hifk_FANI

After a brutal season of non-stop action, Europe's absolute top teams are ready for a showdown. These squads have clawed their way here through hell and back, with massive stakes beyond just hoisting the trophy. Four wins from immortality, but only one gets the crown. This finals banger deserves a rewind on their wild paths, a deep dive into the chaos ahead, plus our bold calls as always. Enough hype, let's roll into the preview and unpack how they got here.     Tohtorit Regular Season: 18-14-1-7 (63pts) 2nd in Elite Division   Quarterfinal: 4-0 vs (7) KUUSAMO.gg 5-2 W, 3-4OTW, 3-2OTW, 2-0 W   Semifinal: 4-2 vs (4) GOONS 1-5 L, 2-1 OTW, 0-1 W, 7-1 W, 0-3 W   Season Summary Tohtorit has been a dominant team for the entire regular season, right there with HAVU Gaming. They were one of the top teams this season, and with HAVU out, Tohtorit takes their spot as the favourites to win. As for the regular season, they took it upon themselves to be the best defensive team in the league. Now they're in the finals and putting their defense to the test against a team that has fought their way through hell to be here. Tohtorit's season is coming down to a best-of-seven series; now is the time to put their best foot forward and take home the trophy. In the quarterfinals, they put their defense to the test immediately against a skillful Kuusamo.gg team, with 7 goals conceded in four games, and a shutout, you could say they were successful. For any other team, yes, for Tohtorit, this was bang-average defense. With a sweep in the series, you always assume that the other team was dominated. For this series, the answer was yes and no, Kuusamo.gg challenged Tohtorit with two games going to overtime, but with great defense comes great results. For the semifinals, Tohtorit managed to take out Goons in another dominant performance; it just seems there is no stopping this Tohtorit team. Goons took a surprising game 1 win by the score of 5-2, showing the scene that this Tohtorit team isn't invincible. One of the best offensive teams in Elite, Goons took Tohtorit by surprise and had a real shot to advance, but Tohtorit adapted quickly and won four straight after that, Goons scored twice in those four games, which highlights just how unpredictable the playoffs can be. Now in the finals, Tohtorit will face vNexs, who faced off in the season opener, which Tohtorit managed to take full points, hopefully this finals series will be as tight of a series as that matchup, in which Tohtorit won both games by one goal. The playoffs are a different breed, and everybody who has ever played in the ECL playoffs at any level knows that it's just different. Now we get to see the best of the best faceoff in a thrilling battle for the ultimate prize. There is no higher prize in the ECL ladder than the Elite championship. If Tohtorit want to avoid a loss in this series, they need to take vNexs seriously. They're brimming with confidence and are ready to fire on all cylinders heading into this series. With their defense, Tohtorit have every tool in their toolbox to tear the Swedes apart as the Finns did in the Olympics. @Stammer70 is still the favourite to be the starter for Finland in the upcoming games, and now he's going to show just how good he is.   Player to Watch @Ojala16 His story has gone on for a while; he has found his best gear in the ECL this season, showing the entire ECL that he is one of the best talents in EU. Now in the finals, looking for his first championship, we'll get to see firsthand just how talented this winger really is.   Projected Starting Lineup LW - @Ojala16- (9gp, 8 goals, 10 assists, 2GWG, 70 Giveaways) C - @Patzlaf- (9gp, 11 goals, 49,5 faceoff %, 15 interceptions, 42,3 shooting %) RW - @Harlowi- - (9gp, 6 goals, 21pts, 27 shots, 0GWG) LD - @Kkarkass- (9gp, 4 assists, 2 goals, 6pts, 6 PIM, 20 hits) RD - @FlyerKungen- (9gp, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9pts, 34 hits, 0 PIM) G - @Stammer70- (9gp, 8 wins, 84,78 SV%, 3 shutouts)   vNexs   Regular Season: 15-4-3-8 (56pts) 6th in Elite Division   Quarterfinal: 4-3 vs (3) Mythix 1-0 L, 6-2 W, 8-1 W, 4-2 L, 2-1 W, 2-1 L, 4-2 W   Semifinal: 4-3 vs (1) HAVU 5-0 W, 1-0 L, 0-1 L, 1-2 W, 1-0 W, 2-1 OTL, 6-1 W   Season Summary vNexs, which was quite a refreshing sight to the ECL scene when they started their journey, have teams in all ECL divisions and try to implement a system in which they promote players from within, giving players familiar play styles within the organization and a gateway for people to gain easier entry to the different divisions. Their star-studded group of Swedes has had a great season so far. I mean, they're in the finals; that's a given, but considering many had them in their preseason projections missing the playoffs, you could say they're on a tear right now. They had no easy task in the quarterfinals; their first opponent was reigning FCL champions Mythix, who were the clear favourites in this series, but vNexs showed that this was not the case. They took down Mythix in seven games and showed they lack no confidence this season. The almost full Swedish team has shown that game sevens are their speciality this season, so Tohtorit look out for this. The quarterfinals served as their show; they managed to show teams that their offense is one of the best in Elite, and the duo of @AntonLxnd & @Alpha borje are not ones to shy away from showing off their great individual talent. Nobody expected vNexs to beat Mythix, let alone HAVU Gaming in the semifinals, but they came prepared, and HAVU came in with the assumption this was a walk on the beach? Lesson learned, don't underestimate your opponent. vNexs took this series in seven games, showing everyone once again that their talent is immense, they had done their homework and exposed the ECL veteran @Hansulinho in net, and really showing the true definition of the word "underdog".  Low scoring games, combined with a few high scoring wins they held HAVU to only 6 goals in 7 games, sounds strange when the series went to seven games, but HAVU won 2 games with the score 1-0 and got shutout in another 2 games, this isn't quite what everybody expected from the number one seed, this shows how dominant @FINSeRe can be when he wants to, still one of the most accomplished players in EU and gets disrespected by a big part of the community is outrageous. Being in the finals, vNexs has the opportunity to show that not even the best defense in ECL can stop them, the showdown of best offense vs best defense is always great to see. They lost twice to Tohtorit in the regular season and have everything to play for now. Tohtorit have been great at stopping the best of wingers, but @FlyerKungen & @Kkarkass will have their hands full with the Swedish trio in offense. If the Swedish giants can now keep their production high and rely on their great goaltending, they will just see themselves in a similar situation as before in the quarterfinals and semifinals, with a real shot at winning. If vNexs can keep these games high scoring, and keep Tohtorit on their toes and behind most games, they will be in the driver's seat this series, but if the games are low-scoring the roles will be reversed. Scoring first will be of utmost importance in this series. It's still shown with statistics that the team that scores first has the better chance to win in the end, and when it comes to eHockey, no exceptions.  Interview with RW @Alpha borje We caught up with @Alpha borje before the series, and he answered a few questions.   HF - "What has been the main reason for your success this season?" AB - "The main reason for our success is the teamwork and good communication & the grind all season, I would say." HF - "Who has been the leader within your team, and what has he done to stand out?" AB- "Our leaders has been @pappeen-, and @antoniomannen004 who have been in the scene a long time and know what it takes! They help us stay calm and focused throughout the whole games! And clear in the communication."   HF - "Your rise from the Pro division into the Elite finals is quite something. What advice could you give to the new players trying to reach the same milestones as you?" AB - "My advice would be to stay patient and keep working hard. Improvement takes time! And put in the grind! Listen to the feedback!   HF - "And lastly, what do you need to do to take home the championship trophy next week?" AB - "We need to stay focused and calm the whole games, be disciplined, create chances from their mistakes, and dare to play what we do best, and last but not least have a good vibe in the party chat!"   Player to Watch @dippen04 Has found his form with vNexs, one of the best goalscoring centers in the Elite division, will now faceoff against another great center in @Patzlaf. Now he has the chance to cement himself as a top 3 center in the highest division.   Projected Starting Lineup LW - @AntonLxnd - (14gp, 15 goals, 11 assists, 1GWG, 110 Giveaways) C - @dippen04 - (14gp, 16 goals, 12 assists 50,4 faceoff %, 32 takeaways, 35,6 shooting %, 6GWG) RW - @Alpha borje - (14gp, 7 goals, 19pts, 43 shots, 109 hits) LD - @pappeen- - (14gp, 19 assists, 0 goals, 19pts, 0 PIM, 38 hits) RD - @antoniomannen004 - (14gp, 0 goals, 9 assists, 9pts, 63 hits, 0 PIM, 6 shots) G - @FINSeRe - (14gp, 8 wins, 87,9 SV%, 2 shutouts, 1.36GAA)     Watch the Finals Watch the Finals live on twitch.tv/ReactioMedia, with commentary by our very own @Tougie24 Wednesday, February 18th, 20:45 CET - Games 1-2 Thursday, February 19th, 20:15 CET - Games 4-7

