Also... Kyushu can't play Hartlepool (the best 3rd placed team) as they are in the same group?

This is correct

Hellhound howler: Round up

It's been a long old while since we checked in with the Hellhound squad. This edition looks at the team's performance as they hit the mid point of the league season.

Player performancesGoalie: Hikkara - its been a strong showing so far for the club's number 1. He's conceded 25 in 177 shots on goal, that's a save rate of 86%, saving around 7 of 8 shots on goal - potentially meaning opponents need around 15 shots to score a goal.

Jalen Hurts - 27 tackles, comfortably the most in the team. He's has combined that with 6 goals and 2 assists, demonstrating his all round capabilities and why so much was outlayed to bring him in in the close season.

Shynkarenko - talisman in midfield, now up to 55 passes with 5 assists, and 6 goals to boot.

Lyle Warwick - less was expected of young Warwick following his move but he's matched Shynkarenko for goals and assists so far.

Raffi Karrar - 9 goals from 78 shots, a decent return, but needs to improve on almost 9 shots per goal, it's holding the team back.

League form - reviewRating: 7/10
It could have been so much better, but two back to back defeats against title rivals leaves Helsinki 6 points adrift and starting to hope for mircales.

Xbox cup - reviewRating: 9/10
Safely through to the last 16 following 5 consecutive victories after a worrying opening defeat. Reasonable draw in last 16 makes the team hopeful of making the quarter finals. From there anything can happen.

EA KO cup - reviewRating: 6/10
Safely navigated the first round against Tranmere but now face a real step up away to Arctic. Tough draw, tough ask. They'll need a top performance to make it through.

So a bit of a mixed bag, a number of players playing well, but just feels like the team is missing the 2 or 3% needed to be genuine contenders.

Flyboys 2 - 5 Helsinki
Flyboys needed something. Helsinki were through. This was some fun for both sets of fans as both teams threw caution to the wind! Hurts, McClare and Asanovic got Helsinki into a three goal lead, before Kovacic and Hanzo hit back for Flyboys. Nerves were settled when a two goal lead was restored before half time by Shephard. Lyle Warwick added some gloss to the scoreline in the second half. Cundy made 21 saves for Flyboys! Impressive stuff. A fresh Shynkarenko was key in midfield with two assists. That result meant Helsinki were the 2nd best group winner (behind Kyushu with a perfect 18 points from 18) and will face the best third placed team – which if we read everything correctly is Hartlepool United. A tough tie, but one the holders will be hopefully of navigating and progressing further in the competition.