LFM takes second cup win in Open Division Cup #5

There are only two North American Open Division Cups left as teams are putting everything on the line to fight for the perfect seeding for the playoffs. The top 16 Open Division teams will face off in the Open Divison Playoffs where the top two will advance to The Crucible in May. Those two teams will play against the lowest teams in the HGC Premier League, hoping to take their spot.

In this fifth North American Cup, we saw LFM face Vox and the Busted Bullets, along with Even in Death face Imported Support in the semi-finals.

In the first semi-final match of LFM vs. Vox and the Busted Bullets, game one was all on the side of LFM with a very strong Zarya and Lucio combination. Game two on Cursed Hollow was on more of an equal playing ground as tributes were traded for lane pushes left and right. As LFM reached level 13 they dominated just one team fight over the third tribute to gain the curse and a boss with their eyes set straight on the core. It looked as if the win would easily go to LFM but as we can see from this clip it didn't...necessarily go their way.

With Vox's core left at 1%, a curse on LFM and the whole team down, Vox looked to take the reverse as they went side wall in the bottom lane. As the death timers expired, LFM was forced to fight at their own core and held a strong defense, forcing Vox to retreat and take their boss. As they focused on the boss, LFM attempted the backdoor but Vox knew it was coming as the defended strong enough to force LFM them to retreat. While they attempted the retreat, Lucio kept the entire team alive allowing LFM to wipe Vox and took down the remaining 1%.

On the other side of the bracket, Imported faced off against Even in Death. In game one Imported stayed a solid three levels ahead most of the game, forcing a curse for EiD along with an easy team wipe for the first win. Going into game two Imported, again, held strong just about the entire game. Up by three levels at 16, Imported went for boss giving EiD no choice but to fight for it. With no luck, the boss pushed top lane with a camp bottom giving Imported the extra pressure along with a full gem turn in to take the win and advance to the finals.

The third place match was casted thanks to cavalierguest, and Even in Death took the third place spot over Vox and the Busted Bullets 2-1.

The finals came down to a three game match as LFM dominated game one with Valeera and Li-Ming, while Imported controlled game two with multiple punishers back to back. Going into game three, Imported Support took a questionable pick choosing Uther over Rhegar as a their solo healer which would ultimately be their demise considering LFM had the damage of Chromie. LFM gained webweaver turn ins virtually back to back going into level 16's. As LFM took the boss and a turn in back to back they could not quite take the win immediately. Imported pushed back very strong in the late game but it didn't make up for how far LFM already pushed. As Imported lost a fight at the boss pit, LFM was able to take the game and the top spot in Cup #5.

As LFM takes their second Open Division Cup win, along with UT-A not being present this cup due to Heroes of the Dorm, the current standings are as follows:

Two cups remain until the top 16 teams will face off in the Open Division Playoffs after which the top two teams will then advance to the Crucible to fight against the lowest two teams currently playing hte the HGC Premier League.

Think your team has what it takes? Registration is already open for the sixth North American Open Division Cup!

Are you in Europe? You're in luck! Registration for the sixth European Open Division cup is now open as well.

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