Norwegian side Storhamar have been one of the surprise packages of this seasons Champions Hockey League so far, pulling off a shootout victory in game one against Tappara Tampere, before almost pulling off another win over Djurgården Stockholm in game two. Tappara rebounded after their opening game loss, dominating their way to an 8 – 2 win over last year’s semi-finalists team Ocelari Trinec.

Tappara return to the Hakametsä Stadium, looking to continue the momentum gained off their last game. Aleksi Elorinne and Matti Jarävinen both got on the scoresheet twice each against Trinec, while Jarkko Malinen added three assists in a great game for the veteran forward, who’s already matched his career high point totals in the CHL in just two games.

Twenty-one year-old netminder Christian Heljanko impressed in his first taste of CHL action this year, allowing two goals on 29 shots, but head coach Jukka Rautakorpi also has the experienced veteran Niklas Bäckström who was in net for the first game against Storhamar.

Storhamar have returned to the CHL for the first time since 2015-16 and have picked up right where the left off with two impressive performances so far. In their last appearance, the Norwegian outfit topped Group M, and so far they sit in third place in Group E, but just two points off top spot, and a win against Tappara and depending on other results, they could see themselves in pole position by the end of the day. Veteran forward Patrick Thoresen returned to the side this year and has been dominant for Storhamar, scoring twice in both games, but his heroics in the shootout were the difference maker with three against Niklas Bäckström.

Swedish netminder Oskar Östlund has been one of the best goalies in the tournament so far, and if Storhamar are to repeat their success, they’ll need the 26-year-old to be on top form again.