Tag: Playoffs

Season 17 PL Playoff Previews
by Snipes

Season 17 PL Playoff Previews

In the vast expanse of the universe there are an incalculable number of realities and laws by which we must exist. The first being that every PL season has to be a banger. Welcome to the PL playoff preview. From returning hopefuls, to new faces, from the kings upon which the crown lies to the usurpers that would claim the title, PL is filled to the brim with aspirations this season.

Our dreams begin in the blue conference for 2s. Having started week 1 as the 1 seed, the shadow have defended the conference title for 10 consecutive weeks going into their playoff matchup against the 4 seeded Jets. The lefty, pain duo has yet to see defeat this season in 2s, but of course, there is no easy round in playoffs. Awaiting them in the first round is the consensus most talented roster in the blue conference. Exy and Ryker will be taking to the field against this top seeded shadow. A dominant start followed by a series of late hurdles has seen them wind up in the 4 seed for playoffs, below where they’d hoped to be. But in the end it is not the condition in which you make it to the mountain, but how high you climb. They will have a tough peak to climb to start their playoff journey. Very high level matchup, either team could be the favorite.

Their opponent will be the winner of the Hive vs Hurricanes slug out. The Hurricanes may be the belle of the ball, but the Hive are cinderalla. Staring into the abyss at 6-19, the Hive have clawed and scrapped their way to a playoff roster in the simplest way possible. Crush. Everyone. Pandy seeks redemption with long time friend Slyr in 2s as they are 19-1 so far this season in 2s, and have shown no sign of stumbling. But the Hurricanes are a dominant franchise for a reason. Some of the best playoff performances in recent PL memory have come from this franchise. Led in 2s by Reagfam, a midseason addition, and Bolio, a returning 3s champion. This team has the experience, but can they provide a bulwark against the impending hive team that has caved in every roster they’ve played thus far.

Now, while the blue conference is coated in storylines, from a talent perspective the orange conference is covered in sheer brutality. It starts with the 2 seed vs 3 seed matchup of Express vs. Bulls. The express are attempting the zero to hero after finishing dead last last season, to now attempting to win a 2s championship. They have the roster to do it, heralded the night of the draft as maybe the most talented 2s team ever assembled post rankout with ChimpanJay and Deity on the same team. They have all the potential of slamming everyone and snatching the crown. Who can stop them? The list is short, but the team at the top of it is their first round matchup, the PL Bulls. Led by 2 time defending 2s champion Steez and returning player Danger, the Bulls are the best chance at taking down the Express in this round 1 bo5. There will be 4 top 10 players in the league on the field in this 2s game. It will probably be the most mechanical matchup ever put together in PL, and is THE most exciting match you could be tuning into week 1. I’m not saying that all playoff teams aren’t built equal, but whoever wins this match will own the road to the championship.

You’ll notice how I said 2 vs 3 seed though, and that’s because the 1 seed was earned by the Conference topping Rhinos. While R E D has a habit of building for 3s normally, he took a chance on drafting 2 historically 2s mains in the league in his first 2 rounds. Nezyy and Wenegade Waida have worked together with the very deep Rhinos roster to put together a 1 seed campaign. Both have playoff experience, but are relatively unproven going into their round 1 matchup, considering they are 0-2 as a duo this season. Back in the 4 seed is a familiar face, the Outlaws. Last seasons orange conference 4 seed pulled off an unexpected win over the at the time harlem globe trotter looking team of the elite. This season they’re still the 4 seed, but not for lack of talent. AMP and Evyhn is as talented as a 2s team can get. They compliment each other, and both are consistent 1800 performers in ranked. With good chemistry and the momentum that they’ve been building the more they play together we may get to see AMP and the Outlaws play spoiler to another top seed.

While the 2s defending champion Bulls are looking to defend their throne. The 3s seat is left empty as the Hurricanes failed to make 3s playoffs this season, meaning a new champion will be crowned. In fact, only 2 players, Taelo and Algix, are in playoffs and have ever previously won a PL 3s championship as a starter. The 3s talent has truly been dispersed this season in the league. And every team has a story to be told in their seasons and how they got there. As usual, lets head on over the left side of the bracket and check out the blue conference.

While the orange conference is about dominant teams, the blue conference has provided all the drama and standings changes that define PL. This season the blue conference top 4 standings changed every single week. The top 4 never stayed the same, as every week had an upset. And the kings of the chaos, the ones flying high into the 1 seed? The Aviators. A team that struggled at .500 well into the season, the aviators found their footing in the last few weeks of their season. Spending more time than other teams building team chemistry and playstyle, they are on the longest 3s winstreak in the league heading into this series. This top roster of Algix, Flashasaurous, and Afterburner are an underdog story that decided to be the 1 seed and keep the chip on their shoulder.  Their reward is a bitter one though. They play against again the best on paper team in the conference, the Jets. Exy, Ryker, and EllectroZx. The jets survived a late season collapse in 3s that saw them end the season on a slide that almost knocked them out of playoffs if not for a game 5 week 10 win against the hive. This matchup looks to be a pure 3s matchup of chemistry and hard work vs talent and mechanics. Look for Algix and EllectroZx on the field as the important players to watch. Both of these guys play will have a big impact on their teams potential.

 

Easily the most up and down team of PL this season, the PL Wolves. They dropped their second round pick after 2 weeks, then signed new players, then had their top 2 players not get eligible, then made last second pickups while being as low as 13th in the league, and then 5-0’d the lightning in week 10 to steal a win and steal a playoff spot. They’ve been scrapping together wins every week steadily for 3 weeks now and have found a real late season gem with PandasCafe. Against them is the struggling 2 seed Shadow, who have lost 4 series in a row in 3s, but kept their playoff spot and division lead by a small margin. They have the depth to be a good 3s team, but with the longest losing streak in playoffs, they are on the wrong side of momentum going into this match. Key players will be PandasCafe and Pain, both players that have massive upside who’s play this series could be the tipping point for their team.

Bringing it back to the orange conference. We have some titanic matchups lined up here, full of heavy hitting teams that all have good momentum going to playoffs. First up is the 2 vs 3 seed matchup. Knights vs Rhinos. Knights were a surprise division winner in a conference that had a lot of talent in it with the outlaws and express in 3s, but the knights pulled out key wins against division opponents and didn’t let the those struggling teams catch up, holding onto the division lead for the last 7 consecutive weeks of the season. Late addition Distant has provided the last spark needed to light this team up for playoffs, and with Beast Distant and Guapo, there is a team that has real upside to potentially make a final. Look for fast pace play, upfield passing, bumps, and just massive pressure to be a major factor for this team. This playstyle is unfortunate for their opponents, the Rhinos. The rhinos won the most games in the orange conference this season, but that’s a depth stat. Now it’s their top 3 finally united in 3s for only the second time who have to bring it home. Nezyy, R E D, and Wenegade Waida, will have to put together a big run for this team to find that ever elusive title. While they have plenty of talent, playstyle might be a factor for this team. All 3 of these players are more used to a 3rd man playstyle that focuses more on enabling. They’ll need First round pick Nezyy to become their offensive linchpin and run the offense through him in order to dictate the pace of the games better. Against this fast paced knights roster, they could see themselves get bogged down if they aren’t able to reliably sustain their own offense.

I talked about in 2s how it looks like The Express vs Bulls series looked liked the 2 favorites meeting round 1. Sadly for the Bulls, it looks similar in 3s. The 4 seed Bulls will travel to the Pandas in week 1 of the playoffs in a match who will see the winner be the favorite to advance and win the championship. The Pandas have as much 3s firepower as you can possibly fit on a roster under cap, with FM Taelo flanked by 2 arguably top 5 3s players in the league, Insanity and Arju. This team has been destroying during the regular season with their 3s depth, finishing 8-2, their only losses being to the Bulls in week 9 and Knights in week 7, both games crucially missing Arju, a top 3 player in the league. The Bulls stand opposite them, hoping to reach another 3s final and avenge last seasons loss. The team has been upgraded since, with another top 5 player Danger being added to the roster on top of Steez. Sulace rounds out this 3 man hit squad as they look to take the field. High pressure passing and midfield suppression is the name of their game. The pandas look to employ a playmaking style reliant on their goal line defense, and Arju’s mechanics and Taelo’s fast paced pressure style to score a wide variety of goals against whoever they play. Key players to watch for this series will be Sulace and Taelo. We know that the top 2 on each of these teams are insane, but can the 3rd players provide that consistent presence on the field, and propel their team to another level come playoff time.

Season 17 FL Playoff Previews
by Quilli

Season 17 FL Playoff Previews

The good, the bad, and the ugly (and everything in between)

Season 17 has been one heck of a rollercoaster from start to finish, and I’m here to help break down a couple of teams that have made it one step closer to the promised land… A.K.A. a chance at the coveted MLE Championship and the prize of a glorious thirst quenching case of your favorite gaming beverage, BAWLS Guarana!  To help catch you up to speed on the most interesting and fun to watch league in all of MLE (Foundation League), I will be breaking it down into 5 different categories; a team I like, a team I dislike, a team to keep an eye on, an underdog story and one team that you shouldn’t buy the hype for (queue overrated chants)!  So buckle up and prepare for the disaster-piece of… Quilli’s thoughts on Foundation League playoffs!

 

Overrated

What better way to start a Quilli decided list than to kick it off with some controversy.  The most overrated team is… the #1 seeded Comets Standard team, HOLD FOR GASPS!  I know what you’re thinking… “How could a 30 win, #1 seeded, with a top 3 goal differential be overrated?!”  Well, may I interest you in the fact that they are the ONLY team in the entirety of the FL playoffs with a negative series record, or the fact that 3 out of the 4 series wins they have are against teams that aren’t even in the playoffs.  They are a team that has been keeping series close with teams below them in rankings, but unable to find the series wins more than finding the series loss.  On top of that, their 3 highest salaried players (Papercut 9.5, 1337 8.5 and Swanson 8.0) have played a single series where they dominated their 3rd place divisional rival Eclipse that didn’t even make playoffs.  So assuming this is the roster they send out they are lacking the in game preparation you’d expect out of a #1 seed.  I believe their opponent, the 4 seeded Puffins, will be more than a challenge for them.  They faced earlier in the season in week 5 where the Comets took a 2-3 series loss against the Puffins in a matchup where both teams sent out 2 of their 3 most played players in the Standard gamemode.

 

Comets GM ‘Stoofy’s comments on their Standard roster: It’s been a wild season, they dominated 2s but started 3s with a 1-6 series record, but still cleared 30 wins and a #1 seed. Everyone on this FL roster is over 30 years old, proving even the retirement home community still has hands.

 

Keep an eye out

 

Alright, now that I’ve stirred the pot a little bit with a hot take, it is now time for some simplicity.  A team I think you should keep an eye on going into these playoffs that I think has an interesting chance at making something happen is the Tyrants Doubles team.  Before you get up in arms about me naming the FL team of the team I’m on, just hear me out first.  This #2 seed is no joke, boasting a 76 goal differential, a 7-3 series record and 2 of the best players for chemistry and comms between ‘TyTheGuy’ and ‘Yenyen’. Now one of those two names has been on fire all season, Yenyen is a powerhouse in both doubles and standard, and after losing their teammate ‘Lanxbaby’ in a controversial end of season rank out, it is now a next man up scenario where Ty now has prove themself to this league as a more than capable second man in this gauntlet of a bracket.

 

Tyrants Interim FM ‘YTStorm’s comments on their Doubles roster: They have been a feisty team all season with many road bumps with all that happened this season and they stayed together and played really well.

 

Underrated

 

So now that I got the two most controversial takes out of the way, it’s time to show some love to an under the radar team.  Some would even say they’re… dodging… the spotlight… THAT’S RIGHT, I’M TALKING ABOUT THE DODGERS!  Ok, I know what you’re thinking, “Quilli, how do you expect the team with the worst record, third worst goal differential and  in the FL standard playoffs to do anything?” Well I rebuttal you with the fact that they are the only team in all of standard playoffs with a 7-3 series record!  Do they have the 3rd worst goal differential?  Yes.  Did one of their arguably best players (Pikachew_RL) rank out into the Academy League?  Yes.  DO THEY HAVE THAT DOG IN THEM?  ABSOLUTELY!!!  Sometimes a good gameplan, a chip on your shoulder, and some good ol’ fashion will to do what it takes to win could be a recipe to upset the heavy favorite.  There’s an old saying in the sports world, the only thing scarier than someone with everything to lose is someone with nothing to lose.  ‘Stickly’ at a 10.0 salary and ‘ImDemoing’ at a respectable 8.5 with whoever they select for a third have their backs against the wall and will be tested on their fight, but boy do I believe!  Don’t let this team get hot!

 

Dodgers GM ‘DeathShadow’s comments on their Standard roster: The Dodgers are ready, they have all beaten ‘NotADuck’ in a 1v1 in preparation for this week.

 

Dislike

 

That’s enough being nice for now, let’s hop back into the toxic territory, the team I don’t like… coming in hot we have the Ducks Standard team!  A #3 seed that I am doubting, which makes it even worse on my end when i mention they are the 2nd place team overall in standard.  But hidden in the grass, they are tied with 6 out of 8 teams at a 6-4 record, so while not looking special there, they have the WORST goal differential in all of FL standard at just 1.  In the final week of matches, the Ducks just barely beat the first placed Pirates 3-2, but the Pirates only played 1 of their top sals, while the other two players were a 7.0 and a 6.0 sal.  So to struggle to get a defining win in the final week against a (statistically) lesser opponent is not moving me in a positive direction when choosing favorites to win it all!  I still love ‘DeskJockey’ though.

 

Ducks GM ‘Thunderca’s comment on their Standard roster: I Think we have what it takes, because even though our roster has changed numerous times with rank outs and trades, i believe the core players we based the team off of are more than good enough to take the chip, but it’s anyone’s game here in the much more heavily stacked orange conference.  So anything can happen, But i’m confident in my ducklings.

 

Quilli Approved

 

Last, but certainly not least, a team I like and a potential Quilli favorite to win it all in their respective gamemode… the Sharks Doubles team!  What’s a safer pick than picking the only team with two 10.0 salary players?  There isn’t one, but that wasn’t the leading factor in my decision (but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t help).  On paper though, this team being just at the #3 seed has a lot left to be desired as a pick for a ‘favorite to win it all,’ I am very aware.  While they may have a goal differential of -3, something I’ve been harping on a lot in this read, I believe theirs has a lot to do with sharing the load on player uses.  ‘Narutox’ has a more than impressive 19-6 record in doubles as an active Sharks player, only suffering 1 series loss to the (#1 seed) Duck’s Doubles team.  This absolute dominance just shows what they are capable of when they’re on the pitch.  With a fellow 10.0 salary as their teammate in ‘September’, who has definitely struggled throughout the season, I firmly believe that this duo has what it takes to do it all and get the Sharks a highly sought after MLE Championship!

 

Sharks FM ‘Kkube’s comments on their Doubles roster: I think they have a great chance this season! They have been on the grind especially down the stretch and they have put themselves in a great position to potentially bring Sharks their first championship!

 

Team I Like: #3 seed Sharks 2s

Eyes On: #2 seed Tyrants 2s

Underdog: #4 seed dodgers 3s

Overrated: #1 seed Comets 3s

Dislike: #3 seed Ducks 3s

Season 17 ML Playoff Previews
by BoogerBear

Season 17 ML Playoff Previews

Sixteen teams remain in both doubles and standard as we prepare for the start of the Season 17 playoffs in MLE. With this season comes a brand new playoff format that removes the first round bye for the #1 seed of each conference. Now, it’s the four division champions and the next two highest teams from each superdivision squaring off in what is likely a much more tightly contested playoff. Without any further ado (trust, there’s five of these previews), let’s get straight into it!

 

Doubles

#1 COM (33-17)  vs #4 AVI (26-24)

 

The Comets come into this matchup chasing the franchise’s second championship as one of the favorites to take it all. This was a lineup made with all the intentions of putting the ball in the net. They lead the Blue Conference in Goal Differential with 52, which is second in ML only to the Ducks. Though the Aviators finished 7 games behind the Comets, they only have one series victory less than the Comets. In series, the Comets are 7-3, Aviators are 6-4. These two teams did not meet in the regular season.


Likely players for Comets: ItalianGini, Jolo, Stingray
Likely players for Aviators: Shiesty, Remy, Jayyy


Boog’s Prediction: Comets in 4

 

#2 SHD (25-25) vs #3 TYR (26-24)


 Shadow managed to steal the Storm Division from the Lightning by a single game, which is why they are the #2 seed despite the Tyrants having a better record. Although they are a division champion, Shadow may not be in for a deep run due to the .500 record, negative series record of 4-6, and negative Goal Differential of -7. The Tyrants are not without their own regular season woes. They boast the lowest Goal Diff. of -13, a series record of 5-5. This match will either be a blowout or extremely tight.

 

Likely players for Shadow: P2K, Cool, MikeIsMyIke
Likely players for Tyrants: SolarSide, YTStorm, Coley

Boog’s Prediction: Tyrants in 5

 

#1 JETS (34-16) vs #4 SAB (25-25)

 

The Jets are bringing the thunder against a .500 Sabres team. The Sabres are about as statistically average as a team could be, as they have a .500 record, near 0 Goal Diff and 4-6 in series. The Jets, on the other hand, are bringing a moderate 28 Goal Diff, which is not the highest in ML, but is definitely respectable. The Jets have an ML best 68% winrate this season, and a 7-3 series record. All things on paper are pointing to a very short playoff run for the Sabres. 

