Yesterday's end to Game Day 4 has also brought an end to Champions Hockey League action in September. But before the action returns in early October, we already know of two teams that have mathematically secured their spot in the 2023/24 Playoffs!
So who are the two teams that will definitely be among the Top 16 come Game Day 6? Well, both have 11 points and have won all four of their games this season - three each in regulation and one each in a shootout. Both are high-scoring, well-defending teams...
One is Finnish, the other is Swedish.
No more teasing - here they are!
Ilves Tampere
The Finns have been one of the teams to beat so far this season and got of to a blazing start with two wins on the road over Dynamo Pardubice and HC Bolzano in which they let in only two goals while scoring a solid 10.
Oceláři Třinec proved a tougher nut to crack but two third-period goals from Les Lancaster won them a huge three points on their home game debut of the season.
Next up were Vítkovice Ridera, Ilves' third Czech opponents of the season. A poor start to the game saw the Finns trailing 0-2 after the first period but a second-period goal on a 5-on-3 powerplay and another two or so minutes later saw the game tied 2-2 but no game-winner would come on regulation or OT so the game headed to a shootout.
Lancaster and Šimon Stránský scored in the one-on-one to win their team the extra point and secure a place in the 2023/24 Playoffs.
Växjö Lakers
Reigning SHL champions the Växjö Lakers also got their 2023/24 campaign off to a positive start, beating the Lahti Pelicans 5-1 on the road. Next up were Norwegian champions the Stavanger Oilers who put on a proper show, taking the Swedes to extra time and a shootout to decide this 13-goal game. Luckily, Växjö took the extra point.
Game Day 3 saw Växjö face Danish champions the Aalborg Pirates for their first home game of the season. 60 minutes of game time later, the Swedes were standing on the winning side of this 5-2 clash with three points in the bag.
Yesterday's match-up against a strong Swiss side in EHC Biel-Bienne in the Vida Arena was set to be a close one but actually ended as a 4-0 shutout win for the home team - another +3 for the Swedes but more importantly a secured place in the 2023/24 Playoffs.