While EU is in a slump this week with no classic matches, and what looks like two days of sweeps, NA sports three very interesting contests out of four. Yes, the participants in the clash are set, just like in EU, but, because of the mess that is the NA #HGC, there are a lot of unanswered questions, and we do not know just how strong each team is, nor where exactly they fit. NA has had some weeks where they offered matches as good as EU, but this is the first week where the NA matches are better.
So, NA fans, rejoice! After the first match, that is...
Friday, February 17th
Match 1: No Tomorrow vs. Gale Force Esports
Gale Force wins 3-0.
What? You wanted analysis? Fine. No Tomorrow beat Team Freedom last week, and Team Freedom has a 3-2 victory over GFE, so in theory, this could be an interesting match. No Tomorrow shook themselves out of a winless stupor and actually looked like they belonged against a team that took matches off of two NA "powerhouses" (TF beat Naventic, too, and their powerhouse status is in serious doubt). But, GFE's dominance of Tempo Storm show them to be a team on a mission, once again, and they look pretty unstoppable. I expect the old No Tomorrow to show up, and the new GFE to keep rolling.
Match 2: B-Step vs. Naventic
The remaining members of the 2016 Cloud 9 core (everyone do a shot) looked strong against Superstars last week (who also looked strong), and Naventic needs something, anything, to build on. As HGC has gone on, Naventic has looked, well, un-Naventic, with sloppy play that just makes watching them miserable. Expect the threat of relegation to light a fire under the Buechter boys, and Naventic will make a series of it. B-Step wins 3-1, but it's closer.
Saturday, February 18th
Match 1: Tempo Storm vs. Superstars
On paper, this should be a really good match, but we have a few issues that need to be addressed. Tempo Storm was swept by GFE, and how they respond to that is really unknown. Not a team that dwells on setbacks, I hope Tempo comes out swinging looking to prove they are still the top. Superstars looked dominant in their first five games last week, sweeping Naventic and getting a 2-0 lead on B-Step. The casters were even saying that they looked capable of taking Tempo Storm with how they were playing. It fell apart because Faye was out sick and was replaced with a sub, and while Nightmare played out of his mind good at times, mistakes were made. Here's the issue, if you are a fan of Faye's stream (and you should be!), you know she's still sick. I am sure she will be playing on Saturday, but how being sick continues to affect her is a concern for this match. I want to pick Superstars, because they are my favorite team, but I'm going Tempo Storm, and I believe both teams rise to the occasion in a classic 3-2 match.
Match 2: Team Freedom vs. Team 8
Team Freedom, why do you hurt me so? You have played so well, and looked poised to be something interesting, and then you turn in an uninspired performance against No Tomorrow. If a team is ready to compete against EU in two weeks, it's Team 8. Aside from their match against Tempo Storm, Team 8 has been the most consistent, in control team in NA. Glaurung continues to be worthy of praise as his maturity is showing; he is leading and drafting so well, and unlike 2016, you cannot block Glau in the draft as his role and hero pool is such that there is something he can carry on no matter what gets picked and banned. Expect Team Freedom to show up, but Team 8 is ready and hungry, and while a sweep, it will be better than it should be, 3-0 Team 8.
In depth coverage of #HGC league play for EU and NA from one fan, stuck in Bronze, who watches too much esports, and thinks she knows a lot... but probably doesn't.
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