If three days without hockey were too long for you, then never fear - the Champions Hockey League returns with 10 more elite games tonight!

Staff Writers

Tappara Tampere vs. Djurgarden Stockholm

Group B; Hakamesta Stadium, 17:30

A point or more for Tappara would put them into the knock-out stages already, as they hit home ice to face a Djurgarden side that they beat last week in Stockholm’s Globen Arena.

"Tappara played a tough game and played a balanced game. They were a good opponent,” says Djurgarden's assistant coach Stefan Nyman. “Tomorrow is a new game with new conditions. I think we lost the game due to the mistakes we made before with the goals. However, we started the game very good and during periods of time we did what we have been training at, but as soon as we stopped doing that, Tappara gained the advantage. Now we have to take command more than the last game."

On tonight’s game, Tappara forward Patrik Laine commented: “We had a good road trip last week, but that’s in the past now. We must play  better because Djurgården is going to give all they have.”

Karpat Oulu vs. Krefeld Pinguine

Group J; Oulun Energia-Areena, 17:30

Karpat play their first CHL home game of the season tonight knowing that a point or more wil confirm their place in the next round. “We’ve been waiting this day for some time now,” says defensemen Jani Hakanpaa, who is making his home debut for his new team tonight. “We have been working hard for the whole summer so that we would be ready right from the start of the season. I think there will be some extra excitement for the team, since this will be our first game in Oulu. I know that today will be a big day for me at least.” 

Having lost their only game to date at home to Karpat, Krefeld go into tonight’s game looking to score some goals. “Oulu are a good opponent with very good players. But I want to win the next game and with a little bit luck, what we didn't have in the first game, is it possible,” says Pinguine head coach Rick Adduono.

Lukko Rauma vs. Fribourg-Gotteron

Group K; Kivikylan Arena, 17:30

It’s a one-point advantage for Lukko Rauma over old CHL rivals Lulea in Group K, meaning that a win tonight would put the Finnish club four points clear at the top of the group, and within touching distance of the next round.

“The first game was the first whole game to us this season and it showed. We had more enthusiasm than sense,” said Lukko’s Jesper Piitulainen. “If you mirror this game from the last game, it is clear that today’s game will be fast and physical. Fribourg have lots of skill and its North American players guarantee that we must be strong in all situations. We will aim for a fast-paced game.”

Fribourg narrowly lost out by a single goal in the reverse fixture last week, but will need to pul something out of the bag to get themselves going on the league table before it’s too late.

HC Litvinov vs. Grenoble

Group F; Zimni Stadion Ivana Hlinky, 18:30

Litvinov's somewhat surprise win in Finland against Espoo means they only need a point from today’s game at home to Grenoble to book their place in the next round. For the visitors, it's a long ride to the Czech Republic, but a trip that is set to held the team bond.

“We’ll take bus for trip to Litvinov, the journey should take 13 hours,” says Edo Terglay. “We'll stay four days together as a team, so it's really good for us. We arrive in Litvinov in the morning, have breakfast and go to practise.”

“Travelling might be a disadvantage. It maybe influenced our performance a bit, but that’s what our opponents will have to deal with when they come to Litvinov,” says forward Rostislav Martynek.

Tomas Pavelka, defenceman, added: “It is a success so far, nobody expected that we will win both games. We were favourites in Grenoble, but not in Finland.”

Skelleftea AIK vs. HK Nitra

Group D; Skelleftea Kraft Arena, 19:00

Skelleftea return back home after last week’s trip to Slovakia and the Czech Republic in high spirits, after a road a trip that ended with two solid performances and six points. The Swedes have Group D, and know that a point or more against the team they beat 4–2 last week will put them into the next phase. 

Defenceman Marcus Pettersson told the team’s official website: “We´ve found some keys areas – creating turnovers against them is one; they often search for the long coast to coast passes from their defensive zone, so if we can find a way to break these passes we get rewarded with plenty of 3-on-2 and also 4-on-2 breaks.” Skelleftea are expected to name an unchanged lineup for the game, with local media suggesting just some line rearrangements.

