RESULTS: Cloud9 Take Down OpTic Gaming To Tie for First Place

With only a handful of games remaining for these teams, every victory matters more than the last. Cloud9 have managed to take down OpTic in a surprisingly close match to tie up the standings, equalling Echo Fox’s record at the top.

OpTic managed to claim first blood with an excellent counter-gank in the top lane, taking down Cloud9’s jungler. Cloud9 then chose to focus on the bot lane, and a four man gank onto the bot lane duo of OpTic saw Cloud9 AD Carry Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi pick up a double kill. OpTic fired back in the mid lane however, taking down Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen to even out the score.

Both teams make plays in different areas of the map resulting in multiple kills, however it is Cloud9 that manage to eke out a small lead in the aftermath. A roaming gank from OpTic mid laner Tristan "PowerOfEvil" Schrage results in a kill and map pressure on the Dragon, however Cloud9 is able to secure the Rift Herald and equalize the turret score.

With more pressure from Cloud9 in the mid lane, OpTic are forced to pull back from the first turret, losing support Daerek "LemonNation" Hart in the process. Cloud9 manage to catch out several members of OpTic in the jungle, though the resulting team fight only nets them a single kill.

OpTic use their superior map mobility to quickly rush down the Baron while Cloud9 is in another lane, however LemonNation is unable to escape the resulting collapse from Cloud9, and Cloud9 are able to secure their second Dragon after forcing OpTic to recall.

With both teams positioning for Baron, Cloud9 make the first move by diving onto the OpTic back line and taking down PowerOfEvil before starting the Baron. When OpTic come to contest, Cloud9 take down top laner Derek "zig" Shao, forcing OpTic to pull back. With the threat still posed by OpTic, Cloud9 opt to recall and regenerate, but OpTic make the decision to go for the Baron in the interim, securing it at the cost of top laner zig once again. When OpTic attempt to push the mid lane, Cloud9 showcase their full damage potential, taking down zig once more, before destroying the inhibitor to open the base.

Cloud9 push OpTic back towards their base before rushing down the Elder Dragon, then both team position for a Baron fight that results in the death of OpTic jungler Matthew "Akaadian" Higginbotham. Cloud9 manage to hold much of OpTic steady in the jungler while top laner Eric "Licorice" Ritchie attempts to back-door the nexus, however the downed inhibitor respawns just in time for OpTic to fall back and protect their base. Their retreat, however, leaves Baron wide open for Cloud9, and they use the power to attempt to force a siege. OpTic are able to hold them off for the time being, taking down support Andy “Smoothie” Ta in their defence, though Cloud9 are able to eventually force them back and take down the inhibitor once again.

With the full teams reassembled, Cloud9 manage to win the team fight and end the game. With this victory, Cloud9 have managed to once again tie Echo Fox in the standings, as all the teams jockey for playoff positions.

For more action out of the NA LCS, check out CLG’s desperate defence against Flyquest to keep their playoff hopes alive, and for more information on when the teams are facing off again, check out the Official Schedule page, here.