We look ahead to tonight's game, which start with a tight all-Finnish matchup, and end with Davos hoping to pull off the seemingly impossible in Gothenburg.
It's decision time in the 2015–16 Champions Hockey League – tonight sees both return leg games of the Semi-Finals, and after this evening we'll know not only who two teams will contest to be Europe's best, but also where that will take place.
Karpat Oulu vs. Lukko Rauma (Agg: 3–2)
Oulun Energia-Areena, 17:30
After a tight first game where they surrendered a 2–0 lead, Lukko Rauma head to Oulu where they face a Karpat side who recently lost at home in the Liiga – something that's not happened very often this season, albeit after penalty shots. With just a one-goal difference on aggregate, both sides will be keen to score the opener.
“We're feeling good, we’ve had time to have a few practices," said Karpat Oulu forward Jesse Puljujarvi. "Lukko is a tough team to play against. We’re one goal ahead and we have the play hard right from the start and go for the win.”
Frolunda Gothenburg vs. HC Davos (Agg: 5–0)
Frolundaborgs Isstadion, 20:05
Having got back to winning ways over the weekend following two losses in the NLA, and one in the CHL, HC Davos face a big mountain to climb tonight in Gothenburg. Down 5–0 from the first leg, the Swiss club will need lady luck to be on their side if they're to stand any chance at making the Final. "It was brutal to lose so high, we played badly and made mistakes which our opponents too full advantage of," said Dick Axelsson, the former Frolunda forward who returns to Gothenburg tonight but this time in a Davos uniform. "I believe in our chances – we must be ready from the first puck drop. Nothing is impossible, and it will be important for us to score a couple of early goals. We absolutely want to put on a good performance."
For Frolunda Gothenburg, focussing on the task at hand will be the key despite their significant aggregate advantage. ”If we lack concentration, their might be a problem as Davos plays a sharp offensive game," says Frolunda defenceman Henrik Tommernes. "We will stick to our gameplan and we will focus on preventing their engergy, as we did in Davos one week ago.”