Two proud clubs with rich European histories meet in Gävle on Tuesday night as Brynäs IF welcome SC Bern for the opening game of their Round of 16 tie. Both sides finished the Regular Season with identical 3–3 records, but how they got there tells two very different stories.

For Brynäs, defence has been the foundation. The Swedish side conceded only ten goals in six games - among the best figures in the CHL - and posted two shutouts along the way. Their campaign began with a loss, but what followed was a perfect road trip, winning convincingly in Hradec Králové and following it up with a 4–2 home success over KAC Klagenfurt and then yet another win against reigning CHL Champions ZSC Lions Zurich. Even in their narrow defeats, Brynäs showed structure and composure, traits that will serve them well in the Playoffs.

Up front, Lucas Pettersson has been the spark with three goals and five points, while Anton Rödin and centre Linus Ölund have added experience and work rate. On defence, Robert Hägg and Mattias Norlinder bring stability and puck movement, and goaltenders Collin Delia (91.7% save percentage) and Damian Clara (95.9% save percentage) have combined for a strong tandem. Perhaps the most striking number, though, is Brynäs’s 100% penalty kill, a figure matched only by Finns Ilves Tampere.

SC Bern arrive with more attacking prowess, having netted 21 times in six outings. The Swiss side were at their most dangerous at home, putting seven past Belfast Giants and five against Kometa Brno, but they also showed resilience on the road with a 2–0 win in Grenoble. Marco Müller and Benjamin Baumgartner have led the charge with five points each, supported by Miro Aaltonen’s balanced two-way play. Between the pipes, Adam Reideborn has been reliable with a 90.2% save percentage and two shutouts to his name.

The match-up promises a clash of styles. Brynäs’s defensive precision against Bern’s offensive power. The first game in Sweden could hinge on fine margins, and with both teams evenly matched, one moment of execution on special teams or one big save might define who takes the upper hand back to Bern next week.