The Champions Hockey League conducted it's playoff draw today in Helsinki, and with that the road to the final is now clear. 

CHL News

HELSINKI – The Champions Hockey League playoff draw is now complete and the 32 remaining teams now know their next opponents, which they will play home-and away starting two weeks from now as they try to advance toward the Round of 16. Furthermore, the bracket positions of the teams are also known, so fans can look ahead and see potential match-ups down the road.

The Round of 32 features three intra-national match-ups, including two all-Sweden (Vaxjo–Djurgarden and Lulea–Farjestad) and one all-Finland (TPS–JYP) ties. See all of the match-ups for the Round of 32 and potential match-ups for the following rounds in the bracket above. Note that the exact dates and locations of some games are subject to change, based on league schedules and arena availability. The official schedule for the Round of 32 is now available.

The Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will all be two-game, total-goal series with the first game at the home of the lower-ranked team and the second game (including any overtime or shootout) at the home of the higher-ranked team. 

The final will be one game, played at the home of the team with the better combined group stage and playoff record.

For a description on how the winners of two-game series are determined, read below:

• The aggregate score after two games determines the winner (total goals).


• This consequently means that there can be no overtime or penalty shootout (Game-Winning Shots) after the first game, even if that game ends in a tie. This of course also means that, if there is a win for either team in the first game, there will be no overtime or penalty shootout after the second game if it ends in a tie.


• Overtime and possibly a shootout can only occur after the second game if the score is tied after 60 minutes of regulation in the second game. FOR CLARITY: Football’s “away-goal-rule” does not apply here.


• Overtime periods in the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals are 10 minutes, sudden-death. In the one-game final it is a 20-minute sudden-death period.


• Ranking (home-ice advantage in the second game of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) is determined by the clubs’ records in the group stage plus the record in the completed playoff stage. Therefore, home-ice advantage in the Round of 16 is determined by the clubs’ record in the group stage plus the two games in the eigth-final. Home-ice advantage in the quarter-finals is determined by the clubs’ record in the group stage plus the four games in the Rounds of 32 and 16. Home-ice advantage in the semi-finals is determined the by the clubs’ records in the group stage plus the six games in the Rounds of 32 and 16 and quarter-finals. Home-ice advantage in the final is determined the by the clubs’ total records in all previous 12 games. 


• As in all penalty shootouts so far in the CHL, we will continue using five shooters. More shooters will be used if the teams are tied, continuing until one team has more goals after each team has taken an equal number of shots. Fewer shooters will be used if one team gains a lead that cannot be equalled in the remaining available shots.

NOTE: This article has been edited since its original publication to reflect updated information.