 

Likely players for Jets: ThunderTung, Bamboo, Frehgrunce
Likely players for Sabres: Sparcnova, Halibut, Yoky

Boog’s Prediction: Jets in 3

 

#2 FOX (28-22) vs #3 HUR (26-24)

 

The Foxes find themselves against a franchise that has had a knack for finding ways to the Grand Finals (See: Season 10)  in the past. Only time will tell if the Hurricanes can keep up with that trend. The Foxes may have a better record, but the Hurricanes have a much better Goal Diff with 35 than the Foxes 13. Both teams boast a series record of 6-4, so keep an eye on this one to be the best match of the first round. This will likely be another tightly contested match.

 

Likely players for Foxes: KeylessCreature, Ac3, Genesis

Likely players for Hurricanes: Jay Jr, Snakpak, Morgan

 

Boog’s Prediction: Canes in 5

 

#1 BUL (30-20) vs #4 HAW (26-24)

 

The Bulls once again are a Master League powerhouse as they look for yet another championship. The Bulls of the last few seasons have been a force to be reckoned with as they have made several Grand Final appearances. They draw the Hawks in the first round, who squeaked out one more win than the Rhinos and Pandas for their playoff spot. Both teams have positive Goal Diff, so look for this to be a defensive masterclass on both sides of the pitch. Stats favor the Bulls as they have a Goal Diff of 55. It should be noted that the Hawks are 1.5 points below cap. 

 

Likely players for Bulls: Welendish, ImLeo, CheffReaper

Likely players for Hawks: TS_Celestial, Timmy, ScreaminAce

 

Boog’s Prediction: Bulls in 4

#2 DUC (30-20) vs #3 EXP (28-22)

 

The Ducks won what appears to be a statistically weak Tropic division, and their prize for doing so, is the team that lost the Forge Division tiebreaker: Express. This looks to be one of the closest matches of the first round as the Express are going to come out hungry since losing the tiebreaker. The Express have the better series record of 6-4, but a smaller Goal Diff. These numbers scream that if Express can keep the scoring low on both sides, Express will prevail. The issue? The Ducks boast a Master League best 66 Goal Differential. The Ducks, if the offense is firing on all cylinders, will fly right through the Choo Choo Train.

Likely players for Ducks: EliteInferno, Wolfie, Tuhlur

Likely players for Express: Hermod, K5Marky, 1AMRamen

Boog’s prediction: Ducks in 3

#1 DOD (33-17) vs #4 OUT (26-24)

 

Far and away the best team out of the Orange Conference is the Dodgers, having only dropped a single series in ML this season. The unfortunate team facing this uphill climb? The Outlaws, who finished 3rd in the Forge Division. Though they put up positive numbers, the Outlaws are staring down probably the toughest draw of the whole bracket for 2s. Both of these teams ended up finishing the regular season with their salaries raised over the cap with the Dodgers up to 84.0 and the Outlaws up to 83.5. The ML cap is 82.0. Obviously both teams have improved massively, so we’ll have to wait and see how it shakes out.

 

Likely players for Dodgers: NotADuck, KoD, Kaydo

Likely players for Outlaws: Blahdat, SyrupBlood, Jatron

 

Boog’s Prediction: Dodgers in 4

 

#2 KNI (28-22) vs #3 FLA (31-19)

The Knights, winners of the Forge Division via tiebreaker, draw a lower seed with a better record in the Flames. It’s not often the higher seed is facing the uphill battle, but it is odd that it’s already happened twice and we haven’t even touched threes yet. The Forge Division was extremely close in doubles, and the Volcanic Division was extremely top heavy. Though the Flames are 31-19, their series record is only 6-4, so many of the losses must have been tightly contested 2-3 series. The Knights also have a series record of 6-4 and even boast a better Goal Diff.

Likely players for Knights: Styzzi, Rayinator, JKFrost

Likely players for Flames: K-lub, Pops42, RedNovaUltimate

 

Boog’s Prediction: Flames in 5

 

 

Standard

 

#1 WIZ (30-20) vs #4 BLI (25-25)

 

The Wizards are the lone representative of the Mystic Division in threes and they face the Blizzard, who finished second in the Storm Division. Neither of these franchises made the cut in doubles, so all of the effort will be put into a playoff run over here in threes. The Wizards are 8-2 in series with a respectable Goal Differential of 33. The Blizzard is 4-6 in series with a -2 Goal Diff. On paper, it looks like the Blizzard limped into postseason play, however, don’t count out this roster as they have two former champions in JDogg and MattAnderr on the roster.

 

Likely players for Wizards: Snipe, Precision, Dewby

Likely players for Blizzard: JDogg, MattAnderr, Mercantile

 

Boog’s Prediction: Blizzard in 5

 

#2 LIT (31-19) vs #3 PUF (27-23)

 

The Storm Division winning Lightning square off against the Puffins in what I anticipate will be probably  the most physical first round matchup in all of MLE this playoff. The ML Puffins have some of the most physical players in all of ML on the roster in Moxen, Spidey and Torston. If they can capitalize on this, the Lightning will struggle to capitalize on the mismatch in salary as the Puffins have nobody above 16.5, while the LOWEST player on the Lightning is a 16.5.

 

Likely players for Lightning: Any of the four of them

Likely players for Puffins: Torston, Moxen, Spidey

 

Boog’s Prediction: Puffins in 4

 

#1 AVI (32-18) vs #4 FOX (24-26)

 

The Sky Division Champ Aviators will face off against the Foxes. These franchises are looking to make deep playoff runs in both modes, but how will they fare knowing they have to play in both modes? Will burnout become a factor? Probably not in the first round, at least. The Foxes may have a losing record, but they’ve won six of their ten matches. They have found ways to win and it has gotten them this far, however, I don’t know that they have what it takes to take down the Aviators, who seem to be unable to stop winning. 

 

Likely players for Aviators: Shiesty, Remy, Jayyy

Likely players for Foxes: KeylessCreature, Ac3, Genesis

 

Boog’s Prediction: Aviators in 4

 

#2 SAB (29-21) vs #3 WOL (28-22)

Another team gearing up for two playoff runs in the Sabres will meet up against the Wolves. These teams are separated by a single game, and have similar Goal Diff numbers. This is going to be an entertaining match as This looks to go the distance as either a defensive masterclass or an offensive showcase. Either way, this series is a viewer’s delight. This Wolves team is built for threes as they finished last in the Storm Division in doubles. I wouldn’t be surprised if either of these teams go on a deep run. 

 

Likely players for Sabres: Sparcnova, Halibut, Yoky

Likely players for Wolves: FlyFyre74, Shraxl, Collobir

 

Boog’s Prediction: Wolves in 5

 

#1 BEA (32-18) vs #4 SHA (23-27)

 

The Battle for Land and Sea takes place as the Bears are heavy favorites to take a chomp out of the Sharks. These teams are separated by almost ten games, which is almost unheard of in an MLE playoff matchup. The Sharks limped into the playoffs with the lowest record of all teams in ML to earn a postseason berth, as well as a negative Goal Diff. The Bears could make MLE history with a perfect sweep if they show up ready to go. With a Goal Diff of 49, it’ll be hard to stop the Bears. 

 

Likely players for Bears: Limon, Canadian, Crypt

Likely players for Sharks: Dimensions, Water, RONA

 

Boog’s Prediction: Bears in 3

 

#2 DUC (27-23) vs #3 PAN (29-21)

Yet again, we have another 3 seed with a better record than the division champion they face. The Pandas are looking to make a run into the second round as the Ducks have to put their eggs in the nests of doubles and standard. The only statistical advantage the Ducks hold is series record. The Ducks managed to win 7 of their matches while the Pandas only won 5. The Pandas also have a marginally better Goal Differential. I expect this matchup to be rather close, though not the closest match in round one.

 

Likely players for Ducks: EliteInferno, Wolfie, Tuhlur

Likely players for Pandas: Jarhead, Drakob, Deuce

 

Boog’s Prediction: Pandas in 4

 

#1 DOD (36-14) vs #4 BUL (27-23)

 

The Dodgers have turned into somewhat of a superteam this season, boasting the best ML record in threes and the second-best record in doubles. They matchup against another team making two playoff runs in the Bulls, who won their division in twos, but not threes. I expect this matchup to be electric as both teams are high-caliber and consistent across both modes of play. Although, I believe the Dodgers’ have what it takes to win it all in threes. They are my pick for the Orange Conference. The only thing holding back the Bulls’ standard lineup is that tough -8 Goal Diff compared to the Dodgers’ 42. 

 

Likely players for Dodgers: NotADuck, KoD, Kaydo

Likely players for Bulls: Welendish, ImLeo, CheffReaper

 

Boog’s Prediction: Dodgers in 3

 

#2 OUT (28-22) vs #3 FLA (32-18)

 

The Flames would have either won or been tied for a division crown in literally any other division in ML. They finished second to the white-hot Dodgers in the Volcanic Division. The Outlaws won a weak Forge Division, earning them their spot at #2. Though the Flames have 4 games up on the Outlaws, the Outlaws actually have the better Goal Differential at 26, granted that isn’t too much higher than the Flames at 22. Both teams have the same series record at 7-3. This matchup is one to keep an eye on, but I believe the Flames have had a much tougher schedule. After all, they did have to play those pesky Dodgers twice.

 

Likely players for Flames: K-lub, Pops42, RedNovaUltimate

Likely players for Outlaws:  Blahdat, SyrupBlood, Jatron

 

Boog’s Prediction: Flames in 4

 

And that’s all the first round matchups in Master League! Of course there will be plenty to cover across the entire playoff as matches happen, so be on the lookout for either myself or other writers to crank out more previews as the playoffs continue. If you’re in the playoffs, GLHF. If you’re just reading this for funsies, thanks for sticking around and be sure to watch the playoffs on stream whenever you’re able. This new format sets up exciting matchups all the way through the bracket.

Season 17 CL Playoff Previews
by SkyGuy

Season 17 CL Playoff Previews

The CL Shakedown

The Champions League (CL) has once again delivered a season filled with intense battles, unexpected upsets, and remarkable performances. As the regular season draws to a close, the playoff race has already reached a fever pitch, with teams from every division vying for the ultimate prize. The journey to the championship has been a rollercoaster, with each conference and division showcasing its own set of standout teams and thrilling storylines. From the icy competition in the North to the fierce heat of the South, the resilience in the East, and the unpredictable weather in the West, the CL playoffs are set to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how the top teams in each region have positioned themselves as they enter the final stretch towards glory.

The Cold North

Doubles

This Super Division has seen strong performances from all teams, with the Puffins ultimately clinching the North Super Division Champion Title. They had a remarkably steady season, never falling below second place in their division, and finishing with a 31-19 record (7-3 in their last 10 games). Their consistency and strategic play have made them a formidable force, and they’ll be a team to watch in the playoffs. The Puffins are set to face the Shadow in the first round, a team that has struggled in the latter half of the season. The Puffins’ balanced approach and consistent form make them the favorites to advance, but they’ll need to stay focused to avoid any upsets from the Shadow.

The Sabres, on the other hand, had a rocky start to the season. After struggling to a 4-11 record in the first three weeks, they found their rhythm in Week 4 with a narrow 3-2 win that boosted their confidence. Their turning point came in Week 5 when they swept the Eclipse, propelling them to a 12-13 record. From there, the Sabres maintained a strong run, although they stumbled in Week 9 against the Puffins and lost again in the final week to the Foxes. Despite these setbacks, they managed to secure their playoff berth, proving their resilience. The Sabres will face the Hive in the first round, a team that managed to clinch the second spot in the South Super Division despite having a negative record. While the Hive has shown some late-season resilience, the Sabres’ recent momentum and stronger overall performance make them the favorites in this matchup.

The Tyrants, the third Arctic team to make the playoffs, had a season marked by significant changes in leadership. Despite the upheaval, they held their ground and fought fiercely, ultimately edging out the Eclipse for the final playoff spot by a single match. The Eclipse had a chance to force a tiebreaker, but the Wizards thwarted their efforts with a 4-1 victory, dashing the Eclipse’s playoff hopes. The Tyrants will face the Lightning in the first round, a team that has shown dominance throughout the season. The Lightning’s strong finish and consistent play will make this a tough challenge for the Tyrants, who will need to bring their best game to stand a chance.

As for the Wizards, they were dominant throughout the season but stumbled in their final series against the Eclipse. Even with two of their highest-sal players on the field, they couldn’t secure the win, raising concerns as they head into the playoffs. The Wizards will be up against the Wolves in the first round, a team that has been consistent and strong in the latter half of the season. Given the Wolves’ momentum and the Wizards’ recent falter, this matchup could go either way, making it one of the most intriguing first-round battles.

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The North Super Division saw intense competition in the final weeks of the season, with several teams battling hard to secure their playoff positions. The Sabres emerged as the top team, clinching first place in dramatic fashion. Their star lineup, consisting of Pander, NocturnalNeon, and Snow, delivered a flawless 5-0 performance in Week 9, followed by a solid 2-3 result in Week 10 with Lolman stepping in. These crucial victories not only solidified their position at the top of the standings but also demonstrated the depth of their roster and their ability to perform under pressure. The Sabres have been a dominant force all season, and they’ll be a formidable opponent in the playoffs. They are set to face the Shadow in the first round, a team that has struggled towards the end of the season. The Sabres’ consistent form makes them the favorites in this matchup, but they’ll need to stay sharp to avoid any upsets.

Close behind them, the Eclipse secured the second spot with a series of decisive wins. The team, featuring SynlessX, Ruthless, and Krafty Cola, edged out the Wizards 3-2 in Week 9 and followed it up with a 5-0 sweep over the Spectre. In the final week, DakkyBoi, Ruthless, and Stagg continued their momentum, overtaking the Comets and securing their place in the playoffs. The Eclipse’s late-season surge was critical, as they leapfrogged the Comets to earn their playoff spot. Their resilience and strong finish make them a dangerous contender as they enter the postseason. The Eclipse will face the Jets in the first round, a team that has shown they can compete in close matches. This matchup could be one of the tightest in the quarterfinals, with both teams having a lot to prove.

The Puffins, another top performer, have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the season. Ending their regular season with a 4-1 win in Week 10, the Puffins have shown that they are a team built for the long haul. Their steady results and balanced play make them a strong candidate for the championship. With talent spread across the roster and a proven track record, the Puffins are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run. They will face the Hurricanes in the first round, a team that barely made it into the playoffs. Given the Puffins’ consistency and the Hurricanes’ shaky finish, the Puffins are expected to advance, but they’ll need to maintain their focus to avoid any surprises.

On the other hand, the Foxes experienced a rollercoaster finish to their season. After Week 9, they held the number one spot, but a 1-4 loss in Week 10 saw them plummet to fourth place. Despite being a top team throughout much of the season, this late stumble raises concerns about their momentum heading into the playoffs. The Foxes have the talent and the potential to compete, but their recent drop in form could signal trouble if they don’t regain their footing quickly. They will face the Blizzard in the first round, a team that has shown strength and consistency. The Foxes will need to overcome their recent struggles and bring their best to the table if they hope to challenge the Blizzard.

The Sweaty South

Doubles

Lightning clinched the South Super Division Championship with an impressive final push, going 7-3 in the last two weeks of the season. Week 9 saw them deliver a flawless 5-0 performance, while Week 10, though ending in a 2-3 loss, was marked by close games that kept their goal differential near zero. The duo of Fighting and Poke played a crucial role in maintaining their team’s momentum and consistency. As they prepare to face the Tyrants in the first round, the Lightning are poised to strike down their opponents with the same ferocity that earned them the top spot. Given their recent form, the Lightning are favorites in this matchup, expected to advance with ease.

On the other hand, Hive secured their playoff spot in dramatic fashion, finishing the season with a 5-5 record over the last two weeks. Despite being the only team across all leagues and divisions to make the playoffs with a negative overall record (24-26), they clinched the top spot in the Sky Division, which placed them second in the South Super Division standings. Paullyng1 and RevoltingHades led the charge in the final weeks, with a narrow 3-2 win in Week 9 followed by a 2-3 loss in Week 10. While they may have scraped through to the playoffs, their upcoming matchup against the Sabres poses a significant challenge. The Sabres, who have been fearless and dominant in the second half of the season, are unlikely to be brought down by the Hive, making this a difficult series for the Hive to advance from.

Wolves, another top contender, finished the season strong with a 7-3 record over the last two weeks. ORIYN and AON spearheaded their efforts, securing a 4-1 win in Week 9 and a 3-2 victory in Week 10, ensuring a solid playoff position. The Wolves’ consistency throughout the season has been one of their greatest strengths, and they now face the Wizards in the first round of the playoffs. Given the Wizards’ recent struggles, the Wolves are well-positioned to capitalize on their momentum and advance to the next round.

The Shadow team, however, has had a rough end to their season. After a consistent performance throughout most of the year, they stumbled in the final stretch, going 2-8 over the last two weeks. A 0-5 loss to the Lightning in Week 9, followed by a narrow 2-3 defeat to the Blizzard in Week 10, highlighted their struggles. Now facing the Puffins in the first round of the playoffs, the Shadow will need to rediscover their earlier form if they hope to compete. However, with the Puffins’ strong performance this season, it seems likely that the Shadow’s playoff journey might end early.

