SHL Regular Season winners Färjestad Karlstad return to Europe’s top stage after a two-year absence. They’ve participated in three previous seasons of the competition, but never made it past the Round of 16. One statistic stands out – Färjestad have played 6 games in each previous CHL season, winning 4 and losing 2 every year. Their squad has undergone many changes throughout the off season, with key player Jesse Virtanen moving to the KHL and many home grown talents being offered NHL try-outs overseas. Will their replacements be up to the task of continuing in last season’s footsteps?

HC05 Banská Bystrica have already participated in the CHL twice. Despite losing more games than winning, they know what to expect of the competition and have become a regular contender from Slovakia. They have never faced a side from Sweden, nor have they ever participated in the competition alongside Färjestad before, so this tie has a certain mystery surrounding it. Anything can happen.