l-Furyan-l

I🦀I The murderous crabos from the North are back I🦀I Northern Ascendancy returns to the competitive EASHL scene after a brief absence. There's been some changes since the last iteration of NOR took to the ice... yet some things remain the same. The team still employs an up-tempo, fast-paced style of hockey, it is still anchored by a Brexit-loving Brit whose one desire in life is to finally experience snow and it still features the best logo in the show: the Stabbing Crabo. Credit to Mr. @Juizki for the masterpiece you see below. You will hear more from the newly risen NOR as we slowly pull back the curtain to reveal things like our lineup and our new mascot (!), but what we can say is that we will be participating in the SCL and (hopefully) any and all 6v6 EASHL tournaments that follow it in the future. We've also joined Twitter (@nor_eashl) and Twitch (@NorthernAscendancy) so check those out and drop a Follow if you'd like! Or don't, either way is fine. But if you don't, we cant guarantee that some day, somewhere, somehow you won't get stabbed by a psychotic crab wielding a knife… so why take that chance? We leave you now with the official song (and dance!) of our people: / Northern Ascendancy PR Department

Is the process to change ISP complicated in Finland? Genuine question as I am curious. In Sweden it is usually (depending on circumstances of course) quite easy and can be accomplished in the span of a few days, if not quicker.

I mean… tough to answer the way I'd like so I'll just put it in writing instead: Yes, we are having dressing room errors. No, no one on our team uses DNA. However, the sole reason we are having dressing room errors (it seems) is because a lot of the teams we get matched up against keep dropping players. So would that make our team technically not have dressing room errors for the purposes of this poll...? 🤔

Congratulations to both SKY and FILA on a pair of tremendous seasons! Don't spend that prize money all at once, boys I have to say; not sure there has been a worthier champ in the ECL era (1-8) than SKY in ECL 8. Dominated pretty much every opponent all throughout the regular season and the playoffs (and regular EASHL). Impressive.

This is a great fuckin' idea for an ECL Cup, IMO. 16 separate groups anchored by 1 Elite team and 2 Pro teams per group. Rest is open registration. If we end up with 96ish teams, then its 6 teams per group. Say its 112 teams, that makes 7 teams per group. Top-2 makes the playoffs or - if you want to add the chance for the third team to make it - have the group winner make the playoffs directly and have seed #2 and #3 play each other in a quick BO3 "play-in". Heck, if you want to make the season longer for everyone, add like a "lower bracket playoff" where seeds #3 and #4 get a chance to win the "B Cup playoffs". Tweak the format however much is needed, throw some sparkle on it and we're good to go 🤠 Good idea, @Jesus.

Only tried it in Versus but... Before: 20-22 Now: 3 Södertälje, Sweden (about 40 minutes from Stockholm). Felt good.

Yeah, this is where I am at. It helps broadcasters (Finnish or International) to quickly identify who scored and assisted by the names that show up next to the scoreboard right after a goal. My in-game name right now says "Riddick" and has for years and, sure, most people (in the community) can connect that to "The_Alpha_Furyan" because I've been around for a long time, but for a broadcaster coming in with no knowledge and just "The_Alpha_Furyan, LD #77" written down in his note - he's gonna wonder who the hell "Riddick" is. It's really just to simplify.

Yeah, re-voted. Chose PSN ID's as its the most esports-leaning option available. Would you be "Teh-Beh-Nantti" or "TB n' Antti" on an international broadcast? 😏

This really comes down to the divergence between hockey and "(e)-Sports" ( @MartindalexC), in my opinion. If you want to embrace the hockey aspect of EASHL and 6v6 gaming, you enforce player names. If you want to lean NHLGamer more towards esports, you have the players skate with their PSN-IDs on their backs. Personally, I don't care either way (and voted as such) but it is an interesting discussion. Good topic @gzell60