After a crazy season full of ups and downs, the ECL Pro division, Europe's second-tier eHockey division, is finally down to the last two teams standing. These teams have fought through thick and thin to get here, and there's a ton riding on this beyond just lifting the cup. Four wins away from advancing to the Elite division, but only one gets to take it all home. A finals this stacked deserves a quick look back at how each team made it, a real breakdown of what's coming, and our honest predictions for who walks away with the Pro title. Enough talking, let's get into it and see how they earned their spot in this thing.   UNIQUE 17-2-3-8 (58pts) Unique has had one hell of a comeback season in this season's ECL, after finishing 13th last season and ending up having to qualify for the Pro division. They eventually did it without breaking a sweat, and now sit one series win away from the Elite division, crazy isn't it? So if you're stuck in the Pro division thinking the Elite division is so far away, think again; Unique have shown that teamwork goes a long way in today's ECL.  After the qualifiers, Unique got seeded into group 1, where they instantly set the tone with massive wins against SSK Prospects. This set the tone for Unique's whole season; they knew that they had what it takes to push themselves into the playoff mix, and eventually finished 5th in their group, being bested by MoDo hockey, who had the same amount of points in the regular season and got the 4th seed by a tiebreak of wins in the regular season. Unique entered the first round matchup as somewhat favourites against a surprising vNexs ll, who had a surprising regular season. After a game 1 loss against the Swedish team, they won four in a row to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. What stood out for Unique in this series was their ability to close out the close games; they took the lead in all games and held that lead until the final buzzer, which is crucial in the playoffs. In the quarterfinals, Unique had a familiar foe in Greatest, which they bested in 6 games. Once again losing the first game, they won three straight games and set themselves up to have a chokehold on the series. Unique managed to concede just once in their last 3 wins of the series, completely shutting out the high-octane offence of Greatest, who was the clear favourite in the series, showing how important @Kussan82 is to their game. In the semifinals, Unique had the upset of the Pro division, taking down heavy favourites F0CUS in seven games. In a series where both teams had shutouts, it was an interesting series to follow. @Jakeexh showed he is an elite talent, being a menace in their feat towards the final. F0CUS had the chance to take down Unique after their games on monday where they had a 2-1 series lead, but Unique showed resilience and grit in clawing their way back to win the series. Now they face POGGERS, who have had a rollercoaster of a season so far. If Unique wants to take down the former Elite team, they need to find that extra gear. POGGERS have the experience to end this series in four games. Defenseman @LE1PAKONE (Nordzman) has found his place again, now back on the blueline, he leads all defensemen in scoring (4+26) by a large margin and has shown the Pro division that he is the best defenseman in the league. If Unique wants to play in Elite next season, they need to find a way to stop the incredible offense of POGGERS. So far, they've been great at stopping the opposing team's top players, but with the finals comes added pressure and a somewhat inexperienced (compared to POGGERS) Unique team could grab the controller a bit more tightly with casters, viewers, and the pressure of Elite at the tip of their fingers. If they can keep their heads cool and their defense on point, they have every chance to win this series.   Projected Starting Lineup LW - @Jakeexh - (18gp, 19 goals, 25 assists, 44pts, 4GWG, 133 Giveaways) C - @tonninen - (18gp, 12 goals, 51,6 faceoff %, 21 blocked shots, 10 PIM) RW - @Ribbeex - (18gp, 19 goals, 41pts, 80 shots, 4GWG) LD - @LE1PAKONE (Nordzman) - (18gp, 26 assists, 4 goals, 30pts, 0 PIM, 64 hits) RD - @pakjiz - (18gp, 3 goals, 16 assists, 19pts, 52 hits, 2 PIM) G - @Kussan82  - (18gp, 12 wins, 83,21 SV%, 3 shutouts)   POGGERS14-4-2-10 (52pts) After a rocky start to the season where POGGERS lost important points, they eventually gathered themselves like the top team they are, they finished the group stage in 6th position. Now they face the 5th placed Unique, who they played against in the regular season, which goes to show that all that matters is making the playoffs; after that, it's a whole new game. POGGERS have shown for many seasons what they're capable of and can beat any team, on any day of the week if they feel like it. POGGERS had an ok season last season, they took the 7th seed and got swept by Almost Famous in the 1st round. This season has been quite different for the veteran team. The regular season was filled with interesting matchups, and they faced one of the hottest teams in Pro in the 1st round, NOSTREETSPORTS. POGGERS went into the 1st round as heavy underdogs and proved everyone wrong. They swept the youngster team in four games, which seemed not even close. NOSTREET couldn't get anything going, and POGGERS took advantage, ending the series in an orderly fashion. With the sweep in the 1st round, POGGERS were brimming with confidence and faced the number one-seeded Puck Over Glass and the division's top scorer; this didn't faze the veteran team one bit as they took them down in a different way, in seven games. Games went both ways the entire series, as all games but one or two were one-goal games. This is where POGGERS shine, they take home tight games with a scary percentage, and this finals series is no exception as they head into the finals series as slight favourites. In the semifinals, they faced a similar foe in Finnish Roosters; both teams have been around for ages, and it showed as POGGERS completely outplayed Finnish Roosters and swept them in a similar manner as they did with their round 1 opponent. Finnish Roosters seemed to have used their energy in past matchups, as we saw a lifeless version of the team that cruised to a group win in the regular season. This shows how strong a team POGGERS is. @Hullued had a monster of a series, conceding only 1.5 goals per game, now facing a more creative team in Unique, his skillset will be invaluable to the defense of POGGERS. Now POGGERS will face another high-octane offense with a great defense, and @JaKurrii has been their lifeline in these playoffs. As always, he has the talent to play in Elite, but as a veteran of the game, he's been leading POGGERS for a long time, and now is a good time show his true talent. Unique has a relatively new squad that has all the talent in the world to beat POGGERS, but the veteran team has what is needed the most in these clutch moments, and that's experience. As the whole team has played together for a long time, they all play the same playbook for the whole 60 minutes, which is invaluable and difficult to create. If POGGERS want to advance, they need to play the same kind of defense they displayed in both series sweeps. They have a reputation of being sloppy when games don't matter that much, and that needs to be kept in check for the entire series. They can play the game in a way that is incredibly difficult to counter, with swift hands, pre-made tactics are always the most difficult thing to defend against, even if you can see it coming from a mile away. POGGERS have mastered that in the Pro division; if they can score on set plays, they'll win this series.   Projected Starting Lineup LW - @JaKurrii - (15gp, 18 goals, 18 assists, 36pts, 4GWG, 77:36 TwP, 75 hits) C - @Yoloberg (meidanmatti) - (15gp, 9 goals, 44,3 faceoff %, 19 blocked shots, 8 PIM) RW - @Ghettomasi - (15gp, 9 goals, 30pts, 39 shots, 4GWG) LD - @Julius97_ - (15gp, 13 assists, 4 goals, 17pts, 6 PIM, 56 hits) RD - @Migo_boona - (15gp, 3 goals, 17 assists, 20pts, 24 hits, 8 PIM) G - @Hullued - (15gp, 12 wins, 86,96 SV%, 1 shutouts)   Matchup to Watch @Kussan82 vs @Hullued: Follow this pair, as the outfielders have a tight battle ahead of them; this matchup will be the key to the championship. Kussan has raised the bar on his game all season long and led Unique to this point. And Hullued has just gotten better as the stakes have gotten bigger. Whoever can play better carries their team to the cup.   Predictions Hifk_FANI: POGGERS in 6 @1mmu9: Unique in 6 @Bipes_bip0rus: POGGERS in 6 @MCH_98: Unique in 7   Broadcasts Watch this series on Monday, games 1-3 (+4 if series is 3-0) in Finnish on https://www.twitch.tv/mkine. The series continues on Tuesday in Finnish, games 4-7 in English on https://www.twitch.tv/reactiomedia.

