With the 2021/22 Champions Hockey League Final now under a week away, it’s the perfect time to put forward a few star players to look out for during the big night. Here are some Rögle Ängelholm and Tappara Tampere players head-to-head!
Tappara’s Kristian Kuusela and Rögle’s Lucas Ekeståhl Jonsson are where we’ll start this one, since they both share similar stats and play a similar role for their teams.
Kuusela is Tappara’s leading playmaker. With 11 assists to his name, he’s in the top three for assists this season. He’s only scored twice but has played in each and every one of Tappara’s 11 games this season and his combined 13 points make him Tappara’s MVP so far. Watch out for his killer vision and play-reading skills!
Guess who also has 11 assists, two goals and hasn’t missed a game for his club? Lucas Ekeståhl Jonsson.
The 25-year-old Swede has been instrumental in setting up goals and chances for his teammates this season. His 13 points don’t land him top spot on Rögle’s team stats leaderboard, but he is up there with the best and also sits in the top three for assists this season CHL-wide.
Watch out for Ekeståhl Jonsson’s precise passes and setup plays!
Another set of equally matched players are Tappara’s Kyle Platzer and Rögle’s Ludvig Larsson and Adam Tambellini. These men go out on the ice to get in the zone, set up chances and score – and that they do well.
All three combined have over 30 points this season – Platzer contributing 4G, 4A, Larsson adding 5G and a whopping 9A and Tambellini adding 5G, 7A.
These guys are on the ice a lot and regularly jump on for powerplays, so keep an eye on them when either team go a man down.
We can’t miss young Rögle superstar Marco Kasper. The 17-year-old talent is in his breakout season for Rögle and has played in 11 games this season, recording 2G, 4A. The Austrian is likely to feature in the Final and who knows what this guy could pull off, so watch out for the #24 jersey!
For Tappara on the other hand, it’s impossible not to mention their rock at the back, Christian Heljanko.
The 182cm tall goalkeeper has saved 211 shots in his 632 minutes of game time this season and most impressively recorded two shutouts. He’s featured in all 11 of Tappara’s games and boasts a save percentage of nearly 90%, letting only 2.37 goals into his net on average.
Tappara also feature a trio of defenceman who haven’t been shy to play high up the ice and help out their team on the attack.
Otso Rantakari, Austin Brady and Veli-Matti Vittasmäki all have over six points and have helped out their team when in trouble - will they be called upon again in the Final?
Tune in later this week for more CHL Final related content!
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