San Francisco Shock Complete First Ever OWL Perfect Stage
By Wyatt Fossett ·
With today's sweep of the Shanghai Dragons, the San Francisco Shock complete the Overwatch League's first ever Golden Stage.
Anyone who says losing doesn’t spark a fire in true competitors has not been paying attention to the Overwatch League, where today the San Francisco Shock just completed the League’s first ever perfect Stage in regular play.
In the Stage 1 Playoffs, the San Francisco Shock ran into a formidable opponent in the Vancouver Titans. The undefeated Titans were shocked (yup, I meant to do that) when their easy stage went the distance in the Grand Finals against San Francisco. The Bay Area team didn’t have a stellar start to the season, but the epic showdown and eventual loss to the Titans in the Grand Finals of Stage 1 truly sparked something in this young squad.
As of today, the San Francisco Shock have not dropped a single map in competitive Overwatch in the last 28. They finish Stage 2 of the 2019 Overwatch League season a flawless 28-0 in games, and a perfect 7W - 0L in head-to-head standings.
Because of this +28 map differential, the Shock have managed to secure the Pacific Divisions 1st seed (above those very same Vancouver Titans).
HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE!!! ZERO MAPS DROPPED... THE #GOLDENSTAGE IS COMPLETE!
— San Francisco Shock⚡ (@SFShock) May 6, 2019
What an INCREDIBLE match to end on. GGWP @ShanghaiDragons! pic.twitter.com/aA2QnMovHM
While some might say that their Golden Stage was only achievable this stage due to their schedule, they did manage to sweep some pretty good teams.
Yes, there were some pretty soft matchups for the Shock this stage. They began the stage playing against the lowly LA Valiant (who had yet to win a single game at that point), before playing the Guangzhou Charge who sit in 4th last in the league.
Their most impressive victories came against the hot and cold Philadelphia Fusion this past Thursday, and the Shanghai Dragons today. The Dragons have turned a lot of things around and posed the biggest threat to their Golden Stage. After the victory, praise came in from all over the league.
GGWP! You guys are nutty
— Shanghai Dragons (@ShanghaiDragons) May 6, 2019
We meant every word and hope to test our strength in the playoff once more @SFShock . Congratulations!https://t.co/2KjoDQmUQ2
— Vancouver Titans (@VancouverTitans) May 6, 2019
Keep up the great work ? @SFShock
— London Spitfire (@Spitfire) May 6, 2019
Shock is V good. Congrats on making some history @SFShock ?
— Los Angeles Valiant (@LAValiant) May 6, 2019
Golden Stage for the Golden Gate!
— MonteCristo (@MonteCristo) May 6, 2019
Congrats on winning every map in stage two, @SFShock!
What a day for @Rascal, a perfect stage & @itsmelimmy's MIC! #OWL2019 pic.twitter.com/5S2P11h3ob
— Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) May 6, 2019
There’s no denying that the San Francisco Shock are among the best teams in the league, and if the Stage 2 Grand Finals winds up being a Shock vs Titans head-to-head again, we’re not sure anyone would complain.
Stay tuned for our Overwatch League Stage 2 Playoffs preview.