A fitting final as Swedes line-up against their neighboring Finns with the Champions Hockey League on the verge of crowning its next champions as Tappara Tampere make the trek to take on Rögle Ängelholm.

Having competed and completed each stage set out during the campaign, it’s no wonder that both clubs are deserving of the title. Finally, after battling the best for the past eight months, overcoming curses, and surprising the CHL world, we’ll soon see one of them hoist the European Trophy to claim top honours.

A Long Time Coming

Visiting side Tappara made the most of this CHL campaign, advancing past the Round of 16 for the first time and then some with some incredible hockey against the likes of the Rouen Dragons and, most recently, German side Red Bull Munich.

This year the Finns, who qualified for the CHL on the back of a 4th place finish in their domestic league, brought their compete level to new heights and showed why Finnish hockey is some of the best on the continent.

Putting together an 8-2-1 record, including 3 victories on the road, Tappara are on the cusp of fulfilling Tappara Head Coach Jussi Taapola’s aspirations from August when he said, “Our goal is to make the Playoffs and then go on to win the CHL.” With the Playoffs in the rearview mirror, now all that needs doing is one more solid performance from a club that’s been every bit as advertised this year.

That performance begins and ends with an entire team effort as well as the continued play of those players who’ve been productive for the Finnish side throughout the campaign. Kristian Kuusela, an alternate captain who’s spent most of the last decade donning a Tappara sweater, leads the team with 13 points (2G,11A) while Anton Levtchi, another fixture on the Tappara roster, currently sits with nine points (3G,6A) through 11 contests.

On the backend, the Finns’ defence has done its job only allowing an average of 2.27 goals against per game, and their goaltending has been a beacon for Tappara with Christian Heljanko enjoying some of his best hockey, including two shutouts. Heading into Tuesday's match-up, however, some attention needs to be paid to their penalty kill as it’s struggled a bit. Staying out of the box will be to their advantage against Rogle’s uber-successful powerplay.

No Place Like Home

“In it to win it.”

This was Head Coach Cam Abbot’s response when asked about his club’s mission coming into their debut campaign. As actions speak louder than words, Abbot’s assertion is now one game away from becoming a reality that will perpetuate the proud tradition of Swedish hockey dominance on CHL ice.

This at one time dark horse team has done nothing but awe fans from around Europe as they’ve witnessed a group of talented youngsters and veterans alike take down clubs wielding years of CHL experience, including their fellow countrymen in Frölunda Gothenburg. Already with their own taste of success, Rögle have the chance to cement themselves in the annals of CHL hockey by capping off their near-perfect run in spectacular fashion with one more momentous victory on home ice.

Fortunately for the Swedish side, the Catena Arena has been a bastion this campaign with five out of their six games going in the win column. Ludvig Larsson, Adam Tambellini, and Leon Bristedt currently lead the forward group with Larsson’s five tallies and nine helpers giving him 14 points through 12 tilts while Bristedt (3G,9A) and Tambellini (5G, 7A) sit 2nd and 3rd respectively.

They’ll be the ones to watch, especially on the man-advantage, as Rögle attempt to break through Tappara’s tough defence. Speaking of defence, Rögle’s Lucas Ekeståhl Jonsson has been nothing short of sensational amassing 13 points (2G, 11A) through 12 games to lead all CHL defencemen in points coming into Tuesday's contest.

As the CHL gears up for its 7th Final, these two clubs, with obstacles overcome and challengers bested, will be vying for that which all 32 clubs strove for from the beginning – a chance to be crowned the best in European hockey.

Don't miss the action as the puck is set to drop at 19:00 CET tomorrow!