Men's Ice Hockey IIHF European Champions Hockey League 2021 - 2022

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Knockout Stage, Semifinals

 

2nd Leg

Tuesday 11.01.2022 - Results

 

18:00 Tappara Tampere (FIN) - Red Bull Munich (GER) Game Rescheduled because of Covid Protocol

19:00 Frölunda Gothenburg (SWE) - Rögle Ängelholm (SWE) 1-3 (Aggr. 4-8)

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RED BULL MUNICH – TAPPARA TAMPERE SEMI-FINAL RESCHEDULED AS SINGLE GAME SHOWDOWN

 

The CHL can announce the rescheduling of the Red Bull Munich – Tappara Tampere Semi-Finals games to a single game showdown on 25 January.

 

After the Covid-19 related cancellation of both the Semi-Finals First and Return Games between Red Bull Munich (GER) and Tappara Tampere (FIN), the CHL Covid-19 committee has consulted and decided on the following resolution:

 

The Semi-Finals matchup between Red Bull Munich and Tappara Tampere will be rescheduled and decided in a single game showdown to be played on 25 January 2022 at the Nokia Arena in Tampere (face-off time to be confirmed).

 

The originally scheduled Semi-Final games between the two teams on 4 and 11 January were cancelled after the German authorities put the entire Munich team into quarantine as a precautionary measure after positive Covid-19 tests of a number of team members were confirmed as cases of the Omicron variant.

[phelps 8,695]

Knockout Stage, Semifinals

 

2nd Leg, Match Highlights

 

Frölunda Gothenburg (SWE) - Rögle Ängelholm (SWE)

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RÖGLE ÄNGELHOLM TO HOST 2021/22 CHL FINAL!

 

The CHL Board has decided to allocate the hosting rights for the 2022 Champions Hockey League Final to Rögle Ängelholm. 

 

The Swedes are the first team qualified for the Final and have amassed 29 points so far this season.

 

Therefore, they boast the best accumulated Group Stage and Playoffs record, regardless of the outcome of the other Semi-Finals matchup which will be decided on January 25th.

The CHL Final will be played on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022.

 

To take a decision on the allocation of the hosting rights for the CHL Final, the CHL Board takes multiple factors into consideration.

 

Firstly, the accumulated record leading up to the Final but also other factors such as venue capacity, expected attendance, technical facilities of the arena as well as the Covid-19 restrictions of the host country.

[phelps 8,695]

On 1/12/2022 at 8:46 PM, phelps said:

RED BULL MUNICH – TAPPARA TAMPERE SEMI-FINAL RESCHEDULED AS SINGLE GAME SHOWDOWN

 

The CHL can announce the rescheduling of the Red Bull Munich – Tappara Tampere Semi-Finals games to a single game showdown on 25 January.

 

After the Covid-19 related cancellation of both the Semi-Finals First and Return Games between Red Bull Munich (GER) and Tappara Tampere (FIN), the CHL Covid-19 committee has consulted and decided on the following resolution:

 

The Semi-Finals matchup between Red Bull Munich and Tappara Tampere will be rescheduled and decided in a single game showdown to be played on 25 January 2022 at the Nokia Arena in Tampere (face-off time to be confirmed).

 

The originally scheduled Semi-Final games between the two teams on 4 and 11 January were cancelled after the German authorities put the entire Munich team into quarantine as a precautionary measure after positive Covid-19 tests of a number of team members were confirmed as cases of the Omicron variant.

the neverending story...

 

TAPPARA TAMPERE – RED BULL MUNICH SEMI-FINAL ON 1 FEBRUARY

 

After the Covid-19 related postponement of the single-game Semi-Final matchup between Tappara Tampere (FIN) and Red Bull Munich (GER), the game has been rescheduled as follows:

 

Tuesday, 1 February 2022, 19:00 local time (18:00 CET) at the Nokia Arena in Tampere

 

The single-game Semi-Final between the two teams on 25 January was cancelled after the Finnish authorities put the entire Tappara team into quarantine as a precautionary measure after several team members were tested positive for Covid-19.