If you're a member of the NHLGamer community, you've played against Rusty Blades. I considered writing "chances are" at first, but really - if you've been around the community for more than a few months you will have come across Rusty Blades in the matchup screen. Since the teams inception sometime before ECL 3, RB has been known - among other things - for its high level of activity. Annually at the top of the EASHL 6v6 leaderboards for games played, the Blades gradually started to climb those same leaderboards in the "Win" column as well. Practice makes perfect, they say, and it is my firm belief that no team - North American or European - played more games of EASHL 6v6 than Rusty Blades between their debut season in ECL 3 (18-25-3) and their next season; ECL 4 Pro. That season, they surprised many in the community by finishing third in their conference behind eventual Elite promotees Sjukstugan and Carlsberg HC. By also earning their promotion to Elite that season, RB proved that they were for real and that they were here to stay. Throughout their six-season run, the team has been led by the same man; @Tanski87 . For those of you who don't know Tanski, he's the hard-hitting, fast-passing #13 RD (and occasional C) you quickly learn to hate if you try to skate up the left wing against RB. A builder by trade, Tanski took his passion for constructing things and applied it to the construction of what eventually became a 6v6 EASHL team. Tanski87 aggressively barking orders as he skates up the ice, with a terrified MartindalexC looking on. With him for the duration of RB's ECL journey, Tanski has had his two lieutenants @Lamsa and @Supreex. Both known today to be top players at their respective positions RW and G, back when they started out they were just a group of guys trying to have fun by playing some EASHL. "Well, I have always believed that there should be no drama in a team", says Tanski as he returns from one of his customary smoke breaks between EASHL games. On this particular night - a few days before the start of ECL 8 - a disconnected matchup has paved the way for a longer break, allowing Tanski to answer some of my questions. "We have had success in this and I do believe we have made everyone feel comfortable playing in Rusty. Much of that is due to Lamsa and Supreex." I ask the RB captain to tell me a bit more about his two longest-tenured players. "Lamsa I have actually known each other since 7th grade in school. So my friendship with him reaches deeper than just this game we are playing together. As a player, Lamsa loves to score those goals. And he does have some unreal talent to score. It seems like he has no space and then boom - it's a goal." Long-time friends Lamsa and Tanski "comparing sticks" "He is also a fun guy in voice chat while playing. I do believe everyone who has played with him can agree with that." What about the man selected by all four Rusty Blade players interviewed so far to be the teams MVP? "Well, when talking about Supreex it would be foolish not to mention his skills as a goalie. One of the best, if not the best in this game. It seems like many agree with this. He was actually recruited from a Finnish gaming forum without having any 6v6 experience beforehand. He learned really quickly as he was not happy allowing goals." A man who does not like to allow goals. "Also, Supreex is a really competitive guy who hates to lose. Hates it. He has that in common with me. But his passion for the game is unmatched. I still vividly remember the ECL4 playoffs. We had just lost game 7 in overtime and Supi said that he would be out at least a week... but there he was the next day between the pipes of the Rusty net. That's passion, that's Supreex and that's Rusty Blades." At once, we are joined by a third player. With a voice deeper than the mariana trench, Lamsa announces his arrival. "Hello", he gravels. I ask the high-scoring RW some questions about previous seasons and his expectations for ECL 8. By utilizing a surprisingly effective mix of English, Finnish and profanity - with some translation help from his captain - Lamsa digs into the questions. The time spent playing EASHL has given Lamsa plenty of grey hairs. "Last season was quite a disappointment. The expectations were big after quite a good eSM tournament. Start of last season was really awkward for us. We didn't play as good as a team as we were able to and it kinda destroyed our chances that season. My own game was slow to get going and felt like a ride on a rollercoaster. Sometimes it felt like it was my first time on the ice and everything was new and difficult. What about this season? "I hope we can play a good season without too many bad phases. Expectations are high and I believe that we will be a playoff team. Even with so many roster changes? "Yeah. The changes have felt good. And big changes they are. I, of course, miss my old teammates but this new Rusty has been lots of fun to play with." Tanski chimes in. "I had a really good time with the old Rusty roster. Great guys and great times. But I am really thrilled about this new roster and change. And also really motivated off and on the ice. Only negative is that with this really short offseason we are still getting to really know each others on the ice. But still I have positive vibes." Just like @Foppatofflan and @MartindalexC, Lamsa is asked which ECL defenders he considers difficult to play against. After mentioning @DieCutterMC, @jtorro1233, @vatalisti, @Janzuh and @FakiiR1 he admits he's probably leaving a lot of skilled defenders out. "I'm really bad at remembering names, I can barely even remember the names of my own teammates." ***** Suddenly, the rest of the team is back. It is time to return to the EASHL grind - the same grind that has turned Rusty Blades and its longest-tenured members Tanski87, Lamsa and Supreex into forces to be reckoned with in the ECL community. The same grind that gives the trio hope that the sixth chapter in the Book of Rusty Blades will be the most successful one yet.

@Kenu is crushing it right now. Just absolutely crushing it. Outstanding job, buddy!

Very cool guys, nice job! Does this mean @Patovic_ returns in the role of GM/Coach/Personal trainer? 😍

Falun Coal Miners (FCM) @The_Alpha_Furyan ---> Rusty Blades [Elite] @LastMandalorian ---> Speedy Bros Hockey [Pro] @pentsaa ---> Rusty Blades [Elite] @Panserhagen ---> Spartans [Lite] @PatzyDrake ---> Free Agent @selänne8 (BiggestEight) ---> Free Agent @Asche (Aschebas4hor) ---> Free Agent @Berger l88l ---> Free Agent @Onecorner95 ---> Retiring @iscojr94 ---> Retiring @Meeertz ---> Retiring

