Warriors (14) vs Aspyre Dragons (19) 
 HC Gaming (15) vs Saucer Hockey (18) 
 MoDo Hockey (16) vs Mapungubwe Mambas (17) 

ECL '24: Winter - Core Prize Pool:

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

Happy New Year SportsGamers,

It's time for the ECL '24: Winter - Neo Playoffs, where the TOP 32 teams of ECL Neo battle for their chance to be the Neo Champions!

Schedule

• Playoffs (BO5)
  • Round of 32: 4.-8.1.
  • Round of 16: 11.-15.1.
  • Quarterfinals: 18.-22.1.
  • Semifinals: 25.-29.1.
  • Finals: 1.-4.2.*

* Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.

Round of 32 matchups:

 Hc Ohiveto  (1) vs HC Northmen (32)

 Urban Evasion   (2) vs Glasies Bellator  (31)

 Old Hogs  (3) vs Pooki HC  (30) 

Russian Lightning (4) vs Pane Aina Parasta  (29) 

 Trailblazers HC  (5) vs Oljefondet  (28) 

 KOST Wolves (6) vs Taifun (27) 

 Torspot (7) vs Davemiehet (26) 

 Turun Gasellit (8) vs Nordland (25) 

 RCTIC FARMI (9) vs Troillan Esport (24) 

 CZ JDOUCI NA SMRT SK (10) vs hc marko (23) 

 Overping Threshers (11) vs Koelner EC 1972 (22) 
 HC Wild Hogs (12) vs HC Armata (21) 

 The Real Rookies (13) vs Jaskan Sählykerho (20)  

 IceVikings (14) vs Coventry Vikings (19) 

 Lassen Lampaat (15) vs Dirty Rabbits (18) 

 Nurnberg Nidhoggr (16) vs Karhukissat (17) 

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.

Social media:

Twitter:

When posting tweets of your lineups, matchups, recaps, clips, articles - or any other content you might want to create - please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

Instagram:

When posting on Instagram, please make sure to tag the following accounts and hashtags when possible: 

@SportsGamerGG
#ECL24Winter
#eHockey
#NHL24
#esports
#kouvolanlakritsi

We wish all teams the best of luck!

Get ready to dive into the exciting world of the European Championship League (ECL) as we bring you the highly anticipated ECL Wraparound, hosted by the one and only Cody @Tougie24 Tougas!

From ECL Neo to Elite, witness the fierce competition as teams battled it out for supremacy on the virtual ice. Who emerged as the dominant force in each division? Which players stood out with their exceptional skills and game-changing performances? Find out all the answers and more in the ECL Wraparound.

SportsGamers,

We would like to remind every team that the transfer window for all ECL '24: Winter divisions expires tomorrow Tuesday, December 5th at 23:59:59 CET. 

Quote

14. 1 Transfer Deadline
​​​​The deadline for transfers across all divisions is set to the 5th of December at 23:59 CE(S)T.
A player cannot leave a team after the deadline has passed in one division, and then join a team in
another division where the deadline has not. 

Please remember to make sure your trades are in line with the rulebook before making them and check with support if you aren't sure. Remember, only one transfer per player is allowed per season - unless the player has played 0 games (overall, for any team) the entire season, which is covered in rule 14.6.

If you're a player still looking for a team or a team still looking to add to your roster, please head to the Free Agents section or the Clubs Looking For Players section on our forum.

Please post any last-minute transfers in the comments section below so everyone can enjoy them. 

We have discovered a game-breaking bug in NHL 24 that seems to be caused by taking a timeout during a 'full pressure' situation. While this should reverse the pressure and re-energize the players, the negative effect from the previously active 'full pressure' situation seems to stay active and drain the affected players as a result, even though there is no visual representation of this.

As of today, taking a timeout in all ECL matches is forbidden, however, if a timeout is taken and the bug occurs the match must be stopped immediately and restarted at the moment the timeout is taken. Please see the the rule below:

• How to proceed if a bug occurs:
  • Disconnect from the game
    • The remaining time in the game will be played in a new game. Teams are advised to wait for the clock to run down to the time when the timeout was taken and complete it regularly. Alternatively, they can also use a different procedure of their own if both parties agree (providing the start point is at, or before, the time in which the timeout took place).
      • For instructions on how to report a disconnected game, please refer to our article 'How to report disconnected games'
  • If despite the rule a timeout is taken and the bug does not appear
    • The match can be played to the end
    • The result of the match remains
    • The case must be reported to the LA and the team that took the timeout will receive a warning. If the same behavior continues, it may result in an automatic forfeit of the match.
       

