We look ahead to tonight's return legs in the Round of 16, with places in the quarter-finals at stake!
Vitkovice Ridera Ostrava vs. Bili Tygri Liberec (0-1)
Ostravar Arena, 17:00
Referees: Mikael Holm & Soren Persson (SWE)
It took over 56 minutes to produce a goal between these sides last week, but the result gives Liberec a slender advantage as they travel to Ostrava. The two teams know each other well from the Czech league of course, however with a place in the next round at stake domestic form can go out of the window.
"We did well with organization of our game in defensive zone with only a few exceptions, that was a great experience for the young players," said Vikovice head coach Jakub Petr of the first leg. "A football-like tight result is getting quite common with us, but what bothers me is that we couldn't capitalize on our chances. The result is still open and we will do our best to succeed."
"They are very determined, they have lots of tall and strong defencemen, who are very tough to get past," commented Liberec forward Milan Bartovic. "They are good in penalty killing and also we struggled with power plays in the first game. However, we know their style well."
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JYP Jyvaskyla vs. SC Bern (2-3)
Synergia-Areena, 19:00
Referees: Liam Sewell (GBR) & Tobias Bjork (SWE)
Having surrendered a two-goal lead in less than five second period minutes in Bern last week, JYP skate out on home ice a goal behind to their NLA opponents.
"As we all know by now, Bern is a top end team and organization in Central European hockey. For us, this is a prime test of our ability, again, it's what competition is all about," explained JYP's Director of Hockey Operations Jukka Holtari. "For both teams, only challenging the best is what provides the greatest thrills in sports. We are in a good mood, and have a lot of anticipation for the game today."
"We've gout to put our own game into place," affirmed Bern assistant coach Ville Peltonen. "That's the first thing we have to do, get this into our minds and then prepare physically". Bern travelled up to Jyvaskyla yesterday, greeted by temperatures of minus-10 on arrival!
Vaxjo Lakers vs. SaiPa Lappeenranta (2-3)
Vida Arena, 19:00
Referees: Tobias Wehrli (SUI) & Jan Hribik (CZE)
A late go-ahead goal gave SaiPa the win last week and sees them head to Sweden with a one-goal advantage. The Finns have already won in Sweden this year in Lulea, while Vaxjo have yet to lose on their own ice in the CHL this season.
"SaiPa are a good team, quick on transitions and solid in defence," commented Lakers' assistant coach Fredrik Hellgren. "They have a one-goal lead so now it's up to us to put all the elements of our game together, and play with energy to take us further in the tournament."
"The first game was something we expected, very fast transition hockey from Vaxjo We were ready from the first shift, and thats something we are looking for tonight as well," said SaiPa assistant coach Tuomo Ropo. "We want to have a good start in our return game. We know Växjö has lot of skilled players, so we have to keep our distances very small and help each other at both ends of the ice."
IFK Helsinki vs. Linkoping HC (1-1)
Helsingin Jäähalli, 19:00
Referees: Gordon Schukies (GER) & Marc Wiegand (SUI)
It's winner-takes-all in the Finnish capital after IFK Helsinki and Linkoping played out a tie in last week's match. IFK went in level against TPS in the last round before eventually going through on a shootout, while Linkoping won big on the road in Davos in the Round of 32.
”Last week we played a tough game in Linköping, but managed to get a draw. That gives us a good starting point in the second leg and maybe a tiny bit of advantage too," suggested IFK head coach Antti Tormanen. "We know, however, that we are up against a quality hockey team. It’s an interesting situation for the players to play a game this huge in November. This just keeps getting better.”
HV71 Jonkoping vs. Sparta Prague (4-2)
Kinnarps Arena, 19:30
Referees: Andris Ansons (LAT) & Manuel Nikolic (AUT)
A goal in the final period pulled it back to just a two-goal deficit for Sparta as they head to Jonkoping, after HV71 had lead 4-1 after two periods in Prague.
"It's a special situation not starting the game at 0-0," said HV71's Par Arlbrandt. "We were really good on the first period in Prague, but they're a good team so it'll still be tough."
"When we needed to win by two goals in Farjestad to finish first, we almost made it. That experience as well as the one from last round against Oulu give us determination," encouraged assistant coach of Sparta Zdenek Motak. "It will be a very tough game, maybe one of the most difficult in recent years."
Fribourg-Gotteron vs. KalPa Kuopio (1-1)
BCF Arena, 19:45
Referees: Josef Kubus (SVK) & Lars Bruggemann (GER)
A goal inside the last five minutes last week helped Fribourg to head back to home ice level with Liiga opponents KalPa. In another winner-takes-all game, both sides will be looking to make the Quarter-Final stage for the first time.
“We know they’re a very good team. They play fast, they play hungry and they’re well-coached,” said Fribourg head coach Larry Huras. “Being tied heading into game two is a good thing.”
Frolunda Gothenburg vs. Eisbaren Berlin (6-1)
Frolundaborgs Isstadion, 20:00
Referees: Mikko Kaukokari & Stefan Fonselius (FIN)
Defending champions Frolunda have one foot in the next round already after a dominant display in Berlin last week. The Eisbaren though have absolutely nothing to lose by going on the attack in Gothenburg, as they bid to get into the Quarter-Finals for the first time.
"We start the game with a healthy lead, but they'll certainly be hungry for revenge," pointed out Frolunda assistant coach Pär Johansson. "There will probably be few surprises – we'll play our usual way and they will look to counter-attack when they have the chance."
"The most important thing for us is that we saw in the home game how good Frolunda is in the offense," said Eisbaren head coach Uwe Krupp. "We therefore must keep our concentration in our own zone tomorrow and do a better job."