We're heading into the Semifinals of Europe's second-highest eHockey league in ECL Pro! In this article, we'll dive into both series, what makes each team tick, who stands out from each team, and what I think both teams need to do to advance to the grand finale. We want to remind everyone that these articles are just for fun and are only one or a few people's opinions, so take it easy. We do these for the fun of it and for content's sake. *This article is written as of 3rd of February 21:00 EET     Finnish Roosters (2) vs POGGERS (13) Storyline Both teams had a showdown of the year in the quarterfinals, Finnish Roosters with the comeback of the year in the last minute of game 7, erasing a 3-goal deficit and winning in overtime. Now they face their next challenge in POGGERS, who play a different style. POGGERS took down the favourites Puck Over Glass in seven games; their experience showed throughout the series, defending the regular season top scorer and his partner. Now they face each other, both teams rely on their offense to create chances, both have enough experience to last a life time, interesting matchup coming up.   Matchup We'll follow the same style as in the Elite preview. In this series, we'll highlight both right-wingers @imosi vs @Ghettomasi. Both players sit in the top 10 for scoring, @imosi has the advantage by a few points (with 25 over 23, with 3 games more played). Both are instrumental in their team's offense and a driver for their breakout play. This matchup will come down to who finishes his chances better; both have the tools necessary to be the top scorer in ECL this season. It all comes down to the few clutch moments.   Breakdown Both Finnish teams have the ability to be in the final, but as we all know, that's not going to happen. For this series, we'll see a close battle, where both teams will have their chances to score a lot. POGGERS have the advantage in breaking out, as Finnish Roosters trap on the blueline has the tendency to leak against better teams, if @JaKurrii can time his entry well, his defensemen will find him time and time again. Finnish Roosters, on the other hand, have the advantage in offensive zone play, where they have better patience in finding the right guy. If they get set u,p they're a hard team to beat with @imosi as their scorer.   Prediction As the playoffs go further and we have tighter series, these predictions get a lot harder to predict. But hey whatever, we'll do it anyway. For my prediction in this series, we'll go with POGGERS in 6, with their offensive talent and Finnish Roosters playing 14 games already ( seven-game series), their gas tank is empty for this series. @Hullued will steal the show in this series and have two shutouts.   HifIk_FANI: POGGERS in 6 @1mmu9: Roosters in 7 @Bipes_bip0rus: POGGERS in 7, "A small difference between the pipes makes the difference, and POGGERS wins a thriller in game seven." @MCH_98: POGGERS in 6   F0CUS (3) vs Unique (9) *Series started monday with F0CUS taking a 2-1 series lead. Storyline F0CUS is now the heavy favourites to take home the championship after Puck Over Glass was eliminated, their chemistry and defense stands out over other teams and @rakkauspakkaus- has found his groove in the playoffs, going head-to-head with Uniques winger @Jakeexh for the top scorer in the playoffs. F0CUS took down their "toughest possible opponent" in seven games in xBots, after dominating game seven, @Gresu__ stood out in that game for F0CUS, and has the edge between the pipes over Uniques goalie @Kussan82 who has been incredible this post-season with a 85,37% save percentage so far and three shutouts.   Matchup For this series we could choose any matchup, and it would be a great read, but we'll be a bit boring this time and choose top scorers @rakkauspakkaus- vs @Jakeexh. Both players are tough to read as players as both have the ability to be a scorer and a passer. Their matchup will come down to their teammates this time; they'll find them for great scoring opportunities, so it'll be up to @jm98II and @Ribbeex to light the lamp in this series.   Breakdown A series is obviously easier to break down as they have already played three games, F0CUS leading by 2-1 heading into the final day on Thursday. All the games were closer than most expected. The 4-0 games do not tell the whole story. F0CUS led the series after two games, and had the chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead, but goalie @Kussan82 shut out the favourites in a must-win game for Unique. In game one, we saw F0CUS take a 2-0 lead in the second period, and holding on to the win after a 2-1 goal in the third period. This series will come down to which team can score more; both teams have shown it can do that, but in tight games, the team with more poise will be the victor.   Prediction The same goes for the prediction; it's not fun to do for a series that has already started. Fortunately, the predictions of @Bipes_bip0rus & @1mmu9 were submitted before yesterday's series start. My own prediction is the following: F0CUS wins game four in overtime with @MCH_98 scoring the overtime winner off a faceoff win. Unique with their backs against the wall win game five, but eventually F0CUS has the series winner in game six as @rakkauspakkaus- puts up five points and take F0CUS to the final. Interview We got a rare short interview from @jm98II after their 2-1 series lead on Monday: HF "Congrats on the series lead, Joona. How will this affect your games on Thursday?" JM "It doesn't, we'll stick to our own game." HF "Alright then, what about @MCH_98 and his issues in the UK and having your backup in the quarterfinals?" JM "The team hasn't given us permission to comment on things happening within the team, but we've addressed the situation in the locker room."   HF "Last question, Joona, what was your pre-game meal for today?" JM "Spaghetti bolognese always gets the job done."   Predictions Hifk_FANI: F0CUS in 6 @1mmu9: F0CUS in 6 @Bipes_bip0rus: Uníque in 7 "After their hard-earned series win against Greatest, they're glowing with confidence and take F0CUS by surprise."

We're heading into the Semifinals of Europe's top eHockey league in ECL Elite! In this article, we'll dive into both series, what makes each team tick, who stands out from each team, and what I think both teams need to do to advance to the grand finale. We want to remind everyone that these articles are just for fun, and are only one or a few people's opinions, so take it easy, as we do these for the fun of it, and for content's sake. HAVU Gaming (1) vs vNexs l (6) Storyline HAVU Gaming had their quarterfinal foe ROBE eating out of their hand; in a four-game sweep, there usually isn't much of a doubt who wins but this was a whole different level. Now HAVU has a different task at hand, with vNexs their playstyle differs heavily from ROBE. vNexs managed to beat Mythix in seven games that turned out in their favorow they face the heavy favourites in HAVU, which they beat already twice in the regular season so they have that edge other teams might not have. Matchups In this section, we'll highlight the matchup of the series. For this series, we've chosen @Beniittto vs @dippen04, both instrumental in their team's offense and defense. For those who want to get to the top, this is a must-watch. The long-time center and hall of fame (if SportsGamer had one) @Beniittto has once again showed his team, his opponents, and the whole community why he is considered the best center in Europe, with 8 points (3+5). @dippen04 on the other hand has had a monster post-season so far, taking down reigning Finnish champions Mythix in seven games. On top of that, he's leading the league in both goals and points. Breakdown For this series, we will see two highly skilled teams putting on a show for Europe to see. This showdown will be a great watch and everyone should tune in. This series will come down to small details - vNexs needs to have the discipline to stay out of the box, as HAVU boasted an almost 50% powerplay in the regular season. And oh boy, I can promise you HAVU are as lethal, if not more lethal, in the playoffs. These guys step up big time when the games get tough. vNexs has the edge in momentum, and need to use it to advance to the finals. They have all the talent in the world with @AntonLxnd & @Alpha borje, if they keep a cool head and rise to the occasion, they might just pull off an upset. Prediction As always, predictions and these articles are just opinions, so don't take it personally. In my own prediction, HAVU takes this series in 5 games, one tight game going to the Swedes. The offense of HAVU will be too much and @FINSeRe won't be able to stop the magic from @Vattuyy & @NikkeDangles. vNexs will have their chances, but the experience of @Hansulinho & company will minimize their opportunities. We'll see tight games, and the team who capitalize on the few chances created will be victorious. Tohtorit (2) vs GOONS (4) Storyline Both teams have exceeded expectations so far this season, both in the regular season and the postseason. Tohtorit taking down Kuusamo.gg in 4 games was a massive showcase of their ability to work together. They stood out on both ends of the ice and took down a talented Kuusamo.gg team that gave them no trouble at all. GOONS had a more even series against Umpikuja, who they took down in 6 games from a tied 2-2 series standoff. Matchups In this section, we'll highlight the matchup of the series. For this matchup we'll take a look at the defensemen: @FlyerKungen vs @tkantola, both have played forward once or twice during their ehockey career and it shows in their defensive playstyles. Both lead their team in TwP (Time With Puck) which indicates they are their teams main distributor when breaking out, now it comes down to who will serve their teams needs better. This matchup will be an interesting one, both have the raw skill, but who has the better nerves, only time will tell. Breakdown In this series, we'll see two teams who have overcome people looking down at them for their achievements; both teams have a chance now to show that this is where they belong. Tohtorit went on to sign two veterans in the off-season, and oh boy, has it paid off; both @Patzlaf and @FlyerKungen are among the best in their respective positions. Now they've helped Tohtorit in their pursuit of being the best. @Harlowi- and @Ojala16 have proven to be just as effective with their new center as before. And GOONS found their new duo from Almost Famous, in @xrikardo55and @Ikavalko. Both have shown up big time, and the center leads the team in points so far. Prediction This series will go down as a tight one, everyone knows that, but my guess is one team will manipulate the other and see through their offensive scheme, so for this prediction, we'll throw a curveball and take the hits that come with it if gone wrong. My prediction is that Tohtorit takes this series in a sweep, they'll be able to counter the playbook of Goons and see right through them, @Stammer70 will show off his quality and prove he belongs at the top with the best, the defense of @FlyerKungen and @Kkarkass will prove too good for the offense of Goons. Watch the Semifinals Monday 2.2. - 19:45 CET | Goons vs Tohtorit & vNexs vs HAVU | Games 1-2 Wednesday 4.2. - 19:45 CET | Goons vs Tohtori | Games 3-7 Thursday 5.2. - 20:45 CET | vNexs vs HAVU| Games 3-7 Watch the games with commentary live at https://www.twitch.tv/reactiomedia

