It's knock-out hockey from now on as this season's Champions Hockey league enters the Round of 32 today!

Staff writers

The Round of 32 starts today, with 15 ties to be played across Europe tonight. Remember, there will be no overtime or shootouts if today's games are tied – the scores in all matches carry over to the return legs in a fortnight.

Here's what's in store tonight:

Vitkovice Ostrava vs. Tappara Tampere

Ostrava Arena, 17:00

The day's early start is in the east of the Czech Republic, with Vitkovice entertaining Tappara – and the home side having a bit more information on their opponents than most teams.

“They have their quality, and a strong team. I hope lots of fans will come out today and help us. I remember they have some experienced players, and an older goalie as far as I remember,” says Tomas Kudelka, who played in Finland last season. “Some of the guys went to the KHL, but they brought some new players, and have kept their strength.”

Tappara head to Ostrava not in the best vain of form. Seven points from four games are what they have on the board at the moment, although they’ve not lost in regulation yet. Goalie Tomi Karhunen has started three of the games so far, averaging a save percentage of 92.41. “We had a good group stage, and now we’re very focused on keeping it going in the playoffs, too,” says Tappara defenceman Alexander Bonsaksen. “Vitkovice is a challenge for us, especially starting abroad against a team we don’t know that well.”

Ocelari Trinec vs. HV71 Jonkoping

Werk Arena, 17:30

Trinec entertain HV71 in the first of two SHL teams to visit the Czech Republic in today’s matches. Both sides will see this as a very winnable tie, although the eruption of the Swedes precedes them in the eyes of Trinec’s coach. “HV71 is a very strong Swedish team. We are looking forward to meeting them and playing some quality games together. We will prepare the best way we can,” said Jiri Kalous.

Bili Tygri Liberec vs. Linkoping HC

Home Credit Arena, 17:30

The other Swedish team in the Czech Republic tonight is Linkoping, who visit Liberec – with the hots having a player in their squad with SHL experience. “I played in Sweden and the hockey there is very similar to ours: great defence and lots of physically strong players,” says forward Petr Vampola. “We will try to tip the scales our way, so we can set a good example for Czech hockey abroad.”

“It’s going to be exciting. We had a taste of the playoff round last season, and it was a fun time. We don’t know much about the team, but I’m sure we will before the game,” says Broc Little, whose Linkoping side lost their last SHL game being shoutout 3–0 against Rogle. “We’ll have some motivation to get back on track, putting the game behind us and focusing on this game with a little bit of a kick in the butt to get back to basics. We want to go as far as we can in this competition.”

Espoo Blues vs. Adler Mannheim

Barona Areena, 17:30

Espoo started their Liiga season in pretty poor fashion, losing 6–1 to IFK Helsinki and 4–1 to Pelicans Lahti in their first two games. They bounced back, however, winning the next two against Lukko and Tappara (shootout) to go into their CHL tie with a bit of momentum. Ville Korhonen leads them in the league with three goals.

Mannheim meanwhile have had an indifferent start to their DEL campaign, taking six points from four games to put them in mid-table of the league which they led for most of last season.

Lukko Rauma vs. Red Bull Munich

Kivikylan Areena, 17:30

Munich head up to Lukko Rauma after a pretty disappointing start to the DEL, returning just five points from four games. That said, The Red Bull’s coach hopes to build on their success in the CHL so far which, in his opinion, presents other challenges than the domestic season. The games in the CHL are different to those in the DEL,” says Don Jackson, while Uli Maurer explains further, “We have to make less mistakes in the neutral and offensive zones – they wait for those in the DEL. Teams in the CHL don’t wait at all – they bring the game to you, that’s the difference.”

IFK Helsinki vs. HC Davos

Helsingin Jaahalli, 17:30

An indifferent start for Davos sees them currently only with six points from their opening five NLA games, and going into this match in Finland off the back of a 5–1 drubbing by Biel. Will this be haunting the players as they head to Helsinki? “Absolutely not,” insists Noah Schneebergers, speaking to the club’s website shortly after the defeat.

Helsinki head coach Antti Tormanen knows, however, that his team faces a stern test against Swiss opponents. “Davos is an excellent team that has won several Swiss championships under coach Arno del Curto. They are one of the best teams in Europe at driving towards the goal,” he told us.

JYP Jyvaskyla vs. TPS Turku

Synergia-Areena, 17:30

JYP and TPS contest the only all-Liiga matchup of the Round of 32, after JYP finished behind Frolunda in their group and TPS won theirs over Dusseldorf. The hosts have had a good start to the domestic campaign, picking up nine points from four games so far while for the visitors it’s seven from four in the tightly-contested league.

TPS come into this tie having lost their last two games in the Liiga, while JYP have yet to beat any opponent from their own league away from home – so the form guide suggests they would need a lead to defend in Turku after tonight!

HC Kosice vs. Skelleftea AIK

Steel Arena, 18:00

Kosice go into their first CHL knockout round not in the best of form. Having lost four of their first games so far domestically, their only win came after overtime against last season’s relegation playoff survivors Zilina.

“We improved our movement and our attitude, but we still struggle with capitalising on our chances,” said coach Peter Oremus after their loss this past weekend. “We have to work on that in training, and it will be better for sure.”

