A dress rehearsal for the CHL final took place in Sweden last week, while the playoffs loom already in a couple of countries. Elsewhere in Europe, the league tables continue to change as the end of the regular season draws nearer.
by Luke Fisher
Austria
The race for the top six, and automatic playoff places, in the EBEL is now all but over, despite two rounds of matches left to be played. Salzburg cannot be caught in top spot, while Linz would need to lose both of their remaining games to drop back into third. Vienna and Villach complete the top four, with Znojmo and Szekesfehervar rounding out the top six picture, the latter three points ahead of Bolzano going into the final weekend. The Foxes, along with the Graz, lead the “bottom six” so far, and would therefore receive bonus points going in to the “last chance” round for the final two playoff spots. Klagenfurt could overtake the 99ers if they win both of their games and Graz lose theirs – the two teams meet in the final regular season game on Sunday.
Czech Republic
The top of the Extraliga is still dominated by Oceláři Třinec; however, their lead has been cut to 11 points over Litvínov, who have extended their lead to seven points over Sparta Prague and Kometa Brno, who are tied for third. It’s then Mountfield Hradec Králové in fifth, who are a point above Pardubice. Some points on the board for Slavia Prague now sees them “only” 11 points adrift at foot of the table, while CHL participants from this season PSG Zlín and Bílí Tygři Liberec occupy 9th and 10th, respectively.
Denmark
With the business end of the Metal Ligaen season approaching fast, Blue Fox Herning continue to eat into the Odense Bulldogs’ lead – cutting it from five points to just one since last weekend. The Bulldogs have played a game less, however, as have third-placed Frederikshavn, who slipped to four points behind Herning. SønderjyskE Vojens complete the top four, and have an eight point gap over Esbjerg to sit relatively comfortably.
Finland
Beaten CHL semi-finalists Kärpät Oulu have now opened up a seven-point lead atop the Liiga, as JYP Jyvaskyla and IFK Helsinki tie for second place behind them. KalPa Kuopio and Lukko Rauma come next, meaning only one point separates second from fifth! The last automatic playoff play is currently held by Tappara Tampere, although SaiPa Lappeenranta could go level with them if they were to win their game in hand. TPS Turku, Sport Vaasa, and the Lahti Pelicans are the bottom three, some 11 points off the pace.
France
Despite still being unbeaten at home in all 12 of their league games, Rouen have slipped off the top of the Ligue Magnus, with Grenoble re-taking the position they’ve held for much of the season. They have a one point lead over both Gap and Rouen, but have played one game fewer. Angers, down in fourth, could trouble the top three if they win their two games in hand, while CHL participants Briançon could get as high as fifth with their catch-up game.
Germany
A win over Augsburg, combined with Munich losing to Ingolstadt, saw Adler Mannheim extend their lead to 10 points at the top of the DEL. That loss for the Red Bulls in Ingolstadt saw the latter close the gap to four points behind, while Hamburg are a further three points back. The Freezers were involved in a 13-goal fest with Iserlohn, with the Roosters on the wrong end of a 9–4 score. Krefeld still trail the Haie for the final playoff spot, but continue to have played a game less – that catch-up session will become more important as the games go by.
Great Britain
It’s still a very tight five-horse race at the top of the Elite League, but Braehead’s lead is now down to just four points Belfast and Nottingham. Luckily for the Clan, the Giants have played the same amount of games; however, the Panthers have two in hand. Just a point back are Sheffield and Cardiff, both of who also have played two games less than the Clan, so the league table has a “what might be” look about it at the moment.
Norway
It’s now just a five-point lead at the top of the GET Ligaen for Stavanger, as the Oilers continue to see their cushion reduced. The chase is being led by the Storhamar Dragons, who have extended a four-point lead over Lørenskog, who are third. With the regular season scheduled to carry on in to March, there is time for the Oilers to still be caught.
Slovakia
Košice have managed to re-establish their four-point lead at the top of the Extraliga over Banská Bystrica, while Nitra have fallen five points back in third. Zvolen have closed the gap from first place down to six points from eight, while fifth-placed Poprad are a further point behind. All this means that the top five are a clear 10 points ahead of Trenčín who, in turn, are 16 points clear of the rest of the league.
Sweden
In a dress-rehearsal for next week’s CHL final, Frölunda beat Luleå 4–1 in Gothenburg, although slipped to 17 points behind leaders Skellefteå AIK. Recent results leave Luleå eighth, just a point ahead of Djurgarden Stockholm but some six behind Färjestad Karlstad. HV71 Jönköping and the Växjö Lakers are one and two points behind Frölunda respectively, while just a win separates second from fifth in the standings.
Switzerland
Bern’s five point lead over second place is down to four now; however, they’ve lost their game in hand as well – meaning everyone at the top has played the same number of games. Davos have gone into second place, with ZSC falling a point behind to third. Zug and Lugano complete the top five places, sitting some nine points ahead of the rest of NLA. Lausanne in sixth are now four points ahead of rivals Geneve-Servette, although the latter has a game in hand left to play over last-placed Rapperswil Jona.