Champions Hockey League Playoff Picture Becomes A Bit Clearer
Photo: Lukáš Fabian / Dynamo Pardubice / Champions Hockey League - Champions Hockey League Playoff Picture Becomes A Bit ClearerWith 12 more teams playing their penultimate games of the regular season on Wednesday, all 24 teams have now played five of six regular-season games in the Champions Hockey League, with the last round of games going next Tuesday and Wednesday. Despite losing in overtime, Lausanne HC cllinched a playoff berth, joining Färjestad Karlstad, Red Bull Salzburg and ZSC Lions Zurich, who clinched on Tuesday.
Two teams, KAC Klagenfurt and the Storhamar Dragons, overcame two-goal deficits and won in overtime to stave off elimination.
Dynamo Pardubice (CZE) 2 – Lahti Pelicans (FIN) 3
After winning their first two CHL games, Pardubice has now lost three in a row and is in danger of not advancing, despite a stacked roster. Czech Luboš Horký scored two for Lahti, including the game-winner in the third period.
Unia Oświęcim (POL) 4 – Straubing Tigers (GER) 1
Straubing outshot Oświęcim 48-21, but goaltender Linus Lundin added 47 to his CHL-leading saves total and Carl Ackered recorded three points. With two straight wins, Oświęcim now surprisingly sits 15th with a very realistic shot at the playoffs.
Sparta Prague (CZE) 4 – Pinguins Bremerhaven (GER) 2
Sparta’s CHL campaign had not gone well to this point, but took an early 3-0 lead in this one, eventually winning 4-2. Kryštof Hrabík had two points this game for Sparta, now with seven points, which is right on the playoff cut-off line.
Genève-Servette (SUI) 2 – KAC Klagenfurt (AUT) 3 [OT]
Two teams were in desperate need of points this game and it looked good early on home ice for Genève, who led 2-0 in the second period, but Klagenfurt stormed back to win 3-2 in overtime to barely escape elimination. Both teams now have their work cut out for them next week.
Lausanne HC (SUI) 2 – Storhamar Dragons (NOR) 3 [OT]
Things started according to script for Lausanne, who took an early 2-0 lead, but Storhamar was fortunate to face an opponent that was not desperate. The Norwegian team came back to tie it and Andreas Dahl scored in overtime as Storhamar avoided elimination. The single point is enough to see Lausanne through.
Rouen Dragons (FRA) 3 – Ilves Tampere (FIN) 4 [SO]
In another come-from-behind situation, Ilves tied the score in the last minute and won in a shootout. But despite earning two points, Ilves – currently first place in the Finnish Liiga – is eliminated. Rouen was already eliminated before the game.
Standings after five of six games played for each team:
x-1. Färjestad Karlstad (SWE) – 14 points, +14
x-2. Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) – 11 points, +8
x-3. ZSC Lions Zurich (SUI) – 11 points, +6
x-4. Lausanne HC (SUI) – 11 points, +6
5. Fribourg-Gottéron (SUI) – 10 points, +6
6. Växjö Lakers (SWE) – 10 points, +4
7. Skellefteå AIK (SWE) – 10 points, +3
8. Pinguins Bremerhaven (GER) – 9 points, +5
9. Oceláři Třinec (CZE) – 9 points, +4
10. Sheffield Steelers (GBR) – 9 points, +4
11. Tappara Tampere (FIN) – 8 points, +6
12. Straubing Tigers (GER) – 8 points, +1
13. Eisbären Berlin (GER) – 8 points, -1
14. Lahti Pelicans (FIN) – 8 points, -3
15. Unia Oświęcim (POL) – 8 points, -1
16. Dynamo Pardubice (CZE) – 7 points, +8
17. Sparta Prague (CZE) – 7 points, -3
18. Genève-Servette (SUI) – 7 points, -1
19. KAC Klagenfurt (AUT) – 5 points, -6
20. Storhamar Dragons (NOR) – 5 points, -5
21. Ilves Tampere (FIN) – 4 points, -7
22. Rouen Dragons (FRA) – 1 point, -12
23. Fehérvár AV19 (HUN) – 0 points, -16
24. SønderjyskE Vojens (DEN) – 0 points, -20
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