We have shared the details and videos provided by the community to the development team at EA SPORTS and we are optimistic that they will be able to patch this, at which point the rule will be removed.

You can find the updated rulebook here, although it may take some time for the cache to update for you to load the new one if you viewed the first version before.
 

Let me help you improve your game in net.

During this fall and winter, I will take on three goalies (1 ECL Core, 1 ECL Lite, and 1 ECL Pro) and work closely together with each one to try and help them improve their game. We will have one-on-one meetings, analyze gameplay, select the appropriate goalie build, and talk about match situations. Does this sound like something that's for you? If it does, I hope you meet the below requirements and I'm looking forward to hearing from you. 

Requirements for applying:

• PlayStation 5
• Microphone
• English or Swedish-speaking
• At least one ECL season played as a goalie

If you meet the requirements and want to try and take your game to the next level, please contact me on Discord explaining your reasoning why you should be one of these three goalies and you just might be one of the selected goalies. I will make the selection of which goalies I'll work with within a week, so apply now! Good luck. 

You can find me on Discord with the username McSavid on the SportsGamer Discord server.

SportsGamers,

The new competitive season has been a long time coming and we're definitely excited to get things going across the board. With all five divisions kicking off either tonight or tomorrow evening, this is set to be a season for the record books. We're extremely proud to be the longest running NHL esports league around with an implemented divisional framework, which is why this season's kick-off story will focus on the storylines across the entire league. We're hoping to see several interesting stories unfold as the season progresses, and hopefully many newcomers will get to experience their first taste of competitive NHL esports and perhaps even see some success and development along the way!

An influx of new talent across the board, and the return of some familiar faces

As we've seen happen on a regular basis each season, the divisional framework allows for teams to take leaps in development through promotions and relegations. With this, we'll have several interesting names entering their first seasons at a higher level also in the ECL '24 Winter season. In the Top 16, the turnover is naturally lower than in our other divisions, but we're going to keep an eye on the ECL '23 Spring Champions Polski Boys, who will enter their rookie season in Elite. The Polski Boys have been talking a hard game on their social media channels ever since the foundation of the team, and while they were able to back up their talk in the Pro division, we'll see if the same goes for their campaign among Elite company. This squad has been on a real villain arc throughout their short history and continued establishing themselves as true heels in the ECL scene by poaching Golden Nights winger Joona @jm98II Muona mere weeks before the start of the season, leading to the demise of their rival club. 

In regards to the Pro division, there's been quite heavy criticism of the Qualifier process watering down the skill level of the division by allowing too many new squads into the 32-team division. While there's a point to be made there, the new teams are always an exciting watch and a step up in competition allows them an opportunity to develop their game at a fast pace. Among these new teams, Gotham Knights have an extremely strong roster and will be sure to compete with the top teams in the division right away, whereas the likes of Athletic Bulls and PunaKala will be forced to elevate their level in order to survive in this tough division. PunaKala is an interesting team in the sense that they've been grinding away in the Lite division since ECL 11, without any bigger success until last season where they barely missed out on a promotion by losing in a seven game Bronze series against Boost HC - one could thus make a case for them having paid their dues at the level below. 

While several new teams have been stepping up to the next level of competition, there's especially one returning player we can't ignore, and that's ECL legend Risto @Dominointi Järvi, who is seemingly gearing up for a comeback among good friends in Straikers, formerly FILADELPHIA. It's been over a year since the exceptional centerman took his last strides with HAVU Gaming, and while the man hinted a comeback when attending the ECL '23 Spring Finals in support of his friends, it'll remain to be seen how much ice time the naturally gifted player will see this upcoming season. Dominointi has been spotted on the ice for practice and is surely an excellent option to fill out the depth in the Straikers roster. Welcome back!

At the Lite level, we'll be seeing the return of Almost Famous, a team seen on the Elite ice back in the day and one of the first squads to rise through the ranks of the divisional ladder together with GHETTO FIREBIRDS and Butterfly Effect. Led by former Nordic Stars forward Aaro @Ikavalko Ikävalko, who is returning to command the club in navy blue, the roster comprised of an eclectic mixture of players already participated in the ECL Pro Qualifier, without success. While the roster holds several experienced players such as Jere @Jerax13 Hällström, Jean-Patrick @Patsberg_ Kotonen and Lucas @lycki10 Lindqvist, a large portion of their team only started playing EASHL at the end of NHL 23. Here's captain Ikavalko with a few notions about the roster: "We're a mix of experience and totally new players, a large part of the team are players I've played with over the course of my career, while the new faces will be friends joining me from work. I doubt many other ECL squads will have five guys from the same workplace in their roster! Our one and only goal is winning the Lite division and while we realize it's no easy task, we feel like our strength is the great atmosphere we've built within the team. We're trying to get games for our newcomers and I'm doing my best to mentor them and helping them develop."

