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Year In Review: Edmonton Impact

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Ranked 1st – Edmonton Impact
Dallas: 6th MAO: 2nd Chicago: 1st West Coast Open: 2nd

Overall Record: Champions Div. – 15 Wins 7 losses

In a storybook season, Edmonton Impact, ranked first in the PSP heading into World Cup, has become the strongest, most consistent team in the sport. They have completely dominated Europe this year, and they have made the finals in 3 of the 4 PSP events so far in 2014.
At the beginning of the year it was hard to predict just how well their rebuild would go, as they lost 3 key players to Houston Heat after the 2013 season. What was a question mark at opening of the season is now a resounding and triumphant success. The only rough day Impact has had in 2014, a day where they lost more than one game, was their first day at the PSP Dallas Open. They lost their first two matches to Infamous and X-Factor, getting outscored 3 to 14.

But after a rough first day, Impact picked it up winning two games against Texas Storm and Damage. Their 2-2 record was enough to keep them out of a relegation game and it would be their last middle of the road finish.

The Mid-Atlantic Open had a tough tactical field layout, but Impact played it very well. They won 3 of 4 games in the prelims, losing only to X-Factor (they are 0-2 against the defending champs this year, also X-Factor beat them in a come-from-behind victory to win the 2013 World Cup). Impact took on a surging Aftershock in the semis, and beat them in a close match, but then lost to Dynasty in the finals by one point.

In Chicago, Impact was finally able to win an event and put the long list of 2nd place finishes behind them. Going back to 2013, Impact had taken three 2nd place finishes in the past four events, and 2010 marked the last, and only time, they won a pro PSP event. They only lost one game the whole tournament, to the Ironmen in the prelims.

PSP West Coast Open saw Impact in the finals again, this time losing to Art Chaos. They lost to Chaos twice that event; it was the only team they would lose to as they beat Ironmen, Damage, Dynasty, and 187 en route to the finals and yet another 2nd place finish.

Impact has found success because they have a complex, multi layered attack and a deep roster of very consistent and efficient support players. Their highest ranked player, Zach Yachimec, ranked 8th overall, is having the best season of his career. His ability to shoot people off the break, stay alive, win gun fights and close games behind his attackers has proven to be a huge asset for Impact’s push to the top. The three main attack players for Impact are versatile, which makes the team harder to scout. Because they have such an adaptable attack with Josh Ouimet, Justin Rabackoff and Justin Cornell, Impact is always dictating the pace of the action. Rabackoff is the Kill Count leader for the team with 116. Danny Park, who was picked up from the Ironmen for this year, is injured, but he hasn’t seen very much playing time, so his injury shouldn’t hurt the team. Though this is the type of snake where Park excels, they have enough bodies for the job.

In addition to Zach Yachimec, a big strength for Impact is their other support players. Zach’s brother Zane has solid 71 kills. Dave Bains has handled back players duties like the solid veteran he is, and Raney Stanczak has been a huge contributor as well. Nick Leival has started to prove himself a valuable member of the squad in his first year with the team, though he’s only played 56 points.

Here is Impact’s World Cup Webcast prelim schedule (all times are Eastern), and their record vs. each team this season:
Friday 3:45 pm vs. Baltimore Revo (0-0)
Friday 5:15 pm vs. Tampa Bay Damage (4-0)
Saturday 3:00 pm vs. Upton 187 cRew (2-0)
Saturday 5:15 pm vs. Omaha Vicious (2-0)

Impact has posted a winning record against all the teams they play in the prelims except for Revo, who they have yet to play this year, as World Cup marks the first time Revo has been in the Champions Division.

Game two is against Damage and Impact beat them 4 times this season, once at every event. They have outscored Damage 23 to 12, so you have to give the advantage to Impact in this match. Game three is against 187 cRew who has lost to Impact twice and been outscored 12 to 6. The last game Impact plays in the prelims they take on Vicious, who they have also beat twice. With no holes in their line up, it’s probable Impact could cap off their successful season with a PSP World Cup victory, as long as they don’t get complacent with their success.

Dallas Open (Champions Div.): 2-2
L Los Angeles Infamous 3-7
L San Antonio X-Factor 0-7
W Texas Storm 7-1
W Tampa Bay Damage 7-3

Result: 6th
Point totals, for/against: 17 – 18

Mid-Atlantic Open (Champions Div.): 4-2
W Upton 187 cRew 6-1
W Omaha Vicious 2-1
L San Antonio X-Factor 2-4
W Tampa Bay Damage 6-2
Semi-Finals: W Chicago Aftershock 3-2
Finals: L San Diego Dynasty 2-3

Result: 2nd
Point totals, for/against: 21 – 13

Chicago Open (Champions Div.): 5-1
W Omaha Vicious 7-3
L Los Angeles Ironmen 5-7
W Moscow Red Legion 7-2
W Chicago Aftershock 6-2
Semi-Finals: W Tampa Bay Damage 7-5
Finals: W Houston Heat 7-2

Result: 1st
Point totals, for/against: 39 – 21

West Coast Open (Champions Div.): 4-2
W Upton 187 6-5
W San Diego Dynasty 5-1
L Art Chaos 4-5
W Los Angeles Ironmen 5-4
Semis: W Tampa Bay Damage 3-2
Finals: L Art Chaos 4-7

Result: 2nd
Point totals, for/against: 27 – 24

Players Overall:

Top five:                           Points Played         Kills        Grating
8th Zach Yachimec                  127                  79              .62
21st Raney Stanczak               114                  85              .75
25th Nick Leival                         56                   31              .55
26th Justin Rabackoff              169                 116              .69
27th Josh Ouimet                      88                   60              .68

Everyone else:
29th Dave Bains                        77                    51               .66
51st Justin Cornell                   129                   92               .71
66th Zane Yachimec                125                   71               .57
92nd Ryan Martin                     28                    13               .46
109th Danny Park                     29                    14               .48


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