Vítkovice Ridera and EHC Biel-Bienne are two teams on the Playoff bubble. They both have six points, which is one above the cut-off heading into Game Day 5, but that number will probably be below the line when Wednesday’s games are done. Therefore, both teams will enter this game knowing that a win will probably keep their heads above water, but a loss will put them in a desperate situation heading into Game Day 6.

Through four Champions Hockey League games, these teams have each scored 10 goals, which has them tied for 16th in the competition. Biel-Bienne have also surrendered 10, while Vítkovice have allowed 11.

Interestingly, Vítkovice have the CHL’s best powerplay so far this season at 30 %, while Biel-Bienne are 14th at 15%.

One of the busier CHL players at both ends of the rink this season has been Vítkovice’s Dominik Lakatoš, who is tied for fourth in points with six, tied for second in blocked shots with 10, and sits alone in fifth in shots on goal with 18. The overall leader in shots on goal is Biel-Bienne’s Toni Rajala with 21 but, interestingly, Rajala has only scored one goal. Biel-Bienne’s top scorer is defenceman Ville Pokka with four points – all assists.

Vítkovice are not off to a good start to the domestic season with just seven points in their first nine Extraliga games, which puts them dead last following Sunday’s 1-0 loss to HC Pilsen. Likewise, Biel-Bienne are not tearing up their National League, sitting 11th in the standings following Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to Genève-Servette.