- First CHL meeting between both clubs
- Adler Mannheim had third best defensive record in Group Stage
- Mountfield’s Group Stage campaign included win in Frölunda
Group F winners Adler Mannheim face a first leg in the Czech Republic against Group H Runners-Up Mountfield HK. For both teams, a confidence boosting win in the Champions Hockey League will be on the cards. Adler Mannheim in their return to the CHL have looked in imperious form, while this game will be Mountfield HK’s first ever CHL Playoff game, after two straight Group Stage exits.
Adler Mannheim were one of the most impressive teams in this season’s Group Stage. Despite their domestic season not getting off to the best start, Mannheim were one of the first teams to qualify for the Playoffs, after picking up 11 points through the first four Game Days. Despite a blip in Tychy, which saw the Polish side steal a point from their German opponents, Adler Mannheim ran through the Vienna Capitals, winning the two games by an aggregate score of 10-1. On their way to top spot in Group F, Mannheim only conceded one goal in three home games, although their defence was somewhat shakier on the road, particularly in a 6-3 loss to Djurgården Stockholm on Game Day 5. Look out once again for young phenom Tim Stützle. Through six games, the superstar-in-making has five points for Mannheim.
Mountfield HK will get their first ever CHL Playoff game underway on the back of some shaky domestic form. They currently sit in eighth place in the Czech Extraliga, and a recent addition has seen famed Czech coach Vladimír Růžička join the club. However, their CHL form is nothing to turn your nose up at. Two wins in two games against Graz99ers on Game Days 5 and 6 by a combined score of 9-2 set up the Czech side for success, following a less-than-ideal start against the Cardiff Devils on Game Day 1. Backstopped by Marek Mazanec, burly forward Tomáš Vincour is the team’s current top scorer with seven points in five games.