The Gap Rapaces host Klagenfurt in what will be a key game if either side wants to have a go at challenging Frölunda or the ZSC Lions for one of the top two positions in Group H.

French club Gap have almost a brand new team from the one that won last year's Ligue Magnus, but have beaten EBEL opposition in pre-season in the shape of the KAC's main rivals, Villach.  "It is the first time that we play an Austrian Club in the CHL," said Rapaces' General Manager Sebastien Oprandi, whose team has a 1-7 record in the CHL to date. "Austrian hockey is not that far from French hockey and it will be a great opponent to compete with.”

With a new coach behind the bench, most of Klagenfurt's pre-season was about getting the players used to systems tactics. They lost to French rival Lyon as part of those warm-up games, but came out on top against opposition from elsewhere. “Gap made some roster changes this summer, they have added some players I am familiar with," revealed new Head Coach Steve Walker. "Additionally, the development of French players has gone up for several years now. Gap has won the national championship in two of the last three years, they are an experienced and successful hockey team.”