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Blizzard asserted their dominance in the final weeks of the season, going 8-2 to clinch the top spot in the South Super Division. After a stellar 5-0 performance in Week 9 and a 3-2 victory in Week 10, they solidified their place as the team to beat. Drafted with a clear focus on 3s, the Blizzard lived up to their expectations, with Oddety, Raygozia, and SofaMalofa leading the charge. Their consistent performances were crucial in securing this first-place finish, particularly after a disappointing doubles season. Now, with a favorable matchup against the Foxes, who have been struggling in the latter part of the season, the Blizzard are well-positioned to advance to the next round and continue their quest for the championship.

Jets finished second in the division after a mixed performance in the last two weeks, going 5-5. A 2-3 loss in Week 9 followed by a 3-2 win in Week 10 was just enough to maintain their lead in the Sky Division and secure the second seed overall. LT Dan, Drewsky, and Sharkhax took charge during these crucial weeks, showcasing consistency that has been key to their success. However, their playoff journey won’t be easy, as they face the Eclipse in the first round. The Jets’ recent matchups have been closely contested, with three losses and two wins in their last five matches, all decided by narrow 2-3 or 3-2 margins. If they can maintain their form, they have the potential to upset the Eclipse, but it will be a hard-fought battle.

Shadow have had a challenging end to their season, losing both of their last two matches with a 2-3 scoreline. Despite these setbacks, Flump, Myzair, and Chex form a strong team that no opponent will take lightly. However, their first-round playoff matchup against the Sabres presents a daunting challenge. The Sabres have been one of the most consistent and dominant teams this season, making Shadow’s prospects in the playoffs uncertain. While the Shadow have shown resilience throughout the season, they will need to significantly up their game if they hope to advance past the first round.

Hurricanes (often referred to as the ‘Canes’) narrowly made the playoffs, edging out the Lightning after a 5-5 performance in the final two weeks. A 2-3 loss in Week 10 and a 3-2 win in Week 9 were enough to keep them in the race, thanks in part to the Lightning’s unexpected 1-4 loss in Week 10. Woozle, Sihnez, and Tearless Goose fought hard to secure their spot, benefiting from the Lightning’s poor performance when it mattered most. The Hurricanes’ playoff journey will be a tough one, but their determination and recent form give them a fighting chance.

Beasts in the East

Doubles

Bulls have been a dominant force throughout the season, losing only two series, both during the midseason. Since Week 7, they have been undefeated, striking fear into the hearts of their opponents. The Bulls secured their number one seed with back-to-back 3-2 victories in the final two weeks. However, their seemingly impenetrable armor showed a crack in Week 10 when they dropped two games to the Rhinos, one of the league’s bottom teams. This slip-up suggests that while the Bulls are formidable, they are not invincible. As they head into their first-round playoff matchup against the Dodgers, they must bring their A-game. The Dodgers, known for their scrappy and unpredictable play, could potentially upset the Bulls if they don’t maintain their sharp focus.

Spartans had a challenging start to the season, losing three of their first five games. However, since Week 6, they’ve turned things around, going undefeated and often dominating their opponents. TV On Fire and Aaidan8tor are expected to lead the charge in the playoffs, though their Week 10 matchup against the Knights was closer than they would have liked, ending in a narrow 3-2 victory with only a +2 goal differential. While the Spartans are in a strong position, they face a tough opponent in the Demolition in Round 1. The Demolition are known for their stacked roster and won’t go down without a fight. The Spartans are favored to win, but it’s likely to be a hard-fought battle.

Outlaws are a team that always seems to find their way into the playoffs. Despite losing two of their last three matches, their dominant midseason performances secured them the third seed. Recoon and Kazuto will lead the team in the playoffs, and while they have a solid chance of advancing, their first-round matchup against the Hawks will be anything but easy. The Hawks are a tough, well-rounded team that won’t give anything away easily. The Outlaws will need to dig deep to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Pandas clinched their playoff spot in dramatic fashion in Week 10 with a sweep against the Bears, securing the fourth seed. Brodysseus and MasterFB are their key players, but Lyvesauce has also been a standout, playing well above expectations this season. The Pandas have strong chemistry and are riding high on their Week 10 momentum, making them a dangerous opponent. Their first-round matchup against the Flames is one to watch, as these two teams were fierce rivals in previous seasons. Despite the new season structure, the rivalry continues, promising a fiery and intense battle. Pandas also seek to go back to back from their last season’s doubles Championship.

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Knights have been the dominant force in the division, finishing with a 33-17 record and clinching the highest win total in the league. Their 7-3 series record reflects their consistent performance throughout the season. Project Muffin, Shazam, TwinkieGod, and Dz were instrumental in their success, especially in the final two weeks where they fought hard to secure the Super Division Championship. With a strong roster and solid momentum, the Knights are well-positioned for a deep playoff run. They face the Pirates in the first round, a team that made the playoffs by winning a tiebreaker. While the Pirates may try to field a stronger roster for the playoffs, the Knights are expected to advance with relative ease.

Bulls also finished the season strong, going 7-3 in the final two weeks. Their roster, featuring Rover, David, Robzz, and AndyMcMuffin, showed flexibility and depth, though it’s unclear exactly who will start in the playoffs. The Bulls benefited from playing in the Sun Division, which was less competitive this season, but they still demonstrated their dominance. Their first-round playoff matchup against the Elite promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams have talented players, a storied history, and plenty of momentum heading into the postseason. This series could easily be one of the most exciting matchups in the playoffs.

Outlaws, known for their relentless pursuit of victory, finished third with a 31-19 record. Led by Reccoonn, Ricochet, and TheEvilIsBack, the Outlaws have been a formidable squad, even though they finished behind the Knights. Their performance over the last three weeks, going 10-5, was impressive but not enough to dethrone the Knights from the top spot. The Outlaws will face the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the Hawks being technically higher seeded, the Outlaws are favored to win this series, likely in four games, given their strong form and tenacity.

Pandas clawed their way into the playoffs, much like they did in doubles, with a dramatic finish to the regular season. After being swept in Week 9, they knew they needed a miracle to make the playoffs. They delivered in Week 10, sweeping the Bears to secure their spot. Brody, Lyvesace, and MasterFB have proven to be an incredible team, full of drive and determination. Their first-round matchup against the Demolition is one of the most anticipated games of the playoffs. Both teams are strong, and this series could go either way, but the Pandas have the momentum and the desire to pull off an upset.

Unpredictable Weather in the West

Doubles

Flames finished the season strong, claiming the top spot in the West Super Division with a 30-20 record. Their Week 10 victory was crucial, as it allowed them to overtake the Dodgers for first place. Despite a 2-3 loss in Week 9, the Flames bounced back when it mattered most. SkyGuy, UnknownNinja, and Yz have been the backbone of this team, bringing great chemistry, complementary playstyles, and a strong mindset to the table. After falling short of a playoff berth last season, the Flames came back with renewed determination, proving they have what it takes to lead the division. With their main roster firing on all cylinders, the Flames are set to make a deep playoff run.

Hawks have been on a tear, going undefeated in their last four weeks to take the top spot in the Tropic Division. The roster, consisting of D_Matt, Lonewolf, King J Beats, and Quark, has shown tremendous resilience and growth, especially after a shaky start to the season. They’ve rebuilt their momentum piece by piece, turning their early struggles into a surge of victories. The Hawks now face the Outlaws in what is expected to be a fierce first-round battle. While the Outlaws are a formidable opponent, the Hawks’ recent form gives them an edge, and they are likely to take the series.

Dodgers narrowly missed out on the top spot in the West Super Division after a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to the Flames in Week 10. With a 29-21 record, the Dodgers were in contention for first place until the very end. The core trio of Truck, OwnerOfTheWhiteSedan, and Brionyx have played together for multiple seasons, creating a legacy in CL built on chemistry and skill. This seasoned team knows how to bring out the best in each other, which will be their greatest asset as they face the Bulls in Round 1. Despite the Bulls’ strong roster, the Dodgers are poised to leverage their experience and move into the second round.

Demolition rounded out the top four, finishing with a 27-23 record and securing their playoff spot with a dominant 8-2 run in the final two weeks. Their performance highlights the Volcanic Division’s dominance over the Tropics, with three of their teams making the playoffs. C2X and Dasstri are the key players for Demolition, expected to lead the team throughout the playoffs. However, their first-round matchup against the Spartans presents a significant challenge. The Spartans are riding a winning streak, and Demolition may need to pull off a miracle to advance. Regardless, their strong finish to the season has shown that they have the potential to surprise.

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Demolition have been the team to fear all season, finishing with a strong 32-18 record and a 7-3 series record. They went 6-4 in the last two weeks, continuing to show their dominance over every team they faced. The trio of Dasstri, C2X, and ClayHD have been a formidable force, working together with precision and power. As they enter the playoffs, they face the Pandas, a team known for their hunger and tenacity. While the Demolition are favored, they must not underestimate the Pandas, who are capable of pulling off an upset if given the chance. This matchup will be one to watch, as the Demolition aim to solidify their status as the team to beat.

Hawks finished the season with a 31-19 record, marked by a strong goal differential. However, their final weeks were a mixed bag, going 5-5 overall. A disappointing 0-5 loss in Week 9 dashed their hopes of securing the top seed, but they rebounded with a 5-0 sweep in Week 10, regaining some of their lost momentum. The roster of D_Matt, King J Beats, and Quark is similar to their 2s lineup, which has been effective all season. The Hawks now face the Outlaws in the first round of the playoffs, a team they are also meeting in the 2s playoffs. The Hawks are determined to shut down the Outlaws completely and make a deep run in both formats, but they’ll need to maintain their momentum and focus to do so.

Elite ended the regular season with a 29-21 record, going 5-5 in the last two weeks. A close 3-2 win in Week 9 was followed by a 2-3 loss in Week 10, a shift in momentum that could be concerning as they head into the playoffs. Lucy, Sinder, and Cozyboy will need to bring their A-game against the Bulls in the first round. The Bulls are a strong team that won’t make it easy for the Elite, so they’ll need to play their best roster and keep constant pressure if they want to advance.

Pirates secured the final playoff spot through a tiebreaker against the Dodgers, finishing with a 26-24 record. Their season has been less than spectacular, with no sweeps and only two 4-1 victories. Despite these challenges, TramplingCow, OnePopShop, and Twisty are not going to give up easily. They face the Knights in the first round, and while the Pirates are the underdogs, they have the potential to peak at the right moment. To succeed, they’ll need to pin down the Knights and capitalize on any mistakes, turning what might seem like a one-sided matchup into a potential upset.

As we move into the playoffs, the stage is set for some of the most intense and closely fought matches of the season. The journey that these teams have undertaken—marked by ups and downs, moments of brilliance, and instances of sheer willpower—has all led to this point. The playoffs are not just a test of skill but also of strategy, determination, and the ability to handle pressure. Whether it’s the frontrunners looking to cement their dominance or the underdogs aiming to defy the odds, every team has its eyes on the prize. With so much at stake and so many potential storylines waiting to unfold, fans can expect nothing less than spectacular competition. Let the games begin, and may the best team emerge as the Champions League victors!

Season 17 AL Playoff Previews
by Onyx

Season 17 AL Playoff Previews

Rickrolled or Steamrolled?

 

The Choo-choo Express lacked no steam this season (starting or ending it). Acting like a runaway train barreling uncontrollably downhill, they flattened any team that got in their path (the Bulls being the exception as they handed the Pain Train their only series loss this season); not even Denzel Washington could stop this one. They kicked off season 17 with a 4-1 series win over those dastardly bandits the Outlaws, and would not lose a single game until week 5 against the Rhinos, but even that was a 4-1 victory in favor of the Express. It caught the eyes and attention of everyone in the AL because who in their right mind would want to go up against a 20-ton machine that bowled over every opponent they faced? Certainly not this writer, but my fears have come true as the season has ended and all the playoff spots have been decided. 

 

The Elite squeaked into this season’s doubles playoffs with a modest 27-23 record, winning the tiebreaker against the Ducks. With that in mind, Elite landed the 4th seed in the west super division, pitting them (or us, rather) against the red-hot Express in the first round of playoffs. Not to say that this is a David vs Goliath story, but the odds do seem to be in favor of the 38-12 Express. Winning nearly 40 games in a season, while sporting a rotating roster, speaks volumes about their depth and skill. They can play any line-up and win. I don’t care who you are, that is tough to beat. 


But let’s not go off the rails just yet. In the final two matches of the season, the Elite squad did manage to post 4-1 series wins against the Dodgers and Demolition (we don’t need to talk about weeks 7-8 that saw Elite go 1-4). So, this team is certainly capable of meeting the task. The question remains: will they? Will the Express be able to defend their doubles season 16 championship and pull off the repeat? Time will tell. Sports history is full of stories where teams dominate the regular season, but then cannot deliver the goods come postseason. I would provide some examples, but I’m being told it’s better to be safe than to be sorry. Suffice it to say that the list is a long one.

 

The question is: will the Express fall into the land of what-could-have-beens? Or will they prove to all that there is no Rick Astley cut-away meme here and win it all? Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen, because it’s about to get spicy. Honorable mention to the Comets for posting a 34-16 record. Weeks 4, 7, and 8 saw them post perfect sweeps of 5-0 against their opponents. They finished just 4 games behind the Express for the best record in AL doubles. And that’s another team added to the list of players I do not wish to face in the postseason. 

 

Bulls in China Shops and Other Fun Creatures

 

While there is no stopping a runaway train, the same could be said for the Bulls. Raging through their season and smashing everyone to bits like so many dishes of fine China, they clinched, not only their division but secured the best record in the AL when it comes to standard play (36-14, next closest was Elite, Pandas, and Lightning at 30-20). Much like the Express, the Bulls trampled their enemies into the dirt in weeks 3, 5, 7, and 8 with clean sweeps of those series which left the rest of the AL shaking in their wake. Now, the perfect nightcap would be the standard AL championship… Do the Bulls have what it takes to charge through the postseason and claim what’s theirs? Or will defending season 16 AL standard champs Elite block their path? 

 

We can’t call this a ‘review’ without talking about a few other teams (Shadow I’m lookin’ at you). While Shadow may not have had the bombastic start to the season or results that the 2s Express team had, they certainly emphasized their playoff ticket stamp. Winning weeks 9 and 10 with 5-0 sweeps. Talk about clinching a playoff berth dramatically, eh? And, really, who saw that coming? THEY WERE IN THE SHADOWS! Ah ha! Captain Kslr certainly had his work cut out for him.

 

I mentioned the Comets briefly, and that’s not fair. They were every bit as good as 1st place Express. However, week 10 saw them drop a tough 0-5 against Spectre, and week 9 saw a 2-3 loss to Wizards. Is the Comets’ tail all flash and no spark? Will it run out of gas and burn up into nothing before they make it to the end? 7 other teams will make sure that it does, bet your bottom dollar on that. 

 

Perhaps the scoreboard didn’t explode with 5-0s, or Brazils or Barcelonas, but that doesn’t mean getting into the playoffs was any less exciting. Between the middle of the pack teams, it was a knockdown, drag em’ out, slobber knocker of a fight. Sabres (26-24) clinched their Arctic division by barely edging out the Foxes (who still managed to make the playoffs at a .500 record). 

 

Foxes weren’t the only ones waiting on the final results a few days after the last matches were played. Among them were the 25-25 Spectre, and the 27-23 Ducks (I know! It’s crazy that a 27-23 record isn’t an automatic punch to your postseason dreams, but I digress). It was a close call, though, as the sweat rolled in beads down those long bills of theirs, guaranteed, as it came down to a tiebreaker with the Hawks. The Ducks won the tiebreaker by winning their head-to-head match-up. So the next time someone tells you “It’s okay we lost the series 3-2, we’ll get em’ next time.” Slap them. Ok, maybe not resort to violence, but tell them that we play all 5 games here at MLE, and all 5 games matter. 

 

It’s also crazy that the Pandas don’t win their division at 30-20, but they have the unfortunate luck of basking in the same Sun as the Bulls, and we already talked about what kind of destruction they can bring. Knights were able to squeeze by rather sneakily (despite the heavy armor) and FORGE their way to victory and the postseason at 26-24, while the rugged Outlaws were able to steer clear of the tracks that Express train is on and take 2nd place in their division. 

 

We also can’t forget about those car sharks. No. Not ‘card’ sharks, CAR Sharks… as in the Rocket League team… Y’know what… forget it. In all seriousness, Sharks proved their bite was much worse than their bark (how do you know sharks don’t bark?), and they chomped up the competition, posting a very nice 28-22 record which was just enough to beat out the Ducks in the Tropic division. 

 

All in all, the season was a fantastic one, and I certainly had a lot of fun playing in it. It was full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and insane matches that will go down in the annals of MLE history. As I wrap this up, our editors wanted us to predict playoff winners and the like. I’m not going to do that. Anyone who has ever heard me cast a match for their team knows that as soon as I open my mouth, I hex someone. I’m not going to be held responsible for the premature end of someone’s season. Instead, I wanted to touch on as many teams as I could. Also, I don’t want my prediction to age like milk, thank you. 

