It's return leg time in the CHL tonight, with all 16 ties taking place this evening!

Staff writers

Remember, that there is no 'away goals' rule or anything like that in the Champions Hockey League, so just the aggregate score counts. If the game is tied agter 60 minutes, we'll play overtime.

HC Litvinov vs. Vienna Capitals (4–3)

Zimni Stadion Ivana Hlinky, 17:00

“We’ll prepare for the game against Vienna as we do for league games,” said Radim Rulik, coach of Litvinov. who side have a one-goal aggregate lead going into today’s game. “Our Extraliga is also played on Tuesdays so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Litvinov will face a Vienna side coming off the back of destroying Graz 5–1 in their own league, but Jim Boni is quick to point out that the Capitals won’t be resting on their laurels: “What happened on Sunday is already forgotten. It was a great success for us to come this far, and we have nothing to lose in Litvinov,” said the Vienna coach.

Skelleftea AIK vs. HC Kosice (3–4)

Skelleftea Kraft Arena, 17:30

Kosice’s refusal to give up in their opening game against Skelleftea sees them head up to Sweden tonight with a one-goal advantage, and it might be that late winner that sees them through to the next round. “We want to play a good game and try to advance further,” says Jiri Bicek. “We found out we can play well against them in the last game. We had some chances and we have to carry on in that way.”

Karpat Oulu vs. Dusseldorfer EG (2–0)

Oulun Energia-Areena, 17:30

Karpat have a solid lead as they return to home ice, however they host a Dusseldorf side that has already won in Finland during this year's CHL – albeit after a shootout. "We have a good starting point: a two-goal-win from Düsseldorf and we get to play the deciding game in front of our home crowd," says Lauri Marjamaki. "We are planning to win to game even though the goals calculated together are the things that decide the proceeding team. Of course we need to be able to react to things inside the game but we are still aiming to win."

Tappara Tampere vs. Vitkovice Ostrava (2–0)

Hakametsa Stadium, 17:30

“In the first game we had perfect goaltending that put us ahead by two goals, and we're going to need to be good in our own end in the second game, too,” says Tappara head coach Jussi Tapola, whose side has a two-goal cushion. “Vitkovice must open up their game if they want to come back from two goals down, and that should give us enough chances to make them pay if we are patient and careful with the puck. I expect them to put on the pressure. We must be ready and alert.”

His counterpart, Jakub Petr, had this to add on tonight’s game: “The rematch will be a tough one for us for sure. They play at home and have a two-goal lead. However, they are expected to win so this may put a bit of pressure on them. On the other hand, we have nothing to lose now, so we can be more relaxed.”

TPS Turku vs. JYP Jyvaskyla (2–2)

HK Areena, 17:30

The all-Liiga game between TPS and JYP couldn't be more finely balanced as the sides meet tonight in Turku. Unseparable in the opening game, it's a straight 60 minute shootout between two sides who both fell at this stage last season. One will make it through to the last 16 for the first time.

HV71 vs. Ocelari Trinec (2–2)

Kinnarps Arena, 19:00

The CHL season hangs in the balance for both HV71 and Trinec after 60 minutes failed to separate them a fortnight ago. With no away goals rules in this competition, this tie comes down to just a straight 60 minute shootout in Jonkoping.

“It’s like an airport for us here since their rink has biggest possible 30 x 60 size,” commented head coach Jiri Kalous on his team’s visit to Sweden. “There will be more space for the guys to use their individual skills in one-on-one situations, but it will be a bit more complicated regarding defence.”

Linkoping vs. Bili Tygri Liberec (1–4)

Saab Arena, 19:00

Liberec stand on the brink of the sweet 16 after their impressive home-ice win over Linkoping on the previous game day. A three-goal lead is a healthy one to take on the road, and forward Michal Repik thinks the team are in the correct shape of mind to complete the job tonight. “We have a mentally strong team. The guys believe in themselves and help out each other. We are straightforward on the ice and I feel the attitude is right there where it should be,” he said.

Vaxjo Lakers vs. Djurgarden (3–4)

Vida Arena, 19:00

One of the all-Swedish affairs sees a tight game between the reigning champions and the well-known team from Stockholm. “Last time, I think we did a good game against Djurgarden but we didn’t get enough reward,” commented Vaxjo head coach Sam Hallam. “Tomorrow's game will be exciting and we are going for a win.”

Hans Sarkijarvi, head coach from Djurgarden whose side hold a slender lead going into Vaxjo, added, "Right now we have good energy in the team and we want to win every game we play. Vaxjo are a good team. We do not want to play in the defensive zone so we'll move the game to the offensive zone instead.”

