Well, one thing is a proven fact: power rankings do not matter one bit. The end of the season has brought us a top 8 in an order that few could have predicted. This week we have 3 more matches played on snakewater to finish off 6 teams for the regular season, and two of them have some degree of playoff implications. Interesting enough, there are already two teams tied right now at 8-8 in 8th and 9th place, Subspace Emissaries and MAD LUXURIOUS – GOLD. Both teams have 45 RF (rounds for) although Mad Lux has 56 rounds against to Subspace's 53. However, according to the ESEA rules rounds against are not usually considered in the event of a tie in the standings, which means that this should go to head to head. Since Mad Lux Gold beat Subspace during the regular season, it would appear that Mad Lux still will be able to go to playoffs regardless of the result of the match between Dino Riders and Mad Lux Blue, as Dino Riders already have 47 RF with a record of 8-7. At this point, Dino Riders could throw their match and lose 5-0 and it wouldn't make one bit of difference where they are now, locked into the 7th seed.
While this is all well and good, playoffs this season will be incredibly interesting for those of us used to how ESEA usually runs their post-season. As I'm sure most of you have heard by now, all playoff matches will be best of 3 and single elimination. I'm incredibly excited for this format, just because I think it will be overwhelmingly fun to see how a series of games plays out rather than just one. It will mean upsets that we have seen in past post-season games won't be as relevant to how a team progresses through the brackets. Unfortunately, it also means that losing one of these series means your season is over, but what can you expect? We all know there's an unbeatable team in IM this season...oh...wait.
What I'm most interested in seeing during this post season is the execution of this "new" way of doing things by ESEA, how well teams can adapt over several maps in a matter of a few hours, and whether or not this is really a better system in a playoff tournament. The worst thing in my mind would be something happening with ESEA servers or client that would screw up someone's chance for a fair fight. Not that ESEA is holding their breath to see if any of their rules or changes are good for TF2, but its always disappointing to see that kind of thing happen. One final thought before we get to the predictions: It is very likely that Meat Market and Cafe Monster will not be the two teams in the grand final, and that's what makes this new post-season format most exciting. The possibilities are endless!
MAD LUXURIOUS - BLUE vs Dino Riders
- Split
- Wrech
- Simulate
- Powergamer
- Demoted
- Ex
- Xattuu
- KTB
- Phlps
- Tankman
- icTus
- rooks
So like I said, for Dino Riders and Mad Lux Blue this match doesn't have any implications, as Dino Riders have already locked themselves into playoffs. Phlps and crew have had a bit of a bumpy end to their season, losing a close match to Mad Lux Gold last week 5-4, and soaking up some losses after a decent win streak from Champagne and Cocaine and Meat Market. Even though they have lost the last 3 matches they've played, I think one more win would go a long way for morale before having to play either Cafe Monster or Meat Market in the first BO3. Unfortunately, this match may not happen if Mad Lux Blue decides to just forfeit, as they have no chance at staying in the top 8. Better luck next season, Blue.
Dino Riders 2-0
Hate Being Sober vs Hawaii Beach Vacation
- Kig
- Farns
- Dagger
- Rill
- Corsa
- ShermanGluck
- miwo
- Tooth
- Fragg
- Topshot
- Vand
- Micah
This match will determine which teams will be in 5th and 6th place. The team formerly known as Bearded Clams have had a bit of a comeback in the second half of the season, coming back from some rough losses near the middle. They'll need to win this match if they want to steal the 5th place spot from Hate Being Sober. The last time these two teams met, Hawaii Beach Vacation took the Soberless crew by surprise and beat them 5-1. Something tells me they won't be caught off guard so easily this time around, even with some new pick ups. Rill comes out of “retirement” to play demo to replace Dagger who moves to roamer to replace Walka, and the infamous +forward scout Sherman Gluck replaces Rummy. The new lineup has only played two matches, which was a 5-2 win over Small and Soft on sunshine and a loss to Cafe Monster. The one thing I have noticed about Hawaii Beach Vacation is their heavy dependence on Fragg to create the room and make some of the plays, and having Miwo doing a lot of the calling seems to be helping as well. In high pressure situations, the tension seems to put the boys a bit on tilt, but the team has a lot of solid working parts and shouldn't be underestimated. Hate Being Sober should know what to expect this time around, although I am curious to see how well Corsa and Sherman will play, as they both have a tendency to be fairly aggressive. Either way, I think this is going to come down to Hawaii Beach Vacation looking good and solid in the first half, and then letting it slip away in the second, which has been the story of a couple losses for them so far. Calling the comeback for Hate Being Sober and a little revenge for the loss earlier this season.
Hate Being Sober 5-4
- Soapy
- Goldfish
- Purpleshirt
- Desca
- Highfive
- yomps
- Jodd
- broKing
- Ranga
- Jarrett
- Yeeegz
- Oobii
Cafe Monster were humbled last week, without Desca the team just didn't look as dominating as they have the rest of the season. Even more so, I was shown that Highfive is very instrumental to his team in the role he plays on scout, and without him there seemed to be a gap their opponents were able to exploit. With 2 losses last week to Pizzagon eSports and Hawaii Beach Vacation, this will give Meat Market the number 1 seed unless Cafe Monster can win this last match. Meat Market has had a pretty effortless season after their single loss to Cafe Monster, but with the mysterious disappearance of Cheesy, they will be playing with Oobii on scout, most recently on sparkle bunniis. BroKing seems pretty confident in this team to hold on to that first place seed and give Cafe Monster yet another loss this season, but in any event we shall see how it all pans out. There isn't much more to be said about these teams that haven't been said already, but I have a feeling this will be a good preview to what we can expect when this team meets in their BO3 (presumably in the second round of playoffs). Flipping the coin, we get Meat Market coming ahead this time. Match should be on Wednesday, don't miss it!
Meat Market 5-3
Next week, we'll be bringing you predictions for our first round of the post season, as well as the finalized seeds.
NEVER FORGET
