Ice Hockey Continental Leagues 2017 - 2018 Discussion Thread

[phelps 7,680]

Champions Hockey League 2017/2018 starts Today

 

It's finally time – dust off those jerseys, get your scarves, and put on your lucky sweater because hockey is back!

The Champions Hockey League returns for the 2017/18 season with nine games on opening day.

 

Here's what's coming up today:

 

Bílí Tygři Liberec vs. Växjö Lakers

Group E, Home Credit Arena (17:00)

The Czech regular season winners meet last year's CHL Semi-Finalists.

 

Mountfield HK vs. TPS Turku

Group F, Arena Hradec Kralove (17:00)

Mountfield HK, who made the Czech Extraliga Semi-Finals, take on the Finnish side who almost got to the same stage in last year's Liiga.

 

KalPa Kuopio vs. Malmö Redhawks

Group B, Niiralan Monttu (18:00)

A Nordic derby sees Liiga finalists KalPa host Malmö, who are making their CHL debut.

 

Frölunda Indians vs. ZSC Lions Zurich

Group H, Frölundaborg (18:30)

For opening day, fans couldn't have asked for a more mouth-watering matchup. The back-to-back CHL champions host the Swiss team that won the first Champions Hockey League back in 2009, at the venue of last year's Final.

 

HV71 Jönköping vs. Adler Mannheim

Group D, Kinnarps Arena (18:30)

Swedish champions HV71, who were eliminated last season by eventual finalists Sparta Prague, take on the DEL club that is looking to finally go further in the Champions Hockey League.

 

Stavanger Oilers vs. Kometa Brno

Group B, DNB Arena (19:30)

Stavanger have been a fixture of the CHL since the first season in 2014, and have caused some upsets along the way. Today they meet a team making its debut in the competition – Czech Extraliga champions Kometa Brno.

 

SC Bern vs. Nottingham Panthers

Group F, PostFinance Arena (19:45)

SC Bern were dominant in Switzerland last year and got to the CHL Quarter-Finals before being knocked out in Prague. Aiming to go further this year, they begin their Group Stage schedule with a home tie against the Continental Cup winners from Nottingham.

 

HC Davos vs. Cardiff Devils

Group E, Vaillant Arena (19:45)

Could CHL debutants Cardiff have asked for a more stunning fixture on opening day? The Devils visit the Swiss mountains to face Davos – CHL Semi-Finalists two seasons ago, and who are aiming to go far this time around again.

 

Gap Rapaces vs. KAC Klagenfurt

Group H, Alps Arena (20:30)

If either Gap or the KAC want to qualify for the next round, then they need to start here. The teams meet in the Alps with both sides aiming for a win.

[phelps 7,680]

Where to watch?

 

Champions Hockey League games can be watched on TV or digital platforms in many countries.

 

In addition to that, we offer free livestreaming on our website and app for territories and games where there is no geoblocking in effect.

 

For more details, see table on this webpage:

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

[phelps 7,680]

Champions Hockey League 2017/2018

 

Yesterday's Results

 

http://www.championshockeyleague.com/en/schedule#select_schedule=0

 

and Today's Schedule

 

Grizzlys Wolfsburg vs. HC05 Banská Bystrica

Eis Arena Wolfsburg, Group A (18:00)

Slovakia's Champions HC05 Banská Bystrica make their Champions Hockey League debut in Wolfsburg, who finished as runners up in last year's DEL play-offs. On paper, Group A is one of the more open to call, making this already a crunch game for the race to finish in the Top Two.

 

Oceláři Třinec vs. Esbjerg Energy

Werk Arena, Group D (18:00)

Trinec have never made it to the Round of 16 in the CHL, and their quest to do so this season starts with a tricky game against Danish Champions Esbjerg. While many might predict the Energy to finish last in the group, last year's OT win over IFK Helsinki should be a warning to anyone that would take them lightly.

 

Neman Grodno vs. Vienna Capitals

Grodno Ice Sports Palace, Group C (18:00)

Although Grodno have taken part in the CHL before, it's somewhat 'into the unknown' for Vienna taking on the Belarussian champions.

 

JYP Jyväskylä vs. EV Zug

LähiTapiola Areena, Group C (18:00)

Both JYP and Zug have made the CHL play-offs in each of their four seasons taking part, making these two the favourites to advance. The game also see Jarko Immonen face his old team having moved back to JYP over the summer.

 

Red Bull Munich vs. Comarch Cracovia

Olympia-Eisstadion, Group G (19:00)

Cracovia made a big impression in last year's CHL with their strong fan base, and they're expected to have strong support today as the team head to Munich. The German Champions have set winning the CHL as a target for this season, so will not be in the mood to drop any points.

 

Red Bull Salzburg vs. Tappara Tampere

Eisarena Salzburg, Group A (19:00)

Salzburg entertain Liiga Champions Tappara in a game that both will target to win if they want to advance from Group A. Neither side has set European hockey alight in recent seasons, and both are aiming to do better this time aorund.

 

Brynäs IF vs. IFK Helsinki

Gavlerinken Arena, Group G (19:00)

CHL hockey arrives in Gavle, and Brynäs couldn't have asked for a much better fixture as they welcome IFK Helsinki to town. The Finns and their hosts will be favourites to advance from the group, but for the home side it will be a good early test of where they sit alongside some of Europe's best.

[phelps 7,680]

Champions Hockey League 2017/2018

 

Yesterday's Results

 

Neman Grodno 5-4 (ot) Vienna Capitals    
JYP Jyväskylä 3-2 EV Zug    
Oceláři Třinec 9-1 Esbjerg Energy
Grizzlys Wolfsburg 4-3 HC05 Banská Bystrica    
Brynäs IF 4-3 (so) IFK Helsinki    
Red Bull Salzburg 1-6 Tappara Tampere
Red Bull Munich 6-2 Comarch Cracovia

 

and Today's Schedule

 

Gap Rapaces vs. ZSC Lions Zurich

Group H, Alps Arena (15:00)

With a point from their OT loss in Gothenburg, ZSC head to the French Alps with the chance to move further ahead of the chasing pack.