Next generation of Swedish superstars emerging in Pro

Community member @ripKeisari highlighted two highly talented Swedish youngsters on the verge of breakout seasons in the Pro division. We're talking about Purification centerman Elvis @bystrom_37 Byström and Björklöven winger Anton @antonlule Lund, who are in their fifth and third ECL seasons respectively. While Byström already has a Pro season under his belt and 49 points to his name during that campaign, good performances in the preseason tournament and Elite Qualifiers give promise of a career season incoming. Antonlxnd, on the other hand, scored two thirds of all Björklöven goals in the preseason tournament and has showcased an excellent understanding of game mechanics leading up to the start of the season. The upcoming season should be a true breakout year for both of these talents and perhaps they'll be the next ones to take the step up to Elite, following in the footsteps of other Swedish superstars like Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund or the ECL '23 Spring sensation Robban @Robban kaudern Kaudern. Both Björklöven and Purification are placed into Group 2 of the Pro division and are scheduled to clash in week 2 of the regular season, so keep an eye out for that matchup!

Preseason sensations eager to keep form going

We'll be following closely if preseason form is any indication of team success early on in the season. Especially on the Lite & Core side, we ended up seeing an interesting Finals matchup, where Lite team Pasilan SKA ended up besting Core squad NAM3L3SS. While Pasilan is certain to be a contender in the Lite division, a strong preseason showing will surely give confidence to the NAM3L3SS roster entering a Core campaign. 

The Pro & Elite preseason featured lots of talent but also lacked a large portion of top teams, who prioritized rest ahead of the long season to come. ECL '23 Spring Lite Champions Mustaa Kultaa surprised everyone with an excellent regular season and a #1 seed into the Playoffs, while eventual Finalists GOONS and The Black Jacks were consistent and showed glimpses of why they're Elite teams. 

Another shot at success

For some, success takes a lot more work than for others. A testament of this is Eemil @Sokkelo__ Soikkeli, winger for Roots Gaming. While his #41 might be a nod to hardnosed Playoff extraordinaire Jari Sailio, unlike this legendary grinder, Sokkelo has in fact never seen a second of Playoff action in the Elite division. Having spent nine seasons among the European Top 16 already, this great all-round player has established himself as one of the nicest guys around, but might not be out to make friends on the ice this season in the hunt for his first ever Playoff appearance. I reached out to the man for some comments on his lack of postseason success, and on his objectives for the Winter season: "I think it's pretty funny at this point, at the moment I have 228 regular season games in Elite and 0 in the Playoffs, so there's a stat. It's not a thing I spend that much thought on and it's been a joke that I like to pull out of the bag from time to time, but this season is another chance to put that to rest. As for my goals this season, we'll just try to stay consistent on a nightly basis and trust the process. For the past eight seasons I've always said we'll be making the Playoffs, so maybe now it's time for the reverse jinx and I'll say we'll finish 9th!"

I guess we'll know in a few months' time, whether the upcoming season will be Roots Gaming suffering from the "Sokkelo Effect", or if this is finally "Sokkelo Season".

While there are more storylines across the league for one man to keep an eye out for, here are some of the intriguing journeys I'll personally be on the lookout for early this season! Make sure to let us know your favorite picks for the season in the comments, and for all participating teams and players, we wish you a successful Winter season!

Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Czechia, Adam @dzouvi Menšík has etched his name into the competitive esports scene as a formidable force in the world of NHL gaming. With a career spanning back to 2018, this skilled gamer embarked on his journey with the Blackdawgs, marking the commencement of what has thus far been a remarkable competitive career.

Dzouvi's rise in the ranks among fellow top centermen can be attributed to his excellent technical understanding of the game's intricacies. As a centerman, he has consistently been able to prove himself as not only a prolific scorer, but also as a player with an excellent 200-foot game. 

The pinnacle of Adam's career thus far unfolded during the ECL '23: Spring - Elite season with Färjestad BK. This season proved to be a defining moment for the Czech sensation, as he notched a career-high 45 points, steering his team through a captivating playoff journey. Although the dream of championship glory was halted in the semifinals by Frölunda HC, Dzouvi's resilience and skill on the virtual ice left promises for an even greater ECL '24 Winter Campaign. In addition to the success he saw on the 6v6 ice, he was also one of four gamers present at the ECL '23: Spring 1v1 Finals at the SportsGamer offices in Espoo and put up a valiant fight against the eventual Champion Väinö @Pikkardz Pikkarainen. 

