CHL at halftime

Re-Plast Unia - EC Red Bull Salzburg 2-3 OT

Red Bull Salzburg triumphed over Unia Oświęcim 3-2 in overtime. The Polish side took an early lead, but Salzburg's resilience paid off with a decisive overtime goal from Nikolaus Kraus, securing two valuable points in the CHL standings.

The game started with a bang as Unia Oświęcim took a stunning 1-0 lead just 18 seconds into the match. Hampus Olsson fired a shot past Salzburg’s Atte Tolvanen, electrifying the home crowd. Despite the early setback, Salzburg quickly regained composure, creating several chances. They were rewarded at 15:22 when Dennis Robertson leveled the score with an impressive solo effort, evading multiple defenders before netting the equalizer. The first period ended 1-1, with Salzburg outshooting Oświęcim 16-7.

Both teams came out strong in the second period. Salzburg took the lead for the first time at 29:14 when Philipp Krening scored his maiden CHL goal, assisted by Luca Auer and Andrew Rowe. Oświęcim responded with several chances, but Tolvanen stood firm. However, just before the buzzer, Krystian Dziubiński found the net at 39:44 to make it 2-2 heading into the final period.

Salzburg dominated the third period, applying consistent pressure on Oświęcim’s defense. Despite several powerplays and near-goal opportunities, Linus Lundin's stellar goaltending kept the score tied. Oświęcim threatened late in the game, but neither side could find a winner in regulation.

In extra time, Oświęcim had two golden opportunities to snatch the victory, including a solo effort from Erik Ahopelto, but Tolvanen made crucial saves. At 62:02, Nikolaus Kraus netted the game-winner off a pass from Ali Wukovits, sending Salzburg home with a 3-2 win.

Skellefteå AIK - Pelicans Lahti 4-2

Skellefteå AIK claimed a 4-2 victory over the Lahti Pelicans in a thrilling Champions Hockey League matchup. The Swedes capitalized on a strong start, netting two early goals and withstanding a third-period comeback from the Finnish side. Jonathan Pudas was the star of the night for Skellefteå, scoring twice, including the game-winner in the third period.

Skellefteå made an explosive start to the game, taking the lead just 1:59 into the first period. Andreas Johnson found the back of the net with an accurate shot, assisted by Valter Lindberg and Zeb Lindgren. Pelicans struggled to find rhythm as the Swedes controlled the early tempo. At 14:22, Jonathan Pudas doubled the lead for Skellefteå, finishing off a slick play with Rickard Hugg setting him up. The home team finished the first period with a comfortable 2-0 lead.

The second period saw no goals, but both teams had chances to get on the scoreboard. Pelicans increased their shot count and put Skellefteå under pressure, but Gustaf Lindvall was sharp in net, turning away all 14 shots he faced in the period. Pelicans also had a powerplay opportunity after a penalty to Pudas for holding the stick, but they failed to convert.

Pelicans began their comeback in the third period. Tim Lindfors scored on the powerplay at 43:51, assisted by Wyatt Kalynuk and Elias Vilén, cutting Skellefteå’s lead to 2-1. Moments later, Pelicans equalized at 47:28 when Konsta Hirvonen scored after a smooth setup from Leevi Tukiainen and Michael Vukojevic.

Despite the momentum shift, Skellefteå responded quickly. At 54:58, Jonathan Pudas scored his second goal of the game, putting the home team back in front 3-2. Pelicans pulled their goalie for an extra attacker late in the game, but Mārtiņš Dzierkals sealed the win for Skellefteå with an empty-net goal at 57:23.

Eisbären Berlin - HC Dynamo Pardubice 3-2 SO

Eisbären Berlin secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Dynamo Pardubice. In a fast-paced, hard-fought game, both teams exchanged leads, but Berlin emerged victorious, thanks to a decisive penalty shot from Leonhard Pföderl. This win marked Berlin's second victory in the tournament, keeping them in strong contention in the group stage.

The game started with intensity as both sides pushed hard. Berlin struck first at 11:20 when Lean Bergmann, assisted by Olivier Galipeau and Blaine Byron, found the back of the net, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. However, Pardubice quickly responded, capitalizing on a powerplay opportunity. Martin Kaut scored at 13:36, assisted by Lukáš Sedlák and Roman Červenka, leveling the score at 1-1 by the end of the period.