 

In all seriousness, though, I want to thank everyone involved in the MLE, from the players to the people behind the scenes, for making this organization what it is. I would also like to wish all of the teams who made it to the postseason luck, and don’t forget to have some fun out there!

 

*Update: Okay. So, maybe Sharks don’t bark after all, and their bite wasn’t enough either. On the contrary, the Pandas are the first AL team to advance to the quarter-finals, winning the series 3-1. A truly stellar performance from Dragoneyes as they posted a 71.39 Sprocket rating! A whopping 17 points over 2nd star Hungi (54.28) and 18 points over 3rd star Clifford (53.33). The Sharks’ 17 saves weren’t enough against an onslaught of shots (36) by the Pandas. It was a valiant effort, but all good things must come to an end, much like the Sharks’ post-season dreams of glory. Final thought: If the Pandas continue to play like that? Good luck everybody else!

 

*Update 2: The Bears were able to withstand the heat brought on by the Flames, clean sweeping the series 3-0. I’m not sure what game resulted in a complete Goomba stomp of 10-2, but holy cow, that’s impressive! My heart goes out to the Flames, we’ve all been there before, and you’re not alone. Patchy and Sixt were within 1 point of each other in Sprocket ratings (65.78 and 64.67 respectively), slamming the Bears with 29 shots while the Flames answered back with only 18. This series also saw Kyoko come in for a game to try and turn things around, but it was too late. Much like the Sharks, their hopes of capturing an AL Championship were dashed and went up in smoke like a 5-alarm fire. Who will be next to fall? Who will be next to advance?

 

*Update 3: And so it goes, the Elite’s standard team have been eliminated from the playoffs, dropping a heartbreaking loss to the Outlaws who’ve completed the reverse sweep. The Elite took the early series lead 2-0, but a Brazil in game 3 in favor of the Outlaws saw the defending Standard Champs stumble and fall. It was a huge blow to the confidence and mentals, one that the team of DK, Atomic, and yours truly could not recover. ItzSmalls led the charge with a 64.02 Sprocket rating, Cheeto posted a 56.2, Granticus posted 54.17. Ninji started the game but was subbed out following the completion of game 1 after a request to change the snowy Beckwith park map selected by home team Elite was made. Elite won game 2, but in typical Outlaw bad guy fashion, they came back and stole the series in an intense game 5 OT. I will say that game 5 OT was forced by a last second effort to tie the game with a goal from Atomic after Onyx dribbled the ball around several defenders and got the pass off the backboard to a pre-jumping, pre-flipping Atomic. Dramatic for sure… but it wasn’t enough after Onyx got caught out of position after a wall shot from Cheeto that beat the last defender for the series clinching goal. 

 

Personally, I could not have gotten out of that lobby fast enough. I stayed just long enough to say “ggs and gl in the playoffs,” but after that? I was outtie 5,000. A big congratulations to the Outlaws for completing the reverse sweep comeback (much like the Elite did against the Flames in season 16). If you’re the Flames, it’s got to feel good to see that sweet poetic justice being served on a cold dish.

by TheGamingBear

Championship Series Jersey Giveaway

To celebrate the Season 14 Championship Series weekend, courtesy of our friends at Guardian Proline we are giving away one quality MLE Praetorian jersey!

This prize is only open to current MLE community members. To enter simply do the following:

1. Follow @mlesportsgg on Twitter and/or Instagram
2. Like and retweet (for Twitter) either or both of these posts: Twitter post , Instagram post
3. In the comments reply with #MLEChampSeries

If you follow the entry instructions on both Twitter and Instagram you will get two entries! You only need to like and comment on Instagram post for valid Instagram entry. For full terms & conditions of the giveaway please see below:

Terms & Conditions:

    • Prize is for 1 Praetorian style jersey from the MLE collection of the winners choice only.
    • Prize can not be swapped for something of similar monetary value.
    • Entrants are only permitted to a maximum of 2 entries (1 for each successful Social Media platform engagement).
    • Multiple entries using different/alternative accounts is not permitted. Any entrant found to have exceeded the maximum no. of entries will have all entries invalidated bar 2.
    • Winner must be a current member of the MLE community (i.e. in the main Discord server).
    • Prize is limited to NA and EU residents. MLE reserves the right to refuse winner on behalf of Guardian Proline if logistics of shipping prize are problematic.
    • Entrants should ensure MLE is able to identify entrants from their Social Media accounts to their Discord profiles within the MLE server. Where possible Social Media accounts should be linked to Discord profiles.
    • MLE reserves the right to invalidate an entry.
    • Entries close on Monday 22nd November at 12pm ET.
    • Winner will be announced within the next 7-10 days.

Big thank you to Guardian Proline for working with Minor League Esports, providing fans and the community with excellent merchandise.
Good luck folks!

And don’t forget to tune into the MLE Network this weekend from 6pm ET Saturday and Sunday for the Championship Series weekend.

by TheGamingBear

Season 14 Playoffs Are Here!

13 gruelling weeks of boosts, goals, demos, flips, screams, sweat, tears and much more have led to one thing… PLAYOFFS!

Seasons 14 Playoffs promise to be the most exciting yet. With 10 Championships up for grabs across 5 leagues and 2 game modes, come the 20th November there will be a lot of jubilant celebrations from those lucky enough to claim Championship glory.

31 of the 32 franchises had at least one team qualify for the playoffs with only the Jets missing out altogether. No doubt the Jets will be back next season determined to prove they are “top guns”.

With 31 franchises all vying for triumph the competition will be fierce with many feeling deserving of the title of Champions. But only a few can prevail.

To see who succeeds the live action starts on the 29th October from 6pm ET on the MLE Network and continues every weekend up to and including the grand Finals weekend on the 19th & 20th November.

Playoff Live Schedule:
29-30th October | Play Ins
5-6th November | Conference Semi-Finals
12-13th November | Conference Finals
19-20th November | Grand Finals

by Doodle!

Master League Standard – Conference Finals Write Up

Hello yet again, it’s me, Doodle!. You all know the drill. It’s Conference Finals Weekend and I have your Master League reports lined up. Happy reading and see y’all next week.

 

Blue Conference Match 1 [twitch.tv/mlesportsgg @7:00pm est] #7 Ducks [29-21] @ #5 Sabres [32-18]

Starting off the first of the last 3 Master League (ML) 3s series this postseason we have the Ducks facing the Sabres. The Ducks have been on a rampage, taking down the 1st and 2nd seed and now the Sabres are going to try their might against them. Here with me are “Liotta” and “Loko”. From the Sabres and Ducks.

Doodle!: Of all the teams still left in the playoffs, the Sabres are the team I know the least about. So tell me, what makes this Sabres team function so well on the field? What makes this team the team that we see making a deep run in the postseason?

Liotta: “We are able to function so well because we all have a great deal of individual skill, and we have put in the time over the last week to make sure that we are using each other as best we can. This team is going to make a deep run this postseason because finally Roman has ended his professional Apex career, Godkitty decided to stop watching anime 24/7, and I’m no longer on McDonald’s strength wifi. We also have fun when playing and have significantly more skill than any team in ML.”

Doodle!: The Ducks, a team with no all-star caliber players, has just been doing nothing but taking names. First the Hive, then the Foxes, and now potentially the Sabres. Tell me, how are you guys doing it? What’s the magic behind the games?

Loko: “While it is clear that we are enormously outclassed talent-wise by the teams we play (as seen by our lack of all star candidates), we are able to make up for it in team chemistry. We’re lucky to have the senior presence in Haimgame to hold me and Alex in line and play the aggressive/demo role. When I am playing well, Alex is an insane passer and will feed me the ball every time he gets the chance. Alex is also Mr. Consistency and always seems to come through when me and Haim aren’t playing at our best. We just overall are very trusting of one another which takes a lot of the pressure off ourselves as individuals in these high pressure matches. I believe we have just been going into these playoff matches much more relaxed than the opposition which has ultimately lead to our success.”

Doodle!: Your semifinal match-up is against the Ducks. So far the Ducks are just hunting down all the top seeds and it looks like you guys are next. Against the top 2 seeds the Ducks have only dropped a SINGULAR GAME as the 7th seed. What have/are you guys doing to prepare for this unstoppable force that is the Ducks?

Liotta: “This week we plan on coming in with that same confidence that got us the win against the knights. We played together this week and worked out the wrinkles in our gameplay.”

Doodle!: Up next you guys play the Sabres. They’ve been pretty consistent with results. With Liotta at the front shooting 50% from the field. But he has great support from his team. What are/have you guys done to prepare for this well-rounded team?

Loko: “Honestly we aren’t really concerned with who we are playing. At the end of the day we’re just going to try our best to play our roles and do our jobs no matter who is on the other side of the pitch.”

 

Orange Conference Match 1 [twitch.tv/mlesportsgg @8:00pm est] #4 Tyrants [29-21] @ #1 Flames [32-18]

The 2nd of 3 (with the Finals next week) matches takes place with the Tyrants taking on the Flames. The Tyrants are looking to continue their franchise’s winning habits this season and the Flames are going to be trying to put an end to their Tyranny. Joining me from these teams are Remy from the Flames and Renku from the Tyrants.

Doodle!: You guys had your first playoff match of the season last week. How well did you think it went? Were you expecting the 3-0? What was the team environment like? Were you guys more chill or was it a super laser focused vibe?

Remy: “So walking into our first playoff match, I already knew we would do great. We practiced together a bunch and since we already had experience with the sharks, we knew what we were going up against. We made our adjustments to their play style and were able to capitalize in all 3 games, and it was great overall. I wouldn’t say we expected the 3-0 but I would definitely say that we wanted it, and we got it, which helps out our team’s confidence a lot. I’d say the team environment was a mix of both laser focus and chill vibes, depending on who scored lol”

Doodle!: Your first game of the playoffs this season you had 98 points. What do you think was the reason for that? Then in games 3 and 4 you went on a killing spree, ending the series with 13 total demolitions. Was that lack of points in game 1 the turning point in your play style? Or was it something else?

Renku: “I think that no matter how much time I spent preparing for the game that night, nothing would truly prepare me for what was to come. For one, I haven’t played much on stream, and the nerves kind of got to me. Secondly, I got a new controller that day. I think that the lack of points was more of a sign than anything. I needed to step up, this isn’t a walk in the park anymore, these teams are more than likely putting in close to double the practice we are. Once I did that I was able to settle down and play more confidently.”

Doodle!: Your next match is up against the Tyrants who have been on an absolute tear this playoffs with Doodle! at the forefront. Averaging 570 points per game throughout playoffs so far. Not to mention Renku was out looking for blood. The man had averaged 3.25 demos in one series. How are you guys preparing for potentially your toughest matchup to come?

Remy: “We prepare ourselves the way we normally would, just practice and scrims. But we also prepare ourselves mentally as well, it’s one thing to be good in the game, but your skills can only be where your head is and if your head isn’t in the game, your skills aren’t either. I do think this will be a tough matchup but I’m not worried at all, both teams are great all around, and if Doodle! and I play at our best, I believe this will be a great series to watch, and an even better series to play in.”

Doodle!: Up next on your schedule is the Flames. The Flames were able to take down the Sharks with Remy leading the charge. To add on to that, the Flames had 31 shots and 10 goals, while the Sharks had 18 saves. That leaves the Flames with only 3 missed shots. How are you and the team going to prepare for this team of absolute shooters?

Renku: “The who? But in all seriousness, the flames are no joke. They’re an aggressive team, and that can cause problems for a lot of teams. Personally, I believe that we can manage that pressure really well, also can’t help but leave you with this: How can a team be aggressive if they’re waiting to respawn? :smiling_imp:”

by Brava Gunnar

Playoffs Day 5 – Quarterfinals

Playoffs Day 5
twitch.tv/mlesportsgg


Academy League Doubles – 6:00PM EST

 

Aviators Logo  Spartans Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Conference

#2 Aviators vs #3 Spartans

    The Aviators are coming into this matchup after a solid 3-1 result in the Play-In round. They were able to get past the #7 seed Eclipse and are looking to take down the #3 Spartans as well. The Aviators scored 13 goals and assisted on 7 of those. The Aviators had 35 shots. They had a shot percentage of .371 and their on target percentage was .857. (This is calculated by: goals+opposing saves/ shots.) The Aviators are looking to keep up that on target percentage against the Spartans.

    The Spartans were able to win 3-1 against the #6 seed Lightning. Against the Lightning, the Spartans scored 14 goals and assisted on 9 of those. The Spartans also put up 30 shots, with a shot percentage of .466 and their on target percentage was .833. The Spartans want to keep up those team plays to get past the Aviators.   

    The biggest difference in this matchup is the assist percentage. The Aviators are slightly over .500, while the Spartans have a .642. The Spartans have a slight edge here.
Prediction: Spartans 3-2

Academy League Doubles – 7:00PM EST

 

Bulls Logo  Sharks Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Conference

#2 Bulls vs #3 Sharks

    The Bulls swept the #7 Flames in the Play-In round. They are looking to do the same against the Sharks this week. The Bulls scored 13 goals and assisted on 9 of those. The Bulls had 26 shots on goal and had a shot percentage of .500 and their on target percentage was .846. The Bulls are looking hot and like they could trample their way to the Championship. Can the Sharks slow them down?   

The Sharks are coming off a great win against the #6 Demo. They went 3-1 in the series and are looking for a similar result against the Bulls. The Sharks scored 17  goals and assisted on 8 of those. The Sharks shot the ball 32 times. They had a shot percentage of .531 and their on target percentage was .906. The Sharks look to have the hot fin on shot percentage and on target percentage. Will the Bulls be able to cool them off or will the Sharks shoot their way to the next round?   

The Bulls getting the sweep is impressive and they have the better assist percentage at .692. (The Sharks are slightly under .500 at .471.) The Sharks may have the lower assist percentage but the Sharks have the edge when it comes to putting the ball in the net and on target.
    Prediction: Bulls 3-2 (Picking them because of the team plays.)

 

Academy League Doubles – 8:00PM EST

 

Hurricanes Logo  Foxes Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Conference

#1 Hurricanes vs #4 Foxes

    The Hurricanes have stormed their way to their 4th Academy League playoff appearance. The Hurricanes are 36-14 this season with a series record of 8-2. They have a +53 goal differential. The Hurricanes have been the #4 seed twice in Season 8 and Season 11. They also have been the #1 in Season 10 and they won the Championship that season. The Hurricanes have a 17-12 game record and a 4-2 series record in the playoffs. The Hurricanes are looking to repeat their success from Season 10 but first they have to get through the Foxes.

    The Foxes are coming of an awesome win against the #5 Hawks! (I played for the Season 6 Foxes and got beat out of the playoffs by the Hawks, so this one felt nice! Congrats!) They went 3-0 in the series and are wanting to do the same against the Canes. The Foxes scored 12 goals and assisted on 6 of those. The Foxes had 19 shots. They had a shot percentage of .631 and their on target percentage was .842. (This is calculated by: goals+opposing saves/ shots.) The Foxes look to keep the the team plays and keep up that high shot percentage against the Hurricanes. Will the Foxes weather the storm and take home the series win?

This one is definitely tough. The Foxes had a great series against the Hawks but the Canes have been dominant all season long. It should be a good series! (I will not deny my bias with this match up and I am picking the Foxes.)
Prediction: Foxes 3-1

 

Academy League Doubles – 9:00PM EST

 

  Elite Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Conference

#1 Comets vs #5 Elite

    The Comets have blasted their way to their 4th playoff appearance. The Comets are 34-16 this season with a series record of 7-3. They have a +58 goal differential. The Comets were the #4 seed in the Season 8 and 10 playoffs and they were the #2 in Season 4. The Comets have a 6-11 game record and a 1-3 series record in the playoffs. This is the first the time Comets have been the #1 seed and are looking to have more success in the playoffs than previous seasons.

    The Elite are coming off a great performance against the #4 Bears. They went 3-1 in the series and are hoping to get the series win against the Comets. The Elite scored 16 goals and assisted on 10 of those. The Elite bombarded the Bears with 48 shots. They had a shot percentage of .333 and their on target percentage was .895. (This is calculated by: goals+opposing saves/ shots.) The Elite had all of those shots and the Bears saved 27 of them! Will the Elite be able to keep up that amount of pressure against the Comets?

    The difference in this game could come down to the amount of pressure being put on the opponent. If the Elite somehow are able to get 40+ shots against the Comets, I could see the Elite coming home with the win. The Comets have been dominant all season though and it should be an exciting series either way!
Prediction: Elite 3-2

 

Champion League Doubles – 10:00PM EST

 

  Wolves Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Conference

#1 Blizzard vs #6 Wolves

    The Blizzard have frozen out the competition to get to their 3rd playoff appearance. The Blizzard are 38-12 this season with a series record of 9-1. They have a +43 goal differential. The Blizzard have been the #4 seed in the Season 8 playoffs and the #1 in Season 7 playoffs. The Blizzard made it to the Conference Championship game both seasons but fell short of making the League Championship. In the playoffs, the Blizzard have a 12-12 game record and a 3-2 series record. The Blizzard are looking to make their 3rd Conference Championship game but have to get past the Wolves first.

    The Wolves are coming into this game after a hard fought series against the #3 Aviators. They went 3-1 in the series. The Wolves have already taken down one higher seed and are looking to take down their 2nd straight. The Wolves scored 19 goals and assisted on 8 of those. The Wolves had 35 shots, with a shot percentage of .543 and their on target percentage of .886. The Wolves shots are definitely hitting and they are hoping to bring that pressure against the Blizzard.

