Few would have predicted that HC Lugano start their Champions Hockey League home series without a point to their name, but that's the situation they find themselves in as Slovak champions HC05 Banská Bystrica visit tonight.

Lugano had a miserable road trip despite some positive spurts – they twice came from behind in Pilsen, but lost to a late goal. In Bystrica they were well beaten despite a better start. If the hosts lose tonight, they will find themselves all but out of the CHL with three games left. Head Coach Greg Ireland bemoaned the lack of scoring chances created last week; he'll also want to see their penalty kill improve from 72.73% so far and that netminder Elvis Merzlikins improves his 85.45% save percentage.

The Slovaks would probably have expected to have a tough time against JYP Jyväskylä, but with the three-point win over Lugano they head into this game with a realistic shot at the playoffs if they can pick up any points – expectations they hadn't really given themselves when the draw was made.

Tomáš Zigo was in fine form last week with a pair of goals against the Swiss side.