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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?
Czech Rep.: Tipsport extraliga | 1.liga | 2.liga
Slovakia: Tipsport Extraliga | 1.liga
Sweden: SHL | HockeyAllsvenskan
Other: EBEL | Belarus | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | France | Great Britain | Iceland | Italy | Latvia | Lithuania | MOL-liga | Norway | Poland | Romania | Serbia | Slovenia | Spain | NHL | AHL |
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