With the 2019/20 Champions Hockey League playoffs getting underway on Tuesday Night, teams were looking for an advantage heading into the second leg next week, but nothing could separate two teams after the first game.
Tappara Tampere and EV Zug played to a 3-3 tie after the first leg, leaving it all to play for next week in Switzerland, with both teams looking to get past the Round of 16 for the first time in their CHL history.
Zug started the game strong, opening a 2-0 lead after just six minutes of play, forcing a change in goal for Tappara with Michael Garteig stepping in, and he stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced for the remainder of the game to help the last remaining Finnish side in the competition salvage a draw.
“I think we are all pretty motivated and we are the only team left from Finland so that makes us want to make Finland proud”Michael Garteig following a 3-3 draw between Tappara Tampere and EV Zug
“It is hard because you play in the beginning of the season and the team is not quite ready. We are kind of feeling each other out and try to find the chemistry playing in the middle of the season.”
After coming in after Zug scored twice on seven shots, Garteig helped steady the ship for Tappara, who took a 3-2 lead by the end of the second period, but a Gregory Hofmann goal in the third period for Zug secured a tie and makes it all to play for next week.
“Disappointed in the first 10 minutes, we kind of left my goalie partner out to dry so that’s not on him.
“I felt that as the game went on we definitely showed that we can compete and beat that team.”