Färjestad still perfect in CHL

Tappara Tampere - Färjestad Karlstad 4-6

Färjestad BK continued their perfect run, defeating Tappara Tampere 6-4 in a thrilling, high-scoring game. Both teams delivered an exciting contest for the 4,884 spectators, but Färjestad's offensive firepower secured their fourth consecutive win of the season.

The first period began with early action, as Färjestad took a penalty just 27 seconds into the game. Despite Tappara's powerplay, Färjestad's young goalie Damian Clara stood strong, making several crucial saves. The game's first goal came at 11:14 when Jonathan Andersson found the net for Färjestad, with a screened shot beating Tappara’s Juha Metsola. Färjestad held onto their 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.

The second period was explosive, with both teams scoring three goals each. Färjestad quickly extended their lead, capitalizing on back-to-back powerplays. David Tomášek made it 2-0 at 23:35, and Axel Bergkvist followed up just 46 seconds later, pushing the score to 3-0. However, Tappara responded swiftly, netting two powerplay goals of their own within a minute. Aleksi Mustonen and Julius Mattila each scored to narrow the deficit to 3-2, and at 29:31, Kristian Tanus tied the game at 3-3 with a shot through traffic. Färjestad regained the lead at 35:02 when August Tornberg capitalized on a rebound, sending the game into the final period with a 4-3 advantage.

In the third period, Tappara pressed hard for an equalizer, but Färjestad’s penalty-kill unit held firm. The key moment came at 49:30 when Joel Kellman scored a shorthanded goal after a clever setup by Joakim Nygård, extending the visitors' lead to 5-3. Tappara kept fighting, with Petteri Puhakka reducing the deficit to 5-4 at 54:34, giving the home team hope. However, Tappara’s efforts to force overtime were thwarted when Nygård scored an empty-netter at 58:15, sealing Färjestad’s 6-4 victory.

With this win, Färjestad BK remains unbeaten in the CHL, sitting atop the table with 12 points from four games. 

Fehervar AV19 - Lausanne HC 1-3

In their fourth game of the Champions Hockey League season, Lausanne HC travelled to Hungary to face Fehérvár AV19. With Fehérvár still searching for their first win and Lausanne eager to maintain their winning streak, the game was tightly contested.

The opening period ended scoreless, though both teams created chances. Lausanne gained an early powerplay after a tripping penalty on Fehérvár's Bence Stipsicz at 4:45, but the Hungarian side successfully killed it off. Fehérvár earned their own powerplay late in the period, following Andrea Glauser's interference penalty, but they too failed to capitalize, leaving the score 0-0 after the first 20 minutes.

The second period saw Fehérvár come out stronger, putting pressure on Lausanne. However, at 35:51, Damien Riat finally broke the deadlock, scoring a powerplay goal with assists from Gavin Bayreuther and Tim Bozon after a hooking penalty against Fehérvár's Chase Berger. Lausanne took a 1-0 lead into the final period.

The third period saw more action, with Janne Kuokkanen extending Lausanne's lead to 2-0 just 3:51 into the period. Fehérvár quickly responded, as Csanád Erdély found the back of the net at 45:30, reducing the deficit to 2-1. The Hungarian side pushed hard for an equalizer, but with their goalie pulled in the final minute, Ken Jäger secured the win for Lausanne with an empty-net goal at 59:48, ending the game 3-1.

Genève-Servette HC - Ilves Tampere 4-3

Genève-Servette secured their third win of the Champions Hockey League season, fending off a late surge by Ilves Tampere to win 4-3 at Lonza Arena. Despite building a 3-0 lead, Genève had to withstand a determined comeback from Ilves in the final period to clinch the victory.

The game started with Genève dominating on special teams. At 9:09 of the first period, Michael Špaček opened the scoring on a powerplay. With precise puck movement, Josh Jooris delivered a perfect cross-ice pass to Špaček, who one-timed it past Ilves’ goaltender Dominik Pavlát for the 1-0 lead. Ilves challenged the goal for offside, but after review, the goal stood.

Genève struck again at 15:16, this time shorthanded. Alessio Bertaggia intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and broke away, calmly finishing past Pavlát for a 2-0 lead. Despite several powerplay opportunities, Ilves couldn’t find the back of the net, and the first period ended with Genève in control.

In the second period, Genève extended their lead to 3-0. Jooris and Špaček connected again at 33:17, with Špaček setting up Jooris for a smooth finish on an even-strength rush. Ilves struggled to generate offense and went into the final period trailing by three.

Ilves finally got on the scoreboard early in the third period. At 43:19, Daniel Gazda found space at the point and unleashed a high shot that beat Genève goaltender Robert Mayer to make it 3-1. Despite continuing to apply pressure, Ilves couldn’t capitalize on another powerplay, and Genève restored their three-goal cushion when Jooris scored his second of the game at 50:31, off a slick pass from Špaček.

Ilves mounted a late comeback, however. Toni Utunen made it 4-2 with a long-range shot that deflected back to him, and he fired it over Mayer’s shoulder at 57:54. Less than a minute later, Jens Lööke brought Ilves within one at 58:40, finishing off a pass from Matias Mäntykivi.

