EV Zug came through a fantastic battle with the Vienna Capitals to secure not only their place in the Round of 16, but also win the group thanks to JYP’s earlier loss in Grodno.

A goalless opening period suited the home side, who only needed a point to progress. The game was however turned on its head when Rafael Rotter’s thunderous shot flew into the top corner to give the Capitals the lead at 26:47.

That was a lead the Capitals held until almost 10 minutes to go, as Zug tied the game in somewhat controversial circumstances – the goal awarded after the referees chose to review a possible kicking motion by Nolan Diem. The Capitals then ran into penalty trouble as the game ticked down and started to get away from them, and the majority of the 4,925 spectators were on the feet as Lino Martschini slapped the puck into the net to put EVZ in the lead with 4:36 to play. Carl Klingberg added an empty-net goal at 58:16 to make sure of the three points that got his team not only into the next round, but also as group winners.