Earlier today, the Rift saw the return of 2021 World Champions EDward Gaming. Playing with the same championship roster they had last year, fans were eager to see the defending World Champions back. LPL Spring 2022 Week 1 Day 2 pit EDG versus JDG.

LPL Spring 2022: JDG vs EDG

EDG kept 2021 World Championship roster, and did not disappoint. A dominating performance from the squad showed fans that they are still the World Champions.

JDG vs EDG Game 1

It didn't take long for fans to be excited as EDG top laner Li “Flandre” Xuan-Jun locks in an unconventional champion. His choice was Annie top, and left viewers baffled.

EDG quickly show dominance over their opponents with two early kills topside. This lead was slowly grown by smart plays from the squad. EDG jungler Zhao “Jiejie” Li-Jie had a scoreline of 4/0 on his Lee Sin by 10 minutes.

This monstrous lead, combined with Flandre's Annie proving itself useful, slowly suffocated JDG. By 20 minutes, JDG was behind 10k gold, and the Baron Nashor take by EDG widened this gap even more. The push from the Baron buff, combined with the Infernal Soul, cracks open the JDG base. At this point in the game, it looked like lights out for JDG. However, the EDG squad chose to play around a little bit with a cheeky fountain dive.

With the dive repelled, the game goes on for a few more minutes, and another attempt at a fountain dive was made. Overall, the EDG top-side showed an immaculate performance this game, contributing to the majority of EDG's final score line of 29/9.

JDG vs EDG Game 2

Flandre is back with another off-meta pick for game 2: Vladimir. Combined with Lee “Scout” Ye-chan's Vex, fans were once again in for an odd game. Eager to not make this a repeat of game 1, JDG bot laner Huang “Lpc” Hao on Samira pulls his team ahead with an early double kill.

JDG does a good job of maintaining this lead, but EDG did not take it lying down. The defending World Champions quickly close the lead through a huge team fight win in the mid lane.

This game went back and forth, as shortly afterwards top laner Bai “369” Jia-Hao and Lpc take back control of the game and win a team fight. EDG once again counterattack through a huge clash in Baron, won by Flandre's off-meta pick once again. Flandre and his team claim Baron, and go for the victory push.

EDG successfully snatch the game away from JDG's hands, crowned by a triple kill for Park “Viper” Do-hyeon. A stunning performance from the World Champions, and this series was merely a show of strength. Game 2 ended with a score line of 22/13.

LPL Spring 2022: LGD vs AL

After JDG vs EDG came LGD vs AL.

LGD Gaming, notable for signing previous MAD Lions jungler Zhiqiang “Shad0w” Zhao, went against Anyone's Legend. Previously known as Rogue Warriors, Anyone's Legend is fresh from reforming their team. This being the case, viewers were curious how this roster would perform.

Game 1

This game started hard and fast, as a very early skirmish in top river pulls LGD ahead 2-1. The rest of the game, however, was a slow burn. LGD slowly grows their lead and Chen “fearness” Guo-Ji on Akali constantly showing his mechanical skill. AL did not lose hope, and eventually fought back. They successfully slay Baron Nashor, but lost three members of their team in the process. In a move that confused every body, AL chose to give Infernal Soul over to LGD.

The Infernal Soul buff combined with the Baron buff they eventually claimed ended this bloodbath of a game. LGD win with a score line of 31-14.

Game 2

The chaos that began in Game 1 carried over to Game 2. Both teams get into skirmishes everywhere, and gaining a slight gold lead from these fights. Game 2 was very monotonous for AL: pick a fight, win the fight, claim objectives. A seemingly random call for Baron Nashor confused commentators and viewers alike. This Baron buff, however, will eventually aid AL in their victory push onto LGD's base.

Game 3

AL started the action early in Game 3, riding the momentum from their previous win. By 10 minutes they have accrued 5 kills from themselves, compared to LGD's singular kill. A big team fight occurs after AL claimed the Hextech Soul. They of course come out triumphant with the aid of the Dragon Soul. The “Absolute Legends” get a perfect Ace and push with the Baron buff. Both the AL mid laner and jungler end the game with a perfect KDA. AL claim the game and series.

 

Want more League? Here's our list of LCK Games to Watch in Week 1.

Enjoyed JDG vs EDG? All LPL games are streamed on their official Twitch channel. Schedule and other details are available here.