Introduction The quarterfinals in the ECL Pro Division are finally here, and man, things are about to get intense. We've got some of the best teams in European NHL esports going head-to-head, all fighting tooth and nail for a ticket to the semis. Get ready for insane highlight-reel goals, clever plays that leave you shaking your head, and those classic grudge matches that always deliver extra spice. Whether it's the heavy favorites throwing their weight around or some underdog squad ready to shock everyone, these series are packed with drama. In this article, we'll review each matchup, highlight what those teams have been through so far, and what they could do to boost their chances of advancing. We'll highlight some players and get predictions from a few players you're already familiar with, so take a look and tell us what you would like to see in the next preview. PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE Quarterfinals:  Monday 26.1 Tuesday 27.1 Thursday 29.1 Semifinals:  Monday 2.2 Tuesday 3.2 Thursday 5.2 Finals: TBD Promotion & Relegation games are to be played shortly after the season; however, dates are flexible. * Dates are subject to change as broadcast productions are confirmed.     Puck Over Glass (1) vs POGGERS (13) Both teams cruised through their first round matchup, POGGERS had the upset against NOSTREETSPORTS as they swept the higher-seeded team in four games, and on the other hand, Puck Over Glass took matters into their own hands and beat Rusty X comfortably 4-1, now as they face each other in the quarterfinals, all the pressure is on Puck Over Glass to take it home now and advance to the semi-final.  Puck Over Glass had the series in a chokehold the entire time, not a worry in the world. That all changes now, with an opponent as dangerous as POGGERS, you always need to be on your toes; they possess the right amount of skill to burn even the most skilled defenses. The number one-seeded Puck Over Glass has been for the entire regular season, and the start of the playoffs excellent on both sides of the puck, @Hydeee_24 & @Lotiseva puts up the points, and @pelkonen- does his thing between the pipes, and oh boy has their tendy stepped up big time, with a 1.0 goals-against average he's leading the league in that department, and while he is holding up in his crease the rest of the team has put up a show, with their forward duo leading the playoffs in points so far. POGGERS took it personally when the entire predictions went against them; they swept one of the best teams in Group 2, and laughed as they advanced. Now they face an even harder task in taking down the regular season champs; however, with a squad like theirs, there is nothing stopping them from doing so. The goalie @Hullued has been as efficient as always, stopping pucks, and a 90.91% save percentage proves my point. Now it is up to their offense to match the defensive power of Puck Over Glass. The thing about POGGERS is they're not a one-trick pony; they can hit you from any angle, with anybody on the ice, they've played together for so long it's scary. This series comes down to if POGGERS can score more than their opposition, and doesn't every series kind of come down to that? Yes, but POGGERS' strength clearly isn't their defense, and it never has, not good, not bad, average. If POGGERS can keep the games high-scoring and the league's top scorer in check, they'll be in the driver's seat this series, and that would throw Puck Over Glass off their game. Now the roles are reversed for Puck Over Glass; the more they can frustrate their opponents, the more they'll be the series favourite.   Matchup to Watch: @Hullued vs @pelkonen- This crease showdown might steal the series. Hullued was steady in round one with 90,91 save percentage, but caught heat for some pillow-soft goals at crunch time. Puck Over Glass's Pelkonen straight-up stole it, with two shutouts in five games. He gives his squad that "any given night" edge, but Hullued's big-game chops could even it out. The hot hand in tight games takes it.   Predictions Hifk_FANI: POGGERS in 6 @1mmu9 Puck Over Glass in  @Bipes_bip0rus: POGGERS in 7 @MCH_98: POGGERS in 7   Finnish Roosters vs Aspyre Roles reversed from the previous series, both clawed their way to advance from round 1, Finnish Roosters in an intense game 7 overtime that we love to see! Aspyre, on the other hand, broke their round 1 curse, beating Carpe Diem, who had an outstanding regular season. The teams are familiar with each other, and we'll see how that plays out. Finnish Roosters, as the clear favourites, will see how they match up against a hungry Aspyre. Finnish Roosters struggled mightily against the 8th-seeded Otukset in their first-round matchup, coming back in the series to eventually advance. Now they're facing an opponent that held their own lead in their series, so the Roosters are in for a tougher matchup than before. Their veteran presence will prove important, and their leading goalscorer @imosi has the ability to put a team on his back for an entire series, and this series is no exception. And his partner @Ernottii is no different, highly skilled with high hockey IQ, five points in seven games is not going to cut it against Aspyre, but he has that diesel engine, and look for him to step up in the quarterfinals. Aspyre felt the series turn after their game 4 overtime win, which resulted in a 3-1 series lead. With the Roosters now as their opponent, they face a better team, a more experienced and skilled team, which could result in more defensive lapses. Their defense hasn't been on par compared to recent seasons. With a bit more experience this season, Aspyre took down heavy favourites, winger @koleslaav_ proved alongside @Jondeezz that they still belong at the top of the Pro division. Aspyre surprised everyone with @tigerrbackwoods as their starter for the playoffs, with @LeiskaViis7 top point producer in the regular season unavailable, the reliable veteran stepped up on the blueline. For Finnish Roosters, this series has to be about consistency; if they can keep their own game intact, and keep Aspyre from the scoresheet, it'll be their series. @Z0mbie Zyndr0me has proven he can be a difference maker in the Pro division, with an outstanding regular season, the Roosters are looking to him to be the difference maker in this series. For Aspyre, if they can keep their momentum going and their offense rocking, they'll have a real shot. The question here is if @priima-namu (FeikkiNambo) can hold the fort against a good offense.   Matchup to Watch @imosi & @Ernottii vs @Jondeezz & @koleslaav_ This series has one of the best, if not the best showdown of wingers in the Pro division playoffs, all these wingers have played for a long time and have the nerves to perform, we're going to be blessed by some incredible talent. The duo that has the better execution in this matchup wins. Predictions Hifk_FANI: Plays for Aspyre @1mmu9: Roosters in 7 @Bipes_bip0rus: Aspyre in 7 @MCH_98: Roosters 6     F0CUS vs xBots This will be an interesting series to follow. If you've ever wondered what it takes to make it in the ECL, this series is a must-watch. Both teams have Elite experience and play together well; this series will come down to which team executes their own playbook better. F0CUS vs xBots could easily have been the final series or a semifinal this season; however, xBots losing points to lower-seeded teams turned out fatal in a tight Group 2, where not one team stood out as well as Puck Over Glass over in Group 1. F0CUS has the edge in this series as they swept SSK Prospects in the 1st round, this series didn't go as clean as the sweep might suggest; they won two games in overtime, and the other two were tight games, so SSK gave F0CUS a run for their money. F0CUS needs to take another step in their game against xBots if they want to advance to the semifinals. The captain @jm98II was once again unavailable for comment. He mentioned his gameday meal was going to be tortillas, not very productive. Their star-studded forward group of the captain and @rakkauspakkaus- & @Anhel_Kuru is the most talented group in the Pro division this season, so xBots will have their hands full; they can bring it from every direction, with @MCH_98 scoring 16 goals in the regular season. Their counterpart xBots had a difficult time with their first round opponents MoDo, who they bested in seven games. The teams went head-to-head for the entire series, and now they face a tougher opponent in F0CUS. A big part of their series win was @Simbanho who shutout MoDo in their last three games out of seven, without letting in a goal. It is difficult not to win if he keeps his form. xBots are going to be a forc to be reckoned with, and coming back from a 3-1 series deficit surely helps them with the morale in the series. @sopulii_ will need a whole new playbook against this F0CUS team. The 3rd pair in this quarterfinal will go down to the wire, two excellent teams who have two different stories. If xBots can find their rhythm and stop the explosive offense of the experienced forward core of F0CUS, they could findthemselves winning more games. Whilst if F0CUS just keep on doing what they've been doing, they should be ok. The veteran team could go through on just simple routine play here and advance. Predictions favor F0CUS as well. Matchup to Watch @Anhel_Kuru vs @sopulii_ Interesting center matchup, both teams thrive on their centers being the focus of their offense, @Anhel_Kuru wins the duel on faceoffs, both with 8 points so far in the playoffs, whoever does the better job at locking down the other one wins this series.   Predictions Hifk_FANI: F0CUS in 5 @1mmu9: F0CUS in 5 @Bipes_bip0rus: F0CUS in 5 @MCH_98: Plays for F0CUS   Greatest vs Unique The last matchup of this article that was finished later than the rest had a quick finish with Unique absolutely embarrassing vNexs II. The series ended 4-1, and vNexs II didn't stand a chance. The last Swedish team in the Pro division was thus eliminated, and there are only Finnish teams remaining to battle it out with each other (the Aspyre organization is American, but the players are Finnish). An interesting matchup with both teams taking down their first-round matchups with ease. An even series is to be expected, with the higher-seeded Greatest with the slight edge in talent. Greatest took down Deadly Phantoms in four games, scoring 18 goals in the process. We still haven't seen the full potential of Greatest as their best form is still hidden, saved for later, so keep checking in on them to see when they fully get their game going. Former Elite division rookie of the year @xLeikku switched over to defensman to give himself a new challenge. After taking a break from being a top-tier winger, he now partners with his buddy @localhefe on the blueline. Whilst their offense has been great, they are still finding each other in new ways. The 1v1 star player @JesseL2002 has finally found a home in Greatest and looks to build on a great year with a Pro division championship to his name. Their foes Unique took down the Swedes with quite a bang, showing the other teams, most notably their quarterfinal opponents Greatest, that they are not going to be pushed over in this series. @Jakeexh who kept his form from the regular season now sits tied in second place in scoring in these playoffs, still behind the ever-so-slick @Hydeee_24. @Ribbeex has been able to keep up as he sits in fourth place with fourteen points (6+8).  This series will be a showdown of offense vs offense and goalie vs goalie. Both teams have experienced goalies, but what sets them apart is the defense. Greatest has the offensive power from the blueline, whilst Unique boasts more of a mix with @pakjiz being great on both sides of the puck so far. Goalies @Fin_S1su and @Kussan82 face the challenge of not letting in a bunch of goals as both teams favour offense over defense in certain situations.   Matchup to Watch Team Defense vs Team Defense Both have the offense, but which team has the better defense will win this series? As the old saying goes, "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships." Is that true in a video game? We'll see as the quarterfinals are underway on Monday.   Predictions Hifk_FANI: Greatest in 4 @1mmu9: Greatest in 6 @Bipes_bip0rus: Greatest in 6 @MCH_98: Greatest in 6

