Minnesota ROKKR secured a spot in the winners’ bracket of the Stage 4 Major after taking down LA Thieves.
Minnesota ROKKR traded blows with LA Thieves, who recently made another major roster swap before the weekend. Veteran talent Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat and Cuyler “Huke” Garland were brought back onto the roster to replace the younger talent. In the debut matchup of the latest version of the roster, LA Thieves were unable to overcome Minnesota ROKKR.
Despite the loss to Minnesota, LA played impressively after adding the two veterans back onto the roster. LA Thieves took Minnesota to a game five after winning 6-1 on the first Search and Destroy, and 250-59 on the second Hardpoint. Those performances were not enough to stop a hot Minnesota ROKKR, however, who were ready to take LA down to join Atlanta FaZe in the winners’ bracket.
Minnesota ROKKR start hot against LA Thieves
Garrison Hardpoint opened the best of three series and instantly favored ROKKR, who took the early lead. Huke struggled to get things going in the beginning, starting things off at 2/8 while the scoreline continued to grow. Before long, Minnesota ROKKR had brought the lead to 100 points over LA Thieves during their own Home Series. Despite an attempt to comeback, LA Thieves were unable to overtake ROKKR, who finished things off 250-190.
Standoff Search and Destroy would swing the game back in LA Thieves’ favor, as Huke beat ROKKR back by himself on the map. Huke opened the game with an ace and continued that momentum to go 8-0 during the first few rounds. He ended the match 11/3 to help LA Thieves tie the series 1-1 after a 6-1 Search.
So many clutches.@attach pulls off this one to get us to series point. 🎉 #ROKKR | #PlayAsOne | #CDL2021 pic.twitter.com/2CHRFiL4cF
— Minnesota RØKKR (@ROKKR) June 11, 2021
The momentum swung back towards ROKKR during Garrison Control. LA Thieves took the advantage early, but Minnesota held their ground. ROKKR brought the game to a fifth round before closing it out 3-2. Now down 2-1, LA Thieves took the game back into their hands on Moscow during the second Hardpoint. They did not allow Minnesota to get anything going and closed the game out cleanly 250-59.
Miami Search and Destroy would determine the outcome of the match, but did not favor LA Thieves. The Thieves were able to take things to a round eleven, but it was not enough. Kenny “Kenny” Williams was unable to win a key one-on-one fight to close the game out in their favor. At 3-1 overall during Stage 4, ROKKR has secured their spot in the winners’ bracket for the first LAN event of 2021.
