Read below for information on the Round of 32 series between HC Litvinov and the Vienna Capitals. Litvinov won 6–5 in overtime on aggregate to advance to the Round of 16.

Game 1

After one period, it looked like Litvinov would run away with the win in Vienna, and almost assure their spot in the next round. They led 4–1, thanks to 2 points each from Frantisek Lukes and Vitkor Hubl. After that, however, goalie David Kickert, who entered the game after the second Litvinov goal, was perfect, stopping all 13 shots. Meanwhile, the Capitals turned up the offence, firing 48 shots at Michal Petrasek, and scored a goal late in the second and another early in the third to come within a goal, setting up an interesting Game 2 in Litvinov.

“That second goal really took the wind out of us,” Kickert said about the goal which promted Vienna coach Jim Bonni to make the goaltending change and put him in. “It wasn't a good goal but the boys fought back real hard and the situation for the next game isn't that bad – we're only down one goal, and we're in with a chance now.”

Litvinov captain Michal Travnicek, who had 1 assist in the game, commented, “We had a good first period, then we just tried to control the game but got a bit behind it. That said, I think we controlled most of it by the end. We have a very good chance now with our home game to make the next round.” 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS | LIVE BLOG & STATS

Preview

This Round of 32 match-up features one team that has become quite well-known in the world of European club hockey in recent years, but from whom you never know what to expect on the ice, and one team that is relatively unknown internationally but has caught everyone's attention with their phenomenal play. Perennial European Trophy and CHL competitors, the Vienna Capitals went out in the Round of 16 in last season's competition to Karpat Oulu, while their opponents from Litvinov have made it to the Round of 32 in their inaugural CHL season after winning their group.

Closer look: HC Litvinov

(3-1-0-0, 11 points, 14:7, 1st in Group F)

Litvinov qualified for this year's CHL as Czech Extraliga champions, and have proven that was no fluke by topping Group F with a near-perfect record. They only dropped one point in an overtime win at home to Espoo in the very last game, after they had already secured top spot anyway. Their previous games saw them victorious home and away against Grenoble, and taking the win in a tight 1-0 victory in the Blues' back yard - making them unbeaten so far in the Champions Hockey League against a side that only has a win and an overtime loss to its name.

Michal

Travnicek

2+4, +2

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: 35-year-old forward Michal Travnicek flew in admirable fashion into his incredible 17th season as a Litvinov player, fourth as the team's captain. He managed to pick up 6 points, 5 of them in the games against Grenoble. Do not underestimate Litvinov's second forward line – there is some serious danger going on!

 

Karel

Kubat

0+0, +3

 

Top Defenceman: No points for him so far, but do not let that fool you. Another long-time Litvinov resident, Karel Kubat has a lot of experience in his 27 years of age and a positive three in his plus/minus box speaks for itself. He can pump the mood up as well, being the most penalized player of his team with 10 penalty minutes.

 

Jaroslav

Janus

96.84 %

 

Top Goaltender: Litvinov suffered a huge loss with Pavel Francouz's departure to the KHL but they found a solid replacement in Jaroslav Janus. The Slovak goalie yearns to show off after experiencing his worst season last year. And he has started off rather well – so far he won all three games he's played in, allowing only three goals in total.

 

Click here for team statistics.

 

Closer look: Vienna Capitals

(1-0-1-2, 4 points, 8:14, 1st in Group B)

The Capitals have been a hot and cold team in recent seasons, starting last season out on fire before having a major late-season crisis which forced them to make a coaching change, then bounced back to make the EBEL finals. Their route to Round of 32 has also been mixed, losing both games against Karpat (again), and then falling at home in overtime to Krefeld. This left them with the task of going to Krefeld needing a result and, in what turned out to be one of the games of the round, they got it in a 6–5 thriller. Since then, they opened their EBEL season winning in Salzburg in OT to semi-avenge their finals defeat last season.

Rafael

Rotter

0+2, even

 

Top Forward: Rafael Rotter is one of those players that you absolutely hate to play again, but would love to have on your team. Rotter, 28, never gives up on chasing a puck down, and leads from the front in worth ethic for 60 minutes every shift, every game. His ability to get under the skin of opponents often makes him a target for opposing fans in the EBEL, but there's no doubting his commitment to the cause. With 5 points to his name in the EBEL so far, and 2 assists in the CHL, Rotter's role in this Vienna club is a big one both in terms of grit and helping his team get the puck in the net.

 

Troy

Milam

1+2, even

 

Top Defenceman & CRAMO Top Scorer: 35-year-old defenceman Troy Milam switched to Vienna from champions Salzburg over the summer, and has already been a hit with the Caps. Posting six points in four EBEL games already, he also has three points to his name from in the CHL so far too – equalling the total he scored with Salzburg last season in five more games! Milam has a wealth of experience that e brings to the Vienna blueline, with spells in the AHL, Liiga, and in the Czech Republic after two seasons with Sparta Prague.

 

Nathan

Lawson

89.36 %

 

Top Goaltender: If he's healthy to play, Nathan Lawson can be a match winner for Vienna on his own. He missed Sunday's EBEL game in Ljubljana through injury, but in the three games so far posted a 92.5 save percentage – although he'll need to improve on his 89.36% in the CHL if his team is to go further. After six seasons in the AHL, Lawson headed to Austria last season where he backstopped in Dornbirn. There he impressed, and caught the eye of Vienna who brought him to the capital city this year.

 

Click here for team statistics.