The PLAYOFFS are back! The regular season has come to an end, and thus begins the best time of the year. In this article, we'll cover all the Pro matchups in a short review, we'll highlight some players, and get predictions from a few players in the ECL division framework. The 1st round has some interesting matchups, and we'll see an intense week of hard-fought battles. Some matchups are going to be closer than others, and some will have their playoff hopes cut short. Puck Over Glass vs Rusty X This matchup has the potential to be the upset of the season. Rusty made the playoffs by a thin margin. Now they face an opponent that has the division's leading goalscorer @Hydeee_24 who is continuing to impress, @Lotiseva has also been impressive, netting 44 goals in the regular season. If Rusty can silence these two, they'll stand a chance in the upcoming series. Last year, we saw an upset from the 8th-seeded Herlev Eagles taking down regular-season champs Dilac, which proves that once the playoffs start, anything is possible. For Rusty X, their star forwards need to step up, @Nester4343 can be a difference maker when it matters, but if he decides to have an offday, their playoffs might just be cut short. Predictions: Hifk_FANI: Puck Over Glass in 4 @1mmu9: Puck Over Glass in 5 @Bipes_bip0rus Puck Over Glass in 5 @MCH_98: Puck Over Glass in 4   Carpe Diem vs Aspyre Carpe Diem surprised a lot of teams this season with their style of play. They managed to steal some important points this season to get that 2nd place in group 1. They now face Aspyre in the 1st round, who is eager to win their 1st playoff series ever. Aspyres struggled in the regular season; they couldn't string together wins to create some momentum, lost important points to lower-seeded teams, but stole points from higher-seeded teams, so it'll be interesting to see how this matchup plays out. @koleslaav_ & @Jondeezz will be the top guys for Aspyre to watch, whilst @priima-namu(FeikkiNambo) is a guy who can steal games for Aspyre, he needs to be on his game if Aspyre wants to advance to the next round. For Carpe Diem, the playmaking of @Bipes_bip0rus and the breakout passes of @Datsyykki13 will be what sets them apart from Aspyre. Predictions: Hifk_FANI: Plays for Aspyre @1mmu9: Aspyre in 7 @Bipes_bip0rus: Plays for Carpe Diem @MCH_98: Aspyre in 7   Greatest vs Deadly Phantoms For a matchup in the playoffs, a team dependent on their defense and counters versus a team that scored the most goals in the regular season will be a great watch, the dynamic Greatest versus the resiliant Deadly Phantoms series will be a good watch for those who want to know more about the game and how to be better, this series will feature highly skilled players and a team that knows what it takes to win. In the case of Greatest, their offense is the key, if they score more than their opponent it doesn't matter how many goals they conceede, captain @Fin_S1su has had a tough start with a 79% save percentage and a tad over 3 conceeded goal per game, but he has the ability to steal games, and Greatest has the starpower to get it done offensively. Deadly Phantoms, on the other hand, are one of the best defensive teams in the Pro Division and will make it tough for Greatest to get their flow going. If the German side can frustrate their opponents early on in the series, they might just take the win home. Predictions: Hifk_FANI: Greatest in 6 @1mmu9: Greatest in 5 @Bipes_bip0rus: Greatest in 5 @MCH_98: Greatest in 6   MoDo Hockey vs xBots Honest Finland vs Sweden matchup, both teams have what it takes to light up the scoreboard. In this series, the team with better defensive tendencies and consistency is key. MoDo, who boast the best penalty kill in the division at 94.12%, hopes to stay out of the box as much as possible, but knows that if needed, they can count on their PK guys, while xBots has an average power play at 22.22%, which is no reason for MoDo to try their luck. MoDo also has the advantage of being good offensively while also being responsible in their own zone, highly talented @Mathiasgamer_07 and @Sebastian Axelsson(axelzonee) put up 88 and 87 points, which puts them 2nd and 4th in the division for those categories. xBots on the other hand relies heavily on their team play, they have the same guys (almost) as the season prior when they got relegated from the Elite division, and now have their sights set on returning, @sopulii_ who has struggled in the faceoff dot at 48% needs to get his team together for the playoffs and play their best games of the season, this MoDo team is not going down easily. Predictions: Hifk_FANI: MoDo in 5 @1mmu9: xBots in 6 @Bipes_bip0rus: xBots in 7 @MCH_98: xBots in 5   Finnish Roosters vs Otukset A number one seed from the group stage always comes with big expectations, and Finnish Roosters is no exception, against a great team in Otukset, who struggled in the regular season with consistency, will now have an uphill battle after playing in the Elite qualifiers ahead of the season. The Roosters who have played together for a long time have a clear system, they play to their strengths and have amazing chemistry within the team, and more experience from playing in big moments, now comes the time to put up or shut up, @imosi who led the team this season in points 87 (46+41) is their go-to guy when they need goals, but their league leading defense is what sets them apart, and goalie @Z0mbie Zyndr0me who is playing in his first season in net has been playing insanely well with a 84.49% save percentage. Otukset still have a dangerous team; their roster is filled with guys who have played together for a while now, and when they get their groove going, they can be a hard team to stop, but the question is, will they get it going early enough to take down the Group 2 winners? @juhkis96 will need to get out his bag of tricks and see if they still have what it takes. Predictions: Hifk_FANI: Otukset in 6 @1mmu9: Roosters in 6 @Bipes_bip0rus: Otukset in 6 @MCH_98: Otukset in 7 F0CUS vs SSK Prospects This matchup on paper heavily favours F0CUS, with all major stat lines going in their favour. SSK will need a crucial step up in their power play if they want to give themselves a better chance at this series. They have the worst powerplay percentage in the whole league, with 4.17%, facing the second-best penalty kill in the league from FOCUS, with 93.75%, while also having the least amount of penalty minutes (32). SSK does still have some firepower with @Disctrasan- being their leading goal scorer during the regular season with 27 goals, averaging 0,9 goals per game. If he can step up and the rest of SSK can find another step, they could see themselves with a slimmer of hope. If SSK is looking to cause an upset, they would need to majorly step up their offensive game and hope that FOCUS can’t keep up their offensive scoring from the regular season, but highly unlikely. @MCH_98 who tied for the lead in points (53) with @LeiskaViis7 & @localhefe has been as steady as always, but now taking his offensive game to another level. Captain @jm98II left this washed reporter with no comments ahead of their series with the Swedes; ice in his veins will be crucial for F0CUS this post-season. Predictions: Hifk_FANI: F0CUS in 4 @1mmu9: F0CUS in 5 @Bipes_bip0rus: F0CUS in 4 @MCH_98: Plays for F0CUS NOSTREETSPORTS vs POGGERS NOSTREET came out flying this season, after a season away, they picked up right where they left off, into the playoffs against POGGERS, who didn't have the best regular season but still managed to get an ok seed. They have all the tools to win this series and advance to the quarterfinals. @Bot_hene who managed to get a solid roster this season has managed to up his own game, putting up 72 points (28+44) whilst rocking a supreme 54.5% the faceoff circle, the captain leads by example on both sides of the ice as POGGERS are a tough team to beat. POGGERS, who are still a force to be reckoned with this season, managed to put up a respectable amount of goals again this year, averaging 3.27 goals per game. It could be tough for NOSTREET, who isn't known for their great defence, so expect @JaKurrii to be his old self and dominate games. Expect high-scoring games and not a whole lot of defense. Predictions: Hifk_FANI: NOSTREET in 5 @1mmu9: Plays for NOSTREET @Bipes_bip0rus: NOSTREET in 7 @MCH_98: NOSTREET in 7   vNexs ll vs Unique Both teams followed the same trend this season, both have gotten better as the season has progressed, and an even series is a lock, but who wins will come down to pure nerves as both teams possess incredible skill and the needed talent to play the game the right way. vNexs surprised a lot of teams with their skill level this season, they have a roster of both young talent and veteran experience and youngster @Maaacki(maxboee) has been able to take his game to another level this season, hitting the 30 goal mark along with 38 assists to lead the team, if he can find another gear in the playoffs it's goodbye Unique. But Unique has their own set of talent, so don't count them out, with a veteran presence like @LE1PAKONE (nordzman) on defense in the Pro division, the longtime Elite defender must have a trick up his sleeves in these playoffs, and with @Jakeexh exploding this season 84 points (43+41), there isn't a whole lot for them to worry about, a rock hard powerplay for Unique at 35% in the regular season could be theri bread and butter, if vNexs finds themself often in the box this series might just not see past 4 games.   Predictions: Hifk_FANI: vNexs in 5 @1mmu9: Unique in 6 @Bipes_bip0rus: Unique in 6 @MCH_98: Unique in 6

With the new year and christmas behind us, now is the time to lock in! Important games still left to play in the regular season, so shake off that winter frost and get back to it. In this article we'll take a short look into a few teams that are performing well, and a few teams that are pushing to make it to the playoffs. *this article is written as of January 6th 00:00 EST   Group 1 Top Seeds   Puck Over Glass The top team in Group 1 for quite a while has taken their group by storm, now in 1st place and a lock for the playoffs they can cement their spot as the top seed in their group. @Hydeee_24 has a emerged as their go-to guy this season, and most of the plays in the offensive zone is going through him, he has the knowledge when to go 1v1 with the defender and when not to. Important games coming up: VS Reiviluola Greatest A team with a slow start to the season have slowly creeped up the standing, sitting at 4th now with games in hand on those above them in the standings is not a bad spot to be in. @Wpaanane has taken a step in the right direction this season, he's stepped up for his team in a big way and leads the team in points with 50 (26+24). Now with important games coming up, they're looking to take the top spot in the division heading into the playoffs. Important games coming up: VS Poggers   Pushing In   Poggers A team that a lot of fans expected to be higher up in the standings in the group at this point of the season, with a bit of an offseason going on for them, they're still on pace to make the playoffs, in previous season the playoff line has been at about 1.55-1.6 ppg, so they're matching that pace for now. With massive games coming up for Poggers, veteran @JaKurrii needs to look to his deep bag of tricks and trinkets for something magical. Important games coming up: VS Golden Sticks   SSK Prospects SSK has surprised quite a lot of teams this season, they've been close to relegation for a season or two and are now pushing towards the playoffs. SSK has tough matchups coming up, and they need