NA LCS Summer 2016 Playoffs News and Matches: Cloud 9 Topples Powerhouse Immortals, Faces TSM for NA LCS Title
The North American League of Legends Summer Split championship now hangs in the balance as two top tier teams face off in the Finals on Wednesday. Cloud9 and Team SoloMid were both tested and delivered outcomes against their semifinal competitors Immortals and Counter Logic Gaming, respectively.
In Cloud9
Cloud9 was not the favorite coming into the matchup against Immortals, as an e-sports site would put it. They came in the playoffs at third seed, making easy work of sixth seed Team Envy in the quarterfinals.
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The team was renowned as a dominant force in NA LCS history, beginning their run in Season 3. However, the retirement of mid-laner Hai dropped cast doubt on their team, as well as the multiple roster, coaching and strategy changes. They finished fifth in this year's Spring Split.
Nevertheless, they have already garnered two titles over the years, tying with TSM and one other team.
That other team is Immortals, entering the playoffs as the second seed. They were the top seed during the 2016 Spring season, holding a 17-1 record complete with a 12-game win streak, despite being LCS rookies. Everyone in the team, except support Adrian, had already won the LCS title, but Immortals itself have yet to reach the finals.
That said, they were predicted to sweep Cloud9 en route to their first finals appearance against either TSM, who were dubbed as the only team who can stop them at their game, or CLG.
However, Cloud9 managed to pull the upset with a tough 3-2 win Saturday. The top lane became the key to game, as Immortals' Huni clinched the first and fourth games, while Impact led Cloud9 to victory, stealing Games 2, 3 and 5.
Huni committed crucial mistakes in Games 2 and 3, picking Riven and Kennen against Impact's Gnar and Gangplank. The picks did not go well for Huni, and it tipped the scales towards Cloud9 en route to a close Game 5 clincher.
Dominance
If Cloud9's victory was unprecedented, TSM's was an expectation, with their high-rated skillset and chemistry. They also have the biggest fan base, and a young talent in the form of support Biofrost.
Still, they come into the matchup with a chip on their shoulders. They have lost to CLG in the last three playoffs, and are looking to seek vengeance and validation against their fiercest competitors.
CLG, meanwhile, have something to prove themselves. They are trying to finish a three-peat against an opponent they have dominated over recent playoffs, fresh from a Spring Split victory.
Old grudges aside, however, both teams have good chances at supremacy. Should TSM win the bout, they are secured a spot at Worlds. CLG, however, have almost enough Championship points to get into Worlds, but they have to either defeat TSM, or wish the latter wins against Cloud9 or Immortals.
The second option would become their only choice, as TSM swept CLG 3-0 to become the first North American team to qualify for Worlds.
This time, the mid game tipped the scales. TSM's Bjergsen either led or tied kills for the three games, twice with five while finishing the last game with seven.
The matchup even featured a Game 1 reset, as an Aurelion Sol bug, which helped CLG mid-laner Huhi get an easy side-lane ambush in the early stages, had to be disabled. This cost Huhi his favorite champion, and eventually the game for CLG.
Cloud9 and TSM are set to face off for the Summer Split title on Wednesday, August 24 in Toronto.
