- Växjö scored two goals in the first period
- Biel-Bienne outshot Växjö 28-24
- First shutout of the season for Emil Larmi
The Växjö Lakers looked calm and composed on Game Day 4 of the Champions Hockey League where they'd continue their winning streak, taking down Swiss rivals EHC Biel-Bienne.
The 4-0 win in regulation is the fourth straight win for the reigning SHL champions, who had three of their four lines producing goals. Kalle Kossila managed another solid game netting three points (1G, 2A), while teammate Emil Larmi made 28 perfect saves to collect his first shutout of the CHL season.
Visitors EHC Biel-Bienne looked to be on the back foot early after the Lakers opened with several great shots, including a near miss, high up on the blocker side of 26-year-old netminder Joren van Pottelberghe.
The Swedes had sensational control in the zone which would see them draw a penalty from Biel-Bienne, who were looking for containment. Finnish forward Kossila dished some fancy sauce to Robert Rosén who'd beat the left side of van Pottelberghe, making it 1-0.
A call in favour of the Swiss visitors saw a golden chance by Fabio Hofer who collected an impressive long pass from his netminder, but backstop Emil Larmi had his number.
Forward Manuel Ågren extended the lead for the Lakers at 14:01 after tapping in an awkward bounce, off a rebound hammered at the net by Kossila.
A slapshot from the blade of Biel-Bienne's Toni Rajala was a fraction away from cutting the lead but instead ringed off the post of Larmi. The first period would end 2-0 in favour of the hosts, with Växjö outshooting their rivals 14-11.
The Swedes continued the scoring in the second period. Martin Lundberg, who was assisted by Dylan McLaughlin and Tobias Rieder, beat the glove side of van Pottelberghe to extend the lead to 3-0. A highlight-reel-worthy stick save by van Pottelberghe stemmed further damage to the scoreboard, but the Swiss side struggled to close the gap.
Biel-Bienne were chasing points in the third period but it would be Växjö would take the lion's share of quality opportunities, including a sensational attempt from Ågren who dangled his way onto the doorstep of the Swiss team's net, only to be denied.
In desperation to close the deficit, the Swiss team pulled their goalie for a sixth man on their powerplay but had no success. The last two minutes saw the goalie pulled once more, but that decision proved fatal after a turnover saw Kossila net his first goal of the night, an empty netter, to close out the game 4-0 in favor of the hosts.