    The Blizzard have been the dominant team in the Blue Conference this season. Will the Blizzard make their 3rd Conference Championship game? Or will the Wolves take down another giant? Series prediction: 3-2 Wolves

 

Playoffs Day 5
twitch.tv/mlesportsgg2

 

Foundation League Doubles – 6PM EST

 

Sharks Logo  Pandas Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Conference

#2 Sharks vs #3 Pandas

    This should be an exciting matchup to watch! The Sharks and Pandas are facing off in a divisional showdown to determine who makes it to the Conference Championship.
The Sharks have bitten their way to their first playoff appearance. The Sharks are 29-21 this season with a series record of 6-4. They have a +30 goal differential. The Sharks are appearing in their first ever Foundation League playoff game and are looking to get their first win as well.

    The Pandas have fought their way to their 2nd playoff appearance. The Pandas are 29-21 this season with a series record of 7-3. They have a +8 goal differential. The Pandas have a 5-6 game record and a 1-1 series record in the playoffs. They are looking to beat their Tropic foe and make it to the Conference Final. Will the Sharks take a bite out of the Pandas or will the Pandas fight their way to victory? Series prediction: Pandas 3-2

 

Foundation League Doubles – 7PM EST

 

Lightning Logo  Foxes Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Conference

#2 Lightning vs #3 Foxes

    The Lightning have shocked their way to their 2nd playoff appearance. The Lightning are 33-17 this season with a series record of 7-3. They have a +37 goal differential. The Lightning were the #1 seed in the Season 8 playoffs. The Lightning have a 0-3 game record and a 0-1 series record in the playoffs. They are looking to get their first ever playoff win in this series.

    The Foxes have clawed their way to their 2nd playoff appearance. The Foxes are 29-21 this season with a series record of 5-5. They have a +16 goal differential. The Foxes were the #2 seed in the Season 9 playoffs. The Foxes have a 10-9 game record and a 2-1 series record in the playoffs. The Foxes are looking to win this series and hopefully run their way back to another League Championship game. I won’t lie, I am biased for the Foxes in this matchup.
    The Foxes are going to have a tough matchup here. The Lightning are coming in as the clear favorites in this series. Will the Lightning strike the Foxes down or will the Foxes run away with it?
Series prediction: Foxes 3-1

Foundation League Doubles – 8PM EST

 

Bulls Logo 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Conference

#1 Bulls vs #4 Tyrants

    The Bulls have rushed their way to their 2nd playoff appearance. The Bulls are 31-19 this season with a series record of 7-3. They have a +42 goal differential. The Bulls were the #1 seed in the Season 10 playoffs. The Bulls have a 0-3 game record and a 0-1 series record in the playoffs. They are looking to get their first playoff win.

    The Tyrants have roared their way to their 3rd playoff appearance. The Tyrants are 29-21  this season with a series record of 5-5. They have a +49 goal differential. The Tyrants have been the #1 seed in Season 9 and the #2 seed in Season 10. The Tyrants have a 22-11 game record and a 6-0 series record in the playoffs. In the Tyrants only 2 appearances in the playoffs, they have been crowned the League Champion. They won the Season 9 and 10 Championships.

    While the Bulls have the better record, the Tyrants may have a slight edge here. They have a slightly better goal differential and they also have not lost a playoff game. Will the Bulls run the Tyrants out of the playoffs or will the Tyrants continue their march to a 3rd Championship?
Series prediction: Tyrants 3-1

 

Foundation League Doubles – 9PM EST

 

Wolves Logo 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Conference

#1 Wolves vs #4 Blizzard

    The Wolves have howled their way to their 2nd playoff appearance. The Wolves are 34-16 this season with a series record of 8-2. They have a +61 goal differential. The Wolves were the #4 seed in the Season 9 playoffs. The Wolves have a 6-5 game record and a 1-1 series record in the playoffs. They made a Conference Championship appearance.

   The Blizzard have chilled their way to their 4th playoff appearance. The Blizzard are 27-23 this season with a series record of 5-5. They have a +17 goal differential. The Blizzard were the #3 seed in Season 8, 9, and 10. They have a 3-9 game record and 0-3 series record in the playoffs. The Blizzard are looking to get their first series win.

    The Wolves look to be the clear favorite here. They have 7 more game wins with 3 more series wins. The Wolves also have almost 4 times the Blizzard’s goal differential. Will the Blizzard’s drought in the playoffs end? Or will the Wolves move on to the Conference Championship?
Series prediction: Blizzard 3-2

 

Champion League Doubles – 10PM EST

 

Demolition Logo  Rhinos Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Conference

#1 Demolition vs #7 Rhinos

    The Demolition have destroyed their way to their 3rd playoff appearance. The Demolition are 37-13 this season with a series record of 9-1. My hat goes off to you for the awesome season! They have a +46 goal differential. The Demolition were the #4 seed in the Season 9 playoffs and the #6 seed in Season 11. The Demolition have a 6-8 game record and a 1-2 series record in the playoffs. The Demo are looking to blast their way through the playoffs this season.

    The Rhinos are coming off a great series against the Pirates. They were able to take down the #2 seed and are looking to take down the #1 as well. The Rhinos scored 22 goals and assisted on 11 of those. The Rhinos were putting on the pressure last game with 51 shots. They had a shot percentage of .431 and their on target percentage was .843. The Rhinos are looking to keep up the pressure against the Demo in this series.    

The Demolition definitely have been the dominant team this season. This showdown should be a really fun one to watch though. Will the Demo continue to dominate the Orange Conference or will the Rhinos take down another giant? Series prediction: Rhinos 3-1

by Chopkins

Season 10 Playoffs: Conference Finals Preview

After two weeks of postseason teams are beginning to see the finish line. But as we arrive at the Conference Finals, every match will be a tough challenge, and players will have to be at their absolute best if they hope to have a chance at the title. We’ve seen our share of upsets and we’ve seen the top players show why they’re the best. Now we will see who can continue to win and who will prove that they want it more than their opponents. Let’s breakdown each of the matchups you’ll see this weekend and talk about who has what it takes to bring home a victory for their franchise.

Foundation League
Season 10 Foundation League Playoff Bracket

Orange Conference: Tyrants(2) vs Bears(4)

The Orange Conference finals are a tale of two stories. On one hand you have the Season 9 champions in the Tyrants. They managed to hold onto one player from last season and now find themselves on the road to a second championship. The other side of the matchup is the Bears team everyone has been talking about. The father and daughter duo made a splash in their first matchup with definitive 3-0 followed by a very wholesome post-match interview. In that interview, Cardinal made it clear he intends to see this story to a victorious finale, “I don’t see why we’re any worse than any of (the playoff) teams, and I think that we can go all the way with this team.” The Bears showed last week that they had the play to back up that statement. They dominated a 1st seeded Bulls team with tight rotations and impressive aerial plays by HyperFangHyena. But to win it all they first have to get through a Tyrants team that will be up to the task of battling the Bears. The duo of TheLouzer and Detto took on a very streaky Outlaws squad and won a crucial game five to take the series. The Tyrants seemed to absorb any pressure the Outlaws put on them and threw it right back on the counter-attack, often scoring multiple breakaway goals off of key saves. The Tyrants defense will be tough to break and so will the Bears determination. 

Blue Conference: Knights(1) vs Hurricanes(2)

At the end of game two it looked as if the Hurricanes’ Achilles heel had been struck. The 2nd seeded team that looked so promising had begun to fall apart, losing 0-6 to a Blizzard team that had beaten them twice during the season in close 3-2 matches. And with Blizzard star Face scoring five unanswered goals, the Hurricanes seemed to be unraveling. Commentator and caster BigMacDan even stating in the post-game, “There is absolutely no way I see the Hurricanes taking this series anymore if the Blizzard keep this pace up.” And how did the Hurricanes respond? They turned the tables on the Blizzard in game three and for the next five minutes, FROGDOG and Bombin kept almost all of the possession with a single-minded drive towards the back wall of the Blizzard and didn’t allow a single shot on their net for the entirety of the game. The Blizzard would come back in form but the Hurricanes now knew they could weather their opponents and take the series. The Hurricanes will now move on to face the Knights who didn’t have to endure the same battle but won a comfortable 3-0 sweep. Kingkris32 peppered the express backboard for three straight games as Gabronies watched and waited for the Express to misplay the clear before collecting and scoring. It was a formula the Knights executed quite well. Now we will get to see the 1st and 2nd seed Blue conference teams battle it out to prove who it the best.

Academy League
Season 10 Academy League Playoff Bracket

Orange Conference: Flames(1) vs Outlaws (5)

By the second round of the playoffs teams are either falling apart under pressure or rising to the challenge. The Outlaws and Flames have both showed they are getting into their peak form when it matters most. Both teams showed trust in their partner on the backline. Both teams were patient and limited offensive double commits. Both teams took down tough opponents in 3-1 victories. For the Outlaws it was solid rational play and capitalizing on the mistakes of the Elite that won them the series. ITSLAPPY and PAV3K are beginning to show flashes of brilliant team plays. Perhaps none better than ITSLAPPY hunting for demos while PAV3K flicked the ball in to close out the series. On the Flames side it was a confident midfield defense that appeared to be the difference-maker. As the Flames pressure built, Bippers and DV2890 took turns holding the midfield line and simply waiting to collect the clear from the Wizards before mounting another offensive onslaught. They managed to pin the Wizards back more and more throughout the series until the pressure was too much for them. The team that wins the AL Orange conference will likely be the one that can maintain the trust and team play that these two pairs have built.

Blue Conference: Hurricanes(1) vs Hive(2)

The Hurricanes matching up against the Hive for the Conference Finals may have been picked by quite a few people but who will win this matchup is sure to be hotly debated. The Hurricanes proved in their sweep of the Puffins that despite being put in high-pressure situations, they’re most comfortable playing in the eye of the storm. They came back from two-goal deficits in the first two games and never looked panicked. Soop Feared showed patience and poise, taking the time to dribble players in late-game comebacks. The final game they fell behind late but scored with 19 seconds to take the game to overtime, where they won with another dribble play from Soop Feared. The Hive had a tougher time in their match against the Foxes as they traded high scoring games before winning in a definitive game 5. Black and DLEW19 continue to adapt to pressure from their opponents. After dropping games three and four, the Hive knew they needed to pick up their pace to return to form. DLEW said in the postmatch, “we’d rather overcommit and play fast than play too passive again.” That adjustment proved to be the answer as they took the last game and the series. Can this Hive squad continue to adapt and find an answer to the Hurricanes or will the Hurricanes roll through another team on their way to a final?

Champion League
Season 10 Champion League Playoff Bracket

Orange Conference: Pandas(1) vs Shadow(5)

The CL Orange Conference final is a matchup of two styles. Do you go with the team that has a clear role for each player, executing the same plays and solid rotation game after game? Or do you favor the team that follows whatever player has the hot hand (or hot car in this case)? The Pandas players Zach and Unforgiven seemed to have the right game plan for taking on an offensively aggressive Outlaws squad. Zach put up a solid defensive performance while finding his teammate, Unforgiven, in the backfield who then struck with fast counterattacks that shocked their opponents. Unforgiven managed to execute this game plan so well that they put up 14 goals in four games. The Shadow didn’t appear to have the defined roles that the Pandas had, but what they did have was a pair of players that pulled off highlight-worthy 1v1 plays time and time again. After a close game one, it was Euronate who stepped up and pulled off a hat trick in game two to pull ahead of the Dodgers. In game three, Lightning took the torch and showed off his dribble plays with a hat trick of his own to close the series out in a sweep. These two teams will both have an arsenal of weapons at their disposal but will the streaky play of the Shadow surpass their foes or will the game-plan of the Pandas successfully shut down the offense of their opponents?

Blue Conference: Wolves(1) vs Hurricanes (5)

In a matchup between two teams coming off 3-1 wins, we’ve seen that the Wolves and Hurricanes have come up against tough tests and both have proven their talents. For the Hurricanes they had to outpace a scrappy Aviators squad and establish corner pressure to force mistakes from their opponents. Goldentornado17 put in another solid offensive performance with nine goals on four games. The Wolves also came up against an opponent that had the ability to throw off top teams. The confidence from Clvn and Ripperr never faltered, however. It was the synergy from the Wolves that seemed to be too much for their Arctic division rivals as both players assisted on 10 of their 14 series goals. Ripperr, of course, also aided in the win with a few key highlight level plays including a stellar redirect off a long pass from Clvn. As these two teams fight for the Blue conference title it may come down to who can assert their dominance in the series and get to play their style of game.

Premier League
Season 10 Premier League Playoff Bracket

Orange Conference: Pirates (1) vs Outlaws (5)

The Outlaws have continued the strategy that made them successful in the regular season, put the ball toward the net at every opportunity. They swept the Spectre with their signature offensive pressure, putting 34 total shots on net compared to the Spectre’s 17. The Outlaws crashed the net time after time with a devastating one-two punch. Lotty Lettuce put in an MVP performance, taking difficult highlight level shots and placing them brilliantly. But the Outlaws offense will now have to face their white whale, the division rival that bested them twice this season. The undefeated Pirates looked as confident as ever in their first postseason game. The Wizards came in with attack after attack but were never able to set up camp offensively against the Pirates. It was the consistent hard clears from defense and quick transition speed of Tater and Taki that never allowed both Wizards to be on offense at once. The Pirates defense only allowed three goals in as many games. Will they continue to stifle the offense of the Outlaws, or will the Outlaws finally break the Pirates defense along with their winning streak?

Blue Conference: Blizzard (1) vs Knights (4)

When the season ends and the postseason begins the dynamics of strong teams can change. During the regular season, one strong player can’t guarantee you a run at the finals. In the Playoffs, however, a star player can make all the difference in a tough matchup. The Blizzard and Knights had just the right players last week to dominate their opponents. Comp scored 14 goals to take the Blizzard to a 3-1 victory over the Puffins. His speed to the ball and deft air dribbling quite literally lifted him over the competition. In a series that often went punch for punch and goal for goal, it was Comp who always seemed to have the last big play in the game. Jay proved once again to be the star player the Knights needed him to be. After getting shut down early in the series by the Aviators, Jay woke up in game three and put in four goals to win 5-1. From then on, it was the Jay show as he put on an incredible performance offensively and defensively with 11 goals and 13 saves on the series. In order to win the championship Prosperity2K and MapleSurrup will also need to continue their run of great play, but when the two teams meet this weekend you can expect to see a battle of star players looking to run up scores and pull off “play of the week” worthy goals.

Each team only has to win two more matches to take the title for their franchise. It’s going to be two more weekends full of action-packed excitement. Don’t miss a minute of it as the Conference Finals kick off on the MLE Network. 

Conference Finals Broadcast Schedule
by Chopkins

Season 10 Playoffs: Conference Semi-Final Previews

Only half of the original 42 teams survived opening weekend but more importantly, my playoff bracket didn’t survive. Upsets and close matches shattered my bracket rather than busted it. As we all collectively mourn the loss of my post-season picks, let’s look forward to all the exciting matchups that are scheduled for the second week of playoff action, including the first week of Foundation League playoffs. 

Premier League Orange Conference

Pirates(1) vs. Wizards (6)

The number one seeded Pirates take the field against the wild card winning Wizards. If you still think the Pirates have an easy road to the final, you weren’t watching the stream this weekend as the Wizards went punch for punch with the Tyrants in the opening round. Smurf and JustTuck combined for a flurry of offensive pressure which ultimately won them a close game five upset. But can Wizards play the same high scoring offensive style against the number 1 seeded Pirates? This Pirates team has met and won against every challenge so far but the toughest challenge is to win the last game of the season.

Outlaws (5) vs Spectre (2)

The Outlaws vs Spectre is sure to be a knockdown drag-out fight in the premier league. The Outlaws players MattRochie and Lotty Lettuce took the sharks in four games after a five and a half minute overtime in game two. Ultimately the Outlaws took the series by putting on shot after shot while not giving the Sharks any time to possess the ball. The Spectre also took their series against the Bulls in four games. They won the first game 5-2 but lost the second 4-8. In games three and four they were finally able to settle down with WeTakeLs and Snip playing ball control to close out two low scoring games. Look for dribble plays to be on display in this battle two teams who prioritize ball possession to secure their wins.

Premier League Blue conference

Knights(4) vs. Aviators(6)

The Aviators have made it to the second round of playoffs untested due to an unfortunate NCP but make no mistake the players are ready for the next challenger. That next opponent will be the Knights who are looking to build off their win over the Eclipse. The Knights were slow to get going in the first round, dropping their first game before wing three close games(including two overtimes) to take the series. Both teams bring in players with highlight potential so look for Jay or Kilt to pull off the show-stopping plays and give their teams the edge late in the series. 

Blizzard(1) vs. Puffins (7)

Maybe someone should inform the PL puffins that they’re the underdogs this postseason because the way they swept the Ducks last weekend you would think they were on cruise control. Opening the series with a smooth double touch from Cali and finishing with a play, the Puffins never once trailed in three games. Their next test will be the first seeded Blizzard who are eager to get in on the playoff action and show why they’re the team to beat. Lead scorer Mapplesurrup and his squad may should things more difficult for the Puffins.

