Vitkovice – Ingolstadt 5:1 (end) | Třinec – Bern 7:0 (end) | Tappara – Stavanger 7:3 (end)
Kuopio – Sparta 4:5 (2:3 after SO) | Köln – Košice 2:1 (end) | Vienna – Färjestad 4:1 (end)
Krefeld – Skellefteå 1:2 (end) | Zürich – Vålerenga 4:1 (end) | Genève – Frölunda 4:3 (end)
Briançon – Villach 1:2 (end) | Zug – SaiPa 1:2 (end) | Liberec – Kärpät 3:4 (end)
SønderjyskE – IFK Helsinki 4:5 (0:2 after SO) | Djurgården – Fribourg 5:4 (after OT) | Växjö – Mannheim 6:1 (end)
final
EV Zug
1:2 (1:1, 0:1, 0:0)
SaiPa Lappeenranta
Thursday 21.08.2014, 19:45 • Bosshard Arena • Champions League
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 19:45 CET, 20:45 EET.
     
    The wait has finally come to an end as the second edition of the Champions Hockey League is ignited this evening.

    EV Zug is coming of a poor season, not reaching the playoffs in 2014. During the summer break, management has turned the team upside-down, making many transfers. Three pre-season wins prove that, at least for now, the changes have been successful.

    SaiPa Lappeenranta, on the other hand, lost their 3 games prior to today after finishing last season in 3rd place. The Finnish club has been active on the transfer market too, hoping to improve things on the defensive end but also bringing some power to the offence.
     
    Starting lineups:

    EV Zug: Stephan (Hauser) – Sondell, Andersson – Suri (A), Holden (A), Martschini – Ramholt, Grossmann – Lammer, Earl, Bürgler – Lüthi, Alatalo – Sutter, Bertaggia, Herzog – Blaser, Erni – Diem, Christen, Schnyder (C)

    SaiPa Lappeenranta: Markkanen (Bernard) – Larsson, Salcido – Koho (C), Mankinen (A), Tavi – Ahonen, Lappalainen – McIntyre, Spina, Jokinen – Lofquist, Backman (A) – Venalainen, Flinck, Pitkanen – Maalahti, Leivo – Toivanen, Jarvinen, Kuronen

    Referees: M. Nord (SWE), M. Vinnerborg (SUI) – P. Kung (SUI), R. Burgi (SUI).
     
    Good evening from the Bosshard Arena in Zug where more and more fans are finding their seats. Even a small group of SaiPa fans made the trip to Zug today!
     
    The game will start in few minutes, there are no suprises in the line-ups. It will mark the return of SaiPa goalie Jussi Markkanen who spent last season with EV Zug.
    Warm up in Zug
     
    Top scorers for each team are: Reto Suri for Zug and Ville Koho for SaiPa.
     
    Zug is playing in the blue jerseys while SaiPa wears yellow. The players now line up at their blue lines.
     
    00:01
    Game started.
    The game has been started
     
    01:22
    Zug with a slightly better start but no chances for far.
     
    03:01
    Zug's fourth line with some good chances but Markkanen isn't challenged yet.
     
    03:30
    SaiPa's No. 12, Dave Spina with a nice shot but Stephan is on the right spot.
     
    04:42
    It's Spina again with a shot from the blue line, no problem for Stephan.
     
    06:05
    Mankinen with a slap shot from from the right side but it's deflected by Stephan.
     
    Time for a power break.
     
    06:15
    Face off in Zug's zone.
     
    06:45
    Zug's top scorer Reto Suri gets a chance and tests Markkanen but no goal.
     
    08:16
    Zug with some trouble in their own zone now but SaiPa can't capitalise on their chances.
     
    09:10
    Fabrice Herzog with a hard shot just in front of the crease but Markkanen gets the puck with his shoulder.
     
    10:03
    Björn Christen from Zug is the first player who gets penalised for Tripping.
     
    11:42
    Goal for SaiPa!
    With a nice shot from the right side scored DAVE McINTYRE. Assisted by: Sam Lofquist, Dave Spina.
    Dave McIntyre - 0:1
     
    13:37
    SaiPa now has better control of the puck and is able to get into the offensive zone easier while creating some good chances.
     
    14:35
    Dave Spina for SaiPa is the next to take place on the bench, a minor penalty for Tripping.
     
    15:00
    Zug's powerplay formation on the ice now.
     
    15:08
    Daniel Sondell with a shot from the blue line but no problem for Markkanen.
     
    15:11
    Next penalty against SaiPa's Kalle Maalahti for Slashing.
     
    15:26
    Goal for Zug!
    ROBBIE EARL with a huge snapshot gets the equalizer for Zug! Assisted by: Daniel Sondell.
    Robbie EARL - 1:1
     
    16:43
    Zug used the two man advantage and is back in the game.
     
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    17:51
    Next penalty against SaiPa, this time it's Tommi Jokkinen for Hooking.
     
    19:00
    Last minute of the period.
     
    19:22
    Zug with the puck in the offensive zone but no chances so far.
     
    19:50
    Some rumbling in front of SaiPa's goalie but it's cleared and the puck is thrown in in the neutral zone.
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    Both teams with some good chances in the first period with a slight advantage for SaiPa.
     
    The second period will start in 14 minutes.
     
    Shot statistics in period 1: EV Zug 7, SaiPa 8
     
    Players and officials are back on the ice.
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    20:20
    Just seconds into the 2nd period and Zug with a nice shot in front of Markkanen.
     
