TPS & IFK meet in all-Finnish clash.

Two of Finland's best known clubs internationally go head-to-head in this clash between TPS Turku and IFK Helsinki. In recent years, HIFK have been Liiga contenders while TPS rebuilds, but the play of both teams in the group stage seems to indicate that times might be changing. They have both started well in their regular season since then, but it's still too early to draw any firm conclusions. They haven't played yet in the Liiga this year, but HIFK dominated last year, taking 10 of 12 points in four meetings. It's hard to say which team will win this series, but it's safe to say these teams are a lot more familiar with each other than most CHL opponents.

Despite being the group winner, TPS will play the first of the two games on their home ice in Turku due to arena availability. The return leg will then go in Helsinki.

TPS Turku were nearly perfect in the group stage, taking 11 of 12 possible points, and allowing only three goals in four games in the process. They started with a 4-1 home win over Lorenskog IK, then had a couple of close battles with Bili Tygri Liberec, in which both teams got fine goaltending displays. First Oskari Setanen made 37 saves in a 2-1 shootout win in Liberec, then Alexander Georgiev stopped 33 in a 3-1 win in Turku. With the group already wrapped up, they won 6-0 in Lorenskog. After facing two rather unknown opponents, their Round of 32 opponents will be very familiar.

IFK Helsinki were expected to be the top team in Group G, but instead they struggled mightily against EV Zug and, even more suprisingly, Esbjerg Energy. It was the Swiss club that beat them in their first two games – 2-1 in Zug and 4-1 in Helsinki. Still, few panicked, as the thought of not picking up the necessary points to advance against Esbjerg seemed unthinkable. However, Esbjerg came up with one of the more surprising performances of the group stage, getting a tying goal in the last minute and then winning in overtime, 5-4. HIFK now needed a regulation win to advance, but got things together and won 7-0. Their early Liiga play seems to indicate their group stage woes are behind them, and that's a good thing, as TPS will be far less forgiving to their mistakes.  

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