A point was enough to put ZSC Lions into the Round of 32 after an overtime win in Lukko, however the visitors will be disappointed to have surrendered a two-goal lead with under three minutes to play in regulation. Read more in Gamecentre. 

A strong opening period for the Lions saw them shock their Finnish hosts with two early goals. Lukko, playing their first CHL game of the season, were behind with just over two minutes played – Chris Baltisberger's shot hit something on the goal and came back out at speed. Having initially waived the goal off, the referees went upstairs and the video official awarded the goal with 2:19 played. Despite knowing a point would be enough to see them through, there was no let up from the Lions who had by far the better chances of the opening stages. They were duly rewarded at 10:58 when Patrik Bartschi reacted quickest to a rebound from Morris Trachsler's shot to double the Lions' lead shorthanded.

The middle period brought no goals, despite a better performance from the home side, meaning Lions netminder Niklas Schlegel started period three at 100 minutes without conceding a goal. It was all looking rose for the Lions with less than five minutes to go, before Aleksi Saarela scored on a power play with under three minutes to go to half the deficit. Then, just 26 seconds later, Janne Niskala tied the game for the home side to complete an unlikely comeback.

Overtime failed to produce a goal, and going into the shootout goals form Shannon and Pestoni were enough to give Lukko the extra point, with only Koivisto netting for the hosts.

“It was a good game,” said relieved Lions coach Hans Wallson. “I was pleased the way we started the first period. I think we came out stronger for the whole 20 minutes with the 1-0 and 2-0 goals. After three periods I wasn’t even sure if we were to win this game. During the overtime we had some changes and the shootout is what it is. It requires strength to get even two points from a really good team like (Lukko) so overall I’m happy with the result.” 

“I agree with Wallson about the first period,” responded Lukko coach Juha Vuori. “We knew that the ZSC Lions are a team that skates a lot and well and are a good-quality team that plays with a high tempo. I think they gave us a good example of how we should play. We were little bit nervous at the beginning and that’s why we came out a bit soft. I’m happy that we tied the game from a two-goal deficit and that we created good chances in overtime.”

Vuori summed up, “This was our first game in the CHL this season. This was an okay start.”