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Team SoloMid took a back-and-forth 2-0 series victory over Counter Logic Gaming to end Week 9, Day 3 of the North American League Championship Series in Los Angeles.
With both teams already locked into their playoff spots, the series between Counter Logic Gaming (12-6, 27-19 match record) and Team SoloMid (14-4, 30-11 match record) didn't have major implications. But with former teammates Zaqueri "aphromoo" Black and Yilliang "Doublelift" Peng facing off, the rivalry placed a large amount of pride on the line. The series was worth a bit more for TSM as they would secure themselves first place in the regular season should they claim a series victory.
Game 1 started out with TSM exploding onto the Rift, picking up early advantages in every lane and never slowing down. Mid laner Soren "Bjergsen" Bjerg picked up kills early on Taliyah, and Doublelift's Sivir helped propel his team forward to win impressive teamfights. Although CLG's support, aphromoo, used Thresh to some level of success, he struggled in the mid-game to create picks, allowing his rivals to easily run over the team. In particular, when aphromoo's eyes were on Doublelift, he was shut down time and again due to the Sivir's spell shield, allowing TSM to push their lead and easily claim Game 1.
Game 2 was much more closely contested, with things staying even well into the late stages of the game. Although the rivalry originated with Doublelift and aphromoo, Game 2 saw a much closer contest between Bjergsen on Corki and Choi "HuHi" Jae-hyun on Taliyah. With both players dishing out tons of poke damage in fights, they both largely controlled the pace of the game. They managed to jockey for position all game long until it got to the point where everyone had full builds and a small misstep by either side would result in the game immediately ending.
With CLG desperately holding onto their base, TSM finally found the necessary fight, allowing Doublelift's Jinx to pop off and cut through CLG. The teamfight victory was all that TSM needed to lock up the 53-minute win.
With the victory, TSM secured itself the first seed and will enjoy its playoff bye, while CLG will prepare for its matchup against Team EnVyUs in the quarterfinals in two weeks' time.