- Lahti are on a two-game winning streak
- Rouen's last game was a loss after a shootout
- Lahti hold bragging rights after beating them in their last meeting in the 2023/24 CHL season
The Lahti Pelicans face a familiar foe in the Rouen Dragons as they get ready to suit up for Game Day 6 action of the Champions Hockey League. In their last contest, back in the 2022/23 CHL Season, the Finns drubbed the French side on their home turf, Patinoire Nathalie Péchalat, 8-3.
This year, and despite a horror opening game against Färjestad Karlstad, Lahti has been mostly successful, collecting a 3-2 win-loss record and eight points which places them in 14th position in the Regular Season Standings. Interestingly, of the two games lost, both have been at the hands of Swedish teams.
The Finns are averaging 2.80 goals per game, but have experienced some major struggles with their powerplay: of their 17 chances, just three were successful, resulting in a 17.65% conversion rate. Upfront, 24-year-old forward Leevi Tukiainen, who is in his second season with Lahti, leads his team with six points (4G, 2A).
Netminders Olof Lindbom and Jasper Patrikainen have shouldered games evenly, and have save averages of 88.89% and 89.25% respectively, putting them outside the bracket of top ten goaltenders.
Rouen, in contrast, have suffered five straight losses, placing them in the bottom quartile of teams. During their last game against Ilves Tampere, the French side put on one of their best performances to date for the home crowd, but would lose 3-2 in the shootout.
What's hampering Rouen's capacity to be more effective this season? The team's powerplay conversion rate sits at a dismal 7.69% and face-off wins are a mere 37.74%. Despite these challenges, Canadian forward Jared Dmytriw has made a stunning debut for his side, collecting six points (4G, 2A) after five games.
Finnish netminder Oskari Setänen has played all five games for Rouen, making 158 saves, a statistic only bested by Linus Lundin of Unia Oświęcim who has made 198!
With four CHL seasons under their belt, Rouen aren't lacking experience, they've proven they can compete with Europe's very best, but the odds are in favor of the Pelicans, and Rouen are going to need to dig deep if they're to find a win this season.