Read below for more information on the Round of 32 series between Djurgarden Stockholm and KalPa Kuopio. KalPa won 3-2 to advance to the Round of 16.
Preview
In another Swedish-Finnish match-up, the historic Djurgarden Stockholm face KalPa Kuopio. While Djurgarden owned their group stage opponents on home ice, outscoring them 10-0 over two games, they had more trouble on the road, taking two of six points. As this series starts in Kuopio, it will be critical of the Finnish squad to get a good result at home and not head into Stockholm trailing. When they're on, both of these teams have good goaltending and have good team-defensive games, so don't expect any blow-outs here. However, Djurgarden is definitely more dangerous offensively, especially on the power play, so KalPa will have to stay disciplined and out of the penalty box.
Closer look: Djurgarden Stockholm
(2-1-0-1, 8 points, 15:6, 1st in Group B)
Djurgarden finished tied for top spot in Group B, winning the tie-breaker against HC Davos by out-scoring them in their two head-to-head meetings. That was thanks to a big 6-0 win when the teams met in Stockholm – in the return game in Davos it was the Swiss team winning 3-1. Against the Rouen Dragons, they also won by a shutout at home, 4-0, and won in overtime in France, with Robin Press's goal securing their group win. They showed to be much more dominant on home ice than on the road, and we'll see if that's a factor against KalPa, who will be no pushovers.
Jeff
Tambellini
4+1, +1
Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Jeff Tambellini not only recorded a hat-trick when Djurgarden won 6-0 against HC Davos at home, but with less than 15 minutes left in the game, Tambellini scored his fourth power-play goal of the night, making him Djurgarden's top scorer. The 32-year-old Canadian, who's played 242 games with Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks, has had some great success with linemates Daniel Brodin and Matt Anderson. Together, they've scored 6 out of 15 Djurgarden goals, making them a threat everytime they hit the ice.
Robin
Press
3+1, +1
Top Defenceman: Robin Press is not known for getting the big headlines, but in the last group stage game against the Rouen Dragons he scored the overtime goal, which meant that Djurgarden not only won the game, they also grabbed the top spot in Group B. 21-year-old Press, who is drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, has 4 points in 4 games, already surpassing last season's total (3 assists in 6 games).
Mikael
Tellqvist
90.91 %
Top Goaltender: 36-year-old veteran Mikael Tellqvist started this season's CHL campaign with a shutout win against HC Davos. Since then he has been the number-one goalie, playing 3 out of 4 games – 2 wins and 1 loss. Behind Tellqvist, we find Adam Reideborn, 12 years younger, who also had a shutout in his CHL debut against Rouen. While we might see both goalies get some action against KalPa, coach Robert Ohlsson will go with Tellqvist, the Olympic gold medallist and two-time Swedish champion, when Djurgarden faces must-win situations.
Click here for team statistics.
Closer look: KalPa Kuopio
(2-0-0-2, 6 points, 7:8, 2nd in Group N)
KalPa were one of the more remarkable stories during the group stage, needing to win both of their last two games against the Vienna Capitals in regulation, and then doing it, which is why they're here now. They started with a pair of losses to Skelleftea AIK – 2-1 in Finland and then 4-0 in northern Sweden. In the first game against Vienna, at home, they trailed 1-0 halfway through the third and faced elimination before rallying for three late goals. They then scored another 3-1 win in Vienna to punch their ticket onward. Will their momentum carry them against Djurgarden, or with their troubles with Swedish teams resurface?
Jesse
Mankinen
2+0, +1
Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Jesse Mankinen is one of the most consistent goal scorers in this year's KalPa lineup. He played a hugely important role in the last CHL divisional game against the Vienna Capitals, scoring two significant goals and helping KalPa clinch a playoff berth. Mankinen has reached the 20-point mark and has scored over 10 goals in five consecutive seasons in the Finnish Liiga, and it's fair to expect more of the same this year as well. KalPa needs Mankinen's line, which includes Tommi Jokinen and Balazs Sebok, to remain productive for the team.
Jussi
Timonen
0+0, even
Top Defenceman: The younger brother of the former NHL player and Stanley Cup champion Kimmo Timonen, Jussi might not be the most productive defenceman as far as points are concerned, but what makes him really important for this KalPa squad is his veteran leadership. Timonen is the captain of this year's KalPa team and his experience and ability to lead its young defensive corps with his leadership is essential for the team. Timonen and Antti Halonen are the only two defencemen in this roster over the age of 25.
Eero
Kilpelainen
93.22%
Top Goaltender: No offence to Denis Godla, but Eero Kilpelainen is going to be KalPa's starting goalie this year for sure. Kilpelainen was a key figure in the defensive-minded KalPa team last year, and he was widely considered the team's most valuable player. Kilpelainen played as many as 56 games last year in the Finnish Liiga with a save percentage of 92.7 and a goals-against average of 2.02. Kilpelainen was definitely one of the main reasons why KalPa's defensive style of play was so effective against other teams.