All four Champions Hockey League semifinals wrapped up on Wednesday with their return legs, during which two of the first-leg scores were overturned with one of them decided in overtime.
Färjestad Karlstad (SWE) 6 – Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) 0
Färjestad advances 7-3 on aggregate score.
Salzburg won the first leg 3-1 on in Austria but Färjestad meant business back home in Sweden, outshooting Salzburg 31-19, with Maxime Lagacé stopping everything for the shutout. It took a while for their offense to get going but, after a scoreless first period, they had the aggregate lead by the end of the second and then pulled away in the third. Six different player scored for Färjestad, with Oskar Steen recording three points.
Växjö Lakers (SWE) 4 – Sparta Prague (CZE) 5
Aggregate score tied 6-6, Sparta advances in OT.
The Lakers managed a one-goal win in Prague thanks to a late go-ahead marker and then widened their aggregate lead with two first-period goals at home. It looked over eventering the third period but Sparta outscored Växjö 4-1 in the final frame, scoring twice in the last three minutes with their goalie pulled for an extra attacker. Jani Lajunen scored in overtime - his second goal and fourth point of the game - sending Sparta to the semis for the first time since 2017.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T1jwIxo5Tw[/embed]
Pinguins Bremerhaven (GER) 2 – Genève-Servette (SUI) 2
Genève advances 6-2 on aggregate score.
After winning the first leg on the shores of Lake Geneva by a 4-0 score, Genève-Servette was happy to grind the second leg on the shores of teh North Sea to a saw-off, and that's what happened. After two scoreless periods, the Pinguins tried to open things up in the third and the teams traded two goals, but the Swiss team's aggregate lead was never seriously threatened.
ZSC Lions Zurich 5 – Eisbären Berlin 4
Zurich advances 9-7 on aggregate score.
After falling behind 3-0 in Berlin in the first leg, the Lions came back to beat the Bears 4-3 and had the lead heading into their home half. Once again, Berlin built up a 3-0 lead in this game to take a two-goal aggregate lead, but once again, the Lions came roaring back. With the aggregate score tied 7-7, Sven Andrighetto scored the eventual series-winner with 10:47 to play and Derek Grant added an insurance marker. With two points in the game, Andrighetto continues to lead the CHL in scoring with 17 points.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZAEx7qTkQs[/embed]
Semifinal matchups:
Färjestad Karlstad (SWE) vs Sparta Prague (CZE)
Genève-Servette (SUI) vs ZSC Lions Zurich (SUI)
Semifinal games will be played in two legs on Jan. 14-15 and 21-22. The schedule will be announced soon. The one-game final is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18.