After four games in this years Champions Hockey League, the battle for qualification spots is heating up, and that’s exactly what’s happening over in Group G with all four teams still in the race.
On Saturday afternoon HC05 Banská Bystrica hosted Färjestad Karlstad after the Slovakian side picked up a crucial two points on Game Day 3 in a 3-2 shootout victory over Red Bull Munich, while Färjestad were looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to HC Ambrì-Piotta.
In a hard fought contest between the two sides, it went all the way to overtime where Victor Ejdsell secured the extra point for Färjestad.
After the game, Mitchell Wahl of Banská Bystrica spoke about the performance.
“I thought we played a pretty hard game tonight, it’s a game of inches right.”Mitchell Wahl speaking after Banská Bystrica's overtime loss to Färjestad
“We battled back when they did tie it again and let another one in, I had a good chance in overtime to close the game and wasn’t able to do that tonight.
“It’s disappointing but like I said, just a couple of chances in overtime and one of theirs went in.
We’re happy with our effort, I thought we battled hard tonight but obviously it wasn’t the result we wanted tonight.
“Tonight I felt we could’ve won in regulation, but got pushed to overtime and again we didn’t score in OT and then gave them a chance to close the deal. Overall I think we battled hard this weekend and we’d like to get some more points but we’re happy.”
Banská Bystrica currently have three points from their opening four games, while the visitors Färjestad moved onto eight points in total to put themselves in good position to qualify for the Playoffs.
As the teams traded goals in the third period, Färjestad forward Per Äslund registered a goal and an assist in the final period of regulation to force overtime.
“Tough game, our first period was not so good from us and then we fought for 60 minutes and I think it was a good game in the end.
"It’s a bit smaller ice and they played tough, and made it really hard for us and in the end it was a good game.”
“I think after the first period we stepped it up and played a lot better, created a lot of chances.”
“I think we’re playing better and better, it’s tough games against other teams and other nations, but I think we’ve had a good start.
“They’re a good team, they play hard and fast so it’s going to be a good challenge for us to play two games against them"