- Växjö are currently averaging over 5 goals per game
- Biel-Bienne have won two of their three games so far
- The two sides have never played each other
Reigning SHL champions the Växjö Lakers are on a three-game winning streak! Game Day 3 action of the Champions Hockey League saw the Swedes collect their third straight win of the season, a controlled 5-2 victory over rivals, the Aalborg Pirates.
Danish forward Joachim Blichfeld, who is in his first season with the Lakers, has been at the forefront of the action and leads the scoring with four goals after three games, while teammate Gabriel Carlsson leads the league ranks in plus/minus stats with +6. Netminding has been shared, although Adam Åhman has played a game more, he’s averaging just under four goals against per game. Teammate Emil Larmi has fared better, making 17 saves and giving up a single goal after 60 minutes of playing time.
That aside, the Swedish team continue to be the top-ranked CHL team for offence, and currently average over five goals per game.
This will be the first time that the two teams have challenged each other, but Växjö Head Coach Jorgen Jönsson has studied his Swiss rivals: “Biel-Bienne reached the final in Switzerland last season. They have individually skilled players and will be a tough opponent.”
Swiss side EHC Biel-Bienne have so far picked up two wins from three games. Game Day 3 would see them suffer their first loss on the road and season, against experienced Swedish contenders Färjestad Karlstad.
Finnish defenceman Ville Pokka leads the points tally for Biel-Bienne, with four assists over three games, while both netminders have performed strongly to date. Compatriot Harri Säteri has made 53 saves over two games, and is averaging just over two goals per game. Swiss native Joren van Pottelberghe has a single game under his belt where he made 14 saves and gave up a single goal.
Biel-Bienne’s Head Coach Petri Matikainen is expecting a tough match against Växjö: “They have become a powerhouse in Swedish hockey. Their line-up is full of very good players, and they are coached by Jörgen Jönsson, who was the assistant coach in Davos in 2021/22. It will be a real challenge for us to go to their arena and try and get a good result.”
Can Biel-Bienne topple Växjö, or will the Swedes pick up their fourth straight win on Game Day 4?