Part two of Game Day 3 sees six games take place tonight across Europe!

Staff writers

Sparta Prague vs. Storhamar Hamar

Group M; O2 Arena Prague, 18:30

Sparta Prague can take the initiative in Group M and move on to the magic seven points – enough to make the next round – if they can overcome Norwegian side Storhamar Hamar in Prague’s O2 Arena tonight. The Czech club narrowly beat Storhamar last week, and then lost in overtime in Geneva.

“We are satisfied with our four points from two away games. Now it would be great to win our first game in O2 Arena, which could get us into the playoffs,” says forward Petr Kumstat. “The Norwegians are a tough team to play again, as they are aggressive. They have some big players, so we have to make sure to finish our checks. They are also strong around both goals.”

Ocelari Trinec vs. Stavanger Oilers

Group L; Werk Arena, 19:00

After their overtime loss in Kuopio, Trinec at least have a point on the board – but following a loss to the Oilers in Stavanger, the home side really needs to go out and get a win on home ice tonight. The Czech club lost the corresponding fixture last season, and cannot afford a similar slip-up this time around.

“We have some injured players but, personally, I don’t like to make excuses. Our roster is deep enough and others can get a chance now. It’s on every one of them to prove they should be members of this team,” says Trinec netminder Peter Hamerlik. “We still want to advance and we have to do everything to win our next game against Stavanger. We don’t have anywhere to hide, since we fell into a little ‘hole’ now. We have to win this game!”

Red Bull Munich vs. HC Kosice

Group H; Olympia-Eisstadion, 19:30

CHL debutants Red Bull Munich had a perfect start to their Champions Hockey League campaign last weekend, picking up six points on the road in Kosice and Klagenfurt. Now they play their first game of the competition on home ice, and coach Don Jackson expects more of the same from Kosice. “I expect an even game – we have to out-work the opposition, and I think if we can pressure the like we did before we can have success,” he commented.

“We have to be in front of our goal and don’t let them have the rebounds. We struggled with getting ourselves in front of their goal so it has to be the same for them now,” says Kosice forward Jiri Bicek. “They had more chances and scored more goals. We lost, but that’s not the end of it. We still have two away games to play and one more at home. It’s only the beginning.”

SC Bern vs. IFK Helsinki

Group A; Postfinance Arena, 19:45

Bern hit home ice in the CHL for the first time this season with the visit of IFK Helsinki, a team that beat them 3–1 last week in Espoo. The team from the Finnish capital are in the driving seat in Group A, but only by a point and could be leapfrogged by tonight’s opponents if they were to lose; a win for the Finns, however, would leave them a point shy of qualification before heading to Linkoping on Sunday.

For Bern it’s pretty simple – they need a win; however, a victory by more than two goals will also give them a better head-to-head record then HIFK, should it be needed to decide this tight group.

HC Davos vs. Farjestad Karlstad

Group E; Vaillant Arena, 19:45

Swiss side HC Davos only need a point in tonight’s game against SHL opposition to book their place in the next round. Having shut out Farjestad in Sweden last week, Davos’ Swedish forward Marcus Paulsson knows the opposition will be motivated: “It’s a new game, and Farjestad will to everything to take revenge (for the last game). This will go a long way to deciding the group,” he said.

“We have analyzed last week’s performance and we are only thinking of winning these two games,” says defenceman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. “We’ve had good practice sessions running up to the weekend and nobody steps aside – we’re up for it!”

Frolunda Gothenburg vs. JYP Jyvaskyla

Group N; Frolundaborgs Isstadion, 20:00

Both of these teams took home victories over the Sheffield Steelers last weekend, and so go into the game locked on three points each. Whoever wins the game is likely to make themselves favourites to take the group; however, with road trips to Sheffield also to come neither side will want to drop points to their qualification rivals.

“It´s looking good, we are prepared and we are going for the win,” says Henrik Tommernes, Frolunda’s Cramo Top Scorer so far. “From what I experienced from last season in Finland, JYP will check hard and attack with speed.”