With Europe’s leagues all now back from the international pause and heading into the cold winter months, how are the top leagues around Europe shaping up? Remember, it’s not just races for top positions and playoff spots, but also for next season’s CHL that are up for grabs!
by Luke Fisher
Austria
The Vienna Capitals’ once wide lead at the top of the EBEL is now down to just one point over Red Bull Salzburg, who have played a game less as well. The Graz 99ers sit a further two points behind after they blew a 2-0 lead in Znojmo – with the Czech side now up to fourth. As Vienna and Salzburg are A-License holders of the CHL, it would be Graz and Orli Znojmo taking the qualification places based on current standings. At the other end of the table, Olimpija Ljubljana find themselves four points adrift at the foot of the league. Somewhat surprisingly one place above them are record-champions Klagenfurt AC, who lost derby games against Graz and Villach SV over the weekend. After an indifferent start, Hungarian side Alba Volán Székesfehérvár have moved up to No. 6.
Czech Republic
HC Litvínov, who had been eating in to Oceláři Třinec’s lead in the Extraliga for some time, have now overtaken them into first place – and lead by one point. Those two clubs are four points clear of Sparta Prague in third, as they were before the international break, with Kometa Brno now breaking in to the top four. PSG Zlín still find themselves two points off the pace in last place.
Denmark
The Metal Ligaen has a new leader in Odense Bulldogs, two points above SønderjyskE Vojens. One-time leaders Blue Fox Herning have slipped to fourth, whilst fifth placed Esbjerg Energy have the same number of points as well. Unibet Stars Gentofte bring up the rear with nine points, six behind their nearest rivals.
Finland
Lukko Rauma, who led the Liiga before the international break, are now down in fourth, such is the tightness of the league standings in Finland. New leaders KalPa Kuopio have just a one-point advantage over JYP Jyvaskyla, who in turn are a point above third-place Kärpät Oulu. HPK Hämeenlinna sit fifth, while Ilves Tampere complete the top six. Two points below them are Tappara Tampere and IFK Helsinki, while TPS Turku in ninth are only a regulation win away from the top six teams on points.
France
Grenoble have opened themselves up a five point lead at the top of Ligue Magnus, which Chamonix the nearest challengers so far. Epinal, who at one point were in a three-way tie for top spot, now find themselves seven points off the place. Interestingly, the top two sides in France have yet to lose a home game between them. The same also goes for the Rouen Dragons, in seventh, but their winless road record sees them in mid-table.
Germany
Adler Mannheim and Red Bull Munich are now the clear top two in the DEL, finding themselves some nine points ahead of the rest of the league. Mannheim’s once comfortable lead in top spot is now down to just a point, following Munich’s continued charge. ERC Ingolstadt are up to third, but only three points separates them and Düsseldorf down in eighth. Kölner Haie remain second-last, but find themselves 11 points clear of last-place Straubing.
Great Britain
A new leader in the Elite League! The Sheffield Steelers now sit a point above the Braehead Clan, despite having played a game less than the Glasgow-based side. The Nottingham Panthers, who have played the same number of games as Sheffield, sit third two points behind, with the Belfast Giants a point further back. It’s all to play for between those top four clubs in the race for the CHL.
Norway
The Stavanger Oilers still lead the GET-Ligaen, and still have their ten point cushion – but now it’s just Lørenskog sitting in second place. Sarpsborg have slipped down to fifth, with Frisk Asker now taking third position. Konsvinger and Manglerud have four and six points respectively at the other end, some 20 points off their nearest rivals in the table.
Slovakia
HC Košice did have a six point lead before the international break – but that’s now been cut down to just two by HK Poprad and HK Nitra. Six points below them come HC '05 Banská Bystrica and HKM Zvolen, whilst sixth-place Dukla Trenčín have extended the top-six’s lead to 13 points clear of the rest of MCH Martin and the rest of the league.
Sweden
Frölunda Gothenburg have shaken off Skellefteå AIK to move three points into the lead of the SHL, with AIK sitting five points head of HV71 Jönköping in third. The Växjö Lakers occupy fourth, but are only two points above Örebro down in seventh. Färjestad Karlstad have moved themselves up a place to 10th, but are three points shy of Brynäs Gävle, who sit a place above them. Djurgården Stockholm, Linköping HC and Örebro will all be eyeing fourth place as the next round of matches takes place.
Switzerland
HC Davos’s lead at the top of NLA is now just two points, with ZSC Lions Zurich leading the charge, despite having played a game more. A point behind them, but on the same number of games as Davos, are SC Bern and Lugano – with those two teams sitting five points clear of EV Zug to give the top four some breathing room. The Kloten Flyers are down to eighth, while Rapperswil Jona remain five points adrift at the foot of the league.