Read below for information on the Quarter-Final series between ZSC Lions Zurich and the Vaxjo Lakers. Vaxjo won on aggregate 3-2 to advance to the Semi-Finals.

Preview

ZSC Lions Zurich face the Vaxjo Lakers in a series between two teams that are in the Quarter-Finals for the first time in this incarnation of the CHL and looking to go further. Of course, the Lions have tasted success on the European stage before, winning the original version of the CHL in 2008-09. The Lakers' biggest accomplishment as a club was winning the SHL title in 2014-15, but would like some international hardware to join the Le Mat Trophy on their trophy case. Not only is this the first time these teams have met, but the two teams don't have much experience against the opposite country. This is the first time Vaxjo have faced Swiss opposition in the CHL, while Zurich faced Farjestad in a couple of group-stage games a couple years ago, losing both games in extra time. 

Closer look: ZSC Lions Zurich

(6-1-0-1, 20 points, 26:11)

Cohesive team play, stingy defence, great goaltending and timely scoring were the reasons that the ZSC Lions dominated Group D. Their sweep of the home-and-away with ERC Ingolstad by scores of 2-0 and 4-1 didn't shock anybody, but taking five of six points from Lukko Rauma was impressive. First in Finland they built up a 2-0 lead in the first period, then let it get away in the third before winning in a shootout. To prove that was no fluke, they shut out last year's CHL semi-finalists 2-0 back in Switzerland. Against Grizzlys Wolfsburg they were simply dominant, winning each game by three goals. The Round of 16 was tougher, needing an overtime goal from Roman Wick to eliminate fellow Swiss club Lugano. Things now become more difficult, however, as they face a Swedish club for the first time this season.  

Roman

Wick

3+5, +1

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Roman Wick is the Lions' top scorer in both the CHL and NLA this season. The 30-year-old winger, who played briefly for the Ottawa Senators in 2010-11, scored the team's biggest goal in the CHL this season on the power play in overtime of the return leg against Lugano to put them in the Quarter-Finals. This is a dangerously offensive team with several weapons up front wo can score. In addition to Wick, they have Chris Baltisberger, Swede Robert Nilsson and Norwegian Patrick Thoresen. 

Severin

Blindenbacher

2+5, +5

 

Top Defenceman: 33-year-old Severin Blindenbacher has been a solid defender for the Lions over the last decade with three NLA titles, a CHL title in 2008-09 and a World Championship silver medal in 2013. He also played a season each with Farjestad Karlstad in Sweden and the Texas Stars in the USA during that time. Next to captain Mathias Seger, he's the most experienced defenceman on a team that has many young d-men that need the guidance and experience he provides. Offensively, he leads Zurich d-men in both the CHL and NLA, and is the top sorer among all CHL defencemen.

Lukas

Flueler

94.41 %

 

Top Goaltender: Lukas Flueler has been the Lions' starting goalie since 2010-11, but last season was a difficult one for 27-year-old goaltender. After a great start in the NLA last season, an injury kept him away from the game for eight weeks. His comeback didn't last very long – 25 minutes into the game, he had to leave the ice once again and didn't return until the first round of the playoffs, where the Lions lost to SC Bern in four straight games. This year, he seems stronger than ever and the injury shouldn't be a problem, he has assured multiple times. He has been nearly unbeatable in both the CHL and NLA this season, with sparkling numbers in both competitions. 

Click here for team statistics.

Closer look: Vaxjo Lakers

(4-0-3-1, 15 points, 27:19)

The Vaxjo Lakers finished first place in Group L, but disposing of Yunost Minsk and BK Mlada Boleslav was far from an easy task for them. While offence wasn't a problem, defence was at times against opponents from supposedly inferior leagues. After winning both group games at home but losing twice away from home, the trend continued in the Round of 32, as they opened with a 1-1 tie in Munich, then won the return game 4-3 at home. Then in the Round of 16, they lost 3-2 in Lappeenranta, before coming back to win the aggregate score in overtime at home. They open the Quarter-Final in Zurich, where they will try to get their first road victory of the competition. 

Pontus

Netterberg

4+4, +8

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Pontus Netterberg is new to the team and what a start it was for him with his new club. He scored 2 big goals in the last group game against Yunost, and although he has just 1 point in the four CHL games since, his 8 points still ties him for the team scoring lead with Adam Brodecki. Heading into this season, the 24-year-old winger had only played five games of elite-level hockey, but the Lakers have high hopes for him this season. He is an offensive-minded player with a great shot that makes him a natural goal scorer and definitely a player to keep an eye on, although he has struggled in the SHL so far. Other new reinforcements to the team's attack are ex-KHLers Geoff Platt and Olli Palola and ex-NHLer Dennis Everberg, who have produced well in the SHL.

Cory

Murphy

0+6, +1

 

Top Defenceman: Veteran Cory Murphy is now in his fourth season with the club and has been a solid piece on Vaxjo’s back end since he first joined. The 38-year-old Canadian played three years in the NHL, but has spent the majority of his professional career in Europe, where he has excelled. He is a defenceman with great vision and offensive instincts. That makes him capable of contributing on offence and he is a great threat from the blue line on the power play. More of a passer than a shooter, he has 6 assists in the CHL and 7 in the SHL, but only 1 goal this season in total.

Viktor

Andren

93.27 %

 

Top Goaltender: Joacim Eriksson and Viktor Andren have played four games each for Vaxjo during the CHL, with Andren playing more in the SHL and having better numbers in both competitions. Andren, 22, is playing his first elite-level season after two years in lower Swedish leagues, but has sparkled in the Lakers net. Ready and waiting is 26-year-old Ericsson, the former NHLer and Word Championship bronze medallist. They've split the CHL duties so far and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them both against Zurich as well. 

Click here for team statistics.