important points from these games to make the playoffs. If this is the season they make it, now they need their forward group to step up and clutch it up. Important games coming up: VS MoDo Hockey   Tough Goings   Reiviluola Reiviluola who was one of the favourites to win the entire Pro division now has an uphill climb, facing possible relegation if they don't step up now, sitting at 12th for now, but if they can't rack up some wins they might just see themselves as one of the biggest chokes of a cup favourite in a while. They've been all-around quite average season, but their goalie @ItzPoro has been their lone star so far, he's been playing well with an above average save percentage of 82,08%, if he can keep up the stellar work, they might push for playoffs. Important games coming up: VS Puck Over Glass   Group 2 Top Seeds   NOSTREETSPORTS After a hiatus season NOSTREETSPORTS have picked up right where they left off a few seasons ago, they're pushing for the top seed in group 2, but with a few teams pushing for that coveted group win. Captain @Bot_hene now needs to gather his troops and find their groove from the start of the season. Important games coming up: VS Deadly Phantoms   F0CUS  A few games left on the regular season and F0CUS now sits 4th in the group, with a really tight top of the group with no team breaking out, this could turn out well for them. @Gresu__ between the pipe has been goood, with backup @jubex0r also playing well when called upon. Now is the right time for them to turn the 6th gear in their engine, with a few six point matchups they can clinch that 1st seed for the playoffs. Important games coming up: VS NOVA   xBots xBots leading the way (for now) in group 2 has all the cards in their hands, if they win the rest of their games they'll win the group. After a shaky season in the Elite division they fumbled hard and crashed out in the qualifiers after, now they're looking for a way back in and @sopulii_ wants back with his fellow teammates. Important games coming up: HC Lugano   Pushing In   Turun Gasellit A team that has been together for quite a while now sits at the line, if they can pull together these last weeks they might just pull off the incredible and make the playoffs. @tj_tomaz has been one to watch for Turun Gasellit, with a good season going on he's racked up 43 points (20+23), and might push Gasellit on the right side of the playoff line. Important games coming up: vNexs ll   Tough Goings DEG eSports At the beginning of the season, the German side had hopes of making the playoffs and now the tables have turned and they are on the verge of being relegated to the Lite division, with a cou weeks left they can still turn their ship around with a few clutch wins. If their veterans @Krinke & @DaMan (akin_penta) can find their golden years, they might just stay in the Pro division. Important games coming up: 6 MAN AVALANCHE

The group stage of the ECL ’26: Winter Lite division is heading into the Christmas break, and things are getting tense. Every match feels like it could shift the entire playoff picture, and teams are throwing everything they’ve got into these battles. The usual powerhouses have looked strong, keeping their spots near the top, while a few unexpected teams have started to shake things up with surprising wins. With contenders trying to lock down their 1st round byes for the playoffs and underdogs fighting to stay in the mix, the Lite division never disappoints. In this article, we'll review a few teams that have stood out, disappointed, and flat out just not stepped up this season, so have a read and give your own opinions in the comment section below on what you, the reader, would like to see in the next article. This report is based on stats and standings from December 11th.   Group 1   1st Round Bye's  Wida Wida have been in the Lite divison for some time now and are oozing confidence this season, they haven't been able to take that final step in their game in the previous seasons, but this season could be a different story, with almost 4 goals per game average, they are leading their group and will surely try and clinch that 1st seed for the playoffs soon.  Invasion Hockey The Swedes (mostly) are trying their best to give Wida a run for their money. They are not going away anytime soon, with talented @RookieLIAMOVIC leading the team in points, with the right amount of luck and a few mishaps from Wida, they might just see themselves at the top of the standings soon.    Fallen Rangers The Czech/Slovak team has emerged as a team that could easily take this group by storm, now in 2nd place, still a few fewer games played than Wida, so it will remain to be seen who tops this group. Standout player so far for Fallen Rangers is @Sebko99 who could emerge as a contender for the top scorer this season.   Making The Playoffs  Armeijan Kuri A team many had in the category above when the season started, they now find themselves in a somewhat comfortable place, not in any risk of being out of the playoffs, and with a few well-timed wins, they could push for the 1st round bye.  Hockeyholics  This Central European side will surely make the playoffs, with seasoned veterans like @ViSiOnZ97_ and @I_Alex28_I at the wheel. We're in for an interesting end to the regular season. Now it's up to them how they want to finish the season, but keep an eye out for them to make it difficult for their opponents.   On The Outside  FatBurritos After 8 losses already this season, it's looking grim for the FatBurritos; they have an uphill climb ahead of them, and it won't be pretty if they don't start grabbing some points.  Bladerunners HC In a similar situation to FatBurritos, it's not looking good, but with a few fewer games played, there is always a bit more hope at the end of the tunnel, so time to buckle up and show the rest of the group something.   Group 2 1st Round Bye's  Conexion Whoever wins the matchup between these two teams will likely be the group winner, no doubt about it, as Conexion has gone undefeated so far; they are the slight favourite. @Flo_goes_grazy(flgr93) is 2nd at the moment in goals in the entire Lite division with 23 goals; he'll look to add to that tally as the season progresses.  Veterankraft The heavy favourites to take the entire Lite division before the season started, and have shown exactly what they're capable of so far. @STRANDMANNEN11 has been on fire and has posted a mere 4.5 points per game, and has shown no signs of slowing down. Considering the rest of their roster, maybe this team should've performed better in the Pro qualifiers?   Making The Playoffs  Renegade HC  Also unbeaten with a 4-0-0-0 record so far, they still have a lot of games ahead of them, but a hot start to the season is often a recipe for success. Now they look to build on that start with @MartindalexC as their veteran leader, former Elite standout has shown he can be a guy to rely on when the games get tough, we'll see if that's the case this season.    HC Nova Hut  The mostly Central European-based team has played almost all their games already, so it remains to be seen how their playoff chances look after the Christmas break, but right now @Xkeineri, their Finnish skater has been their most productive player, a calm 32 points (15+17) so far for the experienced winger.   On The Outside  Iserlohn Roosters eSports  With some tough matches behind them, they can now focus on the games ahead. A few wins are needed for them to climb right back in it for the playoff hunt. A veteran team, with veteran players, has its upside in tough situations; they know their own strengths and stick to that. Now is the time to execute.  Mieskissat A brutal start for the Finns, one point in ten games is not the way to start your season... They now face the impossible: a few games left and not a lot to work with; they need a miracle to make the playoffs.   Group 3 1st Round Bye's  Kokemus Puuttuu  The veterans have started undefeated, with almost full points in every matchup, and now they need to keep that flow going. @Jobeyz sure knows this, he's been around for a long time, and this season in Lite he'll get to showcase his talent.  TROJANS Another team that has played a lot of games so far, 12 games under their belt, and they have started well, 27 points and counting. Now comes the time to clutch that 1st round bye that the Lite division offers, and @softa_tofta can be that guy for the Trojans.   Making The Playoffs  HC Vadelma  HC Vadelma has been grinding away the ECL ladder for a while now, and it seems like they've found a system that fits. They made the playoffs last year after a solid season, and now want to get past the 1st round. @Awesome_Zone_ has been with the team and making changes this season, and if they can finish the season strong, no doubt in my mind this team has what it takes to advance further than last year.  Pata Hellalla  A team with a rich history has made a splash, now looking to enter the Pro division once again. They started the season well with 4 wins in 6 games, looking solid, and will surely make it difficult for the opposing teams to get points this season.   On The Outside  Refuse Too Lose We've seen downfalls before, and now Refuse Too Lose joins that club, just a few seasons ago challenging the Pro division to eventual relegation, and now facing relegation once again. Captain @sonny has a roster full of players, and nine players have played at least two games this season. If their captain can't soon find a regular lineup, it'll be Core next season.  Jurricanes The Finns looked a lot better last season in Lite, claiming a comfortable 3rd seed in their group, with one win in 8 games, it seems we won't see them in the playoffs this year. With a few more losses this regular season, Jurricanes will find themselves in the qualifiers.   Group 4 1st Round Bye's  Supernatural A more even group for the top spot than the rest, however, Supernatural seems like the favourites with goalie @eissi83 absolutely dominating in net after making a comeback between the pipes, he boasts a 94,4% save percentage and a 0.88 goals against average, which would be up there with the Lite record if he keeps it going.  vNexs Vipers  The third-tier team for the vNex organization, which has been extremely active in the ECL scene with four teams all the way to the Elite division. Now the Vipers want to establish themselves in the Lite division, and look to join the team in the Pro division next season, and @Zonkji v sure is making a name for himself with 17 goals so far, he is looking for more as the Vipers hope to finish strong this season.   Making The Playoffs KELAGOLDCARD HC With last season's leading goalscorer on the sidelines @Leevijopo01 has only played 2 games so far, and the opponents are thankful. Kela has played their toughest matchups and look now to gain full points from their last matchups and claim a playoff spot. Captain @Romurallimies has been their leader this season with the most points and most time with the puck.  VBO STARS The Swedes average a respectable 2 points per game, where in other groups that could be fine for the 1st round bye, but not group 4, with the right amount of luck, they might just see themselves there this season. In the playoffs, they need a boost, and looking to @Hampus11 their leading scorer to lead the way. On The Outside SSK Adepts  When struggling to score, a team rarely gets a lot of points, and that's the case for the Adepts as they average a 2-goal per game pace this season. To avoid relegation this season, the whole roster needs to come together for a Christmas dinner and get some chemistry going before it's too late. Dynamo HC  The mostly British team has the same issues as the Adepts, and it's putting the puck in the net. They can't seem to have a consistent lineup on gamedays, and that shows in goals for department this season, qualifiers ahead surely, and considering the talent in the Core division, Dynamo might just find themselves one division lower next season.via  

