It's finally upon us - the Champions Hockey League returns tonight with four games live across Europe. You can follow them all live in the Gamecentre!
Vitkovice Steel vs. Karpat Oulu
Ostrava Arena, Group E; 17:30
After a couple of difficult seasons, Vitkovice Ostrava head into this season with some new names on the roster and the hope to be a force again in both the Czech Extraliga and the Champions Hockey League. Last year they qualified for the Round of 32 and gave Tappara Tampere, the eventual Finnish champions, all they could handle, losing just 3-2 on aggregate. Now they will try to cause trouble for another top Finnish club.
"Karpat is one of the best teams in Europe. They play a fast-paced hockey and we want to do our best in this match," says Jan Vytisk, defenceman. Our goal is obviously to win!"
Karpat Oulu, saw their two-year reign as Finnish champions came to an end last season, but they haven't slipped very far and will be considered one of this season's top contenders. In the CHL they've made it to the final four each season, hosting last year's Final, which they lost 2-1 to Frolunda Gothenburg. They are favourites to win Group E and go far again in the European competition.
"We've seen some of their previous games, and know that they're a big and strong team – especially as they beat Lunkoping last season," says Karpat head coach Kai Suikkanen. "I'm pleased that we're going to play two games on one trip, they'll be tough games but we'll be ready."
Read more in the Gamecentre!
HC Kosice vs. SC Bern
Group M, Steel Arena; 18:00
SC Bern have so far failed to set the CHL alight, failing to qualify from their group in both of the past two seasons and only posting three wins, two of which were on penalty shots, in their 10 CHL matches so far. This is the third straight season that they start their campaign on the road, but this time go into the competition as Swiss champions.
"We are looking forward to the game against Kosice. Finally it starts now in the CHL, and we want to get points tonight and then two days later in Austria against Linz. Cause our goal is clear: we want to step into the playoffs," said winger Simon Bodenmann. "We don’t know very much about Kosice yet. But our coaches will inform us and prepare us with all the details. And we will be ready tonight."
After missing the cut in the first CHL season, HC Kosice made it through to the Round of 32 last year before going out to Skelleftea AIK 6-4 on aggregate – although it's worth remembering that the Slovak side won the first leg. They go into the CHL as winners of the Slovak Extraliga regular season, but missed out on the overall championship last season for the first time since 2012-13 by going out in the semi-finals.
Yunost Minsk vs. BK Mlada Boleslav
Group L, Chizhovka-Arena; 18:00
The Champions Hockey League debuts in the Belarusian capital as Yuost Minsk host BK Mlada Boleslav to kick off Group L.
Regular contenders in the Belarusian Extraliga, Yunost Minsk have won seven national titles in the last 13 years and have played in the league finals three years running. They now take their game to the international stage where they've also had success in the past, winning the Continental Cup in 2007 and 2011. Last season's Belarusian representatives, Neman Grodno, were competitive and nearly advanced out of the group, so don't expect Yunost to be pushovers in Group L. "We have not played at this highest international level so far. The championship in Belarus has become more uncompetitive recently with pre-season predictions usually being correct. So we are ready for the Champions Hockey League, but our opponents will be very tough," said Mikhail Zakharov, Yunost head coach, ahead of tonight's game.
BK Mlada Boleslav are also first-time competitors in the CHL. They don't have a lot of experience at the top level of Czech hockey but had their best season ever in 2015-16, reaching the Extraliga semi-finals. David Vyborny, the team's recently-retired captain and newly-appointed head coach said, “We are delighted that we can participate. In Mlada Boleslav this is a big step. We hope that we can once again have a good season in the Extraliga so we get in there next year. It'll be a high-quality game of hockey.”
ZSC Lions vs. ERC Ingolstadt
Group D, Eishalle Güttingersreute; 19:45
It's NLA vs. DEL in Winfelden in tonight's late start, as the Lions entertain the Panthers. With nether side having made it past the Round of 32 in the CHL, and both having new coaches behind their respective benches, both head into the season full of optimism.
"The feeling today is that it's finally starts," says ZSC head coach Hans Wallson. "We are going in with open mindset and really looking forward to play in front of our fans!" Ingolstadt sport director Jiri Ehrenberger added, "The ZSC Lions won the NLA regular season last season, and for me they are one of the biggest teams in Europe," while also stating that a lot of Panthers' fans wanted to see their team draw the Lions in their group.