SCL 6v6 playoffs: Quarterfinals preview

NHLGamers,

Welcome to the quarterfinals of the SCL playoffs, where the top 8 teams of Sweden will go to battle for the championship. The first playoff round was one of few surprises, but we saw some lower seeds push through despite some doubt of that happening as HV71 overcame 5th seed Djurgarden and SSK Esports managed to upset 6th seed Company of Geeks. We've got some interesting matchups to offer up in the quarters and will be broadcasting some action whenever possible. Stay tuned for more information about that!

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6) Turneringsstruktur

• Registrering: 18.8.-27.8.
• Grundserie: 28.8.-13.9.
• Play-in Runda: 14.9.-15.9. (BO5) 4/8
• Playoffs Runda 1 17.-20.9. (BO7)
• Kvartsfinal: 22.-25.9. (BO7)
• Semifinal: 27.9.-30.9. (BO7)
• Bronskamp 3.10. (BO3)
• Final (Top 2): 3.10. (BO7)

Grundserien spelas i fyra grupper, där de tre bästa lagen i varje grupp (totalt 12 lag) går direkt till slutspelet. Utöver detta kommer lagen på plats 4-5 i varje grupp att spela en Play-in runda för gruppens sista plats i slutspelet.

Play-in rundan spelas i bäst av fem. Slutspel spelas med den bästa av sju-metoden. Det bästa laget i ordinarie säsong möter det 16: e laget och så vidare.

Here are your quarterfinal matchups:

(1)  Vesa Pompa HC vs HV71 eSHL  (12)
TOP SCORER (playoffs)
Casper @ICappeI Lundgren (13+12=25) vs Tobias @Tkautto98 Kautto (9+4=13)

GOALTENDER (playoffs)
Edvin @Thunborg5 Thunborg (73.33 SV%, 1.6 GAA, 1 SO) vs Isak @IsakTuvesson Tuvesson (82.93 SV%, 2 GAA, 0 SO)

The reigning SCL champions Vesa Pompa HC have put together a quite exciting and talented squad for their title defense season. Superstar goalie @ICappeI as a leading scorer - you bet! The scoring goalie is backed by arguably the best player in the world Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha and the usual Vesa Pompa suspects, it's a tough team to beat for sure. If anyone's going to prove an upset though, who better to do so than HV71 eSHL, who now have racked up a ton of experience around their captain Daniel @Demski13 Gadd. I'm doubting Vesa Pompa are yet to meet their match in this series and should make rather quick work of HV71, unless the Jonkoping-based club can shut down the offense of the defending champs.

(2)  Vaxjo Lakers HC vs SSK Esports  (11)
TOP SCORER (playoffs)
Anton @antoniomannen004 Svensander (9+10=19) vs Philip @Drunkendefender Ström (4+10=14)

GOALTENDER (playoffs)
Filip @Fcoy_faze Azri (86.96 SV%, 0.75 GAA, 1 SO) vs Mikael @Tauri Tauriainen (69.57 SV%, 1.4 GAA, 1 SO)

Vaxjo managed to get out of the first round in rather easy fashion against Rogle BK, who didn't manage to match the speed of VLH, whereas SSK caused the first real upset of the season when overwhelming 6th seed Company of Geeks 4-1 in the series. The depth of Vaxjos roster is second to none as the team could almost put up two competitive lines and stand up to SSK in this series, but we're expecting them to settle with for the players already proven in the first round. Wingers Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen and Anton @antoniomannen004 Svensander possess all the skill in the world and will make the lives of SSK defenders tough throughout this series.

(3)   Northern Ascendancy vs Sjukstugan  (8)
TOP SCORER (playoffs)
Erik @Eki Tammenpää (17+14=31) vs Joonas @Patzlaf Paatiala (6+8=14)

GOALTENDER (playoffs)
Jonas @poliskontroll Lindström (76.92 SV%, 0.75 GAA, 2 SO) vs Patric @Thunstrom89 Thunström (73.24 SV%, 2.71 GAA, 1 SO)

It was an absolute landslide in the first round when Northern Ascendancy walked over HockeyProfessorn HC, going 39-3 in aggregate score over the four games played. The experienced lineup surely is gelling well and is expected to make a cup run this season, but the team is still to be tested by a tough opponent. With Sjukstugan, we see a team that has tons of potential and has put together all the right pieces for success, but haven't quite clicked yet. All-time players such as Reto @Haldeem Haldemann, Björn @Bjono Nordetun and Joonas @Patzlaf Paatiala look good on any roster, but will need to find chemistry in order to overcome their biggest challenge of the tourney yet.

(4)  Farjestad BK vs Leksands IF  (7)
TOP SCORER (playoffs)
Andreas @affelj96 Ljungberg (10+6=16) vs Johan @Isindar Jonsson (4+6=10)

GOALTENDER (playoffs)
Johan @Rundqviiist Rundqvist (81.08 SV%, 1.4 GAA, 2 SO) vs Kimmo @DUNZA Sunnari (60.61 SV%, 2.6 GAA, 0 SO)

This is going to be an exciting clash of two very different styles of play. We know that FBK likes to utilize their quick feet on the wings but also have two defenders in Harri @Totalii Joona and Robin @Rubituss Söderqvist who aren't afraid to join the rush themselves if need be. Leksands is known for running a tight ship defensively and showed just that throughout the groupstage and even into the playoffs. The team isn't afraid to trust the process and give up possession if that means they can look for openings to strike back on counters. The battle of the goalies is also interesting, as Johan @Rundqviiist Rundqvist and Kimmo @DUNZA Sunnari actually shared responsibility for Leksands in eSHL, but are now at opposite ends of the ice, may the best man win!

Tune in for the playoffs tonight!

The quarterfinals start tonight  as we'll see SSK Esports take on Vaxjo Lakers HC in a broadcast commentated by Adam @esdor Ericson and Johan @Zalaz Nilsson, starting at 21:20 CEST on twitch.tv/NHLGamer.

Who are your picks to advance? Let us know in the comments section below!