- Both teams won their opening games on Thursday
- Frölunda enters this game one point ahead of Zurich
- Frölunda took 5 of 6 points from Zurich in last year's Group Stage
Both of these teams won their opening games on Thursday night, but while Frölunda defeated the Vienna Capitals in regulation time, Zurich surprisingly needed overtime to overcome the Aalborg Pirates, giving the Indians a one-point lead atop the group heading into this game.
These are two of Europe’s most recognizable hockey clubs, both having been crowned European champs before – Zurich in 2009 in the first incarnation of the Champions Hockey League and Frölunda back to back in 2016 and 2017. Their two meetings during the Group Stage last season were both close affairs, with Frölunda winning 5-4 in overtime in Gothenburg and then 2-1 in regulation time in Zurich. In the two games, Frölunda’s Ryan Lasch and Zurich’s Fredrik Pettersson – the CHL’s top two scorers during the Group Stage – went head-to-head.
As mentioned, ZSC Lions Zurich’s start to the CHL this season was a bit disappointing, giving up five goals to the Danish champions from Aalborg. They needed to erase a two-goal third-period deficit before getting an overtime goal from Christian Marti to secure two points.
“The ZSC Lions are a well organized and skilled team. One of the best teams in Europe and in the tournament.”Roger Rönnberg (Head Coach, Frölunda Indians)
The Frölunda Indians also had trouble at the start of their game in Vienna, falling behind 1-0 before rallying with three quick goals late in the second period and eventually winning 4-1. Lasch and Charles Genoway led the way with three points each. Things aren’t likely to get any easier in Zurich.
“We faced Frölunda last year during the group stage. Although we had two thrilling clashes, we weren’t able to win and only got one point out of the two games. Beating them will be a great challenge for us again.”Sven Leuenberger (General Manager, ZSC Lions Zurich)