GCL 9: Semifinals Preview

SportsGamers,

the GCL9 semifinals have arrived! 16 teams started into the season and now we have come down to only four remaining. We have seen some exciting ehockey action in the quarterfinals and are looking forward to see which two teams will pave their way to the finals! In the following we venture a look at the upcoming two semifinal matchups.

 ZSC Esports (1) vs.  Red Bull Munich eSports (6) (written by @OGjahajaha)

The back-to-back champion faces another well known opponent from the regular season: Red Bull Munich eSports. The Swiss ECL Elite playoff quarterfinalist clashed with the Red Bulls from Munich on matchday one of the regular season and grabbed full points with two convincing wins (10:3 & 4:0). In the meantime RB Munich eSports brought in Lauri @Lamsa Lamsa (11G+7A) on the right wing and improved their game massively. Underlining their ambitions with a solid 4:1 series victory against the Predators (1:2OT, 4:2, 5:0, 7:3, 4:2) in the first round of the postseason, the Red Bulls will be keen on creating a big upset against the title favorites from Zürich. The virtual Swiss Lions faced Deggendorfer SC Esports in the quarterfinals and it is safe to say that we have seen one of the most dominant playoff performances in GCL history with a 4:0 sweep - three massive wins (12:1, 7:3 & 11:0) followed by an absolute blowout to close the series in game four (24:1). Without any surprise these results catapult the Lions offense to the top of the leaderbords with Kevin @Keuschemisch Berg (15G+27A), Sven @Original-SnuS Julmi (23G+16A) and Chris @GERxVillain Ungeheuer (12G+22A) in just four games played. Both goalies can play a very important role in the upcoming semfinals. While Alex @IDangledYouOut(I_Alex28_I) Wagner sits on top of the table with four wins, SV 87,8% and a GAA of 1.25, he is followed by Red Bulls goaltender Marcel @Capitano_82 (Houddel_RBM) Houdelet who records a more than solid 88,16% and a GAA of 1.8. Houdelet can become the decisive factor in this series considering the fact how many shots he is going to face. Between the pipes RB Munich eSports can lay the foundation for their success but have to be very effective up front to hurt ZSC eSports in their fast pace playing style. If the Swiss juggernauts are able to continue their dominant performances they will advance to their 4^th consecutive GCL final!

Player to watch: Kevin @KeuschemischBerg & Marcel @Capitano_82(Houddel_RBM) Houdelet

Prediction: 4:0 ZSC Esports

 Deadly Phantoms (2) vs.  Team NGU (5)

For the 2^nd time in a row we are seeing the Deadly Phantoms facing Team NGU in the semifinals of the German Championship League! Last year the Phantoms swept their ECL Pro counterparty on their way to the finals. This season NGU will be keen on beating the German powerhouse and make their first GCL final appearance possible! In the quarterfinals the Phantoms managed to beat the Düsseldorfer EG eSports 4:1 (6:2, 1:4, 3:0, 3:2, 5:1). After a shaky start into the series the 5-time German Champion adapted really well and beat the DEG in very solid fashion. Tim @Timasy Hess moved into the lineup for the last two games and could be a decisive factor for the game of former “Team LEISURE”. Denis @CCBow-501 Roethele is the current topscorer in the team (5G+6A), sharing that spot with Austrian old hand Felix @ProfaneKiss Kiss (9G+2A). Just as in the regular season the linups of the Deadly Phantoms have seen quite some big rotation. In the matchup against the eSports team of the Düsseldorfer EG they were still able to show their qualities and maintain their position as a German juggernaut - no matter the lineup. We can expect Team NGU to be a more competitive opponent in this semifinals series. The squad around Akin @DaMan(Akin_Penta) Isik (6G+8A) and Bryan @CuteTerminator7 Bolliger (6G+10A) managed to beat Swiss outfit SC Bern eSports in the first round (4:2 series) despite their lower seed (4:1, 5:4OT, 1:2OT, 4:3, 0:1, 5:4OT). Forward and loanplayer Patrik @Winci Wenzel (6G+5A) is the player to watch in the upcoming series. The Czech is a great addition to the roster and can decide games with his individual skillset and hockey-IQ. Now they have the chance to show if they drew the right conclusions after being swept in the semifinals of GCL8 by the same opponent. Due to the roster changes for the Deadly Phantoms and the experience Team NGU earned in last ECL’23 Winter we can expect a closer series than in GCL8. Small details will make the difference and decide who will pave their way to the GCL9 finals.

Players to watch: Felix @ProfaneKiss Kiss & Patrik @Winci Wenzel

Prediction: 4:2 Deadly Phantoms

On top of that Quarterfinals of the GCL9 Cup were drawn. The matchups have to be played until Thursday the 23rd March. Play hard and smart!

HC Lugano Esports vs. ZSC Esports

Lions Academy vs. Deadly Phantoms

Düsseldorfer EG Esports vs. Team NGU

Old Primates vs. SCB eSports