Read below for information on the Round of 32 series between Linkoping HC and Bili Tygri Liberec. Liberec won 10–4 on aggregate to advance to the Round of 16.

Game 1

In one of the more surprising results of the day, Liberec got a hat-trick from Michal Bulir and out-scored Linkoping 4–1 in the first period, then preserved their 3-goal lead over the final 40 minutes to put themselves in good shape heading north. Goaltender Marek Scharz stopped 24 of 25 shots, beaten only by Jonas Junland in the 15th minute – a goal that briefly brought Linkoping to within one before Bulir scored his third just 11 seconds later. Linkoping will now need a 3-goal win at home just to force overtime.

“The beginning was very tough for us,” admitted Linkoping head coach Dan Tangnes. “Liberec started in strong and they took advantage of the fact that we have a very inexperienced team here. Then we managed to play well in the second and third periods, but couldn’t put anything past the goalie. In second leg, we’ll need to play our game and try to score as much as possible.”

Liberec coach Filip Pesan agreed, “We had an amazing start, especially Michal Bulir was effective as he capitalized on three of his four big chances. However, come the second period, Linkoping played well and became a tough opponent and so I’m happy that we won and only allowed one goal.”

GAME HIGHLIGHTS | LIVE BLOG & STATS

Preview

This is a meeting between two versatile teams who can both score goals and defend well, so it's hard to know what to expect – we could get 1–0 or 5–4 scores. One thing is for sure, though – Linkoping are the clear favourites. The Swedish club is perennially near the top of the SHL and were among the last eight teams standing in last year's CHL. This year they took 11 out of 12 points in a very tough Group A, and look at this point to be serious contenders to go all the way this year. Liberec showed a mixed bag in Group D and are the underdogs, but that's surely a role they don't mind playing. They can play a frustrating defensive game and also have offensive weapons both from their forwards and defence that can strike quickly.

Closer look: Linkoping HC

(3-1-0-0, 11 points, 14:4, 1st in Group A)

Linkoping topped a very tough Group A that also included IFK Helsinki and SC Bern – the only blemish on their record was a shootout victory on home ice against Bern in their opening game. They then won a pair of tight defensive games against IFK before breaking out in their last game, a 7–1 win in Bern to eliminate the Swiss club. That shows that this is a team that plays defence first, but have the guns to break out offensively when they get the chance, and make them a particularly difficult team to play against. Last season Linkoping went to the CHL quarter-finals, and they hope that this match-up with Liberec is the first step toward advancing even further this time around.

Andrew

Gordon

2+1, +3

 

Top Forward: Andrew Gordon has been quite a character out on the ice, both on the scoresheet and as a popular figure with the Linkoping fans. Nicknamed ”Flash Gordon”, he is expected to carry the team forward as they proceed throughout the tournament.

 

Gustav

Forsling

1+3, +4

 

Top Defenceman & Cramo Top Scorer: Gustav Forsling is one of a handful of defencemen in the CHL this season to lead his team in scoring. What's more, he recorded 4 points in only 3 games, and contributed offensively without compromising his defensive game at all. 

 

Marcus

Hogberg

94.12%

 

Top Goaltender: Although they alternate the goaltenders more often than not between David Rautio and Marcus Hogberg, it is the one who has been standing taller. Playing his third season with Linkoping's A-team, he doesn’t even surprise people with his cat-like reflexes, he just delivers what the fans and critics ask of him. There's a good chance Skelleftea will face both goalies in the two games.

 

Click here for team statistics.

Closer look: Bili Tygri Liberec

(2-0-0-2, 6 points, 13:9, 2nd in Group D)

If we have learned anything from Bili Tygri Liberec in the group stage, it's to expect anything. They showed the ability to play solid defence with back-to-back shutouts over HK Nitra. They also showed an incredible ability to score goals, with 11 goals scored in those two games. However, they scored only twice in two encounters with Skelleftea. The scores from those two games don't tell the whole story, though – on home ice they out-shot Skelleftea 33–28, and the final score of 5–2 only came after two empty-net goals. They now face another big challenge from Sweden in the form of a Linkoping squad that took 11 of 12 points in the group stage. 

Jakub

Valsky

2+2, +2

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Although he’s not the biggest star on offence, Jakub Valsky is on fire at the beginning of this season. But for sure you have to be aware of some of Liberec's other offensive weapons too, such as the duo of Michal Birner and Michal Repik – two very good on-ice and also off-ice pals together again after one year apart. They know and understand each other quite well, and will surely get enough ice time to show their skills.

Martin

Sevc

0+1, +1

 

Top Defenceman: Martin Sevc was probably the biggest name to come to Liberec this summer. The 34-year-old defenceman is one of the most experienced players in his team – he collected four SHL titles and also played in the Worlds once. That’s exactly what Liberec was searching for, but sometimes he’s a bit more offensive-minded than he should be, which gives chances to opponents. But you can always count on good passing skills, a big slapper from the point and a strong physical game from him.

 

Jan

Lasak

91.86 %

 

Top Goaltender: Liberec's No.1 goalie Jan Lasak had it 50/50 in the group stage. Against Nitra, he collected 2 shutouts, and was solid the whole 120 minutes. But he had a harder time dealing with Skelleftea, one of the top clubs in Europe. Although his overall numbers are quite good – 91.9 %, 1.76 GAA, we'll see how he deals with another top Swedish club in the Round of 32. 

 

Click here for team statistics.

Related Links

25.08.2015 – Interview: Sevc beat by his Skelleftea pals: “Apart from the result, we played a solid game”