While the Frölunda Indians already know they will be advancing to the Round of 16 and the Aalborg Pirates already know they will not, this game could play a big role in deciding who the other team to advance from Group A is. A regulation win by Aalborg could pave the way for a three-way tie between Frölunda, the Vienna Capitals and ZSC Lions Zurich, from which Frölunda and Vienna would advance. However, even one point captured by Frölunda makes Vienna’s task more difficult. For their part, Frölunda would like to win the game in regulation as that would guarantee them top spot in the group, regardless of the outcome of the other game.

These two teams met last week on the west coast of Sweden and the two-time European champions won comfortably on home ice 6-0. Now the two teams move 160 km southwest across the Kattegat Sea to the middle of the Jutlandic Peninsula, where the Pirates will try to end their CHL run on a high note.

Since last Tuesday’s game, the Indians have played two away SHL games and won both, and are now currently fourth in the SHL standings. The Pirates also won both of their domestic games in Denmark, once at home and once away, and are third in the Danish Ligaen.