MietuskaXIV

This report is written in the afternoon of 28.12.2022 and reflects the situation at that time. Almost every team has now played about half of their regular season games so it is about the time to start with our mid-season report. We'll have some bold predictions, a little insight, stats, a bit of everything. But first of all, happy new years to everyone! So let's take a look at the regular season standings and what's going on there. Breaking things down group by group we’ll start off from group 1. Technical Disaster and Bad to the Bone are tied up for first place at the time of writing. Same amount of games, same record and also similarities in opponents played, both teams look solid and I think they're going to continue their streak and could be fighting for that number one spot at the end of the season. Also, it looks like Resurrection has found their game. They are in a great spot to fight for a good seed for the Playoffs. The first ever Xbox team xBOTS is looking solid too at fourth in their group and fighting for a higher Playoff seed. They have some defensive issues that they'll need to iron out, but should be able to get it done soon enough. Gunners HC have only played eight games thus far so there is more to come from this strong lineup in the upcoming weeks. Lions Academy (academy of ZCS eSports) also started the season well with five wins and only one loss in overtime so they might be one of the higher seeded teams at the end of the regular season. When looking at group 2 there is one team that has dominated and went under the radar before season started. Six Sticks Misfits is the real contender to go far in this Winter season. Their two goal scoring machines @Lamsa and @el_tacobag and some solid defence has shown what good players can do together. In second place in the group is Pirati Chomutov Esports, who is also one of the favorites to battle for that first seed in this group. Only one overtime loss so far and it was against another top team in Six Sticks Misfits. This Czech team is strong and they have a long campaign ahead of them if they can keep their form throughout the season. The long standing Finnish Hockey Legends are also on the right course to a good seed for the playoffs. On the flipside, Sawolanche hasn’t quite found their game yet and is surprisingly struggling this season. Group three is one where two teams rise above the rest. Hunters and EHC Kloten eSports seem to be battling for first place between the two of them, whereas the mid-table finishes are going to come down to the fight between three or four other squads. Both Hunters and Kloten are high-scoring teams that will be able to outmuscle their opponents offensively, and we still have their head-to-head battle to look forward to in the latter part of the season. Prestige is a team with only eight games thus far, and they're lagging a bit behind the others, so they could end up making a push for top seeds still. NOSTREETSPORTS have been a pleasant surprise, even sporting some Elite experience in the form of @selänne8 (BiggestEight) in their ranks. One of the letdowns in this group has definitely been Armada Hockey, who are struggling to slot into the playoffs at the moment and could eventually end up on the outside looking in. Group 4 has been the show for mistakes. Big Mistake have came and shown they are a really offensive powered team that also has the ability to defend well when under pressure. Young star @Allupekkaz has shown great potential for a couple seasons now and is finally showing that all his hard work comes into fruition. Also Södertälje SK have had a good start to their season and they have had good poise in their games. Timrå IK also had a great start to the campaign but let' see how far they can fly. Stone Age has been struggling and has suffered a little bit of fluctuating form, but they could find that calmness and draw from their experience to eventually reach a Playoff spot. STATS TOP 5 Forwards @Lamsa, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 25G 29A @el_tacobag, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 26G 24A @punt1la98, Hunters , 12GP 26G 19A @Adri1_SCP, Pirati Chomutov Esports , 10GP 18G 27A @kibenibe, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 15G 25A Defensemen @SelanneFIN, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 2G 17A @SirLateksi, Hunters , 12GP 2G 15A @Laama777, Hunters , 12GP 1G 16A @Da1m0n, EHC Kloten eSports , 12GP 0G 17A @kiwison, EHC Kloten eSports , 12GP 1G 16A Goalies @RaNtA, Six Sticks Misfits , 14GP 83,92SV% GAA 1.64 @Miettinen14, Hunters , 12GP 88,51SV% GAA 1.42 @jjamboj, BIG Mistake , 12GP 86,86SV% GAA 1.5 @Kussan82, Södertälje SK , 12GP 81.45SV% GAA 1.92 @Deathstrokeris, Pirati Chomutov Esports , 10GP 80SV% GAA 2.5

SportsGamers, ECL Lite is the third tier of competition under the European Championship League umbrella and features several established teams that have been building their story for years, such as Nordic Nosebleed, Lutunilkat, Resurrection or Armada Hockey. In addition, we also have the first Xbox Series X|S team xBOTS in this division, so we should have some cool storylines to follow! Many old teams and even more new teams are here to fight for prizes and promotion to the higher divisions. The road isn’t always the easiest and as we've seen in the past, a good regular season doesn’t mean anything when the really big games start in the Playoffs. It's definitely going to be a season to keep your eye on with several good teams, and even better individuals. Season Information ECL '23 Winter Lite features 64 teams divided in four groups with 16 teams each. Eight teams per group will make the Playoffs, which are played in a best-of-seven manner. Head to the league page here to view the groups and game schedule. ECL '23 Winter: Lite Schedule Qualifiers: 24.11-8.12.2022 Regular Season: 13.12.2022-18.1.2023 RO32: 22.