Another 20 teams are preparing to do it all again, as Game Day 4 of the Champions Hockey League takes place!

Staff Writers

Lulea Hockey vs. Fribourg-Gotteron

Group K; Coop Norrbotten Arena, 15:00

Whoever wins this game will do themselves no harm in the race to make the next round, although whatever the result both sides will still trail Lukko Rauma at the top. Anything short of a regulation win for Fribourg and the Finnish squad will make the next round, while a win for the Swiss side will take them above Lulea.

The hosts are well aware of the opposition they face though, and full of respect for their guests. “They have a fantastic hockey tradition and during the early '90s they were really good. They had to struggle quite a lot last season, even though they aimed high. The feeling is that the whole region is out for revenge this season,” says Lars Bergstrom, Lulea's sports director. “Traditionally, they've had a good mix of skilled Swiss players and some foreign players as top players. We're in for a tough and exciting game today.”

Eisbaren Berlin vs. Gap Rapaces

Group P; Mercedes Benz Arena, 16:00

The ZSC Lions’ dominace of this group means it’s down to Gap and Berlin to fight it out for second place in the final games – although Die Eisbären do still have a visit to Switzerland to come. 

“We want only to win the game today, no question about that,” says Polar Bears coach Uwe Krupp. “Gap played very well on the power play above all in their home game against Zurich, and took their chances. We are expecting a well-motivated team, especially after their defeat two days ago.”

HV71 Jonkoping vs. SonderjyskE Vojens

Group C; Kinnarps Arena, 17:00

From their big loss in Salzburg, SonderjyskE head to Jonkoping for a big match in Group C as all three teams are currently tied on three points each. Whoever wins will top the group outright ahead of the final games, although Jonkoping have played less than everyone else.

“HV71 are a solid four-line team and it will be a huge challenge on Saturday in Jonkoping,” says Dan Cemen, head coach of SonderjyskE. “We have the utmost respect for this team and our goal remains the same – play with pride in our organization and our league."

Dusseldorfer EG vs. TPS Turku

Group G; ISS Dome, 17:45

Dusseldorf can put themselves in a great position in Group G if they manage to overcome TPS Turku on home ice tonight. The visitors are already through to the next round, while their hosts only need two points mathematically put themselves through as well. However a win is important for both sides in this one in the race to top the group, with Dusseldorf able to go above Turku in the standings if they take a regulation win.

HK Nitra vs. Bili Tgyri Liberec

Group D; Nitra Arena, 18:00

Group D is now effectively a straight shootout between Nitra and Liberec to see who can make the last playoff place, with Skelleftea already through. The only ‘complication’ to bare in mind is Nitra’s OT loss point in northern Sweden, which puts them ahead of Liberec going into this game.

"It was a tight game. The Swedes had more chances, but we defended well and followed the instructions of our coaches. We have one point that might be important for us later,” reflected Nitra forward Marek Slovak. “Liberec will play a different style than Skelleftea, it will be a completely different game."

Meanwhile Tigers’ defenceman Martin Sevc had this to say ahead of tonight's contest: “We believed that we could beat Skelleftea, but now we have to focus on the next game and prepare properly. It’s about going step by step, shift by shift and scoring some goals.”

Espoo Blues vs. Grenoble

Group F; Barona Areena, 17:30

It’s between these two teams to make the next round, as Litvinov have already made it through. Having only played one game though, the Blues would feel pretty confident of making it through and can do their hopes the world of good by beating the French champions on home ice.

Grenoble need to return from Espoo with something if they want to try and make it through, and a win would keep their destiny in their own hands for now.

Vienna Capitals vs. Krefeld Pinguine

Group J; Albert-Schultz-Eishalle, 19:30

With Oulu already through, it’s between these two sides for the final place in the knock-out round as they meet twice before the group stage is out.

“We can look forward to an entertaining game,” says Capitals’ head coach Jim Boni, who took over the team in the EBEL playoffs last season. “Krefeld are a fast team, but to be completely honest we’re just concentrating on ourselves. We need to be better (than them) at every step.”

Krefeld head coach Rick Adduono is of a similar opinion. He says: "We are looking forward to the game in Vienna, I think they’re around the same level as we are. We’re looking forward to the task ahead and are excited about two entertaining games against the Capitals!”

EV Zug vs. Djurgarden Stockholm

Group B; Bossard Arena, 19:45

With Tappara already through to the next round, this game could be make or break for both sides. Djurgarden go into the game two points ahead of their Swiss opoonents, and know that a win would put them in full control of making the next round. A defeat, however, would see the NLA side leapfrog them into second place.

"We started the Tappara game good and found each other well. There were two teams playing a similar kind of hockey, closing the neutral zone, so there weren't that many scoring opportunities. The longer the game went the more used we got to the pace. It felt good for me and especially that we won,” said Markus Ljungh, alternate captain of the Stockholm club. “Now we're in Switzerland and I'm looking forward to the game against Zug.”

Geneve-Servette vs. Storhamar Hamar

Group M; Patinoire des Vernets, 19:45

It seems quite surreal that Storhamar are back on the ice tonight, less than 24 hours since their shocking win in Prague over Sparta. They now go into the game above Geneve-Servette in the standings, something that not many people would probably have expected, although the Swiss club does hold a game in hand.

“We play again tomorrow but it doesn't matter, we're a professional team and we'll be ready,” said Storhamar coach Alexander Smirnov after their famous win in Prague. “Our whole group is close – all three teams have a chance to go to the next round. Tomorrow we'll try to take maybe 1, maybe 3 points, I don't know . . . we'll try to win again.”

Braehead Clan vs. Vaxjo Lakers

Group O; Braehead Arena, 20:00

A sellout at the Braehead Arena means over 3,500 passionate home fans will be on hand to try and back the Clan to what would be a famous result against the SHL champions. After an improved performance in Ingolstad, the Clan don’t see why they can’t get something with their fans behind them.

“Coming back to Glasgow, it’s my third year at the club and in that time, the crowd have got louder and louder and be an intimidating atmosphere. Having been an opposition player here too, I know that for a fact so the Swedish team can expect a loud reception,” says Lee Esders. “We need those crowds to get right behind us, which I’m sure they will and hopefully can lift us in trying to get the result we want. Can we cause an upset? Who knows what can happen in sport? Växjö are the top seeds for a reason and I think we’ve got a good team and so we’ll give it our best shot.”

And Vaxjo captain Liam Reddox knows his side won’t face an easy task in Scotland either. “I definitely think we’ll face a tougher team than the one we faced in Vaxjo. Obviously with the team not fully complete then coming to meet us, it wouldn’t have been ideal,” said the Canadian, of Scots parentage, who will have lots of family in the stands watching him. “It was a tough challenge and after seeing them in their game in Ingolstadt, they made progress and I think they’ll be even better today. We’re definitely expecting a better and much improved after working together for the last week and we have to be ready for that.”