ECL 26’: Winter - Pro l Season Preview Another ECL Winter, another Pro division full of storylines. This year brings a mix of familiar faces and new challengers, each with their own ambitions — promotion, redemption, or simply proving they belong. As always, we’ve gone through the groups, looked at the returning cores, offseason moves, and early-season form to get a sense of who might surprise us and who has the potential to go all the way.   Group 1  Greatest A new team with a few Pro division greats on their roster, former Elite Rookie of the year @xLeikku and his partner in crime @localhefe team up once again in the Pro division looking to wreak havoc on opponents, it’ll be seen who plays what position as they have been active in the offseason. Big expectations always come served with big pressure. Some of the guys on the roster are known to not play great under pressure, we'll see how it goes for them as the games get tough, they'll be a lock for playoffs, but how far can they go?   Player To Watch: @Wpaanane Season Prediction: Title Contenders   Unique Last season for Unique wasn’t the best. Now they’re looking to bounce back to their own level, with a few departures, they shuffle things up, and long-time Elite player @LE1PAKONE (Nordzman) signs for Unique. It remains to be seen where he plays and how he fits in Unique's plans. They have high hopes for this season, no doubt, but putting pen to paper might not be that simple. Unique needs to start gathering points early; if they can’t string together wins, it will be a long season.   Player To Watch: @Jakeexh Season Prediction: No-man’s land    Brynäs IF Esport Brynäs makes a returnto the Pro scene this year, adopting some key players of former Herlev Eagles, with @Vibholm_10 & @el_tacobag leading the offense as usual, with a few additions to round out the squad. Having finished 12th in the group last season, the squad played their way back through the Pro Qualifiers. With a playoff spot just out of Herlev Eagles' reach last season, they’re looking to make it this season, which would require the big boys to show up and get those wins against tough opponents.   Player To Watch: @Henka0009 Season Prediction: 1st round of playoffs    Puck Over Glass In a similar situation last season as Herlev Eagles: a few more wins, and they clinch the playoffs, with a few more tweaks, that should be the case this season for Puck Over Glass. With the start of the season, all eyes will be on their star forward @Hydeee_24, with a magnificent pre-season behind him, his team is now looking to him to carry them to the playoffs. Big boots to fill for Hyde, can he do it?   Player To Watch: @Hydeee_24 Season Prediction: No-man’s land   MoDo Hockey After a great season in Lite, where MoDo managed to dominate all aspects of the game, and grab the title, they now enter the Pro division. MoDo will be facing teams with greater skill, tougher defense, and better goalies. One name to remember is their long-time scorer, @Mathiasgamer_07, who has been with MoDo since the beginning and has been top of the pont-scoring leaderboard every year. Look out for him to be their go-to guy on the power play. Player To Watch: @Mathiasgamer_07 Season Prediction: No-man’s land    Reiviluola Reiviluola enters the Pro division as one of the favourites to go the whole nine yards, considering more than half the team played in Elite last season, it’s not far off. But we’ll see how the new guys mesh with the guys who have played on the same team for years. One name to keep an eye out for is former goalie and now center, @Tope0090(mestari_tikku). He has all the ability in the world to succeed, and has the talent surrounding him to succeed. We’ll see how that goes as we’re going to keep a close eye on Reiviluola this season. Player To Watch: @ItzPoro Season Prediction: Title Contenders    Otukset Otukset just can't seem to break that Elite curse they've been having for a while now. They came close this year as well with Elite qualifiers, but totally slumped and couldn't get their game together in time. They finished last (5/5) in the Elite Qualifiers and claim a spot in Pro. Now they try to turn the ship around, and hopefully captain @Miguli36 has revamped his playbook for the season. The same players, but a different story? With all the talent in the world and a defensive pair that can move the puck well, @juhkis96 tops the defensemen's points leaderboards year after year and hopefully next season in Elite. Player To Watch: @Pursuitti Season Prediction: 2nd round of playoffs    SSK Prospects   After a decent season in Pro where they finished in No-man's land, SSK Prospects head to their second season and aim for the playoffs, this could be only a dream for a team that struggled against teams higher up in the standings last season and will fight for every single point this season, if they can shape up defensively they could see the playoffs in the spring.  They can be seen as a development project by their Elite counterpart, and hope to see some start to develop, but it's highly unlikely as this team is destined for the No-man's land or relegation. Player To Watch: @I-Sjogren-I Season Prediction: Relegation   Group 2    F0CUS FOCUS is a squad packed with big names from @jm98II to. This team has all the tools in its belt to take home the Pro division trophy, one of the favourites ahead of the season, as they dominated the qualifiers and advanced with ease. With a star-studded squad always come big expectations, and their captain @jm98II has high expectations for their team and doesn’t shy away from that. In a small interview, he mentioned that he expects their tight-knit group to win the Pro division this year, and that they had originally planned to play in the Neo division; the rest couldn’t be posted in this article. Player To Watch: @Anhel_Kuru Season Prediction: Title Contenders    Deadly Phantoms The Germans were just a few wins away from glory last season in the Lite division finals; they couldn’t quite beat the Swedish team MoDo, who emerged as victors. A team with lots of history will try and make their mark in the Pro division this season, still some great players on their roster, and they will surely have a bone to pick with MoDo from last season. With their quick-tempo play, they will look to catch teams on the break, as their explosive wingers try and make magic happen. If they can get a goal or two ahead, their lockdown defense will handle the rest. Player To Watch: @RPH_31 Season Prediction: No-man’s land   Aspyre Aspyre has now made the playoffs for two seasons in a row, and both times crashed out in the 1st round. They’ve made some changes and hope to break the curse and advance to the second round, their additions @Jondeezz & @koleslaav_ will surely boost their offense, but the big question will be their goalies this season with @priima-namu(feikkinambo) as their starter.   Player To Watch: @koleslaav_ Season Prediction: - (Writer plays for Aspyre)   Including Me Including me has been playing in the Lite division since ECL 22, where they advanced from their inaugural season in Core the year before, and now their time has come to show that their dues have been paid and that they belong in the Pro division. That being said, remaining in the Pro division is no easy task, as the bottom two teams get relegated, Including Me captain @toomanyville needs to get creative with how they approach the season. One long slump and their playoff hopes are over.   Player To Watch: @Jusa Season Prediction: No-man’s land    NOSTREETSPORTS It wasn’t many seasons ago that Nostreetsports took the Pro regular season by storm and shocked everyone with their offensive ability, scoring 142 goals in the regular season. Their fairytale season came to an abrupt end in the first round, falling to eventual finalist SSK. Now they face the expectations from that season, and look to get back to their ways, spearheading that comeback is @Bot_hene, who has always been a thorn in the opposing sides on the ice, he knows what it takes to string wins together, and what it means to win, it’ll remain to be seen how this team will stack up in a tough group. Player To Watch: @1mmu9 Season Prediciton: 1st round of playoffs    vNexs ll The Swedes pair up with their Elite counterpart and take on an “AHL” type of deal, where good performances could potentially lead to a call up next season. By no means is this team an underdog this season, with high-end Pro players and veterans, mixed in with young, exciting talent. With a few additions from Sunne IK, this team immediately throws in their hat for a playoff spot this season. @Putteekiing and @benjamint737 bring experience and a set of cool heads, while youngster @Maaacki brings explosive offensive power and a knack for scoring highlight reel goals. Player To Watch: @Maaacki Season Prediction: 2nd round of playoffs  Nova The former Elite team found themselves in the Elite Qualifiers, losing to Vizio, who advanced to the Elite division after a hard-fought battle. Now Nova is back in the Pro division and eager to prove to everyone and themselves that this is their season. The Russian side has the talent to go far, but they need to sort out their roster and find chemistry before it's too late. With their new roster and new players, a connection to look out for is @xDekko-_- & @vlxddyy, they can form an uncanny duo this season, but if they can't click with the rest of the group, it'll be tough to make the playoffs. Player To Watch: @Baranizer Season Prediction: 1st round of playoffs    Finnish Roosters This Finnish Rosters have been around for a long time (ECL 2), played between Pro and Lite for the most part, and now back again in Pro after a short hiatus. Their game plan has always been soli,d and their roster too. Now they aim to be a threat for the playoffs and without a doubt will be firing on all cylinders for this season. With a new season upon us, eyes will turn to ECL icon @J0HTAJA who has a game or two under his belt. He managed to put up 21 points (11+10) in stage 1 of the Pro qualifiers as he led his team to a Pro division spot. Player To Watch: @Ernottii Season Prediction: 1st round of playoffs  

The ECL '25: Spring - Lite season has now come to an end, with MoDo Hockey taking home the coveted Lite trophy. They've now proven themselves the best of the best and will look to improve their game for next season. MoDo came into the playoffs with a heavy regular season record of 16-1-0-5. Their powerplay stood out at an impressive 43,24%, which continued into the playoffs as well. @MrXbox79 stood out this season as their go-to guy; he showed everybody he doesn't belong in the Lite division, and next season he will hopefully have the chance to prove that the Pro division is his to conquer. MoDo had quite a rare playoff push, they weren't tested once in the playoffs to the fullest, they seemed to ease through each of their series, even taking down Deadly Phantoms in the finals 4-1. Before that, they defeated teams like Including Me and Turun Gasellit, who impressed during the playoffs, but MoDo was just unstoppable this ECL season. MoDo Hockey Roster: Forwards: @MrXbox79 @RookieLIAMOVIC @Maaacki @Disctrasan- Defense: @Daniel Asplund @I Braxsiö I @Adde667 Goalies: @I-Jeppe-I @Ztefan Pop MoDo Hockey Road To The Championship: Regular Season: 16-1-0-5 (50pts) - 1st in Group 2 1st round: 4-2 vs Iserlohn Roosters eSports 2nd round: 4-1 vs Lucky Strikers Quarterfinals: 4-1 vs Including Me Semifinal: 4-1 vs Turun Gasellit Finals: 4-1 vs Deadly Phantoms   Congratulations to the team and all the players, see you in Pro! Thank you all teams and readers, for this season! 

