Ghost and XSET end Group Stage on a High Note; NRG sneaks a Playoff Spot past The Guard

Written By Aashir Ahmed Writer
Last UpdatedJune 12, 2022 at 09:00PM
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After five weeks of intense battles, the Group Stages of VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event have finally come to an end and following the events that transpired over the weekend, [team=] and [team=] have been eliminated from the tournament while the remaining rosters have started preparations for the Playoffs. If you happened to miss any of the Group A matchups over weekend, don’t worry because we have covered a detailed recap of each in the following article.

TSM FTX vs XSET

VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event
XSET
XSET
2
X
0
TSM
TSM
Group A, Best of 3 - June 10, 2022 - 8:00PM
XSET13
Split
TSM9
XSET13
Haven
TSM9
XSETXSET
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
RazeJett
1.38
279
43/28/9
+15
1.54
75.0%
191.9
34%
64%
7
4
AstraBreach
1.09
220
35/29/12
+6
1.21
65.9%
141.3
31%
20%
2
8
ViperOmen
1.00
170
28/28/17
0
1.00
75.0%
107.4
24%
67%
2
1
Chamber
0.96
188
31/28/10
+3
1.11
72.7%
113.9
19%
46%
6
7
Skye
0.85
173
23/32/22
-9
0.72
79.5%
114.1
19%
29%
2
5
TSMTSM
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
RazePhoenix
1.00
234
33/36/8
-3
0.92
59.1%
145.9
34%
64%
9
5
Astra
0.99
201
31/30/11
+1
1.03
70.5%
135.5
30%
57%
4
3
Jett
0.92
224
32/32/4
0
1.00
65.9%
141.0
20%
57%
8
6
Chamber
0.80
174
27/30/7
-3
0.90
65.9%
117.0
22%
33%
1
2
SkyeBreach
0.64
145
22/32/6
-10
0.69
65.9%
99.8
28%
50%
3
3

Proceedings for this matchup commenced on Split, XSET’s map pick. Even though Anthony "gMd" Guimond was able to get a fascinating ace against them in the Pistol round, XSET regained their foothold by taking four consecutive rounds and then alternating the rest of the half with the opposition to elevate their score to 7-5. We haven’t seen many teams take the second round after the pistol in the event; therefore, XSET succeeding in that aspect played a crucial role in giving them the early lead.

A two-point deficit going in the second half isn’t an impossible position to recover from and had XSET’s defense faltered to start the half TSM would’ve capitalized. But XSET held up a formidable defense and initiated the half with 4 back-to-back rounds. Despite being only a couple of rounds away from closing out the map, they had to play 6 more rounds to reach the desired result courtesy of TSM’s attempt to comeback.

Both teams then moved onto Haven, where TSM looked to bounce back and the map pick favouring them seemed like an advantage – atleast on paper – proved otherwise as XSET’s aggressive offense embarked on a 7 round streak to start the half. The Guard managed to recover briefly and put up four rounds just before halftime. TSM’s optimism was significantly low going into the second half and XSET’s start to the second half added insult to injury as they extended the lead to 12-4.

Regardless of the scoreboard favouring XSET, TSM gathered their roster and tried to put on a hail mary run, which encountered considerable success as the following five rounds fell to them. Unfortunately, however, Rory "dephh" Jackson’s 3K in the 22nd put an end to TSM’s chances of qualifying for VCT 2022 - Stage 2 - Masters Copenhagen. It is worth mentioning that Zachary "zekken" Patrone use of Jett on Haven played a vital role in their win as he finished the map with 1.69 Rating and 331 ACS.

The Guard vs NRG Esports

VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event
The Guard
The Guard
1
X
2
NRG
NRG
Group A, Best of 3 - June 11, 2022 - 8:00PM
The Guard13
Bind
NRG11
The Guard10
Haven
NRG13
The Guard6
Split
NRG13
The GuardThe Guard
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
Astra
1.11
227
53/56/21
-3
0.95
72.4%
141.7
22%
44%
4
5
SkyeFade
1.01
194
46/50/21
-4
0.92
82.2%
121.1
32%
60%
6
4
RazeJett
0.98
231
49/55/14
-6
0.89
75.8%
160.3
27%
58%
11
8
ViperKilljoy
0.90
189
46/51/9
-5
0.90
65.1%
131.2
29%
50%
8
8
SageBreach
0.82
152
36/48/19
-12
0.75
72.0%
91.2
26%
50%
6
6
NRGNRG
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
FadeSova
1.36
264
59/42/21
+17
1.40
84.8%
173.9
28%
40%
4
6
BreachKAY/O
1.28
244
54/47/30
+7
1.15
89.8%
159.2
21%
57%
4
3
Chamber
1.07
219
54/46/10
+8
1.17
70.0%
142.2
35%
52%
14
13
AstraOmen
1.04
204
49/45/22
+4
1.09
77.4%
148.1
32%
33%
3
6
Raze
0.90
194
44/50/14
-6
0.88
76.3%
131.1
23%
46%
6
7

Arguably the most entertaining matchup to take place this weekend was between The Guard and NRG and it was Bind that became the first host to these teams. The Guard were quick to take the first couple of rounds, which made them appear seemingly in control of the momentum, but NRG managed to counter them in subsequent three rounds. However, they weren’t able to take maintain consistency in their performance either as The Guard took charge and ended the half with a 8-4 lead.

