TSM is heading to the NA LCS Regional Gauntlet Finals after sweeping Echo Fox in today’s matchup.
.@TSM complete the sweep against @EchoFoxLol and will face off against @Cloud9 tomorrow for the final #NALCS spot at #Worlds2018! pic.twitter.com/KZuVKxKZAe
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 16, 2018
TSM was coming into the semifinals with a positive outlook after winning the third place match against 100 Thieves. Even though they did not get the result they wanted, it was a good consolation prize. Also, looking at the bigger picture, TSM was going in the right direction after playing in such a passive manner the years before. They were making mistakes, but that comes with changing up the team playstyle. Mid lane superstar Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg was becoming much more active around the map, and the team would follow suit. They still had a weak point on the team in rookie jungler Jonathan “Grig” Armao, but he was learning a lot from his travels with Team Solo Mid.
On the other hand, Echo Fox was looking like the favorites of the matchup. Even though TSM would eliminate them in the NA LCS quarterfinals, they would sweep Clutch Gaming in the first round of the NA LCS Regional Gauntlet. That was enough proof that the team was in-form and ready to play. They would have plenty of momentum to carry them into this rematch. Again, the jungle would be a huge focus for Echo Fox, as the skill parity between the two jungler is huge. Joshua “Dardoch” Hartnett has been the big carry of his team for almost the whole split. Therefore, he would have to play exceptionally once again.
Last time these two teams would clash, TSM would barely squeak by Echo Fox. This time, TSM would absolutely dominate them.
TSM Puts The Hammer Down
.@TSM take the Baron and then ace @EchoFoxLol to extend their lead in game one! #NALCS pic.twitter.com/YheMt2nueo
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 15, 2018
Game one would start out okay for Echo Fox, who would come out of the gate with some classic aggression. However, TSM would slowly pick apart their opponent with some great team fights and picks. Additionally, Echo Fox’s top laner Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon was off his game all night. During their first game, he would either get overly aggressive or simply get caught out on Ornn. It would feed kills over to Bjergsen’s patented Syndra, who would start to snowball very quickly. Additionally, TSM would control objectives quite well, with Echo Fox only taking one dragon in the three games they would play. Game one was a wash for Dardoch and co., who’s team synergy seemed to be all out of sorts.
.@Bjergsen gets a double kill in the mid lane as @TSM open up a huge mid game lead in game two! #NALCS pic.twitter.com/1LAFstrLdi
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 15, 2018
Game two would be even worse, as TSM would destroy Echo Fox in a short 23-minute game. Echo Fox would just be visibly unmotivated by the ten-minute mark of the match. TSM, on the other hand, would use their expert macro skills and objective control to keep a stranglehold on their opponent. Someone to point out on TSM’s side would be Grig, who would play the best games of his career thus far. His engages on Gragas were picture perfect, always catching at least one Fox off-guard. Also, his early game ganks would always put his laners on the front foot, keeping every Echo Fox member reeling. Meanwhile, Echo Fox was struggling and they could not catch up to TSM in time.
.@EchoFoxLol look for a fight near the dragon pit, but @Bjergsen turns it in @TSM's favor with a massive Galio taunt! #NALCS pic.twitter.com/XfrF8loMho
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 15, 2018
Finally, game three would bring the end for Echo Fox. However, they wouldn’t go down without a fight. They would end up playing their best game of the series, exhibiting some of the tendencies that made them a top team in the first place. Huni was playing quite well on Rumble, while the rest of the team would press the envelope with aggression. However, TSM would stay calm and continue picking them apart with clean macro. A big 4-for-1 teamfight in favor of TSM would spell disaster for any momentum Echo Fox thought they had. This time, it would be Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen who would play the carry role on Varus, racking up eight kills in the 39-minute win. It was a onesided affair that many Echo Fox fans wished they hadn’t watched.
Echo Fox Falters
Echo Fox had way too many problems to address in today’s series. Huni was a huge liability in the top lane and was a big factor in their first game loss. It looks like he has fallen from grace and has lost a lot of his form. I am not sure if they should replace him going into next season. However, if he doesn’t show any improvement soon, he may be looking for another team. Also, it doesn’t help that their mid laner Tanner “Damonte” Damonte was looking simply outclassed the whole time. Their rookie ADC, Lawrence “Lost” Hui, will have this experience to learn from. It was clear that he could feel the pressure of an elimination game, and he crumbled. However, I do think Lost and veteran support Andy “Smoothie” Ta could become great with some time.
What’s Next
Meanwhile, TSM is now moving on to face Cloud9 in a rematch from the NA LCS Summer Semifinals. However, TSM looks to have improved dramatically over the past few five-game series. Cloud9 may have a hard time dealing with an improved Grig, and an in-form Zven and Bjergsen. They also will have to deal with the effect a sweep will have on their mental. That soul-crushing stomp they received from Team Liquid in the NA LCS Finals would absolutely affect them. How it will affect them, Cloud9 will have to decide that for themselves. We will see who will be the last team to represent NA at Worlds tomorrow!
What do you think of TSM’s sweep against Echo Fox in the NA LCS Regional Gauntlet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! If you want more NA LCS coverage, check us out here!
Published: Sep 15, 2018 10:51 pm