Sparta Prague vs. ZSC Lions

o2 Arena Prague, 18:30

The big talking point going into this game is obviously the CHL debut of Auston Matthews, who is expected to line up for the Lions tonight in Prague. The ‘star in waiting’ scored two goals in his first two games against Fribourg-Gotteron and SC Langnau on Friday and Saturday, although his team’s form has been somewhat indifferent – three regulation wins, and three losses (although only one was in regulation). “It's pretty cool to be able to play the best teams from the different leagues and I'll get a feel from all of Europe so that's really cool and I'm looking forward to it,” says the young forward.

On the other side of the ice are a Sparta team who have been doing their homework on Zurich. “They have about five or six Canadians on their team together with one Norwegian and two Swedes,” says head coach Josef Jandac. “I consider them being an interesting opponent, very attractive and strong team.”

Farjestad Karlstad vs. Lulea Hockey

Lofbergs Arena, 19:00

Färjestad BK of Sweden have high expectations on their shoulders this year, and despite a shaky start to the season they now have six straight wins – three in the CHL, one exhibition game, and their two first games in the SHL.

Lulea on the other hand continue to try and defend their title all the way to the final, are have a team excited to be playing ‘knock-out hockey’ already. “It feels really good to get the playoffs going tonight,” says head coach Joakim Fagervall. “We did really well in the round robin stage and clinched the group win, which was our goal going in to the second season of Champions Hockey League. We will be facing a familiar team in Farjestad. So as with every other playoff opponent in the CHL we expect a real challenge in the first round of the playoffs.”

Defenseman Marcus Oskarsson added, “We had a great playoffs last season and now everything starts again. I am very excited about these games, because we train and work for this ‘winner takes all’ situation.”

Vienna Capitals vs. HC Litvinov

Albert-Schultz-Eishalle, 19:15

Vienna go into tonight’s game without starting netminder Nathan Lawson, who is out injured. In his absence the Capitals surprisingly lost in Ljubljana on Sunday, and will need to be at their very best against Litvinov.

“The Czechs are a technically sound team, and are especially dangerous on the PP, so we have to stay out of the box,” says head coach Jim Boni. “They’ll be a very tough opponent. We’re taking this competition seriously and will do everything we can to cause an upset.”

“We struggled with defence at the start of the domestic league season, so we have to think more about that,” says Litvinov goalie Jaroslav Janus. “We have some skilled forwards who can score, but we have to improve our defence first.”

Red Bull Salzburg vs. Storhamar Hamar

Eisarena Salzburg, 19:15

Storhamar expect to be backed by around 100 fans as they travel to the city of Mozart in Austria, going into the tie of course as surprise group winners.

After a poor start to their EBEL season, Salzburg got a 6–5 shootout win over Bolzano to end their losing run, and get their coach believing that they’re turning things around. “Five goals against was of course too many, but i think we’re on the right track,” says the Red Bulls head coach. The Norwegians will come here with huge self-confidence from the group stage. They’re good skaters, and play a very well-organized game. To put it bluntly, we have to take our scoring chances when we get them.” It won't be easy for thr Red Bulls either, with several key players possibly out of the lineup. Captain Trattnig is doubtful to ice, while forwards Kristler and Sterling are definite scratches. They'll also be without the impressive Thomas Raffl, who is on a tryout with the Winnipeg Jets.

Eisbaren Berlin vs. Stavanger Oilers

Mercedes Benz Arena, 19:30

Oilers’ general manager Pal Higson had this to say on tonight’s game in Berlin: “We are really looking forward to the game. We’re getting the chance to play in one of the best arenas in Europe in front of very enthusiastic fans. We need to try to use the energy of the crowd for our own benefit, and are expecting a physical and quick game.”

“Were on good form and want to win, of course!” says Berlin forward Barry Tallackson. “We need our winning mentality back.”

Dusseldorfer EG vs. Karpat Oulu

ISS Dome, 19:30

A pair of wins and losses is how Dusseldorf have started life in this season’s DEL, as they once again take on Finnish opposition in the CHL. The German side narrowly lost at home to TPS in the group stage, before winning in Tuku on penalty shots to secure their place in this round. 

For Karpat, they head to Dusseldorf knowing exactly what thye need to do. “We have to play a brutal away game tomorrow. We have to avoid penalties at all cost because Dusseldorf will try to clear the rink if they can't handle us 5-on-5. It is absolutely crucial that we don't take part in that game. DEG are a very professional team. They are very dangerous on the power play,” commented head coach Lauri Marjamaki.

Djurgarden Stockholm vs. Vaxjo Lakers

Hovet Arena, 20:00

Two SHL teams meeting in Hovet for the final Champions Hockey league game of the day to get underway. The two sides know each other quiet well, although have yet to meet this season. Vaxjo’s start to the SHL has been less than impressive, losing their opening two games, while Djurgarden have a win and an OT loss so far.

“It’s a very important game for us and we want to win everything we are involved in, especially since Djurgarden are a big part of the CHL,” says Mikael Tellqvist. “We will give 120 percent against Vaxjo.”

“It’s fun with elimination rounds this early in the season and Djurgarden are a really good team, so it’s gonna be a tough battle,” added Vaxjo’s Sam Hallam. “Right now we are working with our whole game where many small things need to be added together.”