The LEC action keeps on going in week three, as the top two sides face-off. Meanwhile, Vitality looks to continue to climb up the table.
The first two weeks of the LEC saw some great action. After Vitality struggled in week one, they hit back last week with a 2-0 victory, leaving just Astralis at 0-5. Meanwhile, Fnatic and Rogue maintained their unbeaten runs at the top. However, those runs have to end today for one of them as the two face off. At the bottom of the LEC, a four-horse race was hotting up, as Astralis, BDS, SK Gaming, and Excel all battle to get away from the foot of the LEC.
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Week One recaps – Day One, Two, Three
Week Two recaps – Day One, Two
Team BDS v Astralis
The pressure was on Astralis to pick up a win, but it was BDS that got on the board first. BDS maintained their lead into the mid-game, moving to 2.5k ahead. Astralis got three kills on the board in the top side, though the lead remained the same for BDS in the end. The first 5v5 saw a trade of 2-for-2, despite Astralis looking like they’d overextended at first. BDS managed to reengage and pick off two more members of Astralis, claiming their third Drake. Astralis made one last attempt at a play, but BDS was flawless as Astralis walked away wounded. BDS picked up a clean Infernal Soul, with their lead stretching to 6k. BDS picked up a Baron and wiped out Astralis as they picked up their second win of the split. As for Astralis, it moved them to 0-6 and in real danger of going winless.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: BDS – Astralis
- Time: 31:34
- Kills: 17-7
- Turrets: 8-1
- Gold: 61.1k – 47.8k
- Dragons: 4-0
- Barons: 1-0
Excel v MAD Lions
MAD picked up first blood, as Excel’s problems in the LEC continued. After the first blood, the game calmed down, with just three kills by the 14-minute mark. MAD had maintained a 1k lead up until that point. The next bit of action happened in the top side, with a 2-for-2 trade, though it looked like Excel had the advantage at first. MAD had managed to increase their lead, but only to 2k, with the game at 25-minutes. Excel forced a risky Baron, but MAD was able to steal it on the 50/50 as Excel looked to have thrown away the game. This time, MAD forced a 50/50 which MAD had control of before Elyoya decided to leave the pit. Excel engaged and with the Baron within Smite range, Elyoya couldn’t re-enter with the Baron knocking him up.
Despite being so close to getting back into the game, Excel was unable to win the next team fight, with MAD picking up the ace as they pushed into Excel’s base. With the long respawn timers, Excel couldn’t get back to defend as MAD secured the victory as they continued to climb the table.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: Excel – MAD Lions
- Time: 39:38
- Kills: 8-16
- Turrets: 3-8
- Gold: 65.1k – 72.4k
- Dragons: 1-4
- Barons: 1-1
Team Vitality v SK Gaming
First blood for SK, but a 2-for-2 trade in the top side. Crucially, Perkz was able to pick up early double buffs, giving him a huge early advantage. Vitality maintained their lead into the mid-game, with 3k separating the two sides. It was Vitality that won the game’s first major fight, with Perkz cleaning up the SK roster after they picked up the Drake. Vitality turned that into a Baron as it spawned, as they moved 8k ahead. With Vitality looking like they were about to win the game, SK managed to turn the fight, killing four members of Vitality. While they remained 10k behind, SK might have just found their moment. Vitality, however, came right back and this time SK couldn’t stand in their way. Vitality continued their ascent up the LEC table.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: Vitality – SK Gaming
- Time: 27:30
- Kills: 17-10
- Turrets: 11-1
- Gold: 57.6k – 48.3k
- Dragons: 2-2
- Barons: 1-1
Rogue v Fnatic
First blood for Rogue, in the game of the week matchup, though the gold lead was a minor one. Rogue turned that kill into three more, as they took an early hold on the game. Fnatic found a way onto the kill feed, but Rogue remained 2k ahead at the 10-minute mark. Two fights break out across the map, with Rogue coming out on top once again, despite that the lead had decreased to 1k. By the 25-minute mark, Rogue finally started to take hold of the game, with a 3k lead as they took down three members of Fnatic with Baron in play. With Baron, it was too much for Fnatic to handle as their base dropped without any real defense. Fnatic couldn’t hold Rogue back, and it was Rogue that remained unbeaten in the LEC.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: Rogue – Fnatic
- Time: 29:04
- Kills: 20-4
- Turrets: 9-3
- Gold: 57.5k – 47.5k
- Dragons: 3-2
- Barons: 1-0
G2 Esports v Misfits Gaming
G2 managed to pick up a massive early first blood in the mid-lane, as caPs got ahead. They continued to maintain their lead, though just 500g at the 10-minute mark. They then deployed the Rift Herald in the top lane as it was almost able to drop the top-lane tier 2. G2 had moved up to a 3k lead in just 5-minutes. Misfits forced a fight at the Drake, and while they had the early lead, G2 aced them to claim yet another Drake. Misfits had another opportunity to win a fight and stop a Drake, but once again G2 was too strong as their lead increased to 7k. From there they picked up a Baron and almost ended the game. Misfits managed to defend for now with 27-minutes on the clock, time was running out.
That defense turned into a team fight win, a fight which saw them pick up the Elder Drake. They turned that into a Baron as Misfits moved into a gold lead for the first time. With the buff, Misfits rampaged down the mid-lane, knocking down G2 members before throwing the fight. G2 respawned and defended their base as they turned defense into attack.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: G2 – Misfits
- Time: 35:29
- Kills: 27-16
- Turrets: 10-10
- Gold: 70.6k – 69.1k
- Dragons: 4-1
- Barons: 1-1