The playoff hockey season is in full swing! With the Elite and Pro divisions wrapped up, all eyes turn to the Lite finals, where MoDo Hockey and Deadly Phantoms clash in an epic showdown packed with high-end talent and relentless grit. According to the rulebook, the top three Lite teams earn automatic promotion to the Pro division, meaning both teams are already Pro-bound. Now, they battle for the coveted trophy, bragging rights, and a larger part of the prize pool. MoDo Hockey (3) vs. Deadly Phantoms (7) MoDo Hockey: The Favorites Modo enters the series as the clear favorites. They’ve steamrolled their playoff opponents so far, facing little resistance en route to the finals. However, Deadly Phantoms present their toughest challenge yet. MoDo dominated the Phantoms in the regular season, winning both matchups (8-2 and 4-2), which gives them a psychological edge heading into the series. Having secured promotion, Modo can play with a clear mind, free from the pressure of climbing the ranks. Captain @MrXbox79 and linemate @RookieLIAMOVIC, both Swedes, have been unstoppable, combining for an impressive 102 points in the playoffs. Containing this dynamic duo will be a tall order for the Phantoms if they aren’t fully prepared. Deadly Phantoms: The Battle-Tested Underdogs Deadly Phantoms boast a storied history, having competed in the Pro division for years and even spending time in the Elite tier. Like Modo, they’ve secured promotion to Pro for next season and now aim to cap their campaign with a championship. Unlike MoDo’s smoother playoff run, the Phantoms endured two grueling seven-game series to reach the finals, proving their resilience. The German squad will need their A-game to overcome MoDo, especially after struggling against them in the regular season on both servers. If star forward @CashAllGreen suits up, the Phantoms’ chances improve significantly. Meanwhile, veteran goaltender @RPH_31 has the skill to steal games, giving his team a chance to play hero and upset the favorites. Series Outlook This series is MoDo’s to lose, but the Phantoms have every chance to pull off an upset. Expect a tightly contested battle with close games decided by which team can neutralize the opposition’s star forwards and defend the slot more effectively. Both teams will look to exploit the offensive zone with speed. The Phantoms hold an edge in zone-entry versatility, while MoDo relies on their skilled forwards and puck-moving defensemen to control the pace. Players to Watch: Deadly Phantoms: @CashAllGreen "This talented forward has the potential to be a game-changer. If he plays, he could carry his team to victory with his offensive flair." MoDo Hockey: @RookieLIAMOVIC "The Swedish star’s vast array of skills and playoff experience make him a key piece in MoDo’s quest for the title." Series Predictions: Hifk_fani: MoDo in 7 (4-3) "Modo has the slight advantage in momentum" AI: Deadly Phantoms in 7 (4-3) "The Phantoms wins game seven in a tight fought battle" Watch the Finals Live The ECL '25: Spring - Elite Champion is decided Monday night live at twitch.tv/ReactioMedia, so be sure to tune in and enjoy this nail-biter of a series hosted by Brandon @bMaJuH Bigsby. The broadcast starts at 19:15 CEST and will feature the full best-of-seven series. See you there! Want to keep up with everything happening in the ECL this season? Make sure to follow/subscribe to us on Twitch, YouTube, and X.

The Spring season has come to an end in the Pro division, with ROBE eSports sweeping Vizio in 4 games in the finals in a commanding fashion. With a championship, they claim an Elite division spot for next season, whereas Vizio still has an opportunity to qualify for a spot through the Elite Promotion Battle.   The '25 Spring season has seen a lot of good teams, and now a team assembled by captain @Tihizu not many months ago takes down team after team, including teams with more experience, more seasons under their belt, but none better than this ROBE team. Now his team prepares for a tough season in Elite and will surely get stronger as months go by before the next ECL season begins.   ROBE's season started well; they started off with 7 wins out of a possible 9, they took down some heavy names in Otukset and Blegi, split with POGGERS after a 12-1 loss, and also split with their eventual finals opponent, Vizio. ROBE's regular season was capped with some tough losses that eventually got them to the championship. In round 1, they faced a tough Aspyre team that took them the whole nine yards to a full seven games. While losing a series 3-1 lead, ROBE won the decisive game 7 in a dominating manner. In the quarterfinals, ROBE faced one of the Pro division favourites in Almost Famous, a well-fought 6 games in which ROBE showed their true colors, the colors of champions; they shut down the star-studded former champions and marched on to the next round. The semifinal was a battle against Golden Buffalos, who were probably the favourites for this Pro season and the #1 seed going into the Playoffs.  ROBE faced the Buffalos with a hunger to show the entire Pro division what they are made of and it took 6 games for ROBE to beat the giants - and the giants fell hard indeed. In the finals, they faced their statistically easiest foe; they swept Vizio, beating them 3 times in a one-goal game, even once in overtime.   ROBE's roster really stood out in the playoffs, with @punt1la98 leading the way in the regular season (38+46) and the Playoffs (27+23). They played almost the entire season with the same line-up, @XD_Jacke, their backup netminder played 4 games in the regular season, going 1-2-1. The most impressive thing about this roster was the fact that they never relied on only one guy; if someone was having an off day, there was always someone else to step up. @Tihizu, the captain who built this team was impressive as well, with 19 goals in the playoffs. The defense pairing of @aaksu17 & @lycki10 were numbers 1 & 2 in points for defensemen in the Playoffs. Their chemistry stood out with both being responsible on both sides of the puck, and a force to be reckoned with offensively, scoring 16 goals between them (8 each). And the glue that held their dreams alive, center @jyrki456 really shone this season, as their talented center scored 16 goals in the Playoffs. Goalie @Viltzup had a stellar season as well; the experienced goalie was exactly what ROBE needed to be crowned champions, with a save percentage of 82,62%, he stole a lot of games for ROBE that could have been lost with any other goalie between the pipes.     ROBE esports road to the Championship: Regular season: 18-4-2-8 (64pts) - 4th in group 2. Round 1: 4-3 vs Aspyre Quarterfinals: 4-2 vs Almost Famous Semifinals: 4-2 vs Golden Buffalos Finals: 4-0 vs Vizio   ROBE eSports’ ECL 25: Winter - Pro Championship Roster Forwards: #4 Santeri @punt1la98 Niemi #89 Jaakko @Tihizu Tihinen (C) #98 @jyrki456 (A) Defense: #8 Aleksi @aaksu17 Mäkinen #28 Lucas @lycki10 Lindkvist (A) Goalies: #7 Ville @Viltzup Poutiainen # 37 Jack @XD_Jacke Åkerberg     Congratulations to the team and all the players, see you in Elite! Thank you, all teams and readers, for this season!