LG gaming bows out of the post-season while the dinosaurs move on to the IM division finals. In the Open division 40lb wins round four of the lower bracket in their match against 22d. The loss knocks 22d out of the playoffs and gives 40lb a comfortable three-win streak going into next week's semifinals.
Hit the jump for more!
Intermediate
cp_gullywash_final1
the dinosaurs > Leviathan Gaming (5-0)
The dinosaurs shut out Leviathan Gaming 5-0 in round three of the ESEA IM lower bracket. Both teams coming off wins last week, LG were unable to keep things together in an incredibly quick loss against the dinosaurs. Cornered into defending for most of the match, LG also lacked aggression when it came time to push. During the important initial battles for mid they would often retreat to the lower valley, showing the same passive play throughout the match. In round two they opted to hold a tight defense on the final point instead of pushing out. LG came back in round three with an initial successful capture of mid, but once again did not push forward and subsequently lost the point, and the round, to the dinos.
The dinosaurs pushed hard from the very first battle for mid and rolled through five rounds hardly missing a beat. They showed strong, aggressive, and flexible play throughout. The last point on Gullywash is well-protected from the front but there are many ways to get past the line to the final cap. The dinos ran a heavy-medic combo below and came up behind the point, a tactic which worked so well they used it to win the subsequent round as well. Next the dinos switched their strategy up, pushing hard on the final point from the front entrance. LG had no answer to the direct offensive attack and the dinos used the strategy again in the final round to shut LG out 5-0.
Click for stats and STV download
Open
cp_gravelpit_fixed
40lb > 22d (2-0)
Coming off a loss to eX last week, 22d began the first round with an unsuccessful push that set the tone for the rest of the match. The push on Point B, interrupted with long ingame pauses and player dropouts, seemed to set 22d off-balance and they were then unable to regain their composure. Despite taking the name "22d has roof control", the roof proved to be a difficult battleground this round. They ended up capping the final point in a little over 10 minutes, which was quickly beaten by 40lb in less than half that time to end the round.
40lb in contrast were aggressive and on-point. The second round was won when they set an extremely fast capture time of 2:38, which 22d could not match in their first interruption-free push. Point B served as no problem for the 40-pounders, pushing in and capping quickly during their attack and defending quite effectively during the match.
Click for stats and STV download
There will be more action tonight with the dinosaurs coming off a strong win to take on Washed Up Gaming in the IM division finals. Washed Up Gaming gave the dinosaurs a hard time on Viaduct just a few weeks ago, so their next match-up in the finals should be interesting. The Open playoffs will also continue with Carl Sagan Foundation trying to extend their three-win streak against the might of black people.
