After a couple of big losses on the road to start, Cracovia were much better defensively on home ice against Brynäs and Munich, staying in both games right to the end and giving hope that this game against IFK Helsinki might be a chance for the Polish champs to get their first CHL point, and maybe even a win. Again this time, they played a solid defensive first period, allowing only one goal, but IFK – who have had a frustrating campaign so far - broke it open with three goals in the latter half of the second and won 6-0.

Patrik Carlsson and 17-year-old Niklas Nordgren – the latter making his debut with IFK Helsinki's pro squad – scored all the goals, each recording hat-tricks. Goalie Niilo Halonen made 16 saves for the shutout.

Nordgren’s first goal was the lone marker of the first period and it came on a rush, with his long wrister going off the post and in to beat Rafal Radziszewski. IFK’s paper-thin 1-goal lead lasted until the game’s midpoint when Damian Kapica was called for tripping. Carlsson scored his first of the game on the power play, then added a second at even strength three minutes later and at that point, there wasn’t much doubt about the outcome.

Both teams will finish up their CHL campaigns next week in the Finnish capital, where Cracovia will once again try for their first CHL point.