CHL first-timers each have reinforcements

Pilsen host Lugano in this series where one first-time CHL participant is guaranteed to make the Round of 16. Lugano has the obvious advantage of starting with a three-goal lead, and both teams welcome new blood back into the lineup.

For Pilsen it's Ryan Holloweg, while netminder Lukas Sochurek will make his senior debut. 

How will Pilsen approach the game? "Like any other game. we didn't play well in Lugano, we know that, but we're going to go into it and try to play our best and see what happens," said forward Nicholas Johnson. "They're a very skilled team, they have a few very skilled forwards and a good power play so we'll have to play a disciplined game but we'll play better and it should a good game."

"Our mindset is to go there to win the game not to lose by two goals, that would be too dangerous. We'll see the tape of their last game, but most important we have to think about our game, we want to go there and dictate the pace of the game. Actually we are playing good so there's no reason why we should not make the next round," said head coach Doug Shedden, who welcomes back Maxim Lapierre, back from the New York Rangers after a try-out.

"It's obvious better to have him with us then to see him playing with another team, he had offers from others teams. He'll bring a lot of energy in the building in our team, he was a huge part of our last year success, so we are happy to have him back," added the coach.

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