The most noteworthy match not only of the LCK Spring 2022 but also of the entire League of Legends scene is the showdown between DWG KIA and T1. On one side is the defending champion of LCK 2021, while on the other is the team currently holding a record of 5 consecutive wins, leading the Spring 2022 standings just before the match took place. Both teams were eager for a victory to solidify their positions while also creating a good foundation for matches after the Lunar New Year break in 2022.
Game 1 between the two teams became the longest match of LCK Spring 2022 so far. Both DK and T1 were evenly matched, and whenever one side managed to take the lead, the other would immediately retaliate. However, the difference in this game lay with Canyon. Rightfully so, as a former World Champion, Canyon’s Jarvan IV truly brought nightmares to the T1 team. His talent, creativity, unpredictability, effectiveness, and many accolades could be bestowed upon Canyon as he led DK ahead after nearly 60 minutes of play.
However, in Game 2, it was Faker and his teammates’ turn to show why they sit at the top of the LCK Spring 2022 standings. With extremely unpredictable picks like Lee Sin and Vex, T1 dominated DK right from the early minutes. Keria played his signature Thresh, making it hard for DK to breathe. Faker, with Vex, maintained a 100% win rate, and T1 brought the match back to square one.
Moving to the decisive Game 3, DK deployed an extremely “unusual” playstyle with short-range champions facing a lineup of long-range champions from T1. Surprisingly, this strategy proved effective. Zeus was nearly outplayed entirely due to constant camping. However, in a moment of haste, Canyon and his teammates ended up “self-sabotaging” by diving straight into T1’s Nexus turrets and getting wiped out. T1 gradually regained control of the game, and ultimately, all of Canyon and DK’s efforts went up in smoke. T1 secured the final victory, and Faker was awarded the MVP of the match.
It can be said that Canyon and DK performed exceptionally well. DK’s jungler demonstrated that he still has a very high level of performance. However, “one swallow does not make a spring.” On a day when ShowMaker did not perform at 100% against his senior Faker, Canyon alone was not enough to save DK’s game. Particularly, Kellin was far less effective than Keria in Game 2, and deokdam was at times over 100 minion counts behind Gumayusi, as well as lagging in a major item.
As for T1, they maintained their unbeaten streak and protected their number 1 position in the LCK Spring 2022 standings. With a strong psychological advantage, Faker and his teammates will be well-prepared to face another championship contender, Gen.G Esports, in the first week of matches after the Lunar New Year break in 2022.