After being on the wrong end of a surprise defeat in Italy, IFK Helsinki will have returned home knowing that they must claim a win against the teams above them if they are to avoid slumping out of the Group Stage once again.

A victory in their second game against HC Bolzano would see the Finnish side well back in the race to qualify. Contrasting the ‘if’s’ and ‘buts’ however is the manner of the defeat in Eiswelle, which will have resonated with fans whose memories of the last tournament are still fresh. In that campaign Helsinki earned no bragging rights, claiming their only victories against Comarch Cracovia who lost all six of their games, conceding a whopping 31 goals.

Head Coach Ari-Pekka Selin will demand more of his side after a positive first 20 minutes against the Foxes transitioned into a nightmarish remaining 40. His team will be hoping to go the full distance this time with the combination of their added depth and rapturous home support. Bolzano forward Michael Blunden will arrive with the intention of spoiling the party by further exploiting Selin’s side for goals to add to his tally, while with five points already in the bag the Italians will know anything picked up on the road could well help them over the line into the playoffs.