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Team Liquid's (3-10, 12-22 match record) first series with new AD carry Yiliang "Doublelift" Peng was spoiled by Cloud9 (11-2, 23-8) who went on to sweep the series matchup Friday in Los Angeles to kick off Week 7, Day 1 of the North American League of Legends Championship Series spring split.
Team Liquid got an early advantage in Game 1 by securing kills in every lane within the first four minutes. While Cloud9's mid laner Nicolaj "Jensen" Jensen's Ahri was solo killed in lane for first blood, he did get some gank help to even out the gold differential against Team Liquid's mid laner Chae "Piglet" Gwang-jin's Ryze in the midgame. Partially as a result of Jensen's work, both teams remained close in gold heading late into the game despite Team Liquid's early teamfight dominance. Cloud9 finally won a teamfight around the 27-minute mark that earned a Baron kill, and its subsequent Baron power play carried C9 well ahead of TL as it opened up a lead in turrets and knocked down an inhibitor. Team Liquid couldn't break through its opposition's front line in late-game teamfights and were knocked around in the base as Cloud9 went on to secure a Game 1 victory.
Cloud9 subbed in top laner Ji Won "Ray" Jeon for Game 2, opting to deploy a team composition with a lot of ability to dive in fights. Team Liquid's bottom lane fell victim to the mobility and damage as Cloud9 dictated fights early. The early dives prevented TL's newly appointed AD carry Yiliang "Doubelift" Peng from snowballing a lead on Draven. Cloud9 slowly expanded its control over the Rift, and after a 26-minute Baron kill C9 was knocking on Team Liquid's inhibitors. Doublelift's Draven finally connected with Adoration, scoring a double kill just before the 30 minute mark, but it was too little too late. Team Liquid's base was in ruins when it decided to make a last-ditch attempt at Baron, allowing Cloud9's top laner Ray plenty of time to push through to complete the sweep.
Cloud9 will square off against Counter Logic Gaming on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET while Team Liquid's revamped lineup will look to find a victory Sunday against Team EnVyUs at 6 p.m. ET.