Down 2-0 to Frölunda Gothenburg after the first 20 minutes, Lausanne HC were able to orchestrate a comeback to knot things at 2-2 near the midway mark of the match-up. But a three-goal third for the Swedes would propel them past the Swiss as they suffered their second-straight defeat, falling 5-2. The Belfast Giants, too, were able to keep up with Finnish side Ilves Tampere until their defence got derailed as the Finns went on to register four unanswered goals and rout the UK side by a final of 7-4.

Through 120 minutes of hockey, Lausanne have surrendered nine tallies while only generating three. Their Goals Against is second to last (4.50) - only Belfast is worse with 5.00 - and their metrics for Goals For is a paltry 1.50.

For the Swiss to succeed against a team that's currently netting an average of 3.00 GG, they'll need to bring a steady diet of defence and improved play when the puck isn't on their stick. Keeping the puck out of their net should be their sole focus as, despite their low offensive metrics, it's been their defence that has been their real detriment.

Belfast have paced their opponents until they haven't. In both of their previous contests, the club has been able to match intensity and even take the lead, but a lack of consistent effort has cost them in both occasions. While the OT loss to KalPa Kuopio was forgivable, the beating from Ilves was a shame, as the EIHL side had more in them.