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Vancouver Shines, Chicago Surprises in Pandanet-AGA City League Action

Chris Garlock | Published on 1/21/2025

In a dominant display, Vancouver, one of the top contenders for the A League finals this season, secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Boston in the first round of the 2025 Pandanet-AGA City League. The result underscores Vancouver’s strong form and solidifies their position as a team to watch as the season progresses.

The highlight of the round so far came from the thrilling match between Chicago and Toronto Small Avalanche, which was livestreamed Sunday afternoon with commentary by Michael Chen 1P (click here for the video). Sungsoo Kim 5d pulled off a stunning upset over Hongyi Li 7d, a victory that set the stage for Albert Yen 7d to seal the deal. Yen delivered under pressure, defeating 2024 Canadian Open Champion Ivan Lo 7d to clinch a 2-1 win for Chicago.

With one week left in the round, the A League is proving as competitive as ever, with unexpected upsets and standout performances keeping fans on the edge of their seats.


B League Heats Up with Promotion and Demotion Stakes

The B League saw decisive victories this week as Los Angeles Eclipse defeated Vancouver 2 and Vancouver 3 bested New Jersey. The stakes are higher than ever in the B League this season, thanks to the new promotion and demotion structure. Teams finishing in second and third place now have the opportunity to move up to the A League, while the bottom four teams risk dropping to C League. This new format has heightened the intensity, promising a thrilling battle for every position.


C League: Toronto Teams and Philadelphia Make Their Mark

The C League also featured its share of action, with Toronto Berserkers and Toronto 3 both securing their first wins of the season. Philadelphia, powered by North American pro Michael Chen 1p and standout amateur Jeremy Chiu 7d, also claimed victory, showcasing their strength as early favorites in the league.


The League’s competitive landscape is further enriched by a strong Canadian presence, with 30% of participating teams hailing from Canada—a significant increase over previous seasons. This surge reflects the growing popularity of the sport north of the border and adds a fresh dynamic to this year’s league. As the league continues to unfold, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches, high-stakes rivalries, and the impact of the new league structure, ensuring a season to remember.
The next livestream is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, time TBA.
- reporting by League Coordinator Justin Teng; broadcasting by EJ team members Chris Garlock & Todd Heidenreich, with Justin Teng

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