The competion of Game Day 1 tonight sees six more exciting match-ups take place!
Esbjerg Energy vs. EV Zug
Group G; Granly Hockey Arena, 19:00
Danish champions Esbjerg make their Champions Hockey League debut against two-time participants Zug of Switzerland. As Danish champions for the first time since 2004, Esbjerg add Phillip Bruggisser, Kodie Curran, Tyler Fiddler, and Jared Knight to their side from last year. Zug have struggled in the CHL so far, failing to make it out of the group stage in either of their two seasons. Last year saw them fail to win a game, and overall they've only notched two victories in their 10 CHL games so far.
“Our first goal is to enjoy the experience of playing two top clubs from two top leagues," Energy head coach Mark Pederson ahead of tonight's game. "The Swiss league is very fast and skilled, so we wouldn’t expect anything less from Zug. We have watched some game film from last year, so we can take a little from that, even though it is a new season.”
"As Danish champions they will be more than motivated to make their mark in the CHL," says Zug's Harold Kreis. "They are structured and a very hard working team with excellent home fan support."
Follow in the Gamecentre!
Eisbaren Berlin vs. Lulea Hockey
Group I; Mercedes Benz Arena, 19:30
Having failed to get through their group in 2014-15, Berlin made it all the way to the Round of 16 last year before going out to Skelleftea AIK 7-3 over two legs. They also played opposition from Sweden the previous season, beating Djurgarden on penalty shots at home after a narrow road loss. Lulea were unable to defend their champions' title last year, going out in the Quarter-Finals to eventual winners Frolunda. Their only DEL opposition to date was back in the first season, where they beat Hamburg by a combined score of 10-1 in the group stage.
"We are really looking forward to the start of our season tomorrow. Due to the little number of games, every single one will be like a playoff game," commented head coach Uwe Krupp. "We've worked hard during the last weeks and want to put everything into the upcoming two games to win both and represent the DEL and German hockey in an appropriate way."
"We are well prepared, and are really looking forward to another great season with the Champions Hockey League – starting with Eisbaren Berlin will be a good first challenge for us," said new head coach Stefan Nilsson, while winger Karl Fabricius added: "I am really looking forward to playing competitive games again. Our previous experiences with Berlin have been really positive. They have a really cool arena with loud fans that together with our fans will provide a great atmosphere for Friday's game!"
Comarch Cracovia vs. Farjestad Karlstadt
Group O; Tauron Arena Krakow, 19:30
Having suffered a disappointing 7-2 home defeat at the hands of Sparta Prague, Cracovia know that they must get points tonight in their final home game to give themselves any chance of making the next round.
"I saw the Swedish national team play during the last IIHF World Championships, which makes me sure that Farjestad are a great team who will show their attacking intent from the get-go. We have never played against a Swedish team before so it is going to be something new for us," says Cracovia's Maciej Urbanowicz. "Just like in the game against Sparta we will try to defend well, play responsibly and wait for our chances to come. Swedish hockey is famous for technical players and good skaters who are great at stick-handling, but we will try to make up for it with ambition and good teamwork on the rink. We’re hoping that also this time our fans will come out and support us just like they did against Sparta."
"We are looking forward to seeing how Polish hockey has developed," added Farjestad head coach Leif Carlsson. "As a team, we do not know too much about Cracovia but it will be a good experience to go there and play. We take nothing for granted.”
Grizzlys Wolfburg vs. Frolunda Gothenburg
Group A; Eis Arena Wolfsburg, 19:30
The defending champions start their Champions Hockey League defence against a tournament debutant in the form of Wolfsburg. The DEL side made it all the way to their league finals last year before coming up short, and have added Kris Foucault and Alexander Weiss to their squad ahead of this coming season. Frolunda. on the other hand. will be the team that everyone wants to beat in this year's competition. With no less than 10 new players on their roster for this season, they will be trying to do what Lulea could not last season – defend their trophy, or at least make it to the Final game.
“We are looking forward to our first Champions League game against one of the best teams in Europe," stated Grizzlys' head coach Pavel Gross. "We have to keep it simple and we have to work hard all over the ice. It is no secret which team is the favourite, but our team will be ready for the game.”
Frolunda head coach Roger Ronnberg added, "Wolfsburg is a strong team and will test us at a early state of the season. And that's a good thing."
Gap Rapaces vs. JYP Jyvaskyla
Group K; Alp'Arena, 19:45
Gap made history last season by recording the first win for a French team in the Champions Hockey League when they beat Berlin 3-1, and their home form was good in both games – only losing to the ZSC Lions by a single goal in their other game in their rink. JYP are, however, a different challenge altogether, having qualified out of the group in both of their previous CHL seasons.
"For us, the visit of the Jyvaskyla club is a great opportunity to confront us at the top European level. JYP is a team that has a great collective force, working very hard and played with a very big intensity – common qualities with Luciano Basile, our team's coach," said Gap GM Sebastien Oprandi. "Finnish hockey is based on puck-possession with many set plays and a lot of speed. This promises to be a good show for our fans."
“Playing the Gap Rapaces will be a new experience for us. We haven’t met a French team for years but I guess there are many American- and Canadian-born players in the team, so their approach and tactical aspects will be more North American," added JYP's Marko Virtanen. "Our equipment manager’s son played in Gap a couple of years ago, so maybe he’ll give us some tips!”
HC Davos vs. Rouen Dragons
Group B; Vaillant Arena, 19:45
Swiss side HC Davos were the first team from outside of Sweden or Finland to make the Champions Hockey League Semi-Finals last year, and were close to getting through to the championship game itself had it not been for a first-leg nightmare against Frolunda, which they lost 5-0. However, it was a successful debut season in the competition. Rouen come into the CHL as Continental Cup and French champions, and make their debut after last season's exploits in their own league. They have bolstered their squad with four new signings, but rely on former-NHL netminder Dany Sabourin to be strong in net for the team.
"This game will be a great test for us to evaluate our level in Europe, against a Semi-Finalist in the CHL," Rouen's Fabrice Lhenry said ahead of the game.