Entering Game Day 6, the stakes are very different for Färjestad Karlstad and Storhamar Hamar. Färjestad have taken 14 of a possible 15 points and are securely in the Playoffs. Storhamar, on the other hand, sit on five points, and need to win this game in regulation time to keep their Playoff hopes alive.

Interestingly, it is only 250 kilometres from Hamar to Karlstad, and the Swedish team has many fans from neighbouring Norway so expect a strong showing of Storhamar fans making the trip!

Through their first five games, Färjestad have performed at a level higher than everybody else in the Champions Hockey League. Their 23 goals for are three more than anyone else, and they’re one of four teams to concede just nine.

Individually, Oskar Steen has seven assists and nine points, which is tied for second-best in the CHL in both categories. Linemate David Tomášek has had a blazing start to the season and is tied for second in the CHL with four goals. Stian Solberg, Färjestad’s 18-year-old defenceman and Anaheim Ducks prospect is tied for second in the CHL with seven hits.

Compared to Färjestad’s +14, Storhamar have a goal difference of -5 and have scored only nine, which is third from the bottom of the competition. The team has been good defensively, though, and their penalty-kill rate of 84.62% is sixth-best.

The team’s top scorer is Samuel Solem with three points, two of which are goals. Martin Rønnild is tied with Färjestad’s Solberg with seven hits, and that total is top among CHL forwards. As for defencemen, Joe Gatenby leads the team in average ice time at 21:07 and in blocked shots with nine.