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Previewing Game Day 5: 11 games as playoff places get within reach
Linkoping and Helsinki IFK do battle again today by Linköping HC/CHL via Getty Images

As we hit the penultimate Game Day in the CHL, many groups still have the last remaining play-off spots up for grabs, which means it’ll be another exciting day of Champions Hockey League action!

Staff writers

In this article we look ahead to today’s games and let you know where you can find all the action. For a more detailed break-down of the potential scenarios, and how the tie-breaks stand in each group, read our ‘Imagine the possibilities’ article.

Bili Tygri Liberec vs. HK Nitra

Group D; Home Credit Arena, 16:00

After their humiliating thrashing at home to Liberec, Nitra are up against it as they hit the road in their final game. “We can’t change what’s happened," says GM Miroslav Kovacik. “It’s not pleasant and the players are those who are the most disappointed. It’s on them to fix their reputation. We are all behind the team and we want to show in Liberec that the results with Skelleftea weren’t just a fluke.” 

Tigers’ defenseman Jan Vytisk added: “We will try to beat Nitra on Thursday at home to try and get ourselves in a good position so we can go to Sweden without bigger pressure. We will give it all we have so that we can fulfil our goal and advance into play-offs.”

IFK Helsinki vs. Linkoping HC

Group A; Helsingin Jaahalli, 17:30

“We felt like we didn’t give ourselves a chance to win last week in Sweden,” says Daniel Grillfors who played a couple of seasons in Linkoping. “We have to be ready in the opening period, be physical, and use our rink – we’re playing in it for the first time and it’s always fun to play there!”

HIFK need just a point to confirm their place in the next round, while Linkoping need two combined from their game tonight and final match against Bern.

TPS Turku vs. Dusseldorfer EG

Group G; HK Areena, 17:30

Dusseldorf head to Finland knowing that only a win will avoid them having to pay a pressure-game at home to Linz to decide the final playoff qualifier. After a great effort on home ice against Turku, the DEL side may feel like they have some unfinished business against their Liiga opponents.

“The flight here was good, although the weather isn’t so much,” joked DEG head coach Christof Kreutzer after his team's arrival in Finland. “But everything here is great. We’re on good form, and are looking forward to the game.”

TPS forward Jerry Ahtola fully expects the return match to be a hard hitting affair, yet again. “They have still all to play for and I think that playing tough hockey is coded into their DNA. But that’s fine, we just have be ready to answer accordingly. I am expecting a very physical game. All in all, I think we’re going have a bit of an advantage playing at home, since they will have to do the travelling,” said Ahtola.

JYP Jyvaskyla vs. Frolunda Gothenburg

Group N; Synergia-Areena, 17:30

Both teams in this group are now through, leaving them just to battle out for top spot. Frolunda have the upper hand after their win on home ice last week, but JYP could easily turn that over with a few goals. “It will be a challenge for us. It was a tight game in Göteborg, but if we play our game I have high hopes for tomorrow,” said Frolunda head coach Roger Rönnberg.

HC Kosice vs. KAC

Group H; Steel Arena, 18:00

Kosice are another team going into their final game knowing that their fate is in their own hands. Only a win will do for the Austrian side. “I was pleased with our defensive play in the last game against Kosice, but in Slovakia we need to develop our offence,” says KAC head coach Doug Mason. “We need to be more dangerous with our chances, especially on deflections and rebounds. If we do this, we can be optimistic that we can get the points we need to go further in the CHL.”

SonderjyskE Vojens vs. HV71 Jonkoping

Group C; SE Arena 19:00

Going into their final game, SonderjyskE know that they've got to get something against HV71 to give themselves any chance of getting through. A loss will eliminate them due to their worse goal-difference against Salzburg, and, with the Red Bulls hosting Jonkoping in the last game of the group, the Danish side need to put themselves in with a fighting chance.

HV71 need just a point from their last two games to get through, although due to their goal difference could end up qualifying with two narrow losses as well!

Stavanger Oilers vs. KalPa Kupio

Group L; DNB Arena, 19:00

‘Tight’ doesn't do this group justice, with all three teams in with realistic possibilities of qualifying. With the Oilers only having today’s game left, for them it's simple – win and you're through. Anything less and then are then relying on the outcome of KalPa's visit to to Trinec in two days’ time.

KalPa know that if they can take both of their remaining games to overtime, it'll be enough to see them through. However facing two teams that need wins, that could be easier said than done!

Storhamar Hamar vs. Geneve-Servette

Group M; Hamar OL-Amfi, 19:00

What a story could be brewing in Hamar. Back on home ice after two wins in Prague and Geneva, Storhamar need just a point to make it through to the next round.

Their opponents are in a more desperate state, needing five points from their last two games to assure their spot in the next round, although getting points from the game in Prague on Saturday is more critical, with the mouthwatering prospect of a trip to Sparta where one of these two great names in European hockey could get eliminated at the first hurdle.

ERC Ingolstadt vs. Vaxjo Lakers

Group O; Saturn Arena, 19:00

With the Lakers already through, Ingolstadt know a point will save them the pressure of needing to get a result in Braehead at the weekend. “Vaxjo obviously have a strong team but we proved that we are able to score against them," says defenceman Stephan Kronthaler. “We are playing in our own rink, the Saturn Arena, and are looking to get the points.”

Krefeld Pinguine vs. Vienna Capitals

Group J; Konig Palast, 19:30

Krefeld know exactly what they have to do to make the next round, especially after having won in Vienna last week. However they can't afford any slip-ups, especially as the Austrains have one game still lt oplay in Oulu after tonight’s match. “After the win in Vienna, in which my team worked very hard, we’re in control of our own destiny,” says Pinguine head coach Rick Adduono. Tonight in our own rink we have our own fans behind us, and I hope that we'll get the points we need to get us into the next round. The team is well prepared and focussed. We're all looking forward to the game!

Vienna forward Kurtis McLean is used to travelling from his time in the KHL, and thinks road trips are good for the team. “Travelling on the day of the game can be a disadvantage, but also an advantage. As the travel time to Krefeld is very short, there shouldn't be any problems,” said the centre. “On road trips like this the team bonds together  I'm looking forward to the next few days.

Farjestad Karlstadt vs. Dynamo Pardubice

Group E; Loftbergs Arena, 20:00

A point does it tonight for Farjestad, although they could still lose and get through if Pardubice don’t win in Davos as well  meaning it’s a tough ask for Dynamo, whose coach was pretty blunt about his side’s situation.

“We have no points, Farjestad have five. They have only the game left with us, we play there and also in Switzerland. We have to win both of those games and get all six points. There is no other option, said Milos Riha. “We can call our two home games unfortunate, but that’s only our fault. We missed way too many scoring opportunities against Davos and with Farjestad, we conceded three goals each time after bad line changes.”

 
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