Following Game Days 1 and 2, the Champions Hockey League's statistical guru Efraim Larsson returns to take a look at the differences between the leagues so far, and what changes we can expect as the tournament progresses.

by Efraim Larsson

We are two game days (of six, in the round robin) into the 2015–16 Champions Hockey League and we can definitely see some fine numbers from some of the league already.

We should have in mind that this season’s CHL is a bit different than last season in a few ways. For example, all 44 teams in 2014–15 played on every game day (that would be a total of 44 games after two game days.  This season, the constellation of the tournament is a bit different where all 48 teams play a total of four games in the round robin, but just 16 of the 48 teams played on both of the game days and the other 32 teams just played in one of them (a total of 32 games after two game days).

That, obviously, makes an impact on the numbers I’m about to show you, since as you may know: the smaller the sample size (amount of games), the higher the possibility for misleading numbers.

You should also remember that it’s not always the one with the most correct statements that show the most reliable element when comparing statistics; it’s rather the one with the fewest misleading statements.

Points percentage (P%)

When comparing the leagues I find the points percentage (taken points / possible points, in other words a percentage of the points taken divided by the total amount of points that a team/league could take) as the most reliable element when comparing leagues in a situation like this – when the leagues have a different amount of games played. Below I’ve attached the ranking when sorted by P%, and you find all the explanations for the shortcuts below the standings.

SonderjyskE Vojens (Danish Ligaen) and Neman Grodno (Belarusian Extraliga) started out with impressive wins in their first games this year. However, while  this is impressive, it's doubtful that either of them will keep their 100 P% when all four games of the round robin are played.

The Liiga and the Swedish Hockey League both are in the top this year as well (the leagues led the way through all game days last season) and it’s really great to see the DEL starting strong in the tournament with at 62.50%. Last season the German league held a P% of 19.44% after the first two game days (12 played games) – that’s a significant increase, definitely!

The Austrian-based EBEL was a great league last season, considering the pre-tournament expectations of them.  They ended up in third place when summarizing the whole tournament with 57.14 P%. Now, after two game days, none of the four teams have taken any points from six total games, which is a little bit surprising. And when looking at Goals For Average (GF per game), the British EIHL is not off to a good start. We can expect to see some better numbers when we’re further into the tournament.

Overall, most of the leagues increased their numbers compared to the same time last year, which is great to see. Even the Finnish teams, who were near the top last year, have improved by recording four shutouts already – two by Karpat Oulu – which leads to solid GAA (Goals Against Average/Per Game) numbers.

Offensively, the SHL is in charge with 4.44 GFA, which of course much has to do to the 9–1 and 10–2 wins against the teams from the EIHL.

As mentioned earlier, these numbers will get more reliable the longer the tournament goes and as we get to track a bigger amount of games. But it’s interesting to follow the leagues record from the start to the end, therefore I’ll be back later in the tournament as the numbers probably will change a bit (or a lot).