NALCS Week One Recap

S.Samek

After a bit of a break after the spring split the LCS is back. Yes, it’s week one of the NA LCS’s summer split.

On day one TSM took on CLG in a close match. CG took an early lead, but couldn’t hold on to it. A team fight and baron at 25 minutes turned it around in TSM’s favor and gave them the win. Match two was a rematch of the spring split finals. Just like in the spring it was Team Liquid over 100 Thieves. This match looked over early as a bottom lane first blood snowballed into seven straight kills for Liquid. They kept the food on the gas and took the victory. Golden Guardians took on Optic next. This was a boring game despite the closeness of it. Optic’s midlaner PowerofEvil scored four kills and a pair of assists as Optic won 7-4 in kills and took the game. Echo Fox took on Flyquest next. Flyquest had an early advantage, yet the match remain close for the most part. A baron power play at 21 turned the tide into Echo Fox’s favor and the rode the wave to an 18-13 win and the nexus. Clutch gaming and Cloud 9 did battle to end out day one coverage. Cloud 9 was subbing out three fifths of their starting lineup in favor of academy players. The new members got a rude awaking as Clutch quickly went up 3-0 by kills. Cloud 9 did try and rally, yet it just wasn’t enough as Clutch took a 15-10 win and the game.

Clutch met up with Echo Fox on day two. This one went over to Echo Fox thanks to them working on a big lead,until the game went out and count be recovered. The win was then awarded to Fox in an ok what happened sort of way. TSM and Flyquest went at it. This was a dominating performance by TSM led by Hauntzer, who scored a qudra kill with Dr. Mundo to help build momentum toward the victory.

Cloud 9 tested their mettle against Optic on day 2. The newbies redeemed themselves this time around thanks to some great split pushing. CLG and 100 Thieves did battle on the rift. This game was all CLG as Darshan led the way from the island lane with great Ornn play. The game was also a milestone for the CLG top laner as he played his 400th LCS game. Team Liquid looked to stay on top of the standings against Golden Guardians. Well it wasn’t happening. Strong play by Lourlo and Contractz, as well as Deftly put the spring split winners into the loss column. So far it’s been a pretty even start to the split. Very even play and much to watch out for as the season progresses.