Now, making history as the first player from outside of Finland or Sweden to be honored as the Cover Gamer for the upcoming ECL '24 Winter season, @dzouvi takes center stage together with Vesa Pompa HC, in an attempt to recreate another successful season. 

List of previous ECL cover gamers:
ECL 8: Erik @Eki Tammenpää
ECL 9: Hannes @Hansulinho Kettunen
ECL 10: Casper @ICappeI Lundgren
ECL 11: Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha
ECL 12: Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen
ECL '22 Winter: Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann & Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt
ECL '23 Spring: Niklas @uhNikke Nieminen
ECL '23 Winter: Erik @Eki Tammenpää
ECL '23 Spring: Tomi @tombo_02 Laitinen

You're joining some top tier company is a list of previous Cover Gamers. What does it mean to you to be the poster boy for the top NHL Esports league in the world?

I really appreciate it and it's a big pleasure for me. Never thought that I would end up being the Cover Gamer. I think it's the first time having somebody outside of Finland or Sweden right? I'm looking forward to another ECL Elite season.

What are the factors that contribute to your success, and what tips could you give to players who want to develop their game?

I was always learning from the best ones. Spent a lot of time watching streams of the top players in the scene. Then it was just about grinding. Also I need to mention my former teammate Tony @Mistertyppo95 Laine here. Thanks to him I started playing ECL and also became decent in 1v1. NHL 21 was the best year for me, where I reached the Top 8 in the GWC. I don’t have any special tips, it is always the same in my opinion - just play the game, success will come one day.

Who would you name as your toughest competition over the course of your career, both on the 1v1 and 6v6 ice?

For sure I need to say Erik @Eki Tammenpää. And I think it's the same in both 1v1 and 6v6.

What's your greatest memory in competitive NHL gaming, why is that?

NHL 21 GWC, where I was with another Czech guy Josef @pepcastachurcik Stachura in the Top 8. In 6v6 side it was winning SCL title with Granit.

In terms of the upcoming ECL '24 Winter Elite season, what teams do you think viewers should keep an eye on especially?

You should keep an eye on the same teams as always. Straikers (formerly FILADELPHIA), hREDS, Tunnel Vision, and of course on us!

What is your personal goal of the NHL 24 competitive year?

I will try my best to qualify for the GWC and also to have the best results in all other 1v1 tournaments. Same for 6v6, top 4 in ECL Elite is the goal again.

We are wishing all teams an enjoyable ECL '24: Winter season full of tight games and hard competition! Make sure to tune in for our broadcasts at Twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG!

In response to mounting concerns raised by the community regarding packet loss issues on the Helsinki (Europe North East) server, a temporary rule is hereby implemented by the League Administration. This rule permits teams affected by packet loss on the Europe North East server to opt for matches on the Stockholm (Europe North) server as a viable alternative. This rule only applies to moving games from the Helsinki server to the Stockholm server - any games intended to be played on the Central server are still played on the Central server.

The decision comes after an outcry from players and teams who reported significant packet loss on the Helsinki server, which was impacting the quality and fairness of competitive matches. Two threads on the SportsGamer.gg community forum highlighted the widespread issue:

The League Administration has taken these concerns seriously and decided to address the issue by introducing this temporary rule. Under this rule, teams experiencing packet loss on the Helsinki server will have the option to play their matches on the Stockholm server instead. This move aims to ensure that competitive integrity is maintained and that all teams can compete on a level playing field.

While the decision is temporary, it reflects our commitment to providing a fair and enjoyable competitive environment for all participants. 

Teams and players affected by packet loss are encouraged to communicate clearly with the opponents by requesting server changes and ensuring the smooth transition of matches to the Stockholm server during this period.

SportsGamer is actively in touch with EA SPORTS regarding the issue and several community members are having an active dialogue with the DNA internet service provider. While nothing can be said for certain until the issue is located, we are fairly optimistic that we'll see an improvement or at least an update on the situation during the upcoming week.

If you wish to discuss the subject, please see the below forum thread:

SportsGamers,

With the most exciting time of the year (yes, Santa is coming) ahead of us, it's time to kick off the competitive season by releasing the groups and schedules for our respective ECL '24: Winter divisions. 

Here's a short recap of information for each division, but please note that all you need to know can be found in the ECL '24: Winter Official Rules. 

