Hey NHLGamers,
Did everyone have time to check out the ECL 3 launch stream yesterday? If not, check it out here.
Last night's broadcast was one hell of a way to kick off a season! Nearly 250 viewers on Twitch and almost the same amount of people browsing the forums. Congratulations to @Kenu and @Lurkins on a great show with some fun surprises and thank you all for joining us on the stream and in the chat box.
So, ECL 3. The third and biggest (so far!) edition of the European Championship League of EASHL gaming. This tournament will of course take place on the NHL 17 platform which I know you all have gotten quite familiar with.
New format
The new format, with two large groups (conferences) instead of many smaller ones, has spurred on some great discussion in the comment section with some members doubtful and some members loving the design. As always, we here at NHLGamer value your opinions and the feedback you provide us with – we read it all and try to reply as often as we can. For now, know that your voices have been heard (both praise and doubts!) and will be taken into consideration going forward.
That being said, the conference system for ECL 3 serves two important purposes. One, it provides NHL gamers with the most complete and extensive EASHL tournament this website has ever provided. The regular season will now “feel” more like an actual NHL season with teams going on hot streaks and breaking out of slumps on a weekly basis. Two, this tougher regular season ensures that it truly is the top teams that emerge and make the playoffs. Some of these teams will then make up what will become Division 1 of the ECL – the top division in our new division system. Once the Divisional system kicks in (from ECL 4 and forward) there will be relegations and promotions on a tournament-to-tournament basis, ensuring that teams that stay together to build franchises and create legacies are the ones who will reign supreme. New teams will of course be welcomed with open arms here at NHLGamer.com but will now have to earn their place and work their way up in the world’s most competitive online hockey gaming tournament.
The exact plans for the divisional system are currently safely stored in the NHLGamer vaults but will be presented further during the tournament by our very own @gzell60. For now, if you have any questions about our plans – fire away in the comment section so we know exactly what you are curious about when we present our plan. Let the games begin!
Predictions
Two tough groups. Two very, very tough groups.
In group 1, you’ve got ECL 1 champions Nordic Blizzard, EASHL top ranked Dynasty, X Factor and Written In the Stars. Combine that with experienced, hard hitting teams like Sjukstugan and Silver Sword Griffins and you’ve got quite the nest of vipers. And that’s not even mentioning old Xbox behemoths Northern Stars who dominated the 360 scene for a long time and have a tendency to step up their game once the big tournaments roll around…
With lots of new teams coming in as well, there is really no telling how this group will end up but my prediction for the Top-3 of this group will be
1. X Factor
2. Written In The Stars
3. Nordic Blizzard
The teams of Group 1
Dynasty
Elämäm Kiekko
Falun Coal Miners
Fat Cats
Finnish Roosters
Ganja Bonanzas
HC Checkmate
HC ParempiTarjous
HC Soittorasia
Ice K1ngs
Infinity
La Suedé
Los Bombers
Mpire
No Guts No Glory
Nordic Blizzard
Northern Stars
Origins
Refuse To Lose
Rising Phantoms HC
Rusty Blades
Rynnäkköviikset
Sektion K
Silver Sword Griffins
Sjukstugan
Voodoo People
Warriors of Kongo
White Trash
Written In The Stars
X Factor
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On to group 2, where the currently #1 ranked team in the world, Laser HT, resides. Made up of players from various top teams, this legendary Xbox team has been resurrected for ECL 3 and they would have to be considered favourites for the championship win at this point in the tournament. That’s not all though, group 2 also features the highest ranked Swedish team Synergy Hockey, ECL 2 champions MUKIMIEHET, insanely skilled Nordic Nightmare, team play masters Nordic Lightning with late addition and potential underdog, Northern Ascendancy – featuring ECL Summer Cup Playoff MVP, @Foppatofflan.
My prediction for the Top-3 of group 2 then becomes
1. Laser HT
2. Nordic Nightmare
3. Northern Ascendancy
The teams of Group 2
Aapon Taikasauva
AK-47
Alliance HT
Bare Knuckles Hockey
Bone Breakers
BraZZers
Destined for Greatness
Drop Zone
EN HUND
Free From Rodents
HC Marilyn
HC Solhem
ICE BROS
Inter Iceland
Kattiautomaatti
Knight Aces HC
Laser HT
Lunatic Lions
MUKIMIEHET
Murohoki
Nordic Lightning
Nordic Nightmare
Nordic Nosebleed
Northern Ascendancy
SIKA
Synergy Hockey
Terrific Tigers
TIKI TALK
VC Hockey
This truly will be a tournament for the ages and in my opinion, our best one yet. From all of us here at the NHLGamer staff – good luck and may the odds ever be in your favour.
Yes. I went there.
Later skaters //
The_Alpha_Furyan
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