SCL 6v6 Playoffs: Round 1 Preview

With the Play-in round finished and only the top 16 remaining ion the battle, it is time to really get going with the playoffs in the SCL 6v6 league! Round 1 will be starting today, Sunday 5th of September and can be played until Thursday, 9th of September. The playoffs are played in a best-of-seven format. We'll be covering the playoffs in broadcasts on our Twitch-channel, where the first matchups will be aired tonight and casted by Adam @esdor Ericson and Johan @Zalaz Nilsson. We wish all participating teams good luck moving forward!

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The SCL 6v6 Playoff Schedule:

• Play-in Round: 31.8.-3.9
• Round 1: 5.-9.9
• Quarterfinals: 12.-15.9
• Semifinals: 19.-22.9
• Finals 25.9

Here are your Round 1 matchups:

(1)   Granit Gaming vs Company of Geeks  (16)

#1 seed Granit Gaming chose to decline an invitation directly to the playoffs in favor of playing through the group stage along with all the other teams and it has paid off for them in a big way. They're now familiar with a lot of the teams and have gotten up to speed with the level of play in the SCL while retaining their #1 seed along the way. Their opponent Company of Geeks managed to push through the Play-In round in a battle against Blessed Suedis. Interestingly enough, these two clashed in the group stage already and those games were one-sided to say the least. Granit Gaming exited with full points and a goal differential of 18-2 in their favor. This will be a cakewalk for Granit unless Company of Geeks will be able to flip a switch and upset the entire league. 

(2)  Farjestad BK vs Luleå Hockey  (15)

Farjestad BK have for a long time been that #2 Swedish team but are now mounting an effort to change that with determination. They managed to go undefeated through the group stage and quite notably, they have been the most disciplined team in the league so far, with only 20 PIMs in 14 games this far. It is unlike to really play a role for them yet, but that will be important in the bigger games later in the postseason. Luleå, on the other hand managed to squeeze their way into the playoffs through the Play-in round and are a team that can surprise strong squads in low-scoring battles but have a tendency to go on cold streaks from time to time. Farjestad BK should advance with ease.

(3)  Djurgarden Hockey vs Nordic Nosebleed  (14)

Djurgarden have made a steady ascent towards the top in the Swedish scene during the past few seasons of virtual hockey and now it looks like they are close to truly challenging for the throne for the first time. After a great group stage, they are facing Nordic Nosebleed, who have a history of suffocating stronger teams in the early playoff rounds before in various tournaments and won't give this one up easily, that's for sure. 

(4)  HV71 vs Illumination  (13)

Much alike Djurgarden, HV71 have been on a similar trajectory towards the top and with some of the high-profile acquisitions made over the past six months, the team now looks stronger than ever, which is evident in their play. Despite ending up at the #4 seed, they are right there with the best of teams in the league and will be on the lookout for the biggest trophy. Illumination, who they will be facing are an ensemble of experienced gamers, but the team lacks that x-factor that could push them over the edge to being a true contender. 

(5)  AiKnown vs HockeyProfessorn HC  (12) 

With perhaps some of the most experienced players in the scene on their roster, AiKnown are pushing on with an exciting mix of experience and young talent. They've shown already in the group stage that they possess the skill to steal wins from strong teams and will be going into this series as a favorite. HockeyProfessorn are in for a big challenge and would need to tighten up their play a bit of they are looking to advance. Thjey struggled with scoring against stronger defensive units in the group stage and need to find a way past that.

(6)  Björklöven Esport vs Sjukstugan  (11)

Despite their #6 seed, Brörklöven are a team that could battle up there with the best of them. Statistically, they are a very strong defensive unit with stellar special teams that can seemingly score at will. However, the reinvented Sjukstugan won't be giving up easily and surely have the experience to handle themselves in tough spots, but haven't quite found their groove on the ice yet. Goaltender @poliskontroll is among the best ones in the league on a good day.

(7)  Södertälje SK vs IK Oskarshamn  (10)

It is looking like we could be in for a very tough series in this one, as both teams played through the group stage with rather moderate numbers. Södertalje SK are the lowest scoring team still left in the postseason, whereas IK Oskarshamn are following quite close behind in that department. Special teams could be a decisive factor if the series go the low-scoring route and in that department, SSK holds a minor edge. 

(8)  Raging Monkeys vs Ice MachineZ  (9)

Raging Monkeys and Ice MachineZ are going head-to-head in this mid-tier battle although it is tough to imagine Ice MachineZ not advancing. They have a strong squad consisting of players that don't necessarily have that much experience together, but should find a way to tighten things up in the playoffs. That is not to say that Raging Monkeys wouldn't be a good team, but their quality will be put to a true test in this matchup.

Tune in to www.Twitch.tv/NHLGamer tonight at 19:45 CEST for the first matchups of the SCL 6v6 Playoffs!