Though they can't face each other in the Round of 32, might Lukko Rauma and Lulea hockey meet again later in this year's CHL playoffs? If they do, it will mean eight meetings in two CHL seasons.

by Timo Simila and Derek O'Brien

RAUMA – On the last day of this year's Champions Hockey League group stage, Lukko Rauma played Lulea Hockey with both teams already qualified to the playoffs but top spot in the group on the line – the same as last year. In 2014 the game was in Lulea and Lukko went in as the away team and won to take top spot. This year it was the reverse – the game was in Rauma and Lulea won 3–0 to take top spot. 

“Lukko started the game better than us,” thought Lulea coach Joakim Fagervall. “After our penalties at the beginning without giving up a shorthanded goal our game tempo increased. In the second period we got two quick goals and after that our defence was solid throughout the rest of the game. Our defence was the key to our success tonight.” 

“Our game was okay, but okay is not good enough at this tournament,” Lukko captain Ilkka Mikkola said about his team’s performance on Sunday. “We didn’t have the passion to win tonight and it was shown as unfinished game plays and we didn’t get into the scoring areas as we planned. Lulea were tougher tonight. We were up against a strong team and they outmatched us tonight. We learned that this type of okay game on Sunday is not enough.”

Last year Lulea were also not happy with giving away the group on home ice, but instead of getting mad they got even – beating Lukko in the quarter-finals on their way to the championship title. Could these teams end up meeting again in the playoff stage? 

“I’m hoping Lulea,” Mikkola admitted when asked who he'd like to face in the playoffs. “For two years we have grown accustomed to playing against them. If it’s okay to make silly guesses, I’d say Lulea.”

Lulea is only a silly guess if he's talking about the Round of 32, because of course the rules prevent teams from the same group from being drawn against each other for that round. After that, however, it all depends on bracket position and winning. After Tuesday's draw, we'll be able to see which round these two teams will collide in as long as they both keep advancing. 

Like Mikkola, Fagervall seems to think it might be pre-destined.

“CHL rules state that we must play each other in the playoffs,” the Lulea coach quipped at Sunday's post-game press conference, glancing over at Lukko assistant coach Juha Vuori.

Countered Vuori, “It’s on, then.”