NHLGamers,
In cooperation with Northern Arena and Goalie Guild Gaming, we are proud to be bringing you The Northern Arena NHL 20 Cup - presented by Xbox Canada. This $10,000 USD 6v6 tournament has brought the best 32 teams in North America to one event to round off the 2020 season. This NA NHL Cup gives teams the opportunity to play as one of 32 (Seattle included) NHL franchises. There are five NHL organizations officially partnered with the event:
- Anaheim Ducks
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Florida Panthers
- Montreal Canadiens
- New Jersey Devils
This event also brought a new approach to tournament participants with firstly an invite system, where the top 6 teams through week 2 of the CBJ Summer Cup were directly invited to this event. Additionally, the event featured three open qualifiers where the top 8 teams from the first two and the top 7 from qualifier 3 would make it to the official event. With most of the recent events having been on an unlimited team cap or a pay to play idea, this is a refreshing piece of tournament infrastructure that could be utilized in more events.
The event is approved by EA and supported by some NHL teams. Not all players are official representatives of respective NHL teams.
We’ll go over a brief introduction of each team, the NHL team they are playing as, and their tournament history prior to the event. While some teams have been active and playing together for the entire season (or at least a core roster) some teams have been made for the sole purpose of qualifying for this event. If a team name is being used but is of a different roster, their results will still be included, but with the explanation of the roster changes throughout the past season.
Original Team: BBB
How they qualified: Top 6 in CBJ Summer Cup
Previous Results:
- T16 Caps Gaming Showcase
- T16 LGESHL S12
- T8 LGESHL S13
- T4 NACL
- T8 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
BBB has certainly been on the upward trend in the latter half of 2020. The past events have BBB making it at least to the quarterfinals of every event since the spring, capping it off with a top 4 placing in NHLGamer’s very own NACL. On August 15th, BBB announced they would be officially partnering with Anaheim Ducks Gaming to represent them in the Northern Arena Cup.
Original Team: Mars
How they qualified: 2nd place in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- T8 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
The west coast roster has become a bit of a polarizing figure in the 6’s scene. No doubt a skilled lineup, with some experienced players, but with the added twist of being an uncommon roster of all western NA players. Some may say it is the battle of the servers, as a west coast server will put them on a very solid advantage, the question is can this team jump ahead quickly while others try to adapt to the connection.
Original Team: Prodigy HC
How they qualified: Top 4 in Qualifier 3
Previous Results:
- T16 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
The team of Prodigy HC has been a relatively new roster to the scene, headed by top 1v1 players Geimer and Canadians. They made it to top 16 in the summer cup, but a disappointing playoff performance prompted some changes, revamping their backend and goaltending while adding OFs to play center. A fast-paced offensive squad will look to put up plenty of goals.
Original Team: Phantoms
How they qualified: 2nd in Qualifier 1
Previous Results:
- 4th Caps Gaming Showcase
- T16 LGESHL S12
- T12 LGESHL S13
- T8 NACL
Phantoms have reunited after a brief break up, and come back with a bang, going all the way to the finals of the first qualifier. They started the season off as dark horses in their first tournaments, but after multiple solid placements, they will be considered playoff favorites in the Western Conference.
Original Team: X Factor
How they qualified: Top 6 in CBJ Summer Cup
Previous Results:
- 36th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
X Factor directly qualified to the event by finishing top 6 in the CBJ Cup, but failed to make the playoffs for the event. The poor finish prompted some changes for the squad, adding Burnsy x 95 and RoaringViper for the event. Time will tell which X Factor team will come to play in this event, the one that was top 6 through week 2, or the one that finished 36th come seasons end.
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Original Team: III Walking Dead III
How they qualified: Top 6 in Qualifier 3
Previous Results:
- 44th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Walking Dead is headed by the forward trio of JJr, Melvin x 94 and I Volcom x 28 l, whom have been linemates for some time. However, the defense of Forbz Eh and Focus TF have been solid for the team, allowing them to qualify for the event in the 3rd qualifier.
Original Team: The Offseason
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- T32 Caps Gaming Showcase
- T16 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Offseason has had an impressive run as of late, with a final week push to finish to top 16 in the Summer Cup, before being eliminated. The core roster have been playing together for a few events now, and the chemistry is starting to come through, and they will look to continue their good form during the season.
Original Team: Slaughterhouse HC
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 1
Previous Results: N/A
Slaughterhouse is a unique case as they are one of the few teams that have no experience on the xbox side. However, this team has some good results over on the PSN side, but also apart of other rosters. While this team may seem like an underdog, they could surprise some teams that underestimate their experience as a roster.
