EV Zug lead Group B after a 2-1 home victory over IFK Helsinki. Read more in Gamecentre. 

EV Zug have taken care of business so far in Group G with a win in Esbjerg and now an impressive 2-1 decision on home ice against a strong IFK Helsinki squad. What made the win impressive was how dominant they were, with a 27-20 edge in shots. If not for some solid goaltending from ex-NHLer Nicklas Backstrom – especially in the second period – it could have been worse.

The first period was fairly evenly played, though, and it looked like the teams would be headed to their respective dressing rooms still scoreless, but on a late power play – just after IFK failed to convert a shorthanded breakaway – Lino Martschini hopped on a rebound and put it away with 16 seconds showing on the clock. In the second period it was all Zug, thanks in part to three straight power plays, but Backstrom stopped all 12 shots he faced. At the other end, Tobias Stephan only had to make two saves but the second one was a spectacular glove save in the last minute off Thomas Nykopp from close range on an IFK power play.

With under seven minutes to play, Zug got some breathing room. A nice passing play was finished by Emmanuel Peter, with Backstrom having no chance on the backdoor play. IFK Helsinki pressed late and, with Backstrom pulled for a sixth attacker, they got one back on a Tommy Taimi slapper with 1:45 to go. That was as close as they would come, however, as Zug continue the strong showing by Swiss clubs at this year's CHL. 

"Well, how happy can you be when you lose a game?" IFK Helsinki coach Antti Tormanen asked rhetorically. "The last period was good because we put our heart and energy into the game but overall I'm disappointed. It was a great game for the crowd, and although it was a low-scoring game both teams had good chances and it was a great atmosphere in the rink."

"It was a hard-fought game, very intensive," said Zug coach Harold Kreis. "5-on-5, I think we edged it and had a bit better control of the game, but they made us work for it at the end. We wanted to give everything today to win the home, because next we go to Helsinki and that will be very tough."