2016 LCS Play-offs: Liquid look to take down CLG
April 07 2016
WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE...
Almost exactly a FULL YEAR ago, Team Liquid met Counter Logic Gaming in the 2015 Spring play-offs and sent them packing in an unexpected 3-0 upset. With a near repeat of our 2015 Spring run, complete with early struggles and a full positive swing in momentum, Liquid (4th seed) looks to take down 2nd seed CLG once again and punch a ticket to the Winner's Grand Finals in Las Vegas for a chance at 1st place. Is your body ready for what could finally be a challenge for the fiery hot Liquid, whose gone 8-2 in their last 10 games? It better be, because we expect nothing short of a great series.
Player-to-player, the match-up is fairly even bar the mismatches with veterans going against rookies. Is Lourlo going to match Darshan? Can Stixxay handle Piglet's PERFECT auto-spacing? Will Dardoch land more E's than Xsmithie? Does Matt have MORE PRESENCE THA--OK, I'll stop. But look. Two teams. Two different styles. Both squads have key players in varying roles. CLG gravitates towards the top lane carry with pressure from everyone else, while TL tends to lean more towards the Piglet-carry, with the late-game insurance in the midlane.
But the true volatile scenario here is once again: how well will Dardoch do? At his best, he ensures Lourlo can match any opponent in the top lane--even the likes of NRG's Impact. In past games, especially their victory against 1st seed Immortals, Counter logic Gaming heavily relied on the tandem of Darshan and Xsmithie. If the young Liquid rookie can disrupt CLG's ability to leverage the game from the top lane, it's going to be a rough road for them, as Liquid is known to take advantages across all lanes if the opposing strategy falls to shambles.
DON'T MISS THE ACTION!
Even though Liquid already secured their spot in Las Vegas, ensuring a seed no less than 4th (go figure, right?), a chance at 1st place would be precedent. So tune in to CLG vs Team Liquid on April 9th. Mark your calendars, it's going to be a hot one! #TLWIN
Almost exactly a FULL YEAR ago, Team Liquid met Counter Logic Gaming in the 2015 Spring play-offs and sent them packing in an unexpected 3-0 upset. With a near repeat of our 2015 Spring run, complete with early struggles and a full positive swing in momentum, Liquid (4th seed) looks to take down 2nd seed CLG once again and punch a ticket to the Winner's Grand Finals in Las Vegas for a chance at 1st place. Is your body ready for what could finally be a challenge for the fiery hot Liquid, whose gone 8-2 in their last 10 games? It better be, because we expect nothing short of a great series.
THE MATCH-UP
Lourlo vs Darshan
Dardoch vs Xsmithie
FeniX vs Huhi
Piglet vs Stixxay
Matt vs Aphromoo
Lourlo vs Darshan
Dardoch vs Xsmithie
FeniX vs Huhi
Piglet vs Stixxay
Matt vs Aphromoo
Player-to-player, the match-up is fairly even bar the mismatches with veterans going against rookies. Is Lourlo going to match Darshan? Can Stixxay handle Piglet's PERFECT auto-spacing? Will Dardoch land more E's than Xsmithie? Does Matt have MORE PRESENCE THA--OK, I'll stop. But look. Two teams. Two different styles. Both squads have key players in varying roles. CLG gravitates towards the top lane carry with pressure from everyone else, while TL tends to lean more towards the Piglet-carry, with the late-game insurance in the midlane.
Joshua "Dardoch" Hartnett, 2016 Spring Split Rookie of the Year
But the true volatile scenario here is once again: how well will Dardoch do? At his best, he ensures Lourlo can match any opponent in the top lane--even the likes of NRG's Impact. In past games, especially their victory against 1st seed Immortals, Counter logic Gaming heavily relied on the tandem of Darshan and Xsmithie. If the young Liquid rookie can disrupt CLG's ability to leverage the game from the top lane, it's going to be a rough road for them, as Liquid is known to take advantages across all lanes if the opposing strategy falls to shambles.
DON'T MISS THE ACTION!
Even though Liquid already secured their spot in Las Vegas, ensuring a seed no less than 4th (go figure, right?), a chance at 1st place would be precedent. So tune in to CLG vs Team Liquid on April 9th. Mark your calendars, it's going to be a hot one! #TLWIN