After Game Days 3 and 4, Group C is really beginning to heat up. Frölunda Gothenburg and Genève-Servette both sit atop the group with nine points. Frölunda holds onto the top spot based on goal differential. Villach SV is sticking close with six points and the Briancon Diables Rouges are still searching for their first Champions League win.

by Kris Bligh, with contribution from Pavel Kuba

Heading in to Game Day 3 Genève-Servette were undefeated to start the Champions League, having already beaten Frölunda Gothenburg and Villach SV respectively. However, on Thursday Genève were facing a Frölunda squad firing on all cylinders. Frölunda burst out of the gates with a 5-0 lead and managed to fend off a second period surge from Genève to win 7-3. Frölunda’s offensive outburst was lead by the Champions League’s leading scorer Mathis Olimb ( 3G, 10A).

The other game played in Group C that day was between Villach SV and Ligue Magnus champions Briancon Diables Rouges. Despite an admirable performance from Briancon’s US-born goaltender Shane Madolora, Villach was just too much for the French side to overcome. Villach’s offence was powered by two goals from the team's leading goal-scorer John Lammers while Mark Santorelli and Francois Fortier each chipped in with one.

As Game Day 4 took off it did not get any easier for Briancon as they squared off against the reigning Spengler Cup champions Genève-Servette. Loaded with former NHL players, Genève was looking for redemption after suffering their first loss at the hands of Frölunda. Les Diables Rouges managed to draw first blood on a goal from Dave Labrecque as the first period drew to an end. However, Genève did not waste any time returning from the first intermission as Kevin Romy scored 32 seconds followed by a huge momentum changing goal from Daniel Rubin eight seconds later. Genève added five more goals to win 7-2.

Following the game, Briancon defenceman Gasper Cerkovnik said: "I think we off to a good start, opening the scoring in the first period and managing to contain Genève's attacks away from the goal. But after that we committed some errors and they knew how to react to them immediately. Genève is one of the best teams in Europe."

The final match-up of the day for Group C was between Frölunda and Villach. This game was a big test for Villach as they were looking to gain some ground in the standings. After a pretty competitive first period, Villach’s Fortier took a hooking penalty which allowed Erik Gustafsson to capitalise on the man advantage. Less than one minute later Fortier redeemed himself with a goal near the end of the first frame. After an early second period goal by Frölunda they never looked back, taking this game 5-2. Cramo Top Scorer Mathis Olimb was able to add another 4 points to his total in this young Champions League campaign.

Group C gets back underway on 23 September when Genève pays a visit to Villach. The second game will take place on 24 September when Briancon makes the trip to Sweden to take on the group-leading Frölunda.

Group C standings

Schedule and results