ECL '24 Winter Neo

Groups
Schedule

ECL '24 Winter Core

Groups
Schedule

ECL '24 Winter Lite

Groups
Schedule

ECL '24 Winter Pro

Groups
Schedule

ECL '24 Winter Elite

Groups
Schedule

Finally, a reminder: Please do not play before your license has been successfully purchased. If you have any questions, please contact support.

Without further ado, we wish you a successful and fun season!

SportGamers,

Our community is growing with new members every year. From time to time we are asked for tips on how to find a team or how to find players for your team.  In this post, we have put together a few links to our forum where you can either search for a team or sign up as a free agent. You'll also find some tips at the end, that might be just what you need to connect with that new group of potential teammates. This post is mainly intended for the European audience that is interested in playing in the European Championship League.

Free Agents EU - PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S

In this section of the forum, you can register as a free agent or search for new players for your team. 
You will find a "reply to topic" section under the last message on the page where you can post your own free agent message. In this message you can briefly tell us about yourself, what position you are looking to play, and how to best reach you.
Please note that a login to the forum is required in order to post a message. Please also note that this section of the forum is only for free agent messages.

EU Clubs looking for players - PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S

In this section of the forum, you can let everyone know when your team is looking for players, which means free agents can find teams by browsing this thread. You will find a "reply to topic" section under the last message on the page. Here you can write your "club looking for players" post where you tell us about the club and what kind of player you are looking for. You can look for good tips for your post in the numerous posts written by other clubs.

Please note that both of these above-mentioned forum threads are meant only for writing the "ads". When you see something you're interested in, please use private messaging (e.g. SportGamer, Discord, or PSN) to contact them. Usually, the writer of the post will let you know how to best get in touch. So here is your reminder: whenever you post, remember to mention how to best get in touch with you.

Useful tips

In addition to these previous tools, we recommend you to be active and try to play as much as possible. On our Discord channel, you will find a section called "free for tonight"
In this section, you can sign up for free play and of course, if you're lucky you might find some people that want to play with you in the future.

One good tip that works is to add "FA" or "Free Agent" to your player's name in the game so that your players can see during the game that you are looking for a team.

There you have it! We hope you find these tips useful. Feel free to share your advice in the comments. Good luck finding the perfect match!

SportsGamers,

The ECL '24: Winter - Official Rules are now available and can be accessed through the league pages. Generally speaking, the rulebook is a revised and improved version of the rules used in ECL '23 Spring.

Find the ECL '24: Winter - Official Rules here.
 

Some major changes/clarifications have been made as follows:

• 5.13: Wins in playoffs round replaced by regular season seed as a tiebreaker 
• 11.3: Win in regulation time is now worth three points instead of two 
• Player ability bans were removed from the rulebook with the new version of the game 
  • For any discussion and feedback about abilities and builds, please go here.
• The use of special builds such as Bones is currently allowed, but any new builds coming out are being monitored and could be decided to be prohibited in the future. 
• 11.7.6. The use of non-human characters, such as the werewolf, is not allowed in the ECL. 
• 13.1.5 In order to make the start of the season as clear and smooth as possible, the player and team licenses must be purchased and active (✅) before stepping on the ECL ’24: Winter ice. Failure to do so will translate into a forfeit of the game  
  • Please also remember to activate the necessary backup player licenses (max 3 per team) 
  • Note: ECL Neo does not require a team license or player license and as such, this rule does not apply to ECL Neo. 

We ask every team and its members to familiarize themselves with the Official Rules before taking the ice for the ECL '24 Winter season. Please refer to the rulebook in case of any issues that may arise over the course of the season. In case of any questions, please be in touch with support.

SportsGamers,

The ECL '24 Winter season is starting on Sunday and we want to remind you that today (November 15th)  is the last day to sign up for the ECL Core and ECL Neo divisions. 

If you're new to the ECL and don't know what this is about, please familiarize yourself with the below news story:

Wildcard teams: 18.-30.10.2023
ECL Lite Qualifier: 18.-30.10.2023 
ECL Pro Qualifier: 18.-30.10.2023 
ECL Neo: 18.10.-15.11.2023 ⚠️
ECL Core: 18.10.-15.11.2023 ⚠️
ECL Lite: 18.10.-6.11.2023
ECL Pro: 18.10.-6.11.2023
ECL Elite: 18.10.-6.11.2023  

*Signups will close at 23:59 CET on the last day mentioned unless otherwise specified.

Schedule

• Pro & Lite Qualifiers: 1.11->
• Elite Qualifiers 7.11->
• Regular Season duration:
  • 19.11.-21.12.2023 (Neo, Core, Lite)
  • 20.11.-21.12.2023 (Pro, Elite)