With Pavlát pulled for the extra attacker, Ilves had a golden opportunity to tie the game, especially after Špaček was penalized for slashing. Despite a 6-on-4 powerplay in the final minute, Genève’s defense held firm, and they managed to escape with a 4-3 victory.

HC Ocelari Trinec - HC Fribourg-Gottéron 7-3

Fribourg-Gottéron had to play the game with a significantly reduced lineup due to numerous absences caused by food poisoning.

The game started with a quick strike from Fribourg just 31 seconds in, as Ryan Gunderson’s shot from the blue line found its way through a screen and past Ondřej Kacetl. Třinec responded in the 15th minute when Daniel Kurovský cleaned up a rebound to make it 1-1.

In the second period, Fribourg again took the lead, this time courtesy of Jan Dorthe, who scored off a loose puck near the net. However, Michal Teplý tied the game once again at 2-2 with a quick release from the slot, setting the stage for a dramatic third period.

The final frame was dominated by Třinec, with Justin Addamo putting them ahead for the first time at 51:23. Teplý added his second of the night just three minutes later, finishing a slick pass from Libor Hudáček to make it 4-2. Moments after, Kurovský netted his second goal, extending the lead to 5-2.

Although Fribourg’s Killian Mottet cut the deficit to 5-3, Třinec quickly regained control. Petr Sikora scored a power-play goal at 59:04, and David Cienciala completed the rout with a final goal just 31 seconds later.

Bryan Rüegger faced 37 shots in goal for Fribourg, while Kacetl made 17 saves for Třinec. The Czech side’s offensive surge in the third period proved too much for their Swiss opponents, earning them a well-deserved three points.

Storhamar Ishockey - Växjö Lakers 1-4

The match began evenly, with both teams probing for opportunities. However, Växjö took the lead in unusual circumstances while short-handed. After Keegan Lowe was penalized for tripping at 7:09, Elias Rosén lobbed a long shot from his own zone, which somehow eluded Storhamar's goalie, Markus Røhnebæk Stensrud. The puck sailed into the net at 9:07, giving Växjö a 1-0 advantage. Despite chances for both teams, including a late 5-on-3 power play for Växjö, the score remained 1-0 by the end of the first, with Växjö outshooting Storhamar 11-5.

Storhamar responded in the second period, showing more energy and determination. They found their equalizer at 29:42, when Austin Cangelosi converted a rebound off a Jacob Berglund shot to level the game 1-1. Växjö struggled to maintain control during this stretch, but with just seconds left in the period, they took advantage of a power play. Joachim Blichfeld scored from the left side, assisted by Joel Persson and Félix Robert, to restore Växjö's lead at 1-2 before the intermission.

Växjö regained their composure in the third, playing a more controlled game. They extended their lead at 49:16 when Zach Giuttari fired a low shot from the blue line that beat Stensrud to make it 3-1. Storhamar's frustration boiled over when Andreas Martinsen delivered a dangerous hit to the head of Hugo Gustafsson, resulting in a major penalty and game misconduct for Martinsen. Växjö made the most of the ensuing power play, with Blichfeld scoring his second goal of the night at 55:16, putting the game out of reach at 4-1.

Despite a late penalty for interference by Elias Rosén, Växjö closed out the game confidently, with goalie Adam Åhman stopping 23 of 24 shots to ensure the victory. Växjö outshot Storhamar 34-24 overall and claimed three important points in the CHL standings.

Pinguins Bremerhaven - Rouen Dragons 4-2

Bremerhaven got off to a dream start, taking the lead just 27 seconds into the game. Felix Maegaard Scheel found the back of the net after a slick pass from Žiga Jeglič, with Miha Verlič also assisting. The early goal brought the crowd to life, but Rouen responded almost immediately. Tomas Simonsen capitalized on a defensive error, forcing a turnover and beating Bremerhaven goalie Kristers Gudlevskis at 1:29 to tie the game at 1-1. Bremerhaven outshot Rouen 19-5 in the period, but the score remained level heading into the first intermission.

The second period was a more cautious affair, with both teams tightening up defensively. Rouen took the lead at 35:51 when Jared Dmytriw finished off a well-executed play, assisted by Mattéo Perdrix and Sebastian Bengtsson. Despite several power play opportunities for both sides, neither could capitalize, and the period ended with Rouen holding a slim 2-1 lead. Bremerhaven struggled to regain their rhythm, despite creating a few good chances.

Bremerhaven came out flying in the third period and quickly took advantage of a Rouen penalty. At 44:04, Jan Urbas blasted a one-timer past Rouen’s goalie Oskari Setänen on the power play, tying the game at 2-2. Just 55 seconds later, in the same power play,  Christian Wejse converted a pass from Urbas to put Bremerhaven ahead 3-2. Rouen was stunned by the quick turnaround and struggled to mount a serious response.

As time wound down, Rouen pulled their goalie with just under two minutes left, but Bremerhaven's captain Jan Urbas sealed the win with his second goal of the night, scoring into the empty net at 59:51.

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