CHAMPION LEAGUE Orange Conference

Pandas (1) vs. Outlaws (7)

A lot of upsets took fans by surprise this weekend. Maybe none more than the Outlaws win over the 2nd seeded Pirates. Not only did the Outlaws sweep their division rivals, but they managed to hold them to just three goals and zero assists. If they Outlaws can continue their streak of shutting down top offenses they have a good shot to build on their win. If the Pandas have anything to say about it, however, that playoff run will be short-lived. The first seeded Pandas are a balanced team with a stalwart defense that may be the perfect counter to the hot hand of the Outlaws. 

Dodgers (6) vs. Shadow (5)

The upsets continue in the Orange conference with two teams that won close five-game series to move on in the postseason. Smalls and Furphy proved to be a defensive force for the Dodgers, absorbing 51 shots on the series and outscoring the Bulls 23 to 16. If the duo can come close to their impressive 62% shooting in the next series, they could be the giant killers of the CL. The Shadow had their hands full with a Comets team that was passing brilliantly but in the battle of the playing GMs, it was Euronate who proved to be the more clutch, with two epic game five saves to keep their title dreams alive. Both pairs look like their team chemistry is improving with every game. Look for this series to be a battle for momentum as each will be hoping to come out and dominate the series. 

CHAMPION LEAGUE Blue conference

Puffins(7) vs Wolves (1)

The Puffins found a winning strategy last weekend by discovering that if you simply don’t let a team score, they can’t win. In a 3-1 series, the Blizzard put up a total of 6 goals, and 1 assist on 27 shots. Bazed and ArcaneLizard never gave the Blizzard a chance to get going offensively and they got an upset victory for their efforts. Now they face off against their division rivals and the number one seeded Wolves. Of course, the Wolves are the 1st seed for a reason. Their high scoring offense will be a whole other challenge for the Puffins. Can they repeat their strategy or will the Wolves get to play their game? 

Aviators (6) vs Hurricanes (5)

The Aviators played a series that was closer than it’s 3-1 series record shows. The Ducks put up a fight in a tough division match but Artemis and RapidChampion managed to get into a solid rotational rhythm that kept them composed in the face KingDuff’s 19 shots on net. Once the Aviators pulled ahead in games 3 and 4 they were able to hold onto late leads and close out the series. The Hurricanes took their round one win in a definite fashion. It wasn’t just the sweep that made a statement but also the Game one goal where Goldentornado17 popped the ball toward the goal and proceeded to tackle C0P3X out of the way. That is the style with which the Hurricanes took the rest of the series. Now we will see if the Hurricanes can bully the Aviators or if the Aviators will continue to keep their cool on the way to a conference final. 

ACADEMY LEAGUE Orange conference 

Flames (1) vs Wizards (7)

The Flames come in as the number one seed. Something that would be more comforting if it weren’t for how many upsets there have been already in this playoffs. They will need to bring their best game against a Wizards squad that looks in very good form. Legit and TourneyEarnie seem to have found chemistry late in the season. That chemistry helped them to a 3-2 win over the Tyrants. But this Flames team appears up to the challenge as they enter the playoffs on a nine series win streak. 

Outlaws(5) vs. Elite (6)

The Outlaws and Elite both put up 3-0 sweeps in the first round against higher-seeded opponents. Outlaws’ player ITSLAPPY pulled off a dominating offensive performance with 10 goals on 20 shots. For the Elite, it was Rebel who did all the scoring but notably, Fraud assisted in 5 of Rebel’s 9 goals while putting in none of their own. Will the teamwork of Elite give them another win or will the offensive duo out PAV3K and ITSLAPPY be too much for them. 

ACADEMY LEAGUE Blue Conference

Hurricanes(1) vs. Puffins (6)

The AL Puffins not only shocked the league with their upset over the Express but seemed to shock the Express themselves during the match. They held the express team to just 17 shots in 4 games to take the series. This Academy League team seems to have continued the Puffins trend of cool confident wins in the postseason. But just like the rest of their franchise brethren they now have to face a number one seed for their efforts. That number one seed comes in the form of a lethal Hurricanes squad. This test may prove to snap the Puffins out of that confidence. 

Hive(2) vs. Foxes (4)

Being the 2nd seed has proven dangerous in this year’s playoffs. Only two 2nd seeded teams have managed to dodge an upset. But the Hive survived a close five-game series with an impressive defensive effort and solid team play. Black and DLEW19 combined for 23 saves and 10 of their 18 goals were assisted. On the other side of the matchup, the Foxes denied the upset by swiftly sweeping their opponents. The Foxes seemed to never let the Jets get going offensively, allowing only ten shots in three games. Look for the Foxes to try to keep their possession offense going against the Hive. But the Hive may have the perfect defensive backline to counter that pressure. 

FOUNDATION LEAGUE Orange conference

Bulls(1) vs. Bears (4)

The Bulls have the highest goal differential in the league and come in with the exciting emerging star player of Wonderwulf. As the number one seed, this Bulls team is expected to be the favorite in the playoffs. On the other side of this matchup, the hopes of the entire Bears franchise have landed on the Foundation League this season. And the story of the father-daughter duo in FL has spread throughout the league. Will the Bears story have a storybook ending or will the Bulls prove too daunting a foe?

Tyrants(2) vs Outlaws (3)

The firepower of Foundation League will be on full display in this match up. Both teams have players with excellent goals per game averages. Both teams finished their season by winning out their last three division games. But only one of these teams will get to continue their winning streak into the conference finals. One way or another this will be a tough match that we will likely see go the distance in a best of five series.

FOUNDATION LEAGUE BLUE CONFERENCE

Knights(1) vs. Express(4)

In a playoff season already riddled with upsets, the Express are looking to keep that train rolling (I’m trying to quit the habit, I promise). They find themselves staring across at the Knights who are heavy favorites in the matchup. The Express will be relying on early pressure to take the momentum away from their opponents. But Whyuacow may not be thrown off their game so easily as so far they look like a contender for league MVP. During this wild postseason, anything can happen and this matchup has the potential to be yet another shocking series.

Hurricanes(2) vs. Blizzard(3)

The Hurricanes edged out the Blizzard to take the division title and the second seed in the playoffs. During the season the Blizzard won both matchups against the Hurricanes in close 3-2 series. At the end of the season, this rivalry can only be settled with a best of five, winner goes home match. This is sure to be the game you can’t miss this weekend. Will Face put up another star performance for the Blizzard or will the team play and fast rotation of the Hurricanes dominate the pitch?

You can catch every Conference Semi-Final series on the MLE Network this Saturday and Sunday from 6pm ET.

by Chopkins

Season 10 Playoffs: Foundation League Preview

The Foundation League is in its third season and even though the level of gameplay isn’t Grand Champ, the desire for a Championship is just as strong. Which teams will fall short and who will rise to the challenge? Who will make the glorious run and win themselves an MLE Championship? Where will I decide to include the single pun that I am allowed to use per my very detailed contract with MLE? To help you get geared up for another thrilling weekend of playoffs I’m back to break down the teams and tell you which players to watch out for as eighth Foundation League teams make their run for the title.  

The Underdogs 

Express (Blue Conference 4th seed)
With a 5-5 series record and a -14 goal differential, this Express team enters the postseason as the clear underdogs. But the nature of the Foundation League means that player turnover is likely and the introduction of new starter JoKEN could give the team new life in the playoffs. After the rank out of leading scorer Kenbennedy, The Terminator, who is averaging 1.3 saves a game, is likely the new star who will have to lead the team. Look for this defensive player to hold the backline as the Express aim to surprise a few FL front runners. 

Bears (Orange Conference 4th seed)
Putting aside the stats, the thing the Bears really have going for them is a great storyline. In the FL draft, it was revealed that the Bears successfully drafted the first father-daughter duo in MLE. Cardinal and HyperFangHyena have since been building up both fans and wins with the help of their solid third in KaptainKillazz. HyperFangHyena does lead the team in scoring with 1.4 goals per game and has an impressive 51.04% shooting percentage over 35 games. But if you’re looking for an x-factor, the answer is in the family synergy being the reason this team could clutch out playoff wins. 

In The Hunt

Blizzard (Blue Conference 3rd seed)
Some FL teams are the product of a season-long campaign of stalwart play. For teams like the Blizzard, it’s always about the next man up, as rank outs result in turnovers and new starters taking up the mantle. Face and ItsGoguts joined in the middle of the team’s campaign and have gelled nicely with Audacity to create a well-rounded team. But as this team continues to battle into the playoffs, look for Face to be the emerging star. They’ve already managed to rack up 39 goals over 20 games, proving to be an offensive cannon that can be the difference-maker in the postseason. 

Outlaws (Orange Conference 3rd seed)
The first of the returning champion teams in the playoff hunt, the FL Outlaws boast the first-ever FL champions title. Like true Outlaws, this team is attempting to steal back the title and bragging rights for the best Foundation team in the league. The team is led by the well-rounded captain OuttaBoost who averages 1.7 goals a game and 1.8 saves per game. At 1.7 goals a game, Hoosier_Daddy23 will likely be the other half of the duo. Not only are the two players 2nd and 3rd in the league for scoring, but they both also have at least 50% shooting on the season. We don’t know if the title will return to the Outlaws this season, but we do know they have the weapons to challenge any FL team. 

Hurricanes (Blue Conference 2nd seed)
When it comes time for playoffs, most MLE teams can be assessed by the star players that will show up to carry their team to a championship. But the Hurricanes have built their season around the three-headed hydra that is Stanless, Bomnin, and FROGDOG. With a 3.97, 4.46, and 4.25 MVPR respectively the Hurricanes roster has turned out to be one of the best teams top to bottom in FL. While this has served them well throughout the season, will their lack of a high scoring star be a hindrance to them come playoff time? Other teams will be leaning heavily on their best player to come in clutch. But the Foundation League title may very well fall to the team that remains the most consistent on offense and defense and for that, I would look to the Hurricanes. 

The Favorites

Tyrants (Orange Conference 2nd seed)
The Tyrants have remained a front runner for this season’s championship while never being a frontrunner in their own division. That’s a tough hill for any team to climb but this season’s FL Tyrants have a little extra motivation to keep them going. They could be the first-ever Foundation League back to back champions. The Tyrants General Manager, Majik, is no doubt eager to see his team cement themselves as the best once again and has done a stellar job developing a new group of players to be just as lethal as last season’s champions. The only returning roster player, TheLouzer, has been far from a loser while putting up over 1.6 goals per game, making him 2nd in the league in total goals scored. That doesn’t mean that their defense will be lacking though, as the first overall saves leader in FL is none other than Detto. 

Knights (Blue Conference 1st seed)
Score more goals seems to be the mantra of the FL Knights this season. While they’re 10th in the league for least goals allowed, they have scored a whopping 157 goals, which is the 2nd most in the league. This is owed to the high-powered duo of team captain Gabronies and Whyuacow. Whyuacow is currently the league leader in scoring followed closely by Gabronies in 4th. The team may lean on the more well-rounded assist leader, Kingkris32, to facilitate plays from the backfield in the playoffs, but if the strategy of all offense all the time got them the division title, don’t expect them to step off the gas in the playoffs. 

Bulls (Orange Conference 1st seed)
If I hadn’t already used my one pun, I might write something here about the rest of the league chasing the Bulls instead of the Bulls chasing anyone. This Bulls team has been the frontrunner all season long but the playoffs are a different story and the Bulls of the early season look slightly different from the Bulls going into the playoffs. The team is led by Omnikron and DarthRedRaider who have both been key to all 9 of the series wins for the Bulls. Those looking at the roster may notice a missing piece as their star scorer, VuMa, has recently ranked out. But he has quickly been replaced by someone who may be a new breakout star in WonderWulf. WonderWulf has come on to the team and scored 25 goals in just 10 games. Whatever their roster, the Bulls have combined for a +74 goal differential this season. The next highest differential is +56. The ability to maintain a stalwart defense while putting on a flurry of offensive pressure is what makes the FL Bulls a strong favorite for the championship title. 

The Foundation League playoffs are one round shorter than the rest of MLE so when all eight teams kick off this weekend they will only be three wins away from a championship title. Which of these up and coming players has what it takes to win three straight series and prove they are the best team of the Foundation League this season? You can find out by catching all the action this weekend of the MLE Network!

by Chopkins

Season 10 Playoffs: Premier League Preview

It’s playoff time and in MLE that means the best of the best will be facing off in a do or die bracket to determine the Premier League champions. It’s like Clash of The Titans if the Titans all drove rocket-powered cars and knew how to do double taps. To break down the madness and get you hyped for the start of the postseason I’m going to brief you on each of the playoff teams and star players that you’ll get to watch this weekend.

Season 10 Premier League playoff bracket
Season 10 Premier League playoff bracket
The Underdogs

Bulls (Orange conference 7th seed)
In any sport, people know that it’s not about how you start the season, it’s about how you end it. This PL Bulls team was determined not to end it before the playoffs. With three division games left, they sat at 28-27 game record. Still in the playoff race, but looking on track to just miss out. They won all three remaining division games with a 10-5 game record to clinch the last wild card spot. This is a team that is getting hot right when they need to. They’re led by star player, Gumbachi, who not only put up the 2nd highest league save total with 104 but also ended 5th in goals scored with 89. This team may be the 7th seed, but they’re hungry for an upset in these playoffs and they have the talent to do it.

Puffins (Blue conference 7th seed)
A great writer once said, “A win fades away, but memes, memes are forever.” Okay, maybe that was me who said it. And okay, I didn’t so much say it as I put it in a Parks and Rec meme and gave it to the Puffins GM. But as a former Puffin, I stand by my statement. The Puffins have learned not only to dominate the MLE meme culture but also to feed off that hype and use it to win games. And that’s exactly how this Puffins team have found themselves in the last wild card spot. Sure, Grizz1y is 3rd overall in assists. Sure, Dog and Grizz1y are defensive stars with 2.1 and 2 saves per game respectively. Sure, team captain, Cali has averaged 2 goals per game. But I think the Puffins care less about stats and more about what meme they’re going to use to brag about their playoff wins. When your priorities are straight it’s easier to do what you need to do and get the win.

Wizards (Orange conference 6th seed)
There are four teams in this year’s PL playoffs with 7-7 series records. But only 1 of those teams comes in with a surprising +63 goal differential. The Wizards may have only figured out how to win series in the latter part of the season but they always know how to score goals. The Wizards enter the postseason 4th highest in total goals. Led by JustTuck who finished with an even 100 goals on the season. Their other likely starter, Smurf, also averages 2 goals per game as well as 2.45 saves per game. With a duo like that this team has the potential to shed the image that their series record shows and make a deep run in the playoffs.

Aviators (Blue conference 6th seed)
The Aviators are another team that needed some last week heroics to clinch their playoff spot. They seem to be counting on their star player, Kilt, on both ends of the pitch, averaging 2 goals per game, and 2.1 saves. Newcomer, Justify, has played in only four series but has put up an impressive 6.89 MVPR. They’ll have to prove in playoffs if that stat was earned against tough opponents. Aviators finish the season 9 and 5 but with a marginally positive goal differential of +1(yes 1 goal). They haven’t been dominant but they’ve done enough to earn a chance at the title. Now we just have to wait to see if they take that chance and run with it.

Sharks (Orange conference 4th seed)
Say what you will about the PL Sharks, but this squad is here to entertain. Sure they could have run away with the Tropic division but instead, they dropped 4 series in a row and came within a game of losing their top spot, all so they could clinch the division in the final week. I say that’s calculated. The team has had its struggles but that shouldn’t take away from the stellar season Mattybananas is having. With 81 goals over 35 games, he finishes 10th in goals scored this season. The Sharks come into the playoffs with a 7-7 series record and a -7 goal differential but as they’re the only playoff team coming from the Tropic division it’s up to them to prove how tough the division was by upsetting teams and making a run for the final.

In The Hunt

Eclipse (Blue conference 5th seed)
There’s a lot of Motion on this PL Eclipse team. (I get one pun per article as dictated by my contract.) I’m not talking about the fast rotations or the speed of the cars. I’m talking about Motion, the captain of the PL team who averaged 2.1 saves a game and 1.6 goals. The team is a defensive roster that seems primed for the kind of swift counterattacking that can surprise any team in the league. The other half of this defensive duo is Toby, who averaged 1.8 saves per game. The pair helped the full roster to place the team in 6th for the lowest number of goals allowed. In a league with so many high scoring stars, the Eclipse will try to make a run at the playoffs by not letting offenses get going. It may not be the most flashy strategy but it got them a 43-27 record in a tough storm division, so I’d count on it being effective in the postseason.

Outlaws (Orange conference 5th seed)
At the beginning of the season, Outlaws General Manager Stovvads called his team into a conference room and had a quote up on the whiteboard that read, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take -Wayne Gratzky -Stovvads” Okay, maybe I stole that story from The Office TV show but it seems possible considering the number of shots this team puts on net. Scoring leaders, Lotty Lettuce and MattRochie, have a combined 440 shots on the season, the most for any PL team duo. Placing third overall in scoring means that their strategy seems to be working. But is it enough to take down the other offensive heavy hitters come playoffs? I don’t know the answer to that but I do know that this Outlaws offense will be thrilling to watch in the playoffs.