-25.1.2023 RO16: 29.1-1.2.2023 Quarterfinals: 5.-8.2.2023 Semifinals: 12.-15.2.2023 Finals: 19.-22.2.2023 Season preview Preview written by @Miettinen14 The new season brings many new teams to Lite due to many of last season's top end teams getting their place in the higher division, Pro. Big Mistake is one of the interesting new teams. 12-0 in qualifiers is rare and is really a storm warning given to the opponents in the division. The squad consists of several experienced players and young prodigy @Allupekkaz, who is expected to have a proper breakout season. Gunners HC is another club that looks great coming into their first ever ECL campaign. They've got some experienced players who played together in the eSM and got into the top 16, beating the mighty HAVU Gaming on their way there. If they'll be able to find that same form and keep their heads cool, they could end up being solid contenders this season. As mentioned before, the first ever Xbox team signed up, xBOTS is another one to keep your eyes on. Their players might not sound too familiar at this point, but on the 1v1 side of the game, the roster is stacked with talent. It's going to be interesting to see how they play and if they can match up well against some of the more established PlayStation squads. The more experienced side is really well represented too. For example Armada Hockey, Finnish Hockey Legends and Oulunsalo HT have made up the core of the Lite division for some seasons already. We are looking for them to eventually find a way to level up their game or at a minimum solidify their spots as consistent Playoff contenders. One very experienced team, that we haven't seen on the 6v6 ice earlier is Vizio, consisting of several well performing 1v1 players and led by @Artuzio. We've seen similar projects in the past, and they've never really taken off to the extent that their potential would suggest. However, it is certain that these players hold the skill required to really make their mark in this division and above. It'll also be extremely interesting to see what community sweethearts Lutunilkat will be up to this season. They're a team that certainly knows how to get a buzz going around them and have proven their skill on the social media side of things in the past, maybe now is the time to transition that onto the ice? Lite also has the Central European teams very well represented, with the likes of SCB eSports, EHC Dinamo Riga, Nurnberg IceTigers eSport, Eisbaeren Lauf Gaming, Gleumes Hockey Krefeld and many more participating. These are teams that are always tough to get a read on as they play a lot in their DACH-bubble, which is both a disadvantage and an advantage. The community has grown a great lot over the years and these teams are able to get quality practice on a regular basis, with the exception of the very top teams. However, the issue might be not seeing that much of the northern teams, but in turn, these northern teams don't see too much of the central teams either. Players to watch Lite holds a lot of interesting and highly skilled players this season. It has traditionally been one of those levels, where individual players get to shine more, before moving up to the more defensively sound Pro and Elite divisions. @Valee__, Hunters Valee will be playing for his old team Hunters this season. He took one season in Pro and is now back with his old team trying to achieve what they couldn’t do in the past. @Maexsa, Stone Age A true veteran and the heart and soul of Stone Age. The team is a lite mainstay, but missed out on playoff competition in the Spring season, warranting a comeback story. We'll see Maexsa take the lead in that push for glory. @sisu33_, Vizio The young gun for this season is sisu33_. Maybe not the most known player in the 6v6 scene but proving himself on the 1v1 side already. Maybe we see him breaking into sixes this season alongside some of the most highly skilled players around in Vizio. @Markus strandfeldt (Strandis96), Skellefteå AIK Strandis96 is an interesting player also. Has built up his resume between Core and Pro and has shown potential to become a great player, even in the near future. Changing the scenery every season may be the problem but maybe Skellefteå is the right place to grow for him. @JesseL2002, Project X Project X have gotten JesseL2002 back from Reality Check. He has proven his level and even got the Elite promotion with Reality Check. Fortunately for Project X, they are getting a very welcome familiar face to their squad! @Youtube_Azzez, Purification Azzez has great hands and vision. Showing great potential and this might be the season for him to really blossom. Has surrounded himself with likeminded players that are also looking for a spot to break out, perhaps they'll elevate each other. @sylvesterrr87 (Bafligen), Ghost Ghost has a really good center in Bafligen. Really shines with his two-way play and can help his team in both ends of the ice. A very mature player, who you can really count on. @Artuzio, Vizio A player you can never count out. Has won almost everything you can imagine on the 1v1 side of things, but success has eluded him in sixes. Maybe a couple youngsters and some of his old trustees by his side will help him turn the tide. ECL '23 Lite competition officially starts tonight, with several teams having their opening matchups scheduled! Make sure to follow the tag #ECL23Winter on social media to stay up to date on all the latest news and gameday updates. As always, Good luck, play hard and have fun!