- First game of CHL season
- Lugano knocked Pilsen out in the Round of 32 two years ago
- Both teams want early win with holders JYP also in the group
The 2018/19 Champions Hockey League gets under way in Pilsen as the home side host HC Lugano.
Pilsen qualified for the CHL as winners of the Czech Extraliga regular season, and have had a relatively solid pre-season with wins over Czech sides and Kazakh team Karaganda. Last time in the group stage they finished behind Nitra, and were fortunate that two wins over Stavanger got them through. Belarusian netminder Dmitri Milchakov could make his competitive debut for the team.
"We know how they play and what their strengths are, but they're a very strong team nonetheless"Ladislav Čihák (Head Coach, HC Pilsen)
HC Lugano lost their last preseason game to Mannheim but had wins over teams from the EBEL in recent weeks. Taylor Chorney joining from Columbus in the NHL was their marquee signing of the summer, and with Elvis Merzlikins in net they'll expect to be solid at the back. They knocked Pilsen out in the Round of 32 two years ago, and won 5-0 in a tournament in February.
"They're a top Czech team, and we've seen how well-coached and skilled they are"Greg Ireland (Head Coach, HC Lugano)