 

The originally scheduled Semi-Final games between the two teams on 4 and 11 January were cancelled after the German authorities put the entire Munich team into quarantine as a precautionary measure after positive Covid-19 tests of a number of team members were confirmed as cases of the Omicron variant.

 

Therefore, the CHL Covid-19 committee decided to reschedule the matchup as a single game showdown.

[phelps 8,695]

very late update, after being distracted by the Olympic Games and annoyed by all the rescheduling due to covid protocols...

 

finally, on February 1st, the semifinal game between Munich and Tampere was played...

 

and...

 

TAPPARA THROUGH TO THE FINAL WITH WIN OVER MUNICH

 

It’ll be a Nordic affair in the Grand Final of the Champions Hockey League, as Tappara Tampere took a 3-0 victory over Red Bull Munich in a one-game semi-final, setting up a meeting with Swedish side Rögle Ängelholm.

 

Coming into the game, Tappara had scored a total of 14 goals on the powerplay, and as Munich took a high-sticking penalty in the early moments of the contest, it gave the hosts the opportunity they needed. It was the playmaker finally getting his first goal of the season, Kristian Kuusela was open on the left and his one-time effort opened the scoring less than five minutes in.

 

Munich looked to try and stop the fast-paced game of Tappara, but couldn’t get much offence going of their own, and as Munich’s late powerplay was cancelled out by a penalty of their own, the score remained at one to nothing at the end of 20 minutes, with Tappara outshooting Munich by 14-3.

 

Munich had to kill a penalty left over from the first to start the second period, and once they returned to full strength, they managed to find a bit more of an offensive rhythm.

 

A powerplay saw a lot of zone time, but not the right execution on their shots, but they grew in confidence as they began to find more ways of putting pucks on Christian Heljanko, but it still wouldn’t be enough for them to get one on the board.

 

Tappara had a great chance to net their second midway through, a great move towards net saw Tyler Morley cut through on a breakaway, but it was read brilliantly by Henrik Haukeland who denied the Canadian forward.

 

With a place in the Final up for grabs, the physicality rose with neither side wanting to lose, but neither side could find a decisive second period goal, setting up a grandstand finish as Tappara held their one-goal advantage into the third period of play.

 

Both sides looked to play strong in their own end, with both teams not really looking to take too many risks, but as time started winding down, someone needed to take hold of the game.

 

Joona Luoto picked up the puck at the blueline after a long stretch pass by Otso Rantakari, and Luoto faked out Haukeland to bury the second of the night for Tappara, giving them a 2-0 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining. 

 

Shortly after doubling their lead, Tappara were back on the powerplay and in a very similar vein, Kristian Kuusela punished Munich.

 

As Tappara moved the puck well, Kuusela was open in the left circle and fired a one-timer into the back of the net for his second of the night, and second of the tournament to add to his 11 assists coming into the Semi-Finals.

 

Tappara survived a late powerplay scare, and as time ticked away, Tappara were the ones celebrating a shutout win to move on to the Grand Final.

[phelps 8,695]

Knockout Stage, Semifinals

 

Single Leg

Tuesday 01.02.2022 - Results

 

18:00 Tappara Tampere (FIN) - Red Bull Munich (GER) 3-0

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Knockout Stage, Semifinals

 

Single Leg, Match Highlights

 

Tappara Tampere (FIN) - Red Bull Munich (GER)

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Knockout Stage, Final

 

Single Leg

Tuesday 01.03.2022 - Schedule

 

19:00 Rögle Ängelholm (SWE) - Tappara Tampere (FIN)

 

*All times CET

 

Watch live

 

Check here for details of live TV broadcasts:

https://www.championshockeyleague.com/en/fans/where-to-watch
 

All games are also live on the CHL website for free, subject to geo-blocking restrictions in certain countries due to TV rights.

