SC Bern head into this October clash having picked up a 5-3 win in their last CHL against Kometa Brno. The victory lifted them to seven points from four games and steadied things after back-to-back losses against Luleå Hockey and Mountfield HK.

Marco Lehmann’s two goals against Brno provided the spark, and the Swiss side looked sharper in attack than in earlier outings, finishing their chances more effectively. With the Regular Season starting to tighten, Bern still need to build on that win and edge themselves deeper into the Top 16.

For the Belfast Giants, the wait for a first victory continues, though they do have one point to their name from an overtime loss against KalPa Kuopio on opening night. They also pushed Ilves Tampere hard before slipping away late on, but heavier defeats to Lausanne HC and EV Zug showed how tough this stage can be.

Defensive lapses have often undone promising spells, leaving the Giants frustrated in their search for a full result. There have been positives: Patrick Grasso has been a steady presence up front, while David Goodwin has also chipped in with important goals, but so far, they haven’t been enough to swing momentum.

This meeting in Bern arrives at a crucial stage. For the hosts, it’s a chance to string wins together and climb higher in the standings. For Belfast, it represents an opportunity to stop their slide and put up a fight for a Top 16 finish.