“The long awaited first game was a decent one from our side, although the visitors won it. We should have score from some of the big opportunities we managed to create in first period,” reflected Nitra head coach Antonin Stavjana, whose team travels to Sweden to play on the day of the game. “Now it will be more difficult, they’re at home and they will want to show something to their fans. We will also choose a bit more of a defensive style.

“It will be a bit special since we’ll travel by plane before the game, but I’m not afraid that players might be nervous. If it’s once in a while, they won’t even have time to get nervous. We will just get out of the plane and play.”

Red Bull Salzburg vs. SonderjyskE Vojens

Group C; Eisarena Salzburg, 19:30

It was somewhat of a shock to many commentators when SonderjyskE comfortably beat Salzburg 4-1 on home ice last week, and now the two sides meet in the reverse fixture in Mozart’s birth city. A win for the visitors would put them just a point away from making the next round, and leave it all to do for the Austrians. 

“What’s happened has happened,” says Salzburg head coach Daniel Ratushny. “We’ve been working very hard in the last two days, and trained well with the focus just on the game today against Vojens. The players are very motivated and ready for this game. Nothing else counts now!”

"Winning our first game was a great accomplishment for our team but nothing changes in our approach to playing these high powered teams: Play tight defense, minimize our turnovers, and be opportunistic on offence,” says Dan Ceman, head coach of the Danish side. “The first 10 minutes will be extremely important in Salzburg as we expect them to throw everything at us early. We have to continue to try to take the continuity out of their offence."

Black Wings Linz vs. TPS Turku

Group G; Keine Sorgen EisArena, 19:30

The home debut of Linz in the CHL sees them taking on a Turku side that thrashed them 6-1 on opening day last week. Linz then went on to lose in Dusseldorf, so desperately need points to keep their quest for round two alive.

“We didn’t play as we would have expected, it was a step back from our first warm-up game in Munich,” admitted general manager Christian Perthaler. “Today we want to see a different side against Turku than last week, and we’ll be there for 60 minutes!”

The Black Wings go into the game with doubts over Rob Hisey und Sebastien Piche, although both are eager to play.

Adler Mannheim vs. Neman Grodno

Group I; SAP Arena, 19:30

Adler Mannheim hit home ice with somewhat of a grudge match against Neman Grodno, the side that provided a huge upset to beat the German champions in their opening CHL match last week. Whoever wins tonight would take control of the group, although Mannheim have played a game more.

“We’re always looking forward to play in the CHL,” says Adler head coach Greg Ireland. “After two away games the whole team is excited to play in front of our fans for the first time this season. We’re up against a very good opponent who will bring their best to the rink. We have to be prepared for that and do the same.”

“We understand that it will be more difficult to win than at home, and for us it is very important how we will play in the first ten minutes, because we will face serious pressure immediately,” expects Neman head coach Milos Holan. “But the mood of the players is good. Every game begins 0-0, and everyone should keep this in mind.”

ZSC Lions vs. Gap Rapaces

Group P; Kunsteisbahn im Chreis, 19:45

A point or more will be enough to send the ZSC Lions through to the next round, although after the tight game in France last week they will know to take nothing for granted against Gap.

The visitors are joined by Eisbaren Berlin on 0 points at the foot of the group, however both will know that every game and point now counts in the race for the second berth in the knock-out stages.

Vaxjo Lakers vs. ERC Ingolstadt

Group O; Vida Arena, 20:00

“They are undoubtedly a very good team,” says Ingolstadt’s Head Coach Manny VIveiros before his team’s trip to Vaxjo. The Lakers destroyed the Braehead Clan in their opener last week, and although the Panthers did beat the same opposition it was much harder work for them in Ingolstad.

Both sides are locked in at three points for their opening game, so tonight’s matchup is the perfect opportunity for one team to take the lead in the group.