Original Team: Natty Light Knightz
How they qualified: Top 6 in Qualifier 3
Previous Results:
- T8 Caps Gaming Showcase
- 30th CBJ Summer Cup as Knight Shift (ongoing)
Natty Light Knightz went through a brief name change to Knight Shift before presumably switching back to Natty Light Knightz to qualify. A team of skilled 3’s players with some 6’s experience, the squad had a solid performance in the Caps Gaming Showcase, and will look to replicate that success after a tough CBJ Summer Cup.
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Original Team: Mercenary
How they qualified: 7th in Qualifier 3
Previous Results:
- 28th LGESHL S12
Mercenary has had its fair share of rosters, but they took the final spot in the Northern Arena Cup winning the final game to lock up 7th in Qualifier 3.
Original Team: Chilltown HC
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 1
Previous Results:
- T16 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Chilltown’s roster remains essentially the same as what they competed within the CBJ Summer Cup, with the exception of adding TheGreatMP7 as a presumed utility center. A good pick up no matter how many games he gets into, and will look to continue the team's trend of being a defensively responsible squad.
Original Team: Entourage
How they qualified: Top 6 in CBJ Summer Cup
Previous Results:
- 1st Caps Gaming Showcase
- T16 LGESHL S12
- T4 LGESHL S13
- T4 NACL
- T8 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
With the announcement of the 32nd franchise Seattle Kraken, they will be a team to compete as in the Northern Arena Cup. Donning these jerseys will be none other than Entourage, who are a perennial contender in any event, and another team who were directly invited to the event. The long-running squad get the first crack at playing as the Kraken.
Original Team: Infinity
How they qualified: Top 4 in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- T16 Caps Gaming Showcase
Infinity are back as a squad and enter the NA Cup with a respectable semifinal finish in the 2nd qualifier. The team has some previous chem under their belt, so they will be looking to use that as much as they can over some of the newer squads. The team will be playing as the defending Stanley Cup champions, the St. Louis Blues.
Original Team: Reckless Legends
How they qualified: Top 4 in Qualifier 3
Previous Results: N/A
Reckless Legends could be considered the biggest underdogs in the event, as they are a relatively new team to the competitive 6’s scene both as a team and as individuals. They did have a relatively solid run in the final qualifier, but they will be looking to prove themselves in this tournament.
Original Team: Tropixx
How they qualified: 1st in Qualifier 1
Previous Results:
- 28th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Tropixx is another team with little experience as a team but lots of experience as individuals on other teams. They did, however, finish 1st in the first qualifier, beating some solid squads in the process. Finishing first in the qualifier allowed them to play as another new addition to the NHL in the Vegas Golden Knights.
Original Team: Denial
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 1
Previous Results:
- T16 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Denial is a new squad formed with the core trio of former Prophecy players in P t P 10, Keeeks 12 and McLxvinn. They’ve added some pieces from other teams such as Kovalchukl17l and Vaynx, who were a part of rising team Ground N Pound. The team has the skill to compete for a playoff spot, and showed they can already with a top 16 placing in the CBJ Summer Cup.
Western Conference Standings Prediction:
- Seattle Entourage
- Anaheim Ducks Gaming
- Chicago Phantoms
- San Jose Chilltown HC
- Vegas Golden Tropixx
- Winnipeg Denial
- Los Angeles Slaughterhouse HC
- St. Louis Infinity
- Colorado X Factor
- Calgary Prodigy HC
- Arizona Mars
- Minnesota Natty Light Knightz
- Dallas Stars Walking Dead
- Edmonton Offseason
- Nashville Mercenary
- Vancouver Reckless Legends
Original Team: Nationalz
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- T16 CBJ Summer Cup as One Nation(ongoing)
Nationals are made of a core of One Nation mixed with some other PSN players. The team has a solid amount of skill and has had success on the PSN side as well as the Xbox side. A top 8 finish in the second qualifier secured them a spot and a chance to play as the Boston Bruins.
Original Team: Blacklist
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- 24th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Blacklist may be a new squad to the competitive 6’s scene, but they do have a solid amount of chemistry as a team. Formerly known as Showtime, the team had a decent showing at CBJ Summer Cup, before finally qualifying in the 2nd qualifier.
Canadiens Esports
Original Team: Most Wanted
How they qualified: 1st in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- T8 LGESHL S12
- 25th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Montreal joins the partner team list and picks up Most Wanted to represent them in the event. The French squad has had some solid success, most prominently placing top 8 in LGESHL season 12.
Carolina Highlight Highlanders
Original Team: Highlight Highlanders
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- T8 Caps Gaming Showcase
- T8 LGESHL S13
The Highlanders have had a tumultuous couple months with roster changes alike. While their previous results feature some other players, the current roster is still a solid lineup capable of competing for a playoff spot.
Original Team: We Run the Show
How they qualified: Partner Team
Previous Results:
- 22nd CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
CBJ Gaming have finally announced their roster, featuring a number of local Ohio players, mainly from the roster We Run the Show. The squad had a decent run at the CBJ Summer Cup finishing in 22nd place, and will look to step it up while representing the Blue Jackets.
