Final four ready for semi-final first legs

If you thought the previous rounds in this year's Champions Hockey League were intense, then just wait until tonight!

It's semi-final time in the 2015–16 Champions Hockey League, with just the final four teams left in the competition. In Finland, two Liiga sides will battle it out with Lukko hoping to reverse the domestic form guide on its head and beat their own league's leaders, while in Switzerland HC Davos, hoping to become the first non-Nordic team to make the Final, take on a Frolunda side determined to go one step further than last season.

No team can qualify for the final tonight – but they could put themselves one step closer.

Lukko Rauma vs. Karpat Oulu

Kivikylan Areena, 17:30

Home team Lukko Rauma go into their CHL Semi-Final with Karpat Oulu just about holding on to the final place in the Liiga's top six, having posted one win in their previous five games. Karpat, on the other hand, sit out in front of the league with a five point gap, unbeaten in four games – although three of those were non-regulation wins. The two sides met in the Liiga only a few weeks ago, with Karpat winning 5–4 in OT – indeed, the team from Oulu has beaten their Rauma counterparts on each of their three meetings this season, with the other two being in regulation.

On Lukko's offensive style, Karpat coach Lauri Marjamaki said on the club website that, “They really go to the net aggresively. The last game all four goals were from less than two meters in front of (Sami) Aittokallio. On Tuesday, we will be ready to defend them against that situation.”

On the eve of the game, Lukko's Aaron Gagnon said in a video interview, "I think we're ready to go. We've seen these guys a few times and we know what we're going against. We know they're a good team and they're playing confident, but I like our chances."

Watch more of what he said below:

HC Davos vs. Frolunda Gothenburg

Vaillant Arena, 20:15

It's second place in the NLA vs. first place in the SHL tonight in Switzerland!

HC Davos have played two teams from the SHL in the CHL so far this season, and have only lost one of the four games – that being the 1–0 home loss to Farjestad after OT in the group stages. The Swiss club has just two wins from their last five games (only one in regulation), and are just about holding on to second spot in the league. Interestingly, the team remains unbeaten in Sweden, yet has failed to beat an SHL team at Vaillant Arena in two attempts – the other game being a 1–1 tie against Skelleftea in the Quarter-Finals.

Frolunda Gothenburg have just one loss in their last five games, and are joint-leading the SHL with Skelleftea AIK. The Indians have lost all three first playoff legs they've played this season in the CHL, but then turned things around on home ice. They lost in the Final last year and have high hopes to make it back there and win this time, but first they have some business to take care of. "It will be a tough, but fun, semi-final. I expect a open game, with a lot of speed. We will stick to our gameplan, but are aware of Davos offensive skills," says Robin Figren. "We entered the tournament to win the cup and we still want to lift it on 9 February."

HC Davos will be without the injured Marcus Paulsson, Dario Simion, and Gregory Sciaroni, while Devin Setoguchi's fitness is also in doubt after being ill. New signing Alexandre Picard is not eligible for the CHL.