In a tough Group D, Danish champions Esbjerg Energy might be the consensus fourth team, but they showed last season that they can give more talented teams fits, most notably with their overtime win over IFK Helsinki. Oceláři Třinec are appearing in their fourth CHL tournament, and if they want to make the Round of 16 for the first time, they can’t afford to give away points to Esbjerg on home ice. It will be a new experience for both teams, as Esbjerg have never faced a Czech team and Třinec have never taken on a Danish opponent.

“For me, personally, they’re our least-known opponent, from whom I expect typical Danish hockey, as we’ve seen at the World Championships,” Třinec Head Coach Head Coach Václav Varaďa speculated. “Danish ice hockey is known for its consistent and tough defence and for its skating. With this respect in mind, it will be an unpleasant opponent.”

“Třinec will have a lot of experience on their side with an average age which is about 4.5 years higher than ours,” commented Esbjerg Head Coach Mark Pederson. “They have depth in all positions and we will need to stay away from the penalty box to limit their chances to showcase their skills on the power play.”