Placed in a tough group with KalPa Kuopio from Finland and the Malmö Redhawks from Sweden, neither the Stavanger Oilers nor Kometa Brno can afford to squander away any points against each other if they plan to contend for one of the top two spots, which they are both capable of. This is the Oilers’ fourth straight CHL appearance, making it as far as the Round of 16 in 2015/16, and they also won the Continental Cup in 2013/14. This is Kometa’s first CHL appearance, qualifying as Czech champions, but they have been European champions before, albeit in the distant past – three straight titles from 1966 to 1968.

Speaking about facing a Czech team, Stavanger General Manager Pål Haukali Higson said: “The Oilers have faced Oceláři Třinec in the CHL twice and HC Pilsen once. Kometa Brno will be a new Czech experience for us. We expect highly-skilled players as always from the Czech league. We have to perform at our very best to compete with them.”

In addition to group favourites KalPa and Malmö, Kometa Owner, General Manager and Heach Coach Libor Zábaranský said: “I also think the Stavanger Oilers will be a very strong opponent. I don't underestimate any team, as I have great respect for our opponents. But as to what happens in this particular game, we'll see once it's over.”