Both EV Zug and Tappara Tampere have all to play for in the second leg as the winner of this tie will advance straight to the Quarter-Finals. Despite both teams being CHL veterans that have continuously featured in the competition since the 2014/15 season, neither team have advanced past this stage of the competition and have always dropped out in the Round of 16. Who will be able to break this run of form and advance further for the first time in their history?

Last week’s 3-3 draw saw a very dominant Zug side go 2-0 up in only six minutes and push Tappara high up the ice for the whole first period. Feeling confident and comfortable with their lead they seemingly switched off and by the time the second period was over, Zug found themselves 2-3 down after an amazing Tappara comeback orchestrated in large by Kristian Kuusela who assisted the first two goals. The third period was an amazing back and forth contest of high-paced attacking hockey on both ends of the ice and it also featured a stunning solo goal from Gregory Hofmann to settle the score at 3-3.

Since that match last week both teams have played two domestic league games – Zug lost to HC Davos but managed to beat fellow CHL participants EHC Biel-Bienne, whilst Tappara lost both and only managed to score a single goal over the course of the two games. But the pressure of knock-out games can get to your head so there is no favourite for this match and both teams stand a good chance of advancing.