The second period remained tightly contested, with both teams exchanging scoring chances. Berlin reclaimed the lead at 33:08 when Frederik Tiffels scored his first goal of the tournament, assisted by Kai Wissmann. The teams continued to battle, but neither side could add to the scoreline, and Berlin entered the final period with a 2-1 lead.

Dynamo Pardubice, determined to equalize, threw everything forward in the third period. They were finally rewarded late in the game when Roman Červenka scored at 58:23 with an extra attacker on the ice, tying the game 2-2 and sending it to overtime. Both teams had chances in the extra frame, but neither could break the deadlock, leading to a shootout.

In the shootout, Berlin's Leonhard Pföderl stepped up and delivered the game-winning goal, securing a 3-2 victory for Eisbären Berlin.

ZSC Lions - Straubing Tigers 3-2

The ZSC Lions Zurich pulled off a dramatic late comeback to defeat the Straubing Tigers 3-2 on Game Day 3 of the Champions Hockey League. The Lions, trailing for most of the game, scored two goals in the final five minutes to steal a thrilling victory from their German opponents.

The game kicked off with both teams playing high-paced hockey, and it was Straubing who struck first. Justin Braun opened the scoring at 7:49 on a power play, assisted by Mike Connolly and Alex Green. However, Zurich responded quickly. At 11:39, Sven Andrighetto, beautifully set up by Denis Malgin and Mikko Lehtonen, scored a slick backhand goal to level the score at 1-1. Both teams exchanged chances, and the atmosphere in the arena remained electric as the period ended tied.

Straubing took control in the second period, peppering Zurich goalie Šimon Hrubec with shots. The pressure paid off at 30:07 when Danjo Leonhardt, assisted by Marcel Brandt, scored to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Despite the Lions' efforts, Straubing’s defense held firm, and the period ended with the Tigers in front.

The final period saw the Lions push hard for an equalizer. Straubing seemed poised to leave Zurich with a full three points, but the Lions had other plans. At 55:09, Vinzenz Rohrer tipped in a wrist shot from Patrick Geering, tying the game at 2-2. The momentum shifted to Zurich, and just two minutes later, Mikko Lehtonen fired a shot past Zane McIntyre after winning a crucial faceoff, sealing a 3-2 comeback victory for the Lions.

Sheffield Steelers - HC Sparta Praha 5-1

The Sheffield Steelers put on a dominant display, defeating Sparta Prague 5-1 in front of a packed home crowd. Powered by early goals and stellar goaltending from Matthew Greenfield, the Steelers held off a dangerous Sparta team and finished strong with three unanswered goals in the third period.

First Period: Sheffield started off the game with tremendous energy, and it paid off early. Just 1:49 into the game, Joel Janatuinen gave the Steelers the lead with a fantastic individual effort, beating Sparta goalie Jakub Kovář. Two minutes later, the Steelers struck again on a power play, as Mikko Juusola converted a one-timer from the slot after a setup by Janatuinen and Dominic Cormier.

Sparta pushed back hard, firing 17 shots on Greenfield in the first period, but the Sheffield goaltender stood tall, turning away every attempt to keep his team’s two-goal lead intact. Sheffield went into the first intermission with a 2-0 advantage.

Second Period: Sparta Prague came out aggressively in the second period, determined to cut into the lead. At 22:18, Ondřej Najman capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity, taking a pass from Tomáš Hyka and scoring to make it 2-1. It was a well-placed shot that finally beat Greenfield, who had been a brick wall up until that point.

The rest of the period saw intense physical play, culminating in a series of penalties. The Steelers were dealt a major blow when Brien Diffley was handed a game misconduct for a check to the head, but their penalty-killing unit did an outstanding job, preventing Sparta from converting on the extended power play. The second period ended with the Steelers clinging to a 2-1 lead.

Third Period: The Steelers came out firing in the third period and regained control of the game. After killing off the remaining seconds of a Sparta penalty, Sheffield earned a power play of their own when Ondřej Mikliš was penalized for boarding. At 41:40, Daniel Leavens restored the Steelers' two-goal lead, finishing off a perfect passing play from Mitchell Balmas and Daniel Ciampini.

Sparta pulled their goalie late in a bid to get back into the game, but it backfired. Dominic Cormier added an empty-net goal at 57:33, and Marc-Olivier Vallerand followed up with another empty-netter at 58:32 to seal the 5-1 victory.

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