HC Bolzano vs. Stavanger Oilers is an interesting clash of two teams that are sure to miss the 2023/24 Champions Hockey League Playoffs yet there is still a lot to play for between them as neither of these familiar European teams want to end their campaign with a big fat 0 in their win column. 

HC Bolzano, who will have the home-ice advantage, have really struggled this season. The two-time Playoffs qualifiers were one of the poorest teams in the CHL across Game Days 1-4, scoring a mere goal per game on average while letting in a solid 21 - ouch.

The Foxes have been plagued with penalty calls, having had to face a jaw-dropping six powerplays per game on average across the first four rounds, and with an even poorer powerplay percentage number, it's no surprise they've been out of so many games.

But the sole Italian club in the CHL turned that around in amazing fashion when they lined up against the Lahti Pelicans on Game Day 5, taking an early lead, followed by two more goals in the game. Unfortunately, they only got away with one point from an OT loss but with 25+ shots on goal in regulation, they were well and truly in it for the win. 

If they can replicate a performance like this, Stavanger won't stand a chance.

Talking about the reigning Norwegian champions, they've had a similarly bad five Game Days, but it could have all been different... 

Stavanger faced Färjestad Karlstad on Game Day 1 and the game was locked at 2-2 with just minutes left. But an equal-strength goal at 52:06 and an empty-netter in the final minute robbed the Norwegians of points and a positive start to the new campaign.

Just days later, Stavanger lined up against the Växjö Lakers in the DNB Arena. After eight goals in 52 minutes of game time, the Lakers were up 6-2 and cruising towards a comfortable win but up stepped Stavanger. 

Four goals in less than six minutes and this game was 6-6 and heading to OT with everybody in absolute shock. Again, the Oilers missed out on the win but at least took a point from this one. To date, Stavanger are the only team to rob a point from an otherwise perfect Växjö.

Just imagine if they would have won both of those games...

Unfortunately, life doesn't offer redos and since then it's been nothing to write home about for Stavanger, with the Norwegians scoring just four in three games. If they are to stand a chance against a Bolzano side that are out hunting, the Oilers will have to return back to the very first days of their CHL campaign - the days that saw them nearly pull of two wins against two extremely strong SHL teams!