Knights (Blue conference 4th seed)
So, with four weeks left, your team is 25-25 with a 4-6 series record. How do you make playoffs? Just win four straight and go 15-5 to finish the season, obviously. The Knight’s season-saving run is due, in no small part, to Jay who came in late and put up 62 goals in those four series and finished with the 2nd best MVPR in the league. The Knights now appear to have the star player to continue that run into the postseason. The rest of the team is stacked with solid talent but look for team captain MikeIsMyIke to be the other half of the duo. MikeIsMyIke leads the league in assists with 51, making him the perfect complement to the offensive canon of Jay.

Tyrants (Orange conference 3rd seed)
The Tyrants do not have anyone on the league leaderboard top 10 for goals, assists, or saves. There’s no runaway star and they don’t have the flash of a player like Taki or Deluxe. What the Tyrants do have is the ability to play any starter in their line up and win a series. The four starters in Snoopy, Majik, Moog, and Kaito have an average MVPR of 4.91. Their lowest scoring player still averages 1.5 goals per game. There’s not a weak link to be found on the Tyrants. How do you prepare for a team that could play anyone in the playoffs? A division winner without a known league star has all the makings of a dark-horse run for the Tyrants in these playoffs.

Foxes (Blue conference 3rd seed)
With two weeks to go in the Arctic Division it seemed like no one had a lock. The Foxes might have been favorites, then they dropped a series 1-4 to the Wolves in week 9. With one week left the Foxes found themselves in a three-way race. So what did they do? They called up Deluxe, their star scorer who put up 18 goals and 15 saves in one series to give them a 4-1 series win and clinch the division. Deluxe averages the 3rd highest MVPR (7.05) and the highest of anyone with a full season of series played. He’s dominant offensively and consistent defensively. He’s the kind of player that could put in an MVP performance and take the title away from some of the other heavy favorites. If you’re watching the Foxes in the playoffs look for Deluxe to be the difference maker and showstopper for the series.

The Favorites

Spectre (Orange conference 2nd seed)
The Spectre franchise currently has a Premier League player from Cuba, A Champion League player from Puerto Rico, and an Academy League player named AmericasF1nest. I’m sure there’s a joke in there but sadly I wasn’t able to find it in time for this article. The point is WeTakeLs is a Cuban MLE player and lead scorer on a stellar Spectre squad. No starting player has below a 4.8 MVPR and the team is captained by Assistant GM Blackwatch, who has put up an average of 1.9 goals per game. Yet, that still might not make him a starting pick, as that puts him in third for totals goals within his own team. From top to bottom the Spectre are putting up consistent numbers in goals saves and assists. They look like a team that plays well on both sides of the field and can start plays from anywhere.

Ducks (Blue conference 2nd seed)
Did you know the D in Ducks stands for Defense? That’s right, Ducks is an acronym. I’ll tell you what all the other letters stand for some other time. But this Ducks team has built a winning formula on solid defensive play. The team Averages 1.9 saves per game with their star defender Wockit Kah himself putting up 72 saves on the season. Also, in classic Ducks fashion, Wockit Kah wins the title of the best name in MLE, hands down. Because have you heard the casters call a series with Wockit Kah? It’s hilarious. Knitt rounds out the likely starting duo, leading the team with an impressive 71 goals on the season.

Blizzard (Blue conference 1st seed) 
The right pick up can make or break a season. And if there can be a “best signing of the season” accolade we’d have to give it to the Blizzard who picked up Comp late in the season only for them to break an MLE record. Comp broke a record for the highest MVPR in a single series with 9.68. With that kind of dominant play in one series teams will have to be wary of the kind of run this Blizzard team can make in the playoffs. The team doesn’t just have one star player. Mage and Vandy have both proven to be top tier players but its leading scorer Maplesurrup, with over 2.4 goals per game, that will likely complete this dangerous duo.

Pirates (Orange conference 1st seed)
I must confess that I started sections of this article before the last week of the season. But when I got to the preview for the Pirates I paused. I’m not generally a superstitious person but when I saw that 13-0 series record I didn’t dare type the phrase “perfect regular season” before it happened. You just don’t jinx a team like that. But this Pirates roster came through with a truly remarkable feat this season. They made it close in the last series only winning 3-2 over the Bears. The rest of the season, however, was not as close. With a +145 goal differential, they finished 1st in both goals scored and least goals against. To not talk about Taki when talking about the Pirates would be an oversight. Taki put up 111 goals on the season, averaging 2.77 goals per game. They also finished in the top ten for assists and saves. Taki leads the race for MVP this season but what Taki and this Pirates team really want is a championship title. And with them having yet to lose a series, they seem to be the clear favorites.

There’s a lot on the line for every team in this bracket. We’ll see star players pulling off amazing shots. We’ll see an undefeated team trying to cement themselves as the best. We may even see a cinderella story emerge from a wild card team. But you can’t see any of these amazing stories play out unless you tune in this weekend to watch the start of the playoffs. The action begins from 6pm ET on mlesportsgg2 and from 7:30pm on mlesportsgg Saturday & Sunday!

by Chopkins

Season 10 Playoffs: Champion League Preview

The Champions League playoffs are here and the playoff teams have been decided. They’ve battled it out for 10 weeks and 14 matches to determine the 14 teams worthy of competing for the title. But before you jump into the playoff matches and start spamming your favorite team name in the twitch chat I’m going to give you all the info you need to know on each playoff contender.

Season 10 Champion League Playoff Bracket
The Underdogs

Outlaws (Orange conference 7th seed)
The Champion League wild card was a nail biter this season. The Outlaws will no doubt be ecstatic that they snuck in on a close win. This 7-7 series team has had an up and down season but having a shot at a playoff run is not something they’re looking to throw away. Austinsanity could be key to an underdog run, with an average MVPR of 4.71. Theevilisback could be the other half of their playoff team as he’s proven to be well rounded, clocking 1.6 goals and 1.45 saves per game. We know that their playoff games will be close, but we don’t know yet if these players have enough to eke out ahead at the end of the series.

Puffins (Blue conference 7th seed)
Maybe the Puffins franchise likes to be the underdogs. Maybe they enjoy the sweat and nerves that their fans get watching them sneak in at the last moment. All three Puffins teams won their series in the final week to clinch a wild card spot. None of them had a more nailbiting season than this CL team. The team finished the season with an 8-6 series record, despite having a total goal differential of -1. The lack of positive goal record may be due to the teams’ lack of a defensive player. If the Puffins can get their leading scorer, Bazed, on a roll, they may not need a defensive stalwart. But having Bazed at 10th in scoring for the league means the team may need something more for a deep playoff run. The Puffins have managed to come in clutch in week 10 with every team. But will that trend continue into the postseason?

Dodgers (Orange conference 6th seed)
Yet another team that was able to clinch a last-minute spot in the playoffs, the Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak to win 3-2 over the Tyrants and clinch the 6th seed. They locked in that spot with the offensive firepower of Jaytee and defensive clutch play of Furphy. With Jaytee ranking out right before the playoffs, who will Furphy take on their playoff run? They need a shooter to step up on the team and it could come from any of them. But with 82 saves on the season, expect the Dodgers to build their playoff run on Furphy holding the backline.

Aviators (Blue conference 6th seed)
When a franchise has a Champion League title in their history, as the Aviators do, you’re constantly expecting them to make a run back to the finals. When a team’s Captain is named RapidChampion it’s expected that they’ll put their money where their Gamertag is. RapidChampion has certainly put his team in contention with 1.97 goals per game. Finding a championship-winning formula requires two players, however, and the Aviators are looking at the other starters to help their star. The rest of the team all average under a 4.0 MVPR so they may need a surprise turnaround from one of the remaining three. Look for Rapid to be the star of the Aviators show as they try to get their first league title since season six.

Shadow (Orange conference 5th seed)
The last of the 7-7 teams to sneak into the playoffs, the Shadow takes the 5th wildcard seed with 38 game wins. Unlike the other wild card teams, this team is limping across the finish line with a two-series losing streak. This Shadow does have the tools to make a run despite their recent downturn. GM Euronate finished the season with a 4.85 MVPR and placed 3rd in the league for saves with 90. The other probable starter is Lightning who put up an impressive 4.59 MVPR with 58 goals and 53 saves on the season. On paper, this duo can make a run in the postseason, if they could just shake off their current form and turn their momentum around.

In The Hunt

Hurricanes (Blue conference 5th seed)
There’s a lot of chaos in the Champion League. The team 2nd in the league in scoring won’t be making playoffs. Another team will be making playoffs without a winning record. The Hurricanes are 10-4 with a +88 goal differential and that isn’t enough to clinch their division. Still, tough league races can often galvanize a team. And now that playoffs have arrived the Hurricanes want to prove that just because you’re a wild card, that doesn’t mean you’re not a heavy favorite. Their likely starters, Squanchy and Goldentornado17, certainly make a case with a 4.68 and 5.22 MVPR respectively. This Hurricanes team will look to make a grand finals run not only with a defense the was second in least goals allow but with a high powered offense that helped them put up that +88 goal differential on their opponents.

Express (Blue conference 4th seed)
The elephant in the room that is the CL playoffs is the Express getting into the postseason by way of two NCPs in the final five weeks. That doesn’t mean that this Express roster doesn’t deserve a shot and that’s just what Playing GM C0P3X will be out to prove come game time. C0P3X leads his team in goals with 57 and also holds down his teams’ defense. The rest of the team hasn’t put up truly inspiring numbers but as Gualbertos has shot 50% in just four series maybe this player just hasn’t had enough time to pad those stats. Now that they are in the playoffs, look for the Express to throw everything at their opponents to try and show us all why they’re the rightful owners of the Forge division title.

Comets (Orange conference 4th seed)
General Managers are leaders of their franchise. They’re there to set an example for their team, while also being managers for scheduling and rosters. In the case of GM Thunderbug, leading your team also means leading in scoring and saves. With 80 goals and 89 saves on the season, Thunderbug is setting the pace for the CL squad. The rest of the starting four have followed suit with solid season performances. Zeta and Snugglable finished with 4.42 and 4.74 MVPRS respectively, while TheLegend27 has turned in an average of 1.6 saves per game. At 11-3 it’s a team that knows how to win a series and with a 3 series win streak coming into the playoffs they intend to keep winning all the way to the CL title.

Ducks (Blue conference 3rd seed)
The CL Ducks have the worst overall defense of any of the playoff teams, allowing 234 goals on the season. But who needs defense when you have a player like KingDuff? KingDuff put up 98 goals on the season and shot 50% over 40 games, that’s a decent argument for offense over defense. Even more so when it wins you the division title. The Ducks also have a choice of three more offensive weapons in DudTheBomb, AwsomDixie, and ChaosSpike. ChaosSpike is the favorite to complete the team with an average of 1.7 goals per game. Whatever their line up, look for the Ducks to spend each of their 5 minutes racking up high scoring games.

Bulls (Orange conference 3rd seed)
Sporting the best win streak in the league, this Bulls team is heating up at just the right time. Every starter on the team has an MVPR over 4.0, proving that this roster has depth. The leader of this team and the likely player to look at for those highlight plays would be their captain, Chaser. Chaser has 65 goals and saves on the season as well as 28 assists. While Chaser isn’t exactly a league leader in any category, they’re enough of a team leader to captain any talented second into a deep playoff run for the Bulls.

Pirates (Orange conference 2nd seed)
I know three things about Jamaica. They have Usain Bolt, they have a bobsled team, and they have Crey2k. Crey2k, who has a 5.86 MVPR, who is the 5th leading scorer in the league with 84 goals, and who is 2000 times Crey (that’s a lot). The team also has a standout player in Jansen24 and a newcomer in Speedy. The wild card of the team is AGM Miller_Ball_22 who is well known in MLE and who I would say is secretly angling to take not only the championship but also the GM spot from Tater, but I also just found out he’s Canadian so he’s far too nice for that. Let’s hope this team can be aggressive enough to steal some games off the competition.

The Favorites

Blizzard (Blue conference 2nd seed)
Have you ever been caught in a Blizzard on the side of a mountain? I have and let me tell you, it can be terrifying. If the snow is heavy enough, and the wind is bad enough, you can’t see what’s going on five feet in front of you. That’s the way I feel when I try and analyze this Blizzard team. I don’t know what’s going on or where this team is getting wins. They’re 10-4. They have the fourth-best goals-against record in the league but fall below the middle of the pack in scoring. They have no leaderboard players to speak of but they have Hiimly and Bledsoe. Bledsoe averages 1.56 goals per game and Hiimly averages 1.65 saves. Those don’t seem like league-leading stats but it’s gotten them the second-best record in the Champion League. So maybe the secret is that’s all you need. There’s a lot of chaos on the pitch in a Champ League game and, in that chaos, this Blizzard squad is usually ahead at the end of that five minutes. Maybe the other teams just can’t see through the Blizzard.

Pandas (Orange conference 1st seed)
The Pandas have won their division, not by being the most flashy team, or the highest scoring, but by being solid on defense and closing out series. They don’t have a single player in the top ten for scoring but they do have an average MVPR of 4.68 and, more importantly, a 12 and 2 series record. The Pandas have won a good amount of these series due to defensive stand out player, Zach, who has a league-high 101 saves. With play coming from the defense first, look for the Pandas to survive the offenses of most teams and win games off smartly timed plays and counter-attacks.

Wolves (Blue conference 1st seed)
Sabres starters Adi and A1Andyx played the Wolves in week 8. Puffins starters Bazed and ArcaneLizard played the Wolves in week 14. I mention those names while talking about the Wolves because if I was any other CL team I would want to figure out what those players did to beat this dominant Wolves squad. Because no other teams seem to have an answer to the Wolves offense. The Wolves have 275 goals in one season. A goal differential of +147, which is higher than the total goals of one CL team. I’m not typically a salty player but if I had to play against the CL Wolves, you can bet I’d be screaming “oh come on, they gotta be hacking!” into my coms because this team is unbelievably ahead of the pack (I get one pun per article, per my contract). All of their players boast amazing stats including their star scorer, Ripperr, who is averaging 2.5 goals per game. But the only real stat you need is this, they’ve won 56 games this season. This season of Champion League play has been a season of chaos so I’d never say the Wolves are a lock. But what I am saying is that if I was a betting man. . . well, you know the rest.

There are 14 teams in the Champion League playoffs this season but only one can walk away with the title. Who will break through this tough bracket to prove they are better than the rest? Will it be the dominant favorites or a surprise underdog? Will leading scorers prove why they’re the best or will an unknown step up to be the playoff MVP? You can find out the answers to all these questions and more when you tune into the MLE Network this weekend! The action starts from 6pm ET on mlesportsgg2 and from 7:30pm on mlesportsgg Saturday & Sunday!

by Chopkins

Season 10 Playoffs: Academy League Preview

It’s everyone’s favorite part of the season once again. The dust has settled on the regular season and the best teams will be battling it out for the title of Season 10 Academy League Champions. With the adjustment of salaries for this season of MLE, the Academy League will now feature Champion ranked players among the rosters fighting for the AL title. This change has not only risen the style of play but the competition among teams that are hungry to win it all. To help you get excited for the MLE Playoffs, I’m here to break down the teams and tell you why each team has a shot at the final.

Season 10 Academy League Playoff Bracket
The Underdogs

Wizards (Orange Conference 7th seed)
A late-season change can make or break your team come playoff time. In the case of the Wizards, all eyes were on the recent pick-up, Legit in week 10. Before ranking out, Shult was a powerful offensive force for the Wizards with over 2 goals per game and also served as an outstanding facilitator showing off an impressive .8 assists per game. Mario_RL, TourneyEarnie, and Krihg have all been dependable for contributing to the Wizard’s winning record. But they needed help from Legit to get the 4-1 win over the Demo and clinch a playoff spot. Now GM LilRock has to decide if he will ride the hot hand of Legit and TourneyEarnie or look to one of the other starters to step up and pull off an upset on what the Wizards are hoping will be a cinderella run at the title.

Lightning (Blue Conference 7th seed)
The Lightning were tested in their last three weeks of division play but when they needed it most they managed to pull together a 4-1 win during week 10 to clinch a wild card spot. The team has had an up and down season to get into the playoffs. They’re the only playoff team with a negative goal differential. But with an 8-6 series record, they’ve managed to give themselves an outside chance at a playoff run. To make that run they’ll likely lean on DC9708, who leads the teams in scoring and defense. DC averages 1.4 goals per game and 1.8 saves. Those are impressive numbers but are they good enough for championship MVP?

Puffins (Blue Conference 6th seed)
Teamwork makes the dream work in the AL Puffins squad. That’s the mantra that team captain AubreyE has led this squad while putting up a league-high 42 assists. The rest of the team has followed suit and ElCuchinero Cuh also placed 6th in the league for assist with 32. This style of play no doubt helped them score a shocking sweep over the Wolves in week 10 to snag their wild card spot and clinch the 6th seed in the playoffs. But if the Puffins want to continue a run of upsets, they’ll have to turn to GM and leading scorer B1 to stay on track of averaging at least 2.1 goals per game.

