Tappara visited Třinec on Game Day 2 in a game that Oceláři would rather forget. In fact, the opening two-day homestand was altogether regrettable for Třinec, who lost 6-1 to Djurgarden and 8-2 to Tappara. For Tappara, the game was a nice way to rebound from an opening shootout loss in Storhamar

Since that game, Tappara went back home and beat Storhamar 6-1, giving the team two big wins in a row. Tappara now lead Group E with seven points – two up on Djurgarden and four up on Třinec and Storhamar. They could clinch a spot in the Round of 16 with a regulation win here combined with a Djurgarden win over Storhamar. Forward Jarkko Malinen is the team’s LGT Top Scorer with seven points, all assists.

After their disastrous first two games, Třinec came up with a huge 4-3 win in Stockholm to get themselves right back in the battle. They can’t be satisfied with getting the split on the road, though – they need more points in Tampere, preferably three. If they do that, they know that their last two Group Stage games are against Storhamar, while Tappara and Djurgarden face each other. Vladimír Dravecký is the team’s Top Scorer with a goal and two assists.