Read below for information on the Round of 32 series between the Vaxjo Lakers and Djurgarden Stockholm. Djurgarden won 7–6 on aggregate to advance to the Round of 16.

Game 1

In a game between two SHL rivals, Djurgarden took an early 2-goal lead and Vaxjo spent the rest of the night trying to catch up. They came within a goal three times, but could never manage the equalizer. Robin Alvarez had 2 assists for Djurgarden and Fredrik Forsberg scored the winner with 14:59 to play. Joakim Hillding scored for Vaxjo to make it 4–3 a couple of minutes later and they pressed hard the rest of the way, but couldn't get another goal. They will now have 60 minutes on home ice to try to draw even.

“It felt really good,” said an obviously happy and probably tired Djurgarden goalie Mantas Armalis, who stopped 37 of 40 shots. About Vaxjo, he said, “They are hard to play against. They have a lot of traffic and makes it hard for us in every way when they forecheck us and play the puck around in our zone. It's no easy opponent we're playing.”

“I think we played a pretty okay game, now we have played 60 of 120 minutes,” said Vaxjo coach Sam Hallam.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS | LIVE BLOG & STATS

Preview

This is one of two all-Swedish Round of 32 match-ups, featuring perhaps the country's most historic club against the least, professional-wise. However, if Djurgarden Stockholm are steeped in history, the Vaxjo Lakers own the present. The 18-year-old Lakers club enters this season as the defending Swedish Hockey League champions, while Djurgarden enter the season back in the top league for only their second season after a two-year demotion to the Allsvenskan. The Lakers will also enter this series as favourites by vitrue of being Group O winners, while Djurgarden come in as Group B runners-up. Last year Vaxjo took 8 of 12 points from Djurgarden in the regular season. The two teams haven't played yet this year, but Djurgarden has gotten off to a better start domestically with 4 points in two games, while Vaxjo are still without points and in last place. 

Closer look: Vaxjo Lakers

(3-0-0-1, 9 points, 20:10, 1st in Group O)

The Vaxjo Lakers opened Group O with a big 10–2 victory over the Braehead Clan on home ice, then followed it up with a 4–2 win over ERC Ingolstadt. Then won 3–1 in Braehead to take a stranglehold of the group before dropping their last game 5–3 in Ingolstadt. That left the door open for Ingolstadt to win the group on the last day in Braehead, but they lost, giving the group win to the Lakers. 

Patrik

Lundh

3+4, +6

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Patrik Lundh is the Vaxjo Lakers' top scorer after the group stage. The fast-skating and hard-working forward has collected 7 points so far. He has great chemistry with his centreman, Joakim Hillding, who is the team's third-highest in points with 5. Their line, completed by Liam Reddox, is leading Vaxjo's offence and will be a threat to all teams.

 

Ilkka

Heikkinen

2+4, +4

 

Top Defenceman: Vaxjo have one of their best offensive pieces on the back end in Finn Ilkka Heikkinen. His 6 group-stage points places him second overall in scoring of all CHL defencemen, and is also second on the team as well. Not only does he contribute offensively, but he's also solid in his own end and is +4 after the group stage.

 

Stefan

Steen

88.41%

 

Top Goaltender: Stefan Steen has been in the net for Vaxjo in all but half a game and has a save percentage of 88.41. Perhaps not among the best numbers so far, but Steen has stepped up for his team when they needed him to. If he falters, they always have veteran Christopher Nilstorp on the bench as a capable back-up. 

 

Click here for team statistics.

Closer look: Djurgarden Stockholm

(2-1-0-1, 8 points, 13:11, 2nd in Group B)

Djurgarden finished as group runners-up, but they gave Tappara Tampere a good run for their money atop Group B. In the two head-to-head meetings between the teams, Djurgarden took an overtime decision in Tampere, while Tappara returned the favour and more by winning 4–2 in the Swedish capital. That difference of getting their home game to overtime is what gave Tappara the title. Both teams won both of their meetings with Swiss club EV Zug. 

Marcus

Sorensen

1+4, -1

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Marcus Sorensen leads Djurgarden in scoring after the group stage with 5 points. Sorensen was also the top scorer for Djurgarden in the SHL last season. Besides Sorensen, Djurgarden's offence is expected to be lead by Norwegian Patrick Thoresen, who is back with the club after many years in the KHL. Thoresen hasn't played in the CHL so far due to injury, but is expected to play in the playoffs.

Marcus

Hogstrom

0+3, -2

 

Top Defenceman: Djurgarden's defence is very young and unexperienced. Marcus Hogstrom, who is the oldest defender at 26 years of age, will be a leading player especially on the power play, even if he also is quite unexperienced with only two SHL seasons. Overall, everyone will have to continue playing well a whole team to keep the potent Vaxjo offence from scoring too much.

 

Mikael

Tellqvist

90.32 %

 

Top Goaltender: Djurgarden's goalies Mikael Tellqvist and Mantas Armalis have played two games each so far in the CHL. However, it is 36-year-old Tellqvist, who has many seasons in the NHL and KHL under his belt, who is expected to be the number-one choice. A product of the Djurgarden system, Tellqvist is now in his second season back with the club of his youth.

 

Click here for team statistics.