Seven games get under way within an hour of each other in tonight's Champions Hockey League action!
Stavanger Oilers vs. HK Nitra
Group J; DNB Arena, 19:00
Of all 16 groups, Group J might be the toughest one to call, with no team standing out as either a clear favourite or a doormat. Therefore, every game will be important and both Stavanger and Nitra will want to get off to the right start. The Stavanger Oilers have been the kings of Norwegian hockey in recent years, winning six of the last seven championships. They will get their two home games in the group out of the way quickly, as they host HC Pilsen on Saturday, so they will want to pick up as many points as possible before heading to Central Europe in September.
“This will be our first experience in Slovakia. We’re looking forward to meeting the team and their supporters," says Oilers' coach Pal Gulbrandsen. "From the Slovak National Team we know that they play hockey on a high level. This will be a great challenge for us.”
On the other bench, Coach Andrej Kmec knows his team has a big challenge ahead, and knows it will take discipline to win. "It will suddenly be completely different hockey (from what we're used to at home. We can't be naive. If we want to forecheck, we can't have three players below the goal line – we have to play as a compact five-man unit. Maybe it's better that we play the first game out there, but they won't be an easy opponent. They skate perfectly, maybe even better than Skelleftea a year ago, plus they play physically," the coach warns.
Follow in the Gamecentre!
HV71 Jonkoping vs. Sheffield Steelers
Group P; Kinnarps Arena, 19:00
Having failed to make it pas the group stage in their first Champions Hockey League season, last year HV71 not only went one better, but got all the way to the Round of 16 before going out to the Espoo Blues; while the Steelers finished their first CHL adventure last year without registering a point.
"The Sheffield Steelers are a new opponent for us, but hockey in Great Britain is getting better and better every year so it will be tough for us,” warned HV71 coach Johan Lindbom.
"Of course we kinda of know what to expect this season against a team in Sweden, and as an organisation we're more ready for this year. It's a little new for us to be playing with four whole lines this season, but it's fun because every shift you have more energy to give. We come to play, and we want to win some games." said Steelers left winger Mathieu Roy.
Adler Mannheim vs. HC Lugano
Group C; SAP Arena, 19:30
After a disappointing debut in the Champions Hockey League two seasons ago, finishing last in their group, Die Adler bounced back last season by winning their group and progressing to the Round of 32 where the went out to Espoo. Having never faced Swiss opposition, it will be a new experience for the Mannheim club against a Lugano side that made it all the way to the NLA finals last season.
Head coach Sean Simpson knows his side will come up against good opposition tonight, saying: "This group is not easy, that’s for sure. Lugano is a very fast and technical skilled team. They play very organized and got a great coach in Doug Shedden," while defenceman Niki Goc added, "Swiss teams play a very aggressive and passionate style of hockey. Lugano has some top-class players on it’s roster. It will definitely be a very interesting game."
"Mannheim is one of the best teams in Germany. After a tough season, I'm expecting that with Sean Simpson on the bench they will be very motivated," says Lugano coach Doug Shedden. "It will be a difficult game. Our goal will be to skate more than Mannheim. That will be the key point for us."
Krefeld Pinguine vs. Karpat Oulu
Group E; Konig Palast, 19:30
After failing to get out of their group in either of their first two CHL campaigns, the team captained by the venerable Daniel Pietta doesn't have an easy task in its first game – perennial European powerhouse Karpat Oulu. Karpat already have one CHL game under their belt, but it wasn't easy – a 3-2 victory against a feisty Vitkovice Ostrava squad.
Krefeld head coach Franz Fritzmeier stated that his team has one key aim in the CHL for now. "My team is prepared. Our aim is to get out of the groupe stage for the first time.”
Black Wings Linz vs. SC Bern
Group M; Keine Sorgen EisArena, 19:30
"After the successful start against Kosice we are excited about the second game against Linz. We expect a team, that is very strong at home," says Bern defenceman Eric Blum ahead of tonight's game. "It will be a tough game for sure. But we will be prepared on Thursday. And we will be focussed on our goal reaching the CHL playoffs."
Linz last season failed to make it out of the group, but coach Rob Daum is looking forward to the experience of European competition once again. “Last season was the first opportunity for the Black Wings to play in the Champions Hockey League. It was a very rewarding experience," says the Canadian coach. "I think it was terrific for the players; it was a wonderful coaching experience and it was excellent for our management and ownership to see firsthand how other organizations run their teams. Bern have a rich history of excellence and will be formidable opponents.”
Vienna Capitals vs. Skelleftea AIK
Albert-Schultz-Eishalle; Group N, 19:30
Having never faced Austrian opposition in the CHL, Skelleftea AIK start their 2016-17 campaign in Vienna against a Capitals side with new hope behind their bench.
"Skelleftea is a very attractive, but also difficult opponent. The game will be a real challenge for my team," says new coach Serge Aubin. "But we will not be awestruck for sure. Our goal for the CHL is to gain as many points as possible in order to reach the next round."
"I’m looking forward to playing the first game of the season, the first competitive game," says Henrik Hetta, Skelleftea's newly acquired left winger. "They have a lot of transatlantic players, so you can expect a quite physicial game. A part of the charm of this league is to play against another type of hockey – other teams than within the domestic league and see new places."
Vaxjo Lakers vs. BK Mlada Boleslav
Group L; Vida Arena, 20:00
Having lost their opening game in Minsk, Mlada Boleslav head to Vaxjo facing one of the top SHL teams in recent years who are determined to make the final 16 in the Champions Hockey League.
"We have really great respect for Mlada Boleslav, who made a quick trip to the top league. We saw how Linkoping was beaten by two Czech teams last week, so we have to really be on our toes. Since they lost in Minsk in their first group game, it's guaranteed they'll be out for revenge," said coach Sam Hallam. "We have a good feeling about the group and enter a key phase in which we must maintain our focus and careful planning to see how we stand up."
"The game in Minsk we have nothing to be ashamed of. It was decided by luck," Mlada Boleslav Coach Frantisek Vyborny declared. "I firmly believe that we just have to get it out of our heads and on Thursday we will start in Sweden with a blank slate from the beginning. It's a challenging experience, but a valuable one."