As we head into Game Day 2, we have two teams who had very different fortunes in their opening CHL games. Tappara Tampere kicked off their 2019/20 campaign with a two-game road trip, and their visit to Klagenfurt didn’t exactly go as planned. KAC edged a 3-2 result, in a close back-and-forth game where Tappara were made to rue penalties, missed chances, and defensive zone turnovers. The club has all the talent in the world to bounce back from this result though, and will head to Switzerland knowing they have what it takes to get one win from their early-season travels.

EHC Biel-Bienne, the home side for this GD2 clash, made their CHL debut on Thursday. Despite having 45 shots on goal, they only managed to fire 2 past Frisk Asker goaltender Nicklas Dahlberg, who was one of the stars of GD1. Biel-Bienne showed their patented skill and trademark speed against Frisk Asker, dominating puck possession and firing at will. Star defenceman Yannick Rathgeb scored Biel-Bienne’s first ever CHL goal in the first period, although the away side were able to tie the game in the second. In the end, Toni Rajala scored the game winner.

It looks to be a mouthwatering clash in Switzerland on Saturday. Can Biel-Bienne’s shooters be more efficient and convert on their scoring chances, which will be undoubtedly fewer given Tappara’s strong defence? On the other hand, can Tappara bounce back from early disappointment and put in a performance that we have expected of them in numerous years of CHL competition? Tune in to find out.