CHL TOP16 draw
13 Oct 2017 | Věra Novotná
On Sept. 13 there was a draw in which the pairs were set up for the elimination round of the Champions Hockey League. All fans will find their cup of tea because every pair has its own lure. Let´s see what the programme can offer to you!
Tappara Tampere vs.
JYP Jyväskylä
This will be a pure
Finnish battle! Tappara were a champion of the Finnish league in the last two
seasons and three times before they lost in the final. They know their opponent
very well because Jyväskylä were three times in a bronze medal game with two
wins. In CHL, Tappara have five victories on their account, Jyväskälä managed
to win three times. The statistics are almost the same, two shorthanded goals
on each side, better penalty-killing for Jyväskylä, on the other hand, better
power-plays for Tappara.
Växjö
Lakers vs. Red Bull Salzburg
One of the hot
favourites and last semifinalist, Swedish team Växjö Lakers will face Red Bull
Salzburg. They have the strong position in their home leagues; in CHL they
never met each other. How did they get to the TOP16? Lakers beat Cardiff Devils
in the last match and won their group. Salzburg took the last chance to make
the advance and beat Wolfsburg 4:3. This meant that Salzburg will be
representing Austria in TOP16! On the other hand, Växjö want to confirm their
role of hot candidate for a final.
EV Zug vs. Kometa
Brno
The Czech champion HC
Kometa Brno are in TOP16 in their first appearance in CHL. The last match
against Vienna decided that EV Zug won not only a spot in TOP16 but also the
first place in their group. All Czech fans are curious where the journey of
Kometa Brno will end. EV Zug have their best appearance in CHL, in last format,
their journey ended in TOP32 and they will not give up their chances so easily.
Red Bull Munich
vs. SC Bern
Another team from
Switzerland have its spot among the sixteen best teams and this coming clash is
promising a really huge battle. The champion of DEL league SC Bern will be
facing Red Bull Munich, which held the title of Swiss National League. Munich
is betting on a great form in short-handed, in which they scored six goals.
Adler Mannheim vs.
Brynäs IF
Mannheim won their
group with five wins, now there will be another obstacle in form of Brynäs IF
from Sweden. The goal score is almost tied in this pair, power plays talk for
Mannheim, penalty-killing for Brynäs. The top scorers of both teams have eight
points and there is no chance to predict the team, who will advance to next
round!
Nottingham
Panthers vs. ZSC Lions
Also, a representative
from United Kingdom will appear in TOP16. The team from Nottingham will be
facing another team from Switzerland – ZSC Lions. Lions never faced any United
Kingdom team, but the warning can be the winning of Panthers against Bern,
another Swiss team. In this battle, the goalies can decide.
Malmö Redhawks vs.
HC Oceláři Třinec
The Swedish team from
Malmö made TOP16 in their first appearance in Champions Hockey League. In the
next round, they will be facing another Czech team – HC Oceláři Třinec. Numbers
of both representatives are quite similar. Both won four times, both scored
four goals in short-handed. The big advantage on the Třinec´s side is in the
net. Šimon Hrubec has a fantastic number (97,71%) and the Czech team conceded
just ten goals in previous matches.
Frölunda Indians vs. HC Bílí
Tygři Liberec
Two previous years
there was no other winner than Frölunda Indians. Also, this season is
excellently routed for them. They did not lose any match and it will be so hard
for HC Bílí Tygři Liberec to stop them. Liberec even qualified before their
last match against HC Davos, in which Liberec lost, but they gave the
opportunity to the young players, who could try the CHL atmosphere!
So now you know the TOP16, who will make the quarter-finals?