Storhamar Hamar vs. Red Bull Salzburg (3–1)

Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre, 19:00

Scott Hotham, Lars Lokken Ostli, Magnus Lindahl and Martin Blakseth Huse wil lall be missing for Storhamar as they go in search of possibly one of the club’s greatest ever moments. Reaching the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition is in their hands, and given the team’s current form losing to Salzburg would probably be considered an upset.

The Red Bulls have a big task ahead of them in Norway, and come off the back of a 3–1 home loss to Villach in their own league.

Stavanger Oilers vs. Eisbaren Berlin (0–3)

DNB Arena, 19:00

“I want the guys to play a normal hockey game, I think that’s important – there are no psychological tricks for this match,” says Stavanger coach Petter Thoresen, whose team hosts Berlin knowing they need to score three unanswered goals just to draw the tie level. “We’ve been good at home in the CHL and our own league so far this season, so we need to continue that.”

For the Eisbaren, a three-goal lead heading to Norway means they can’t afford a repeat of their last domestic game, which saw them lose 3–0 in Hamburg. “They’re a team with lots of talent and quality,” says Eisbaren coach Uwe Krupp. “We need to be aware and prepared that this will be a very tough game.”

Frolunda vs. ERC Ingolstadt (2–4)

Frolundaborgs Isstadion, 19:00

Ingolstadt’s win over Frolunda on home ice last week sees them head to Sweden with a lead and the possibility of eliminating last year’s beaten finalists. Frolunda assistant coach Robert Ohlsson knows what his side needs to do to win the game: “In order to win the game we need speed, puck-control and a disciplined passing game. We will go for it, but in a smart way, we cannot afford defensive mistakes. We think they will focus on power play and counter-attacks and we must shut down their first line,” he said.

On the other side of the ice tonight will be Bjorn Barta, veteran player of ERC Ingolstadt. He told us, “We expect one heck of a dance in the return game. I guess the Indians did not think we would win the first game, so they might come out very aggressively. We will be prepared for that and wait patiently for our opportunities.”

Adler Mannheim vs. Espoo Blues (1–4)

SAP Arena, 19:30

Mannheim need a win by three goals to at least force overtime as they host Espoo tonight, following their disappointing loss two weeks ago.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing against a good opponent,” says Adler head coach Greg Ireland on the game. “The challenges in the Champions Hockey League are always exciting for our team, it’s a great league and an opportunity for us to compete with hockey clubs in Europe.”

Red Bull Munich vs. Lukko Rauma (3–5)

Olympia-Eisstadion, 19:30

Munich’s late couple of goals in Rauma might just have rescued them back into this tie as they entertain Lukko on home ice in Bavaria. The Red Bulls had found themselves four goals behind before a late surge helped them back to a more respectable scoreline. They will need two goals to send the game to overtime, or more to win it in regulation.

HC Davos vs. IFK Helsinki (1–2)

Vaillant Arena, 19:45

“We have a chance, will you be there?” asks HC Davos’ website in the build up to tonight’s game, which sees the Swiss club just needing a goal to even the aggregate score against Helsinki. In their first CHL season, Davos have beaten Farjestad and Pardubice to get this far.

Their opponents IFK Helsinki beat Karpat 3–2 over the weekend to come into the game off the back of a win, and are aiming to make the last 16 for the second year in a row.

ZSC Lions vs. Sparta Prague (2–3)

Hallenstadion, 19:45

After all the hype of Auston Matthews playing in his first CHL game, ZSC left Prague with a one-goal deficit to turn round on home ice. In the first game in this year’s CHL to be played in the Hallenstadion, Marc Crawford says his team is prepared. “We will be ready,” said the ZSC head coach. “We need to play a strong physical game especially when we don't have the puck. Our players understand the situation and our competitiveness will need to be at a very high level.”

For Sparta they may have a lead to defend, but one goal in hockey is never a safety net. “We expect them to start hard on us. It’s true we have a one-goal advantage, but we can’t rely on that. We have to play well defensively,” said Miroslav Forman. “We've struggled with that lately, so it will be important for us. I believe we will score some goals.”

Lulea vs. Farjestad Karlstad (3–0)

Coop Norrbotten Arena, 20:00

The last game of the day is also one of the more comfortable scorelines for the home team. Lula entertain SHL compatriots Farjestad with a 3–0 lead after having blanked their opponents in Karlstadt. “We had a pretty good game and were the better team over 60 minutes,” said Stefan Nilsson. “It’s nice to have a 3–0 lead but it’s a completely new game. We need to do good things all over the ice, not just on defence.”