So far, so good. One year later and I am still alive, haha. "This might actually work" I wanted to take the time to share the latest story I wrote for EP Rinkside (Eliteprospects); a lengthy, somewhat personal piece on my hometown of Södertälje and its local hockey club "SSK" - a true talent factory that has helped develop NHL players like Anze Kopitar and David Pastrnak. You might like it! Here it is:

Well, the experts were right - FCM did finish 15th, hah! 😂 ECL 7 was a really, really tough season for us. We didn't even come close to meeting the expectations we had set for ourselves. That said, as a team we take some pride in being able to finish the season - even when it looked like we wouldn't be able to. Thanks for having us, Elite. Anyway. Not completely related to our Elite relegation but - let's be honest here - somewhat connected to it, we have a short message to present: To quote the great Bilbo Baggins from Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring: "I regret to announce — this is The End". After 8 tournaments (ECL 1-7, OEHL 4) and over three years of jokes, mining and great (well... good) hockey - Falun Coal Miners is folding and will therefore not be participating in the upcoming ECL 8. All players on the FCM roster are now to be considered Free Agents. Snatch them up quickly if you can - those who will continue playing, that is - because they are terrific people with good hockey minds. I can personally vouch for that. Who knows, perhaps FCM will even be back some day. You never know. Until then, thanks to everyone who has suited up for the Red, White 'n Coal! Good luck to all the teams and players out there and a special "keep it going for ECL 8" to TIKI TALK, Gotham Knights (Refuse To Lose), Silver Sword Griffins, Northern Stars, Sjukstugan, Synergy Hockey, SIKA, Dynasty, Northern Ascendancy - who are now set to become the last nine teams to play in all ECL tournaments. We dug coal together ⛏️

Thanks @Kenu! Glad you guys can check it out, took many long hours to compile - haha. I would like to add that the individual stat RECORD BOOK hasn't been updated for some time so there might be inaccuracies there. Which is to say; perhaps a few of the records were broken since I made it. The "historical" lists for both teams and individuals should be 100% though. Would also like to give shoutouts to @MartindalexC and (I believe) @Panarinz who worked on and added stuff to this. If anyone wants to pick up the torch and keep updating it, go ahead! @Juizki perhaps?

Confirmed: FCM won't finish 16th in ECL Elite this season 🧐

HIGHLIGHTS ECL 7 ROUND 1 vs. SIKA (0-3, 4-1) [Seems like the music might be blocked in Finland - sorry about that. Will try new audio next game!]

@Patovic_ 😱 'tis a huge loss for the EASHL World 😢 Also, rumour: @Norpee -> FA Wat is goin' onnnnn???

Probably but... one can hope, right? Surely they wouldnt bring back the L1?

Wait, why does it say the opposite in our story? Who is right? "Fixed some cases where a skater is exiting Crouch Block would not trip opponents"

They cant be serious. Now they're bringing back the L1 spam? They release a perfect fucking game and then proceed to do everything in their power to make it below average.

ECL 7 Elite - a.k.a "the season where nobody believes in us… again" So, a lot has happened for the Coal Miners lately. That's why I'm going to tell you an incredible story, kids. The story of how I met your m... iner. Jokes. Fun. Laughter. Anyway, stuff HAS happened over at Coal Miner Central so to get any (hello?) and all readers up to speed, here's a quick rundown: We said good-bye to one of our "heart-and-soul" players 😥 Remember us, @minokin. Always! We partnered up with a Spanish professional football team 😎 Our captain (me!) somehow made the EA SPORTS Gamechanger program 🤯 We scored our first goal of NHL 19 🤑 We gained a new assistant captain 👨‍✈️ Attaboy, @pentsaa! We signed a Norwegian and a German ✈️ Welcome @Panserhagen & @Asche! We signed up for ECL 7, Elite license and all... …only to be predicted to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the division. Thanks, Elite captains 💩 Anyway. Once again us Miners are deemed a hopeless case - not prepared for what is to come in ECL 7. In response to that I'd like to quote my personal Lord and Saviour; Richard B. Riddick on two occasions. First: "Don't know how many times I've been crossed off the list and left for dead, so this, this ain't nothing new. So yet again, we play for blood". I'll get to the second quote soon. But if you thought putting us at the bottom of the rankings was going to make us lay down and die, well… I hope we won't. That would be awkward. (Haha.) No, it won't. But you know what it will do? It'll put us right back in the position of being the plucky underdog, which is where we prefer to be anyway. We're used to working underground for eight hours a day so striking from below suits us just fine. The second quote? See for yourself... OH AND WAIT, I almost forgot… here is our lineup for this season: Over n' out, Cap

Hahaha - fantastic clip!

⛏️ Falun Coal Miners [FCM] - ECL Elite ⛏️ IN: @Panserhagen (panserhagen12) from Bucketeers [All-rounder] @Asche (Aschebas4hor) from EV Duisburg [Goaltender] Welcome to the Mine!