Original Team: Turning Point
How they qualified: 2nd in Qualifier 3
Previous Results:
- T8 Caps Gaming Showcase
- T16 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Turning Point had admittedly a rough qualifier season, but finally has a solid run in the final qualifier, finishing 2nd. Despite the setback in the qualifiers, the team has shown they are able to make playoffs in major events and be at the top. This team is certainly capable of snatching up a playoff spot, but also to make a run for the cup.
Original Team: -
How they qualified: Partner Team
Previous Results: N/A
The Panthers were the last to release their roster, and feature a team fairly similar to what they had in the CBJ Summer Cup. It isn’t a complete mixed roster, and the players have some familiarity with each other, featured in the Panthers squad that played in the CBJ Summer Cup, but also in various 3’s and 6’s leagues.
Original Team: 6th Sense
How they qualified: Top 4 in Qualifier 1
Previous Results:
- T32 Caps Gaming Showcase
- 1st LGESHL S13
- 2nd NACL
- T8 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
6th Sense have made some rotations, creating a mainly french squad with some additions from Flawless. Nevertheless,the team has skill, experience and results to make them a contender heading in.
Original Team: Underdogs
How they qualified: Top 6 in CBJ Summer Cup
Previous Results:
- T8 Caps Gaming Showcase
- T4 LGESHL S12
- 17th LGESHL S13
- T8 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
The first seed in the CBJ Summer Cup enter the Northern Arena Cup with high expectations. With a roster that’s been together for so long with good results, the expectations are high for this team.
Original Team: -
How they qualified: Partner Team
Previous Results: N/A
The Devils have brought their own roster to the event. It features some GWC top 32 players, but for the most part, not a lot of competitive 6’s experience across the board here.
Original Team: Momentum
How they qualified: Top 4 in Qualifier 1
Previous Results:
- T32 Caps Gaming Showcase
- 27th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Momentum have had an up and down summer, with a decent performance in CBJ Summer Cup, they go back to their roots with players like Zarvek and PBanc. Their chemistry will look to shine through during the event.
Original Team: Problematic Esports/Road 2 Glory
How they qualified: Top 4 in Qualifier 2
Previous Results:
- 17th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Problematic pick up the Road 2 Glory roster, who will be playing as the Flyers for the season. Most of their results and playing time has been on the PSN side, but they just missed out on the playoffs during the CBJ Summer Cup, and could prove to be a formidable dark horse for the tournament.
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Original Team: Washed
How they qualified: Top 8 in Qualifier 1
Previous Results:
- T24 LGESHL S13
Washed has come into the event as a slightly mixed roster, with core players from The Krusty Krab, as well as players from Momentum like NINETY EIGHT and jared2112. A solid roster that managed to qualify in the 1st qualifier who will look to sneak into the playoffs.
Original Team: Vertigo
How they qualified: Top 6 in CBJ Summer Cup
Previous Results:
- T4 LGESHL S13
- 1st NACL
- T8 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Vertigo was directly invited to the event after finishing top 6 in the CBJ Summer Cup. A somewhat new roster, but one that has had an immediate impact on the scene, with at least a top 4 finish in all major events they have played in, with the summer cup still going. The roster will look to add another top 4 finish to add to their resume, and will do it under the Lightning bolt.
Original Team: Composure
How they qualified: Top 6 in CBJ Summer Cup
Previous Results:
- T32 Caps Gaming Showcase
- 1st LGESHL S12
- T8 LGESHL S13
- T8 NACL
- T16 CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
Composure finished top 6 in the CBJ Summer Cup, allowing them to have an early pick to snatch up the Maple Leafs to play under. The team has gone through some recent changes and have had an average year so far for their standards but will look to the Northern Arena to finish the season off with a bang.
Original Team: Resignation
How they qualified: 1st in Qualifier 3
Previous Results:
- 39th CBJ Summer Cup (ongoing)
The young guns are back with a bit of a revamped roster, which has given themselves the boost they’ve needed to place first in the final qualifier to secure their spot. While this may be an inexperienced team, they have lots of skill and plenty to work to make a name for themselves.
Eastern Conference Standings Prediction:
- New York Underdogs
- Tampa Bay Vertigo
- Toronto Composure
- Long Island 6th Sense
- Detroit Turning Point
- Boston Nationalz
- Canadiens Esports
- Pittsburgh Washed
- Philadelphia Problematic
- Carolina Highlight Highlanders
- Washington Resignation
- Ottawa Momentum
- Buffalo Blacklist
- CBJ Gaming
- FlaPanthers Gaming
- NJDGC
Be sure to check out all of the featured games on the following channels:
The games start Tonight at 8:45 EST, don’t miss it!
Did we get it right? Did we butcher it? Let us know in the comments!
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