Read below for more information on the Round of 32 series between Adler Mannheim and the Espoo Blues. The Blues won 6–4 on aggregate to advance to the Round of 16. 

Game 1

The Espoo Blues win the home half of their series with Mannheim, thanks in large part to an efficient second period where they scored 3 goals on 4 shots, while Christian Engstrand stopped all 13 he faced in the same frame, and 32 of 33 overall, and was especially strong with his team twice in the game down two men. Kim Hirschovits scored the game-winning goal 30 seconds into the period, and added 2 assists to lead the Blues offence, as he usually does. 

“It was an Important win, of course. The big thing was to kill two 3-on-5s and other penalties. We were then very efficient on our own chances. That probably frustrated them a lot,” said Blues defenceman Otso Rantakari, who had 1 assist. “Their penalty killing was pretty similar as the teams in Finland have. Today we moved the puck well and that created chances. This time we had more shots on the power play than we usually have.”

“We didn’t capitalize when we needed to, got trapped around the edges and so on. We need to find a way to score on 5-on-3, especially when you have two of them. It’s something we’re working on in practice,” said Brandon Yip, Mannheim's lone goal scorer. About an incident he got into at the end of the second period with Espoo's Roope Talaja, Yip said, “It’s tough to be in the box. Unfortunately, I thought he was ready to go. It was just a reaction and I have to control myself better.”

GAME HIGHLIGHTS | LIVE BLOG & STATS

Preview

Adler Mannheim and the Espoo Blues are two teams who will be desperate for goals going into their Round of 32 clash. Both teams struggled offensively during the group stage, scoring a combined 13 goals, resulting in them being two of the lowest scoring teams to gain qualification to the playoffs. On the other hand, whilst goals were at a premium, both Mannheim and the Blues played some fantastic defensive hockey, conceding five and eight goals respectively in their four CHL games so far. In a tough battle with Vitkovice Ostrava, Die Adler eventually ran out Group I winners, while the team from Espoo finished second in Group F, edging out Grenoble. In what will undoubtedly be a true goaltending battle, Dennis Endras (Mannheim) and Christian Engstrand (Blues) have been in fine form so far and will be relied upon once more to get the victory for their respective teams. 

Closer look: Adler Mannheim

(2-1-0-1, 8 points, 6:5, 1st in Group I)

Adler Mannheim marched comprehensively to the DEL title last season, but they did not have it their own way in Group I of the 2015– 16 Champions Hockey League. Three of their four games were decided by a solitary goal, with all being closely fought, defensive encounters. The German champions were shutout by CHL newcomers Neman Grodno on Game Day 1, looking remarkably average as they struggled against the Belarussian champions. However, this defeat was the reality check Mannheim needed. Two days later in Ostrava, “Die Adler” edged a 2-1 victory against Vitkovice, Martin Buchwieser scoring the deciding goal in the third period. On Game Day 3, in front of 7,219 fans at the SAP Arena, Mannheim avenged the loss in Belarus, thoroughly outclassing Neman in a 2–1 victory, a score which flattered the Belarussian side who were outshot 42–8. With qualification now secure, the battle was on against Vitkovice to decide who would qualify as group winners. In front of another bumper crowd in Mannheim, the German champions defeated Vitkovice Ostrava 2–1 after a shootout to take top spot in Group I and book their place in the Round of 32.

Brent

Raedeke

2+0, even

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: One of the newest additions to the Mannheim squad is 25-year-old forward Brent Raedeke, who played for the Iserlohn Roosters last season. He is currently the Cramo Top Scorer for the Adler Mannheim with two goals in four games. Raedeke's huge advantage is his German passport, so he doesn’t count as an import player in DEL games.

 

Mathieu

Carle

0+1, even

 

Top Defenceman: After three years in the KHL, 27-year-old Canadian Mathieu Carle now plays for Adler Mannheim, and the German champs are glad to have his presence on their blueline. Strong at both ends of the ice, Carle definitely gives Die Adler a good first pass out of the zone, and with his speed can lead the rush from the back end as well. 

 

Dennis

Endras

93.83 %

 

Top Goaltender: Mannheim's key to victory is their solid and stable defence. They do not allow many shots on their goal, but when they do, they have one of the best German goaltenders in their net, Dennis Endras. He had 8 shutouts last season, helping Mannheim win their first championship in seven years. His quickness and ability to cover dangerous angles makes it hard for the opposing offence to score on him.

Click here for team statistics.

Closer look: Espoo Blues

(1-0-1-2, 4 points, 7:8, 2nd in Group F)

After being swept by JYP in the Liiga quarter-finals last season, the Espoo Blues are still looking to find their form after a rather average group stage. In their opening game, the Finnish club were shutout by Jaroslav Janus, as HC Litvinov claimed a 1–0 victory on the road. Things could only get better from here, and as Grenoble came to Espoo on Game Day 4, the Blues’ offence came to the party. Despite going behind in the first period, the Blues eventually ran out 4–2 winners over the French side. The Blues took the road for Game Days 5 and 6 with their place in the Round of 32 yet to be confirmed. They did manage to confirm a spot in the next round, though were not overly impressive in doing so as they took only one point from the two games. They lost 2–1 in Grenoble but secured their spot in the next round by winning the potential tie-breaker with Grenoble on goal difference, then lost in overtime in Litvinov in a game that was meaningless to the standings.  

Kim

Hirschovits

2+2, +1

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Kim Hirschovits scored two goals and added two assists during the group stage. He has the ability to make his linemates better, and with the Blues group of forwards that doesn't contain any real stars apart from him, a strong performance from Hirschovits is needed.

 

Juuso

Vainio

0+2, +2

 

Top Defenceman: Juuso Vainio, a World Junior Champion from 2014, was one of the Blues' off-season acquisitions. He showed a lot of bravery in the group stage games, but still managed to play without making any major mistakes. He drew a few penalties by the opponents and, thanks to his presence on the point, the Blues have the potential to be very dangerous on the power play. 

 

Christian

Engstrand

92.96 %

 

Top Goaltender: Swedish goalie Christian Engstrand had a difficult last season but early CHL games have shown he's returned nearer to the level he had been at earlier in his career. He allowed five goals in three games and if he continues that level of play, he gives his team a good chance to advance.

 

Click here for team statistics.