Classic Upsets Instinct 3-2 in WBR2 -- Moves On to Face TD
By blandestk | Published: November 7, 2009 9:52pm EST
 The old rivalry - Instinct versus Classic - renewed in Anaheim during Winners Bracket Round 2. The third-seeded Instinct and the sixth-seeded Classic have traded series victories over the course of several events. Few teams have had as much success against teams in the Top 3 as Classic. The underdogs looked to replicate that success, but hit a snag in Game 1 of the series. Instinct were never really threatened during Capture the Flag on Heretic. Classic managed two captures, but never really seemed a legitimate threat to win. Roy was a solid 24-17 in leading Instinct to the 5-2 win. Classic rebounded nicely, however, in Game 2, Team Slayer Construct. The lower seed jetted to a double-digit lead in the first half of the game, then held on as Instinct nibbled away at the lead. Chig and Soldier both provided excellent efforts, netting 16-13 and 12-9 games, respectively. The series was tied 1-1 and moved back to Heretic for Game 3. The best game of the series happened to be an Oddball setting. Instinct held a lead of over a minute for the majority of the match, but with under four minutes on the clock, Classic procured the ball for nearly a minute in a row, bringing them to within 10 seconds of the lead. The teams enjoyed a standoff for a short period, but then Classic took an improbable lead of 25 seconds after facing the early deficit. Instinct threatened to retake the advantage, but Classic tallied some clutch ball kills as the timer dwindled. When the clock hit zero, Classic won 242-229. BestMan led the way with 29 kills to just 24 deaths. Facing elimination, Instinct looked to control CTF on The Pit. They took two leads, but Classic were able to tie the game both times. At 2-2 the crowd sensed a possible overtime, as the teams seemed even. Instinct, however, seized the key areas of the map and pushed for a relatively easy third score. Neighbor was 20-13 in the victory. The 3-2 win knotted the series at 2-2. Team Slayer Narrows would determine the outcome. Somewhat surprisingly, Classic quickly amassed a 10-kill lead. Things looked bleak for Instinct, as Classic controlled the power weapons and Top Middle with good teamwork. Lunchbox then snagged two assassinations on bottom center, turning the momentum. Instinct took the opportunity to rally, eventually tying the game 35-35. The audience chanted for Instinct, and Classic could have easily packed it in, but they regrouped and moved as a team, which allowed them to power down the stretch. Classic pushed to a 50-42 win, which gave them the 3-2 series triumph. Classic move on to face Triggers Down in the Winners Bracket Semifinals, while Instinct now have to slog their way through the Losers Bracket.  |
