2018 NHL Gaming World Championship finalists set for Vegas

Arda Ocal will serve as play-by-play announcer for the 2018 NHL Gaming World Championship Final in Las Vegas on June 19. He caught up with the champions and runners-up from the United States, Canada and Europe who will compete head-to-head for the $50,000 first prize.

A qualifying field of thousands is down to six for the NHL Gaming World Championship Final.
Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor Hotel and Casino is where the EA SPORTS NHL 18 world champion will be crowned. After three exciting regional finals in Europe, Canada and the United States, the six finalists will compete live on Twitch on June 19 at 4 p.m. ET.
RELATED: [Complete NHL Gaming World Championship coverage]
The finalists are United States champion John Wayne "JohnWaynee90" Casagranda and runner-up David "JrPens91" Roebuck; Canadian champion Nicola "Foolx90" Bruna and runner-up Matthew "YungGren" Grenier; and European champion Erik "I\Eki\I" Tammenpaa and runner-up Arttu "Artuzio" Mustila.
Here is a Q&A with the six finalists:
Q: Tell us about your experience at the regional finals. Aside from the joy of qualifying for Vegas, what was it like and what memories stick out?
JohnWaynee90: When I think back to the qualifier, the moments that stick out are the ones away from the game play. The friendships made with all the guys who went, in such a short time, is awesome. I can call those guys lifelong friends.
Foolx90: The experience was unbelievable. I was really happy to have been a part of such a great event and to also experience this with such great competitors. The memory that stood out for me was when I was playing on the main stage. The feeling of being up there while everyone else was watching was amazing and I'll never forget it.
I\Eki\I: The experience was great. Of course, this was the first time this kind of tournament was organized. Being the European champion at something is something I will remember forever.
Artuzio: The regional finals were very well organized, so I was able to concentrate on my performance. The atmosphere was supportive.
YungGren: Regionals all around was an amazing experience. The production value was something I had never seen especially with an NHL tournament. Other than qualifying, the memory I'll never forget is meeting Don Cherry.
JrPens91: The experience I had at the regional finals has made it one of the best weekends of my life, and this is aside from qualifying. The way the NHL treated us was amazing. All of our expenses were covered for (travel, hotel, food), and the way we were treated in the studio was how a celebrity would be treated. It was really cool to experience all of this.
Q: When was the exact moment you knew you qualified for Vegas? What were you thinking in that moment?
JohnWaynee90: I knew I qualified for Vegas after the buzzer rang against [Roebuck]. I was thinking I can't believe this. It's a dream come true.
Foolx90: The moment I knew I qualified for Vegas is when I went up 6-3 against [Grenier] in my third game. I was honestly in disbelief and super happy. I didn't believe I could actually make it to Vegas and to realize that I had made it was unbelievable.
I\Eki\I: When I qualified to the regionals. My mindset has always been on winning the whole thing.
Artuzio: When I was playing against [fellow Europe regional competitor Paul Arontie], and I was leading with four goals in the last period of the game. The feeling was amazing and unbelievable.
YungGren: I knew I had qualified for Vegas when I scored the nice goal against [Canadian regional competitor Justin Reguly] to make it 4-2. I finally felt like I had the momentum and I knew I was going to win.
JrPens91: After coming off a rough loss from John Wayne, I knew I needed to score quick in the next game. Getting that first goal against [U.S. regional competitor Matt Gutkoski] took some pressure off me and I was able to just play. That goal along with the next few, I knew it was my game to lose but I did not think I was still definitely going. [Gutkoski] beat me in the seeding match for regionals and was on fire that day. I have come back and blew so many big leads before that I could not still accept I was going to Vegas.
Q: What has been one thing that has happened to you since you qualified for the World Final that you didn't expect or was a complete pleasant surprise?
JohnWaynee90: Getting a call from Shane Doan. What an absolute class act. I can't believe he took the time out of his day to give me a call. I just can't believe I missed the call, but I think having the voicemail is something I can cherish forever. He was my idol growing up.
Foolx90: I didn't expect to get so much attention. Also, I've done so many interviews and filming after the Canadian finals. I really didn't expect all of these things to happen. Also, the support from the NHL gaming community has really warmed my heart. So many people have contacted me wishing me good luck and I thank them for the unbelievable support I've been receiving.
I\Eki\I:Nothing really.
Artuzio: I have got so many offers from esports organizations and very much interest in social media and a lot of contacts.
YungGren: The people in the NHL community and my family and friends have all supported me way more than I thought they would. My friends who I haven't talked to since middle school have even reached out to me to congratulate me.
JrPens91: One thing that has happened to me that was unexpected was the amount of publicity I received. I was reached out to by both local newspapers where I was on the front page as well as the local ABC news station who did a story on me. In addition, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins [of the American Hockey League] made a video promoting me and posted it on their website. The amount of support I am receiving in my hometown and everywhere else is incredible and I was not expecting there to be anywhere near this much. I am very thankful for it and want to do my best for myself and for all of them.
Q: Who do you expect to be your biggest challenge at the World Final and why?
JohnWaynee90: I mean, everyone is going to be my biggest challenge when you get to this stage of a competition. I feel like the skill gap is so small it will come down to the little things.
Foolx90: I think that everyone is really good and anyone can win it, but if I had to choose some competitors that stood out, it would be [Grenier] and [Tammenpaa]. The reason why they stood out is because they both have been considered the best in their respective countries. They both possess unique styles that can become very deadly if you let them gain too much confidence.
I\Eki\I: [I] can't name one but Canadian guys and [Mustila] will be the toughest competitors. [I] can't really name a reason why I just don't think US guys are at the same level, but we will see.
Artuzio:I think [Tammenpaa] will be my biggest challenge at Vegas. He plays so irritating, trap hockey, so it is so hard to score against him.
YungGren:Obviously, everyone going to Vegas is a great player and should not be taken lightly. However, going into it I feel my two toughest opponents will be [Tammenpaa] and [Bruna]. I know how [Bruna] plays while [Tammenpaa], I only know what I've watched from his regionals. However, if I play my game, I'm confident I will win.
JrPens91: I know every game will be tough. I have played four of the guys there several times and know they are all very good at the game. With that being said, there is one person I have not played yet which is [Tammenpaa]. I feel he will be my biggest challenge after seeing what he did at the European Regionals and because I do not know what to expect.
Ocal was a contributor to NHL Network this season, as well as he host of MSG Network's "MSG Hockey Show" with Will Reeve and former NHL player Anson Carter. He was a regular contributor to MSG Networks New Jersey Devils broadcasts and hosted "People Talking Hockey" with former Devils captain Bryce Salvador.