Seven teams were already in the playoffs and they were joined by three more teams on Tuesday – Genève-Servette, Pinguins Bremerhaven and Sparta Prague. That leaves six spots still available with nine teams in contention for them. Eight of those teams play on Wednesday while one – the Straubing Tigers, who lost in overtime on Tuesday – will follow the action nervously.
Ilves Tampere (FIN) 3 – Växjö Lakers (SWE) 0
Already eliminated but playing on home ice, Ilves scored twice in the first period and once in the second. A pair of Czechs led Ilves – Šimon Stránský led the offense with a goal and an assist and Dominik Pavlát made 33 saves for the shutout. Växjö finishes with 10 points and will advance to the playoffs.
Fehérvár AV19 (HUN) 2 – Genève-Servette (SUI) 5
Entering the game winless but with a chance to knock out the reigning European champion, Fehérvár scored the game’s first goal but Genève eventually took the lead late in the second period and, with the win, clinched a playoff berth. Michael Špaček led the offense with a goal and an assist.
Färjestad Karlstad (SWE) 3 – Storhamar Dragons (NOR) 1
Färjestad was already safely in the playoffs and Storhamar needed a regulation win to have a chance at the playoffs. With a strong contingent of travelling Norwegian fans behind them, they gave it a good battle, but Storhamar is out and Färjestad, having taken 17 out of 18 possible points, nails down the top seed.
Skellefteå AIK (SWE) 3 – Pinguins Bremerhaven (GER) 2 [OT]
Skellefteå was already in the playoffs and built up a 2-0 lead in this game. However, the Pinguins scored twice in the third period to force overtime, which was enough to get them into the playoffs too. Oscar Lindberg’s second goal of the game was the overtime-winner.
Fribourg-Gottéron (SUI) 3 – Straubing Tigers (GER) 2 [OT]
Fribourg was already in the playoffs and Straubing would join them with a win. Jacob De La Rose scored in the last minute of the first and second periods to give Fribourg the lead, but Michael Clarke tied it with 15 seconds left. Sandro Schmidt scored in overtime for Fribourg, so the Tigers might still advance but they’re entirely dependent on Wednesday’s results.
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) 1 – Sparta Prague (CZE) 2
Sparta built a 2-0 lead through two periods, but it could have been more if not for the goaltending of Atte Tolvanen. Salzburg got one back late on a strange bounce and pushed for the equalizer, but Josef Kořenář stood tall in the Sparta net. Salzburg was already in the playoffs and, with the regulation win, Sparta is now in too.
Wednesday’s games:
Oceláři Třinec (CZE) – Unia Oświęcim (POL)
Tappara Tampere (FIN) – Lausanne HC (SUI)
Lahti Pelicans (FIN) – Rouen Dragons (FRA)
Eisbären Berlin (GER) – SønderjyskE Vojens (DEN)
Sheffield Steelers (GBR) – Dynamo Pardubice (CZE)
KAC Klagenfurt (AUT) – ZSC Lions Zurich (SUI)
Standings after Tuesday’s games (teams in bold play Wednesday – numbers in parentheses are potential point totals):
x-1. Färjestad Karlstad (SWE) – 17 points, +16
x-2. ZSC Lions Zurich (SUI) – 11 (14) points, +6
x-3. Lausanne HC (SUI) – 11 (14) points, +6
x-4. Fribourg-Gottéron (SUI) – 12 points, +8
x-5. Skellefteå AIK (SWE) – 12 points, +4
x-6. Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) – 11 points, +7
7. Oceláři Třinec (CZE) – 9 (12) points, +4
8. Sheffield Steelers (GBR) – 9 (12) points, +4
x-9. Pinguins Bremerhaven (GER) – 10 points, +4
x-10. Växjö Lakers (SWE) – 10 points, +1
x-11. Sparta Prague (CZE) – 10 points, -2
x-12. Genève-Servette (SUI) – 10 points, +2
13. Tappara Tampere (FIN) – 8 (11) points, +6
14. Eisbären Berlin (GER) – 8 (11) points, -1
15. Lahti Pelicans (FIN) – 8 (11) points, -3
16. Unia Oświęcim (POL) – 8 (11) points, -1
17. Straubing Tigers (GER) – 9 points, 0
18. Dynamo Pardubice (CZE) – 7 (10) points, +8
19. Ilves Tampere (FIN) – 7 points, -4
20. KAC Klagenfurt (AUT) – 5 (8) points, -6
20. Storhamar Dragons (NOR) – 5 points, -7
22. Rouen Dragons (FRA) – 1 (4) point, -12
23. Fehérvár AV19 (HUN) – 0 points, -19
24. SønderjyskE Vojens (DEN) – 0 (3) points, -20
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