    21:24
    Alessio Bertaggia in front of the crease with a shot but can't get it passed the goaltender.
     
    23:15
    And it's time for Reto Suri for Zug to take place on the bench, a minor penalty for obstruction.
     
    24:36
    SaiPa now in the attacking zone but Koho's shot goes past the right post.
     
    Home team at full strength.
     
    25:21
    Goal for SaiPa!
    SAMI VENALAINEN scored after smart pass. Just second after the penalty was over. Assisted by: Simon Backman, Markku Flinck.
    Sami VENALAINEN - 1:2
     
    28:19
    The game now goes back and forth, neither team is able to get a clear advantage on the puck.
     
    30:41
    We are midway passed the second period. Zug's Bertaggia with a nice spin around the goal but Markkanen is prepared.
     
    31:05
    David McIntyre gets a chance on a penalty shot but Tobias Stephan gets the puck with his glove. No minor penalty is called.
     
    32:23
    Saipa's Markku Flinck is benched for tripping.
     
    33:30
    Zug's powerplay squad has difficulties getting into the zone, SaiPa's defense is doing a good job so far.
     
    34:32
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    35:11
    Time for another power break.
     
    35:53
    SaiPa's top scorer, Ville Koho is assessed with a minor penalty for slashing.
     
    36:25
    But just seconds later it's Zug Forward Björn Christen with a boarding penalty.
     
    37:57
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    38:28
    Home team at full strength.
     
    38:58
    Just little more than a minute to go in the second period.
     
    39:37
    Face off in the neutral zone.
     
    39:38
    SaiPa's McIntyre with a nice breakaway but Stephan keeps the goal clean.
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.

     
    Although both teams took some unnecessary penalties SaiPa was able to keep the upper hand and go into the second break with a 1 goal lead.
     
    The 3rd period will resume in 12 minutes.
     
    Shots in the 2nd period: EV Zug 5, SaiPa 7
     
    The players are back on the ice, ready for the last period.
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    41:01
    Zug's offensive has been a little shy so far, they'll need to create more chances if they want to turn this game in their favour.
     
    43:28
    Zug's Robbie Earl takes place on the bench for hooking.
     
    44:23
    SaiPa' already in the attacking zone but a shot by Brian Salcido is no test for Stephan.
     
    45:31
    Home team at full strength.
     
    46:33
    Time for some ice cleaning.
     
    46:33
    The puck will be dropped in Zug's zone.

     
    47:52
    SaiPa has little trouble getting into Zug's zone again and again but no dangerous chances are created by the forwards.
     
    48:38
    SaiPa fans chanting Jussi Markkanen's name, he has had a good game so far.
     
    48:46
    Shot from the blue line by Lappalainen but Stephan is ready to catch the puck.
     
    49:42
    Matti Jarvinen with a deflected shot over the glass.
     
    50:56
    Less than 10 minutes left in the 3rd period.
     
    51:34
    EV Zug trying to establish themselves within SaiPa's zone with little success in this 3rd period so far.
     
    52:29
    Schnyders shot from the left side is hard but not precise enough to beat Markkanen.
     
    52:29
    Time for a power break.
     
    52:37
    Icing by SaiPa, face off in their own zone.
     
    55:26
    Lino Martschini gets the puck passed Markkanen but it goes past both goal posts.
     
    56:38
    A delayed penalty against SaiPa will be called.
     
    56:38
    It's Matti Jarvinen for Cross Checking.
     
    57:30
    Zug with a little more pressure and the one-man advantage but Markkanen secures the puck. Face off in SaiPa's zone.
     
    57:57
    Robin Grossmann from EV Zug is assessed with a penalty for slashing. There's goes the powerplay chance for Zug.
     
    58:46
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    59:09
    Just a minute to go in the last period.
     
    59:30
    Zug's goalie Stephan out of his goal now.
     
    59:59
    Home team at full strength.
     
    60:00
    And with this, the game is over. SaiPa wins the first away game 2:1.
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    The best players of each team are awarded.
     
    For SaiPa it's Dave Spina.
     
    For EV Zug it's youngster Alessio Bertaggia.
     
    SaiPa deserved this win, Zug didn't do enough to create chances. SaiPa was able to capitalise on penalties, surely this was a reason why the Finnish team flies back home with a win in their luggage.
     
    Shots on goal in period 3: EV Zug 11, SaiPa 6 (22:09:00)
    Recommend
    Commentary by

    Andreas Reiner

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 16. Earl (Sondell) – 12. McIntyre (Lofquiest, Spina), 26. Venalainen (Backman, Flinck)

    EV Zug: Stephan (Hauser) – Sondell, Andersson – Suri (A), Holden (A), Martschini – Ramholt, Grossmann – Lammer, Earl, Bürgler – Lüthi, Alatalo – Sutter, Bertaggia, Herzog – Blaser, Erni – Diem, Christen, Schnyder (C)
    SaiPa Lappeenranta: Markkanen (Bernard) – Larsson, Salcido – Koho (C), Mankinen (A), Tavi – Ahonen, Lappalainen – McIntyre, Spina, Jokinen – Lofquist, Backman (A) – Venalainen, Flinck, Pitkanen – Maalahti, Leivo – Toivanen, Jarvinen, Kuronen
    Referees: M. Nord (SWE), M. Vinnerborg (SUI) – P. Kung (SUI), R. Burgi (SUI)
    Attendance: 2818