As teams switched sides, The Guard initially failed to capitalize on their offensive position and surrendered three consecutive rounds to NRG allowing them to neutralize the lead and reach an equal footing. However, NA’s 1st seed in Stage 1 had several tricks up their sleeves which they unleashed in rapid succession to embark on a four round streak and almost close out the map. NRG, aware of the scoreboard favouring their opposition, took one last shot at retaining the map and despite taking 4 more rounds, their attempt was rendered futile by a clutch from The Guard’s young prodigy Trent "trent" Cairns leading them to a win on the map.

The loss on Bind came as a dismay to the NRG fans, as well as the participating roster. Instead of being demoralized and giving up, they used their loss as a lesson and bounced back with ferocity on Haven. After losing the first couple of rounds, they went off on a six-round streak. But The Guard remained vigilant throughout those rounds and left no opportunity to break the streak go to waste, and finally in round 9 they pranced on the opportunity allowing them to take three more rounds to make the score 7-5 by halftime. NRG pursued the same narrative after halftime fueling their offense to be efficient as possible, but they couldn’t get the pistol round this time either. Nonetheless, NRG kept their foot on the gas and took consecutive rounds to elevate to 12-7. Even though Michael "neT" Bernet stepped up for The Guard, NRG managed to close out the map and force the decider.

Matchups with their fates lying on deciders provide peak entertainment value and this was no exception. As teams left the gate, it was NRG once again with the same sense of urgency to take seven consecutive rounds putting them in a favorable position. The Guard having learnt from the previous map tried to retaliated quicker but failed repeatedly only being able to respond with a couple of rounds to their name by halftime. NRG, thus ended the half on a 8 point lead, and this deficit became the key differentiator in their victory as both teams alternated control over the map’s momentum in the second half such that The Guard was able to increase their score to 6 by the time NRG closed out the map confirming their spot in the Playoffs and eliminating the 1st seed from VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 1 - Main Event.

100 Thieves vs Ghost Gaming

VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event VCT 2022 - North America - Stage 2 - Main Event
100 Thieves
100 Thieves
0
X
2
Ghost Gaming
Ghost Gaming
Group A, Best of 3 - June 11, 2022 - 11:30PM
100 Thieves11
Breeze
Ghost Gaming13
100 Thieves6
Icebox
Ghost Gaming13
100 Thieves100 Thieves
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
Viper
1.03
205
28/33/17
-5
0.85
62.8%
141.3
34%
17%
1
5
KAY/OSage
0.96
185
27/37/20
-10
0.73
69.1%
129.7
23%
30%
3
7
Sova
0.87
190
27/37/9
-10
0.73
59.7%
133.2
41%
67%
4
2
CypherKilljoy
0.86
183
28/36/7
-8
0.78
54.4%
121.1
21%
50%
3
3
JettRaze
0.78
182
25/38/12
-13
0.66
59.7%
128.3
12%
40%
6
9
Ghost GamingGhost Gaming
player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/-
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
Viper
1.45
258
41/27/17
+14
1.52
89.0%
157.4
36%
50%
1
1
KAY/O
1.42
244
38/25/25
+13
1.52
78.5%
172.3
24%
55%
6
5
Sova
1.33
262
40/25/17
+15
1.60
91.1%
188.6
31%
33%
1
2
JettChamber
1.04
220
34/30/7
+4
1.13
76.4%
150.4
22%
56%
10
8
ChamberSage
0.98
186
28/28/14
0
1.00
82.2%
120.6
24%
89%
8
1

Despite having an unfortunate start to the tournament, 100 Thieves had found their way to the top of the Group table over the last weekend. But their challengers Ghost Gaming weren’t too far behind either. As both teams left the gate on Breeze, it became clear that the map would go the distance and neither team would have a one-sided encounter. Despite taking a close pistol round, 100 Thieves couldn’t capitalize on a better arsenal and surrendered the following two rounds to Ghost Gaming.

Their roster couldn’t hold the momentum for too long either and ended up letting 100 Thieves get away with six consecutive defusals. Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk’s performance during these rounds played a significant role in orchestrating this run. Ghost Gaming were able to slightly mitigate the damage by putting up 5 rounds of their own by halftime. The 2-point deficit that Ghost Gaming faced should’ve provided enough leeway for 100 Thieves in the second half, but their offense couldn’t hold out and in round 24 Brock "brawk" Somerhalder delivered the final blow by defusing the spike.

Both teams then moved onto Icebox, where 100 Thieves have had success in their recent encounters. 100 Thieves started on Offense this time around hoping to redeem themselves for a poor second half on Breeze. But as the rounds passed by they failed to exploit weakness in Ghost’s defense, and the half ended with them trailing 4-8. It wasn’t an impossible scenario to recover from, but Alex "aproto" Protopapas came out guns blazing and shot down any blooming hopes of a comeback finishing the map on a 2.03 Rating, 396 ACS and 2.55 KD.

As a dedicated Behavioral Neuroscience student, I have immersed myself in the world of esports writing for the past five years. My journey began with a deep-seated fascination for the inherent dynamics of esports, coupled with a burning passion for professional writing. From humble beginnings crafting small blogs dedicated to League of Legends, I gradually expanded my horizons to cover diverse realms, including CSGO and Minecraft guides, and staying on top of Fortnite updates.

Throughout this adventure, my evolving interests ultimately converged on the captivating world of VALORANT of esports and embracing this challenge wholeheartedly, I've strived to provide comprehensive coverage at the highest level, delving into the intricate nuances of the game.

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