Linkoping HC got a 2-0 win in Gap over Les Rapaces to pull even atop Group K with JYP Jyvaskyla. Read more in Gamecentre. 

In their first home game, the Gap Rapaces played JYP tough for most of the game, save for a gap of a few minutes early in the second period. In their second game, they played rope-a-dope with Linkoping HC almost the full way, being one shot away from tying the score until almost the end, despite a lopsided advantage to Linkoping in terms of shots on goal, puck possession and territory.

Ken-Andre Olimb opened the scoring for Linkoping on the power play in the 16th minute with a backhander into the top corner, and after that they attacked in droves to get a second, as Gap played them physically and the teams traded penalties back and forth, with frustration building. 

"We played the game we wanted and we were down by only one goal most of the game," said Gap captain Marc-Andre Bernier. "I had a big chance to score in the third period and it could have changed the course of the game. Our goalie played a great game, the same as Friday."

The shots on goal were 36-7 after 40 minutes, and that continued into the third. Finally, an undisciplined tripping call against Raphael Faure proved costly, and Broc Little scored Linkoping's second power-play goal of the night with just under four minutes to play. Marcus Hogberg posted the nine-save shutout, but had the uneasy feeling of knowing that every shot he faced could be the equalizer. At the other end, Clement Fouquerel stopped 50 of 52.

"I’m a little bit tired," Fouquerel laughed after the game. "We played a big game. After Friday's game we wanted to play a full 60 minutes. We should be satisfied, even if we lost, because we were close to scoring a goal just before Linkoping scored their second goal and I think that’s a positive for our team."

"It's great to start of the season with a win," said Linkoping coach Dan Tangnes. "There are still a lot of things about our game that need polishing, but that's similar to a lot of teams at this time of year. Our effort was fine but our efficiency wasn't as good as it should be. Gap played a good team game and got good goaltending, but we were consistent in our attack and it paid off in the end, so we're happy with the win."