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Crunch time in the CHL as teams battle for qualification and survival
null by Yunost Minsk/CHL via GettyImages

Nitra, Minsk, Munich, Liberec, Davos, and Linz could all make the Round of 32 if results go their way tonight.

HK Nitra vs. Stavanger Oilers

Group J; Nitra Arena, 18:00

After their two wins over Pilsen, a point for Nitra will see them qualify for the next round tonight – marking a first for the team. Their opponents from Stavanger sit tied with Pilsen on three points, and will travel to the Czech side in the group's final game – so any points tonight will give them an advantage in that game.

"I hope that our fans will help us out again. Stavanger is a very good team but I believe that we can win and secure the knockout stage," said Nitra manager Miroslav Kovacik.

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BK Mlada Boleslav vs. Yunost Minsk

Group L; SKO-Energo Arena, 18:00

Yunost Minsk stand on the verge of becoming the first Belarusian team to make it to the Round of 32 in the CHL, and need only to get the game to overtime to do so. A regulation win for Boleslav would need to be by enough to give them the tiebreak advantage over Yunost, however the Belarusians still travel to Vaxjo for their final game so would have another chance to score the point they need.

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Red Bull Munich vs. Fribourg-Gotteron

Group F; Olympia-Eisstadion, 19:00

With Fribourg already through as group winners, Munich have the chance tonight to join them in the next round. A point will be good enough for the Germans, while a regulation loss would see them hosting Znojmo in their final group game needing to avoid defeat in 60 minutes.

Munich head coach Don Jackson said ahead of tonight's game, "I have a good feeling. Before we played well despite the defeat. We need to try and get their goalie worried early in the hame, because he was one of the differences in the first game."

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Lorenskog IK vs. Bili Tygri Liberec

Group H; Lorenskog Ishall, 19:00

Liberec play their final group game in Lorenskog knowing that only a win, in either regulation or OT, can secure their birth in the knockout stages. Lorenskog trail the Czechs by two points going into tonight's game, but have a final match at home to TPS where they could also claim points.

"Our last game against Liberec was very tough. They have a lot of individual talent and showed us that they are a great team, but our players fought like heroes and managed to earn a point," said Lorenskog head coach Kenneth Larsen. "We know that it will be equally tough when they come to visit our building, but we have shown that anything can happen if we fight for each other and work hard for all 60 minutes, and that´s our plan tomorrow."

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ERC Ingolstadt vs. Lukko Rauma

Group D; Saturn Arena, 19:30

A regulation win tonight for Lukko would see the Rauma club qualify for the next round before hosting Ingolstadt in the group's final game. For the Germans, home-ice advantage will need to be made full use of as they currently trail the Finns by a point. Both sides are way adrift of the ZSC Lions, who have already qualified.

"I had an eye on Rauma’s performance in the CHL last season. I like the style they play, they were really strong and made it to the Semi-Finals," said Ingolstadt GM Jiri Ehrenberger. "We have to be at 100% to have a chance."

Lukko head coach Juha Vuori added, "We are expecting fast, intensive hockey. Our games will be entertaining. We are really looking forward to play against Ingolstadt."

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Rouen Dragons vs. HC Davos

Group B; Ile Lacroix, 19:45

A win, in regulation, is the only way in which Rouen can stay alive in this year's CHL. Anything less than that and both Davos and Djurgarden will be qualified for the next round before the Swedes visit Rouen later this week.

Fabrice Lhenry, Dragons coach, looked ahead to the game saying, "It will be our first CHL game in the history of the club in Rouen. We will do our best for a victory for our fans, and because two wins are the only chance for us to continue the competition."

Davos winger Mauro Jorg added, "We don't just want to win in Rouen, but give a strong performance. On Friday our own league starts, so this is the ideal way to prepare for that game with a good match for 60 minutes showing how ready we are."

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EV Zug vs. Esbjerg Energy

Group G; Bossard Arena, 19:45

With a perfect record and already through to the next round, Zug complete their group stage campaign at home to the Danish champions. Esbjerg are likely to have to battle it out with IFK Helsinki over two games for the final remaining spot in the next round, but could give themselves an advantage going into those games with any points from this game.

EVZ head coach Harold Kreis said before tonight's game, "We are looking forward to a challenging game against Esbjerg to finish our preliminary round with the maximum points possible."

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SC Bern vs. Black Wings Linz

Group M; Postfinance Arena, 19:45

The final game of Group M sees Linz head to already-qualified Bern in need of just a point to make the next round for the first time in their history. Kosice currently occupy that spot behind Bern by virtue of a better head-to-head record over the Austrians. If Linz leave Bern empty handed, they're out of the competition.

"We know that the group points will decide about the advantage who plays the second game at home later in the competition. Our goal is to bring us in the best position and we want to finish the group games with a strong performance," said SC Bern assistant coach Ville Peltonen. "Black Wings Linz will play for the playoffs against us. That means they will be motivated and concentrated. The first game that we won 3-1 in Austria was very tight, so we have to be ready."

For the Black Wings, Jonathan Daversa will make his debut, while Brian Lebler and Mario Altmann will join up with the team having returned to Vienna with the national team and then flown to Bern separately.

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