In The Hunt

Elite (Orange Conference 6th seed)
The Elite squad seems to be building up steam as they head into the playoffs. Their first few weeks were rocky, getting off to a 4-4 start. But they finished the season on a six-series win streak, capping it off with a statement 5-0 win against their division rival, the Bulls, to lock in a wildcard spot. A +32 goal differential isn’t as convincing a number when compared to some of the AL favorites. But their star players Rebel and Frawd have both ended the regular season with an average MVPR of 4.57. With the current form of this team, it doesn’t seem right to call them underdogs. Can they continue to show they’ve shed all memories of their shaky start and keep this streak going all the way to the finals?

Jets (Blue Conference 5th seed)
The Jets are another team that has been helped into the playoffs by a late-season pickup. The new starter, Sangy, has put up 16 goals over 10 games and helped his team to a 5-0 in the last week to clinch a wild card spot. The newcomer will be tested in the playoffs, however, as they face tougher opponents and stingier defenses. None of the remaining starters have an MVPR over a 4.0 so they’ll be looking for someone to step up if they’re going upset opponents. But the good news is for as much as the Jets look like the underdogs, they have found a way to win series.

Outlaws (Orange Conference 5th seed)
The Outlaws lost a tiebreaker for the division title. That alone doesn’t look bad until you see that they lost it by getting 5-0ed by their division rivals and eventual winners, the Rhinos. But the Outlaws still have weapons that could help them bounce back in the wild card round. ITSLAPPY is third in the league in saves, leading a defensive-minded team. The other half of the likely duo is team captain PAV3K, who averages 1.57 goals per game. The Outlaws are looking to get back to the finals after winning the AL title in season eight. The Outlaws GM, Stovvads, knows that if they want to get back to the title game they need both defense and offense to get them there.

Comets (Orange Conference 4th seed)
It was a close race for the Mystic division title this season. The Comets were able to scrape out a win thanks to having the 5th highest-scoring offense. To say that MattyIce2110 is their star player might still be an understatement. Having the number one scorer in AL with 110 goals in 40 games is enough to make any opponent afraid of playing the Comets. Add to that he has 7th highest number of saves and you have the makings of a league MVP frontrunner. With RWB being the AGM as well as an Academy League starter, it’s unclear if he will play. But whoever ends up being the other starter in the duo will have a very important job, get the ball to Matty-Ice2110.

Foxes (Blue Conference 4th seed)
Team turnover in the league is natural throughout a season. Often a star player leaving can cause a slide at the end of the season. But the Foxes have managed to hang on to the division spot thanks to strong leadership and good scouting. Tyler remains their star player with the most experience and, at a 4.10 MVPR, is a well-rounded player who could be key to winning in the postseason. The only question is, who will the Foxes choose to help Tyler make a run? With Khaos only playing a single series but putting up 10 goals in 5 games, he may be the secret weapon the Foxes need.

Rhinos (Orange Conference 3rd seed)
There are two types of stats. There’s putting up a lot of saves because your team is constantly on defense, and there’s putting up a lot of saves because your defense is a brick wall. I won’t oversell you on the Rhinos and say they’re a brick wall. But the Rhinos have put up impressive defensive numbers as a team and that team defense has resulted in the lowest goals allowed in the league. The team averages 1.27 saves per game with team captain IMichael putting up 55 saves and 76 goals on the season. With IMichael, the team has scoring potential, but it’s clear that the Rhinos start their plays from a strong backfield.

Express (Blue Conference 3rd seed)
Is this a good time to say that I like the Express? I like their star scorer, CommanderSushi1. I like their GM, C0P3X. I really like their hype videos. What I don’t like is their series record in AL this season. They somehow managed to win their division with 7 series losses. It’s a team that appears on paper to be able to win matches but has struggled to close it out in games. Still, with Sobes tied for 4th in the league for assists at 34 and CommanderSushi being second in league MVPR with 6.01, this team has the tools to win. They just have to show they can close out a best-of series when it counts.

The Favorites

Hive (Blue Conference 2nd seed)
There’s a lot of buzz around this Academy League Hive roster (contractually, I get one pun per article). But when a team has two players in the top 15 in goals and a top 10 player in both saves and assists it seems appropriate. This team is top-down full of well-rounded players that could pop off in playoffs. With DLEW19 as a GM and Academy starter, he has put together a team that is one of the favorites to take home a championship. And with star defender Black putting up 1.9 saves per game, they have a solid duo to take on any team.

Tyrants (Orange Conference 2nd seed)
Let’s just run down a checklist for the Tyrants real quick. Top two scoring team in the league? Check. Three players with over 4.9 MVPR? Check. An English player? Check. An Irish player? Check. A player with food in their name? Check. That’s a solid checklist for a team making the run for an AL title  Gogurt is third in the league in assists with 39. If Gogurt is the playmaker, then GameStrike208 is the shooter. Averaging 2.1 goals a game, GameStrike208 has the accuracy to put in the passes that Gogurt feeds. That’s a formula for a championship-winning duo.

Hurricanes (Blue Conference 1st seed)
The Hurricanes seem to be a lot like their Blue Conference companions, the Hive. They both have a stacked group of well-rounded players. They both put up solid 50+ goal differentials during the season. They both start with H. But what the Hurricanes have that the Hive doesn’t is Soop Feared. Soop has the second-most goals in the league with 88. The Hurricanes also boast a stalwart defense with Soop Feared and Krosis averaging 1.7 and 1.8 saves per game respectively. A star offensive player and a good defense are enough to help you win against any opponent. It’s a combination that could carry them all the way to the title game.

Flames (Orange Conference 1st Seed)
It’s a tough road to be the top team in the league. It’s even tougher to go all the way through the playoffs and win a championship. If you’re going to do it, it helps if you’ve done it before. The Flames are looking for their second AL championship in a row and it looks like they have just the team to do it. They’re the highest-scoring team in the league, finishing the regular season with 251 goals. Bippers and Vague are the likely pairing to take the championship. Bippers finished 2nd in assists with 41. Vague leads his team in scoring with 69 goals over 35 games. The one-two punch of these two players has helped the team finish with a nine-game winning streak. That’s a lot of momentum that this team could use to carry them to a 2nd consecutive AL championship.

The Academy League playoffs are sure to be a wild ride. Will we see an underdog make a shocking run to the grand finals? Will there be a two-time champion franchise in the Academy League? Will we see a dark horse player make an incredible run and take the title? Whatever happens, it’s going to be an event you can’t miss. Be sure to tune into the MLE Network this weekend! The action starts from 6pm ET on mlesportsgg2 and from 7:30pm on mlesportsgg Saturday & Sunday!

by TheGamingBear

Championship Series PowerA Giveaway!

The MLE Season 9 Championship Weekend just got even hotter as our generous sponsors PowerA are supplying 14 quality Xbox One controllers to giveaway!

We will be giving away 7 PowerA Fusion Pro Wired Controllers for Xbox One (White variant)* on Saturday & Sunday! The giveaway will close at 9pm ET both nights with winners being announced at the end of each night’s stream.

To be enter Sundays giveaway visit here! *Winners from Saturday are ineligible to win for Sunday’s giveaway.

Saturday giveaway winners: Americas_F1nest, ChefBaker, Ondofir SINdalu, suzakutwitch, Therealmobagz & Tido4The5Gun.

A big thank you to PowerA for supporting us with this fantastic giveaway as well as their support throughout the season.

Don’t forget to tune into the MLE Network Season 9 Championship Series Weekend for all the action & excitement. Streams start at 7:45pm each night!

*Prize has been updated since launch of giveaway, original prize was for PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox One.

by TheGamingBear

MLE News: Playoffs Begin! PowerA Giveaway & More!

The Season 9 playoffs are here! Read on to find out what happened in the Wildcard weekend…

PLAYOFFS

The first weekend of playoff action saw lots of thrills and spills as the “Wildcard Weekend” aka Conference Quarter-Finals took place. But who prevailed and who fell at the “first hurdle”?

Academy League

In the Orange Conference, #6 Orange Conference seed the Pirates took on #3 seed Elite. A series that ebbed and flowed finally ending with Elite snatching a 3-2 series win to clinch their place in the next round and a meeting with last seasons Champions the Outlaws! In the other Orange Conference tie, #5 seed outmuscled #4 seed the Spectre 3-1 to set up a tie against the #1 seed the Flames who finished the regular season with a 10-0 series record.

In the Blue Conference, #3 seed the Spartans saw off a spirited #6 seed the Hive with a 3-2 series win. For their efforts the Spartans will face the Puffins. The other clash in the Blue Conference section saw the Hurricanes and the Wolves fight it out. And things blew in the ‘Canes favour as they managed to put losing the 1st game behind them to win the series 3-1. Their “prize” for victory is a meeting with #1 seed the Ducks, who finished top of the regular season standings.

The 8 remaining teams contain some illustrious franchises with the Elite, Ducks & Outlaws all winning the Championship title at Academy League level in previous seasons. If the Outlaws were to retain their title they would be the first franchise to do so since the Wizards in Season 6!  History counts for little though and no doubt the other 5 teams will be hoping to make glorious tales of their own!

Champion League

#3 Orange Conference seed, the Pandas, continued their search for a first franchise Championship win with a 3-1 win over #6 seed Demolition, themselves also without a Championship to their name. The Pandas will face their Tropic Division rivals the Sharks in the next round, a team that just pipped them to the division title by a single game win. The other tie in the Orange Conference saw the #5 seed the Bears beat out #4 seed the Bulls in a 5 game thriller. With a total of 34 goals scored during the series, it was the Bears who triumphed, winning game 5 4-3! They will take on #1 Orange Conference seed the Rhinos. The Rhinos charged their way through the regular season winning all 10 of their series as they also look to add a first Championship trophy to their cabinet.

Over in the Blue Conference two historic franchises battled it out for a place in the Conference Semi-Finals. The Ducks, a franchise no stranger to success, overcame a spirited 6th seed in the Wolves, winning 3-1 and setting up a clash with #2 seed the Knights. In the other Blue Conference tie it was the Jets who soared, putting in an impressive performance to defeat 4th seed the Eclipse. The Jets now face the not so envious task of taking on #1 seed the Puffins, a team which went unbeaten during the regular season.

No one will be taking the Jets lightly after their display though! 8 teams now remain left in contention with only 1 franchise, the Ducks having ever won a Champion League title in their history. Can they add another feather to their impressive achievements as franchise or will one of the 7 plucky contenders stuff their ambitions?

Premier League

Not content with having 2 teams make the Conference Semi-Finals in other leagues, the Bears also progressed into the next round in the Premier League. The #4 seed put out the Flames hopes with a 3-1 series win to arrange a clash with their “brothers from another mother bear”, #1 seed the Pandas. In the other Orange Conference tie the Elite defeated the Demolition 3-1 in their quest to add their first Premier League title to their trophy cabinet. Standing in their way in the Conference Semi-Final is the tricky Wizards.

In the Blue Conference #3 seed the Wolves overcame #6 seed the Spartans in a fiercely contested series that ended 3-2. Victory for the Wolves means they progress to face #2 seed the Hawks. The other Blue Conference Quarter-Final saw #4 seed the Eclipse joust #5 seed the Knights from playoff contention with a 3-1 series win. The Eclipse now face the steamrolling #1 seed the Express who finished top of the overall regular season standings.

No team left in the Premier League Playoffs has won the Premier League Championship before though the Elite and Wizards as franchises have won multiple MLE Championships across other leagues. The Premier League was closely fought this season, with the top 5 in the overall standings only separated by 5 game wins and 4 of those teams are still involved going into the Conference Semi-Final stage! It’s going to be one wild battle to the finish!

Foundation League

There are 8 teams in contention for the Foundation League Championship. If regular season form and results indicate anything it would point the way of the Blue Conference, in particular the Hurricanes and Foxes who finished 1st and 2nd respectfully. The Hurricanes in particular come into the playoffs in hot form on a 5 win streak and winning 9 out of their 10 series. Should the Hurricanes turn this regular season success into playoff triumph it will mark their first Championship win as a franchise!

There are 4 other franchises in the Foundation League Playoffs who have yet to taste Championship success, the Pandas, Shadow, Wolves and the Blizzard. The Pandas finished the highest in the overall regular season standings out of the 4 teams, ending the season 4th overall with a 29-21 record. Although the Foundation League is the lowest competitive tier in MLE you can be sure all 8 teams left in the playoffs will be gunning for glory and pulling off some great plays in their bid for Championship greatness!

The Foundation League playoffs start this weekend; 26th and 27th October with the Conference Semi-Finals.

PowerA Playoff Giveaway

Our good friends at PowerA have once again come up with the goods and will be providing not 1, not 2, not even 3 but… 14!!! enhanced Xbox controllers to giveaway during the playoffs. Details of the giveaways will be posted on here and Twitter so keep your eyes peeled for more news later this week!

Franchise Logo Update

Another update on the logo front and another franchise logo has been completed! The Bears are the lucky ones, joining the Aviators, Blizzard, Elite and Spectre to receive a fresh logo. Of course we are keeping said logos under wraps until all 32 have been completed and as always we will keep you updated with any significant progress.

PLAYS OF THE WEEK

Missed the last couple weeks of Plays of the Week presented by BAWLS Guarana? Don’t worry here’s a recap for you all. Don’t forget you can vote for your favourite plays from the Playoffs. Just submit your clip to Twitter using the #MLEPotW for it to be considered. Community members can also used the PotW channel in Discord to submit plays!

Week 9 Winner:  Pops (Express)

Week 10 Winner: Zeebee (Ducks)

 

Community ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

We would like to announce the appointment of Hellyaman as our new Social media Coordinator. Hellyaman will be coordinating and organising the Social Media team to help improve MLE’s output and exposure on social media platforms. We know he will do a great job and look forward to working with him.

NEW ADMISSION AGENTS

There have also been additions to the Admissions team! We would like to welcome Alton, AtoMic, Deejay, Hershey, Krosis, RainbowNoms & Taelo to the team. no doubt they will soon have their hands full as we near the off-season and the usual glut of applications we receive!

MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY

We just wanted to take this moment to thank everyone who turned out for the playoff streams this past weekend. We reached over 100 viewers both nights which is great to see and we really appreciated the support. Hopefully as the playoffs continue those numbers continue to grow!

Good to luck to the teams remaining in the playoffs. Whatever happens we know you will give it your all! Don’t forget to tune in this weekend folks for the Conference Semi-Finals. The action starts at 8pm ET Saturday and Sunday on the MLE Network! Until then…

Have fun & see out there,

Minor League Esports

by TheGamingBear

MLE News: Logo Update, Playoffs Imminent and More!

With two weeks to go before the playoffs it’s all go in Minor League Esports…

IT’S BUSINESS TIME!

The race for the playoffs is nearly over and with just one week of the regular season left it’s make or break for many team’s playoff aspirations!

Don’t forget to tune into the MLE Network this weekend to catch some intriguing, potentially season defining series. The live action starts 8pm ET Saturday & Sunday evening!

PLAYOFFS INCOMING!

As the regular season reaches its climatic conclusion thoughts are definitely turning to the playoffs and with that in mind we can confirm the dates as well as structure for the playoffs.

The Season 9 playoffs will take place over 4 weeks starting from 19th October. As the Foundation League playoffs will have only 8 teams competing in them, the Foundation League playoffs will consist of 3 weeks, starting from the Conference Semi-Final stage.

The majority of playoff series will be broadcasted on the MLE Network. Dates and stream times are detailed below. It’s going to adrenaline-fuelled to end of the season as we look to crown four new Champions!

Conference Quarter-Finals: 19th & 20th October (Stream time: Saturday & Sunday from 8pm ET)
Conference Semi-Finals: 26th & 27th October (Stream time: Saturday & Sunday from 8pm ET)
Conference Finals: 2nd & 3rd November (Stream time: Saturday & Sunday from 7pm ET)
Championship Series: 9th & 10th November (Stream time: Saturday & Sunday from 8pm ET)

Don’t forget you can check out who’s in contention to make the playoffs for each league here and you can also check out the wildcard standings here. Also keep an eye out for a wildcard report from Deejay!

FIRST LOGOS IN

Work is well underway on creating new logos for the 32 franchises and we are excited to announce 4 logos have been completed! Now we are going to be teases here as we are keeping those logos under wraps until all 32 logos have been completed. While you ready the catapult of rotten fruit aimed in the direction of MLE HQ, we can tell you the franchises who’s logos are complete… And its the Aviators, Blizzard, Elite and Spectre who have the honour of being the first franchises to have logos made! But who will be next? You will find out soon as we will keep you updated with any significant progress made.

PLAYS OF THE WEEK

Missed any recent BAWLS Plays of the Week? No worries we’ve got you covered! Checkout the top 3 plays from the past few weeks!

Week 6 Winner: Delisys (Spartans)

Week 7 Winner: Adiously (Blizzard)

Week 8 Winner: Dewy413 (Spectre)

 

Sgt. Scooby Show GETS A New Time!

The wonderful, weekly Sgt. Scooby Show will now air from 9pm ET on Monday evenings! Don’t forget to tune into the MLE Network tonight as the guys have a “special guest” on their show!

FINAL WORD

It seemed like only yesterday Season 9 began but low and behold 9 weeks of seasonal play later and we come to the final week of the regular season. To all those teams and players still in contention to make the playoffs we wish you luck and to those who have fallen short this season we commend your efforts and hope you had a blast. Behind the scenes are thoughts are turning towards Season 10 but before we release any information regarding Season 10 there’s still lots to look forward to this season. Anyway, until next time…

Have fun & see out there,

Minor League Esports