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SHOWDOWN IN SCANDINAVIA: TAPPARA VS RÖGLE IN CHL FINAL

 

A fitting final as Swedes line-up against their neighboring Finns with the Champions Hockey League on the verge of crowning its next champions as Tappara Tampere make the trek to take on Rögle Ängelholm.

 

Having competed and completed each stage set out during the campaign, it’s no wonder that both clubs are deserving of the title.

 

Finally, after battling the best for the past eight months, overcoming curses, and surprising the CHL world, we’ll soon see one of them hoist the European Trophy to claim top honours.

 

A Long Time Coming

 

Visiting side Tappara made the most of this CHL campaign, advancing past the Round of 16 for the first time and then some with some incredible hockey against the likes of the Rouen Dragons and, most recently, German side Red Bull Munich.

 

This year the Finns, who qualified for the CHL on the back of a 4th place finish in their domestic league, brought their compete level to new heights and showed why Finnish hockey is some of the best on the continent.

 

Putting together an 8-2-1 record, including 3 victories on the road, Tappara are on the cusp of fulfilling Tappara Head Coach Jussi Taapola’s aspirations from August when he said, “Our goal is to make the Playoffs and then go on to win the CHL.” With the Playoffs in the rearview mirror, now all that needs doing is one more solid performance from a club that’s been every bit as advertised this year.

 

That performance begins and ends with an entire team effort as well as the continued play of those players who’ve been productive for the Finnish side throughout the campaign. 

 

Kristian Kuusela, an alternate captain who’s spent most of the last decade donning a Tappara sweater, leads the team with 13 points (2G,11A) while Anton Levtchi, another fixture on the Tappara roster, currently sits with nine points (3G,6A) through 11 contests.

 

On the backend, the Finns’ defence has done its job only allowing an average of 2.27 goals against per game, and their goaltending has been a beacon for Tappara with Christian Heljanko enjoying some of his best hockey, including two shutouts.

 

Heading into Tuesday's match-up, however, some attention needs to be paid to their penalty kill as it’s struggled a bit.

 

Staying out of the box will be to their advantage against Rogle’s uber-successful powerplay.

 

No Place Like Home

 

“In it to win it.”

 

This was Head Coach Cam Abbot’s response when asked about his club’s mission coming into their debut campaign.

 

As actions speak louder than words, Abbot’s assertion is now one game away from becoming a reality that will perpetuate the proud tradition of Swedish hockey dominance on CHL ice.

 

This at one time dark horse team has done nothing but awe fans from around Europe as they’ve witnessed a group of talented youngsters and veterans alike take down clubs wielding years of CHL experience, including their fellow countrymen in Frölunda Gothenburg.

 

Already with their own taste of success, Rögle have the chance to cement themselves in the annals of CHL hockey by capping off their near-perfect run in spectacular fashion with one more momentous victory on home ice.

 

Fortunately for the Swedish side, the Catena Arena has been a bastion this campaign with five out of their six games going in the win column. 

 

Ludvig Larsson, Adam Tambellini, and Leon Bristedt currently lead the forward group with Larsson’s five tallies and nine helpers giving him 14 points through 12 tilts while Bristedt (3G,9A) and Tambellini (5G, 7A) sit 2nd and 3rd respectively.

 

They’ll be the ones to watch, especially on the man-advantage, as Rögle attempt to break through Tappara’s tough defence.

 

Speaking of defence, Rögle’s Lucas Ekeståhl Jonsson has been nothing short of sensational amassing 13 points (2G, 11A) through 12 games to lead all CHL defencemen in points coming into Tuesday's contest.

 

As the CHL gears up for its 7th Final, these two clubs, with obstacles overcome and challengers bested, will be vying for that which all 32 clubs strove for from the beginning – a chance to be crowned the best in European hockey.

 

Don't miss the action as the puck is set to drop later Today at 19:00 CET!