 

Frölunda Indians vs. KAC Klagenfurt

Group H, Frölundaborg (15:00)

The two unbeaten sides meet in Gothenburg as both look to go clear at the top of Group H. Both had tough opening matches, but if Klagenfurt can get anything from the defending champions' it will be a huge result for them.

 

Bílí Tygři Liberec vs. Cardiff Devils

Group E, Home Credit Arena (15:30)

After their baptism of fire in Davos, Cardiff head to Liberec for the first ever meeting in the CHL between teams from the Extraliga and Elite League.

 

Mountfield HK vs. Nottingham Panthers

Group F, Arena Hradec Králové (18:00)

Both teams surprised on opening day - Mountfield by comfortably beating TPS, and Nottingham with their battling performance in Bern.

 

Stavanger Oilers vs. Malmö Redhawks

Group B, DNB Arena (18:00)

The two sides meet as both go in search of their first win in the CHL this season, but it's also got more spice to it as for the first time Norwegian and Swedish teams do battle in the competition!

 

KalPa Kuopio vs. Kometa Brno

Group B, Niiralan Monttu (18:00)

The top two teams in the group after one game meet in Kuopio. The hosts will have to start better than in their last home game, while the visitors go in search of the perfect end to their road trip.

 

SC Bern vs. TPS Turku

Group F, PostFinance Arena (19:45)

Having been outplayed against Mountfield HK, TPS head to Bern with an immediate chance to turn things around. The home side however have the chance to move six points clear of tonight's opponents with a win.

 

HC Davos vs. Växjö Lakers

Group E, Vaillant Arena (19:45)

After their big win on opening night, HC Davos will expect a thoroughly different challenge in the shape of last year's CHL Semi-Finalists. The Lakers had a poor spell in Liberec where they conceded three goals in as many minutes, but still won the game in OT. Whoever tonight will be in the driving seat for qualification.

[hckošice 14,836]

Mountfield Hradec Králové lost to Nottingham Panthers   2-4  !!!

 

also too much high scores in the first matches Cardiff lost in Davos 10-1 and Třinec beating Esbjerg 9-1 but todays Rapaces de Gap - Zurich Lions    1-11 (0-7 in the 2nd period )

[phelps 7,680]

Champions Hockey League 2017/2018

 

Yesterday's Results

 

Gap Rapaces 1-11 ZSC Lions Zurich    
Frölunda Indians 2-1 KAC Klagenfurt    
Bílí Tygři Liberec 5-2 Cardiff Devils    
Mountfield HK 2-4 Nottingham Panthers    
Stavanger Oilers 3-4 Malmö Redhawks    
KalPa Kuopio 2-4 Kometa Brno
SC Bern 4-0 TPS Turku    
HC Davos 0-3 Växjö Lakers

 

and Today's Schedule

 

Oceláři Třinec vs. Adler Mannheim

Werk Arena, Group D (14:00)

 

HV71 Jönköping vs. Esbjerg Energy

Kinnarps Arena, Group D (14:30)

 

Brynäs IF vs. Comarch Cracovia

Gavlerinken Arena, Group G (14:30)

 

JYP Jyväskylä vs. Vienna Capitals

LähiTapiola Areena, Group C (18:00)

 

Neman Grodno vs. EV Zug

Grodno Ice Sports Palace, Group C (18:00)

 

Red Bull Munich vs. IFK Helsinki

Olympia-Eisstadion, Group G (18:00)

 

Grizzlys Wolfsburg vs. Tappara Tampere

Eis Arena Wolfsburg, Group A (18:00)

 

Red Bull Salzburg vs. HC05 Banská Bystrica

EisArena Salzburg, Group A (19:30)

[phelps 7,680]

16 hours ago, hckosice said:

Mountfield Hradec Králové lost to Nottingham Panthers   2-4  !!!

 

also too much high scores in the first matches Cardiff lost in Davos 10-1 and Třinec beating Esbjerg 9-1 but todays Rapaces de Gap - Zurich Lions    1-11 (0-7 in the 2nd period )

 

yeah, as expected (we have to admit) those first games are not so exciting...most often we have a pre-season atmopsphere and, even worse, a pre-season attitude by many teams...

by the way, I saw some good audience in some ice rinks here and there (Czech Republic and especially Sweden being the black sheep as always )...at least, if compared to the past years...

[VolleyRuller96 264]

Meanwhile, ComArch Cracovia lost their first game in Champions Hockey League group G  against Red Bull Munchen 2-6 Last year they lost all their games and I don't see any chance of improvement   Shame really, because we used to have really decent traditions in this sport, but to be honest I don't understand why any polish team was invited to participate in Champions League.

[hckošice 14,836]

2 hours ago, VolleyRuller96 said:

Meanwhile, ComArch Cracovia lost their first game in Champions Hockey League group G  against Red Bull Munchen 2-6 Last year they lost all their games and I don't see any chance of improvement   Shame really, because we used to have really decent traditions in this sport, but to be honest I don't understand why any polish team was invited to participate in Champions League.

 

and today Brynäs Gävle - Cracovia  8-0

[VolleyRuller96 264]

4 minutes ago, hckosice said:

 

and today Brynäs Gävle - Cracovia  8-0

Well, being fair to those guys, I have to say I doubt they have any good conditions for practicing their skills in Poland, certainly not in comparison with Sweden. Still, 8-0 though...