It's been a wild ride over the past couple of months that the ECL Elite division has been running and as usual, we could give all the high praise and all the glorious hype because after all - it is our product. This season, however, it was really the players who showed up big time and provided that quality gameplay that we're all out for. Now, only two remain. In a repeat of ECL 11's FILADELPHIA - hREDS Finals, who will hoist the cup this time?
FILADELPHIA (1) vs hREDS (2) 
Tale of the tape
(Reg. season record) 28-0-2 vs. 25-4-1
(GF/G) 3.67 vs. 3.80
(GA/G) 1.00 vs. 1.40
(Special teams %) 112.85 vs. 116.70
(Season series) FILA
TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Erik @Eki Tammenpää (10GP, 7+15=22) vs Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen (10GP, 9+13=22)
GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Casper @ICappeI Lundgren (10GP, 8W, 85.88 SV%, 1,2 GAA) vs Filip @Faze91- Azri (10GP, 8W, 81.33 SV%, 1,4 GAA)
FILADELPHIA has made the finals each and every season that they've been a part of the Elite division and are the definition of a true NHL Esports dynasty. After their dominant outing last season, there was little to no room for improvement, but lo and behold - the black and orange did even better this season! Despite not reaching new highs individually, the team topped their regular season point total record by amassing 58 points in their 30 games, only two shy of a perfect record. Their postseason started with some hiccups against the surprisingly strong newcomer IQUE, but FILADELPHIA really found their form against Farjestad BK in the semifinals. FILADELPHIA's offense really found their stride in the Semifinals too, with both wingers Erik @Eki Tammenpää and Paul @PleeMaker Arontie collecting ten and eleven points respectively thru their four last games. It also seems like FILADELPHIA is stronger than ever on the defense, the fact that the team is one of the most coordinated lineups in the world certainly has a lot to do with it, but their newest recruit Teemu @Xteemuz (Teemuyy) Polttila has also been a crucial piece to their puzzle. Interestingly enough, he also played a big part in the Finals last season, only on the other side which means he is very familiar with the hREDS guys.
If we're talking about FILADELPHIA as the defensive powerhouse in the division, hREDS is their offensive conunterpart. Just the difference isn't that big. Statistically, it looks like hREDS is doing good, but FILA is still that "big brother" that seems to be a bit ahead at everything.. for the time being. What's changed for hREDS since last season is basically their entire left wing with Aaro @xDoumi Ruuhinen taking the place of Teemuyy and Vili @Vilupoika Häkkinen replacing Joakim @Joukki Nyholm, who was sensational for hREDS in the ECL 11 playoffs. All of these players mentioned are certainly skilled and of true contender caliber, so it'll come down to the smallest of details in finding out the difference between the two teams. We know Vilupoika as one of the most prominent scorers of the game from some years back and it still seems like he hasn't risen to his full potential after his return to the bright lights. Now, on the biggest of stages, can he do that to elevate his team to glory perhaps?
Prediction:
Right now, it seems like FILADELPHIA is an unstoppable force, but it'll remain to be seen if hREDS will be the immovable object. FILADELPHIA has, as stated on a run like no other, and their stellar defensive play so far is an excellent sign for them. As we know, the finals have often come down to the wire, and the team that makes less mistakes very often comes out on top. In this defensive battle, it is tough to predict any other finish than FILADELPHIA hoisting the cup for the fourth time in team history. Tune in to watch who will set the tone for the Finals tonight at 20:00 CEST over at www.twitch.tv/NHLGamer.
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