Quarterfinals

Okay so this is not Drunken Rebels official opinions…just want to make it clear that people tend to either consider this blog MY blog…probably because Ive been most active with the posts here. But we are several guys who post here. Second…it’s our opinions that are reflected here, not Drunken Rebels opinions.

I will dispense my tips for the quarterfinals…and they are MY tips…not Nephenzy’s (he actually hade 7/8 of the first round winners…although he only gave his tips to the highest ranking teams so I considering him disqualified for the first round haha) but I hope he will make his tips for the quarterfinals official here on the blog in a day or two. Anyway lets go!

Quarterfinals are determined by the teams ranking by average point per game in the group stage.

What’s interesting is that 4 teams from each group advanced…also the top 8 teams from the group stage. Furthermore, they all play teams from their own group.

1. Power of Finland vs 8. Drunken Rebels

Alright…I admit, PoF is favorites in this one. They showed an impressive form in the group stage, they have won titles, have experience, skill, game winners everywhere etc etc. BUT…do they have the teamplay and tactical sense that will be required to beat us? Im not entirely sure. I think we showed a few teams that offensive skills alone does not win games against us. In the group stage they shocked us with a 6-1 win in game 1. We adapted in game 2 and won. PoF is probably experienced, but we have everything to win in this series, and the pressure is definitely on them. I think over 7 games we will find a way to beat them.

Group Stage

6-1, 4-5 (OT)

Tip: 3-4

2. Sons of the Morning vs 7. Laser HT

Sons beat Rednecks in 5 games…as predicted. Laser beat COG in 5 games…not what I expected. They finished the group stage on a strong note and impressed in the first round. Might be a tough opponent for Sons. I think it depends a bit on what squad Sons will play during this series. But they don’t seem to have too much difficulty with Laser.

Group Stage:

2-1, 3-1

Tip: 4-2

3. Northern Stars vs 6. Baltic Sea Eagles

Northern Stars are definitely favorites, but BSE seems to be on a roll at the moment, and Honkanen can obviously win games by himself (Player of the tournament?). NOS will advance, but it will not be a walk in the park for them. BSE are extremely offensive scoring the most goals of any team in the group stage. Although NOS seem to prefer offensively over defensively skilled teams.

Group Stage:

6-0, 3-2 (OT)

Tip: 4-2

4. Sjukstugan vs 5. HC Sika

Sjukstugan advanced from first round by w.o since Red Light Zone withdrew from the tournament. They showed us during the group stage though, that they are very competent and a contender to win the tournament. HC Sika also impressed and are very tough team to beat so Im really looking forward to see how this series will turn out. I somehow get the feeling that HC Sika doesn’t suit Sjukstugan to well. Either way it will be a battle to behold.

3-2 (OT), 0-1

Tip: 3-4