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NA Power Rankings - Week 4

NA Power Rankings - Week 5

The Predictions

Well? What more could you have asked for?Week 4 showed us that nothing is sacred in NA HGC, despite what we hoped to believe leading up to it. Although, the way the first series went down it sure seemed like everything would go according to plan. For the most part HeroesHearth handled Simplicity, 3-1. With that win, they advanced to 3-2 overall record, the potential to go 5-2 by the time Poland comes around. What would soon follow, however, showed us all that nothing comes easy.The undefeated Team Freedom is beaten by SpaceStation Gaming, the last place team, 3-1.That's probably how everyone was looking at it, right? In the most simple way imaginable? How could TF lose to SSG? In all honesty, it really shouldn't be that surprising. These teams are in HGC for a reason, and on any given weekend, anything can happen. You mean to tell me after three weeks of playing, you're convinced that TF is the new top dog because they haven't lost? Remember how Tempo got cute with two drafts against TF, handing over two relatively easy wins? TF could have lost back then, and the vision that we've created doesn't exist today. Only thing is, it doesn't get better for our once undefeated team. Give credit to SSG, the pieces to do great things are on that club, and they showed us that. Maybe TF was too focused on Team Twelve, and if that's the case, then hopefully they've learned an important lesson.downplay your opponent.Speaking of teams we've dismissed as doomed, Team Twelve! A team that should never be counted out. Some considered them to be in ruin after losing to HeroesHearth, but I for one did not. Falling 0-2 in the series, they looked dreadful early on. Whatever went on with these guys between game 2 and 3, it was a difference of night and day. "Hey guys, don't forget if we don't win this we mightbe going to Poland. Wait, what?" Maybe the conversation went something like that, I don't know. Regardless, they got the reverse sweep in dominant fashion, and are now tied with TF for second. See how quickly everything can turn upside down, in a matter of 24 hours? But wait, there's more!Another team some may have branded as a lost cause, Gale Force Esports. They lost to LFM Esports, there's no way they can contend. Trading spots in the standings with the team ahead of you though just might get you there. Defeating HHE is HUGE. Last week was the Holy Trinity issue, this week it's something like... Hm. The fight for fourth, yeah that works. The Fight for Fourth, not bad. Currently vacated by GFE, but not guaranteed, we've still got one more weekend of spicyness to determine who will be going to Poland.So let us talk about the last week before the Clash.I'm looking at HeroesHearth vs LFM, and GFE vs... Tempo Storm. Oh my.Let's assume HHE beats LFM. GFE will get the fourth spot if they can win against TS, but that's just the thing. If I'm Tempo, I'm doing everything I can to win this last week even though I'm not worried about dropping the series. Why? Because of mentality. Tempo is doing great things thus far, and letting off the pedal now would be foolish. Keep up the pace, and carry that momentum into the tournament. If GFE gets the win, then they sure as hell deserve going to the Clash as well. We just saw SSG beat TF; don't doubt anything for a second. Tempo Storm has been the most consistent team thus far, and even then they still do things that leave me shaking my head. It will be a great series to watch how the teams have prepared.Or Simplicity could beat TF, and GFE and HHE lose and it's a big three-way tie in which I'm not sure who takes fourth. There's still a lot of movement that can occur in the standings.1. Team Freedom, 4-02. Tempo Storm, 4-13. HeroesHearth Esports, 2-24. Team Twelve, 3-25. Gale Force Esports, 2-26. Simplicity, 1-37. LFM Esports, 1-38. SpaceStation Gaming, 1-41. Tempo Storm, 5-12. Team Twelve, 4-23. Team Freedom, 4-24. Gale Force Esports, 3-35. HeroesHearth Esports, 3-36. SpaceStation Gaming, 2-47. Simplicity, 2-48. LFM Esports, 1-5Lots of movement this week; nobody survived the wildness of Week 4. Freedom drops by two, TT up by two, HHE down by two... Everyone gets moved! Most notable change is in SSG for getting out of 8th, well deserved after their performance this past weekend.And with that, we have Tempo Storm, Team Twelve, Team Freedom, and HeroesHearth Esports going to Poland. Easy, done.Hope you enjoyed this read, hopefully I'll have some more juicy NA action to write on next week. Have a great day!