Neither Zug or Berlin underestimating each other after group stage performances

Two Central European clubs clash as EV Zug and Eisbaren Berlin meet in the Round of 32 – Zug as group winners and Eisbaren as runners up from a tough group. Both teams overachieved in the group stage by feasting on teams teams that were stronger than them on paper – Zug took all six points from IFK Helsinki, while Die Eisbaren did likewise against former CHL champions Lulea Hockey. Therefore, both will go into this home-and-away engagement confident that they can win. Zug will be the favourites, with more speed and firepower up front, while Berlin will try to turn this into a tight-checking, defensive affair. The Polar Bears also have a wildcard in goaltender Petri Vehanen, who is capable of winning games all by himself.

It's not a surprise that EV Zug qualified for the CHL's knockout stage for the first time this year. What is a surprise, though, is that they came through as group winners after four straight wins. Their opening 8-3 win in Esbjerg was impressive, although not altogether surprising. Then they went home and beat IFK Helsinki in a tight 2-1 decision. People really stood up and take notice, however, when they went into Helsinki after that and beat IFK 4-1 to claim the group title with an impressive performance. The only point they lost was at home to Danish champions Esbjerg, who took them to a shootout before the Swiss club prevailed. They're off to a solid start domestically in the NLA, which indicates their performance in the CHL group stage was no fluke. They will be favoured in the Round of 32 against Eisbaren Berlin, but nothing is guaranteed.

Eisbaren Berlin weren't given much of a chance to advance from a group that also included teams from Sweden and Finland, but after two wins against Lulea Hockey and two losses against SaiPa Lappeenranta, they finished right in the middle and here they are. They opened with a tight 2-1 home win over Lulea, thanks to great goaltending from Petri Vehanen and a late goal from Frank Hoerdler. Following a 4-2 loss to SaiPa, their playoff chances basically came down to the game in Lulea – a win and they were in, but few gave them a chance. However, Die Eisbaren built up a 4-0 lead and eventually won 5-2, putting the former CHL champs out of the tournament. In their last game in Lappeenranta they had a chance to win the group, but lost 6-3 and finished 2nd. Now they face another big task in EV Zug. It'll be tough, but they've shown in the past that they can do it.