- Luleå with one-goal aggregate lead
- Frölunda came from behind in the last two rounds to advance
- Both sides atop of most league statistics
When the Champions Hockey League 2019/20 Playoff Draw produced this bracket there was always the chance that these to teams, who have both lifted the European trophy before, would meet in the Semi-Finals. Now, with one leg of their series left, it's crunch time to see which former champions will get to play for the title again.
Luleå Hockey will start with a one-goal advantage on home ice following the 3-2 first leg win in Gothenburg. The current SHL leaders have a win and a loss in domestic action following that victory, but do have an impressive record of winning six from their last seven in all competitions.
Defending champions Frölunda Indians will have to overturn the one-goal deficit if they're to have a chance at going for a fourth title and fifth final appearance. They'll also need to break their losing streak - four losses in as many games in SHL and CHL action, and only three wins in their last nine overall.
Of the last ten games played between these teams up in northern Sweden, Luleå have won six of them. The teams have played four times this season in all competitions, both sides have a pair of wins each. The teams share three of the top four points scorers in the CHL among Lasch, Rahkshani and Ilomäki; while in net Luleå's David Rautio has the better save statistic of 92.41% shots saved compared to Jonas Mattsson on 89.04%.
Frölunda average the highest number of goals per game in this season's CHL at 4.82, but giving up only 2.00 a game makes Luleå the joint-stingiest defense. There really is very little to pick between the teams.
The first goal of the game was scored by Juhani Tyrväinen (LHC) at 13:41.