- Lausanne finished top of their Group, whilst Pilsen were second, but they both ended the Group Stage with 12 points each
- Pilsen have made it as far as the Semi-Finals, whilst Lausanne are debuting this year
- Pilsen have won all of their home games so far this season, two of which were in overtime
Lausanne HC’s first venture into the CHL has earned them a spot in the first elimination round where they face an experienced HC Pilsen side that went all the way to the Semi-Finals last season. Will they have it in them to defy the odds once again – just like they did when they won their Group despite being perceived as underdogs, or will Pilsen’s ambitious and experienced team roll them over?
Since their last CHL match against EV Zug nearly a month ago, Pilsen have only had their domestic league to focus on. Out of the six games they played over the period, they won four and return for the first elimination round of the competition off the back of a three-game winning streak. One of those wins was a 4-1 home win over fellow CHL participants Mountfield HK, who themselves have yet to win in November. 16 games in they sit second placed with a game still to play and could even go joint on points with first placed HC Sparta Prague if they are able to win their next league match.
Lausanne have played nine games since finishing off their dominating Group Stage run with a 5-3 win over Oceláři Třinec nearly a month ago. They have played not only in their domestic league but have also played in the Swiss Ice Hockey Cup, which they sadly started with a loss. Out of the nine games they have played, they have lost six and only won three. November has proved to be especally tough – they have lost their last two of their three November matchups and return to the CHL after two straight losses.