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)
after shootout (0:2)
SønderjyskE Vojens
4:5 (3:0, 1:2, 0:2 - 0:0)
IFK Helsinki
Thursday 21.08.2014, 20:00 • Champions League
     
    Welcome. This game starts at 20:00 CET, 21:00 EET.
     
    SønderjyskE is the reigning Danish champions – having won the final series last season in game 7 against arch rivals Herning. The two teams has split the Danish Championship between them for the last 10 season.

    Helsinki IFK has to watch out for players like homegrown Mads Lund, Kim Lykkeskov and Steffen Frank and Thomas Spelling – drafted by NY Rangers – who SønderjyskE acquired from Rögle before last season.

    Tyler Gotto is the leading d-man at SønderjyskE, who as well has brought in the Danish NT-defender Mads Bødker, who played in both VHL (2nd russian tier) at Yuzhny Ural Orsk and DEL at Düsseldorfer EG last season.

    HIFK lost in last season's wild card round in the Finnish Liiga and is one of the founding Champions Hockey League clubs. The finns – with new coach Antti Törmänen – will come to Denmark without superstar Ville Peltonen, who retired after being the club's top scorer last season.

    But SønderjyskE has to keep an eye on Jusso Pustinen, for many years one of the best offensive players in Liiga.

    Pustinen tallied 40 points (23 goals, 17 assists) last season – the same number of points as one of the other star players on the HIFK team, the American playmaker Corey Elkins (15 goals, 25 assists).

    HIFK is captained by 36 year-old Toni Söderholm. The hard-working d-man has played almost 500 Liiga-games and is an experienced player in all facets of the game.
     
    Helsinki IFK will arrive in Vojens and SE Arena as favourites in one of the two opening games in Group J.

    The game between SønderjyskE and HIFK will be the first-ever in a European club tournament (European Cup, Federation Cup, EHL, Continental Cup and CHL) between a team from the Danish League – Metalligaen – and the Finnish League – Liiga.

    The game will face off at 20:00 in SE Arena in Vojens, which holds a capacity of 5,000 spectators.
     
    Starting lineups:

    SønderjyskE Ishockey: Frazee (Lee-Olsen) – Galbraith, Gotto, Bødker, Eskesen, Sørensen, Overmark, Hansen – Spelling, Quirk, Frank – Nielsen, Dineen, Asselin – Lykkeskov, Lund, Dau Mortensen – Mohr, Skov, Eskildsen – Stockfisch

    IFK Helsinki: Husso (Lankinen) – Taipalus, Söderholm, Grillfors, Moberg, Salmi, Heikkinen, Tarkkanen, Blomqvist – Zaborsky, Ramstedt, Leino – Luttinen, Elkins, Puustinen – Leinonen, Kuparinen, Partanen – Ikonen, Nyberg, Lamberg

    Referees: M. Brill (GER), J. Grumsen (DEN) – H. Haurum (DEN), T. Andersen (DEN).
     
    Welcome from SE Arena. We are excited to see the first Champions Hockey League game on Danish ground. It will be the first ever European game between a Danish and a Finnish club team as well.
     
    We have about 15 fans from Helsinki at the arena.
     
    Blue, White, Black flags all over the fan block as SønderjyskE comes on the ice.
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    00:47
    SønderjyskE's Michael Eskesen – 2 minutes holding.
     
    01:00
    SønderjyskE under early pressure.
     
    02:47
    Home team at full strength.
     
    02:58
    SønderjyskE survived the Eskesen penalty without problems.
     
    04:05
    Nice wrist shot from Henrik Nielsen. Shoulder save by Husso.
     
    05:13
    Goal for SønderjyskE!
    Mads Lund circles behind the goal. Passes back to ANDERS OVERMARK who shoots hard from the blue line. Assisted by: Mads Lund, Kim Lykkeskov.
    OVERMARK - 1:0
     
    5:54
    Penalty for IFK Helsinki – too many players on the ice.
     
    06:10
    Big chance for Steffen Frank in front of Husso's net. Just wide!
     
    07:10
    Goal for SønderjyskE!
    Nice powerplay work from SønderjyskE. IFK Helsinki under huge pressure. Mads Bødker gets the chance from the blue line, but chooses the pass to PATRICK ASSELIN. He gets the puck under Husso and the crowd goes crazy in Vojens. Assisted by: Mads Bødker.
    ASSELIN - 2:0
     
    07:10
    Visiting team timeout.
     
    09:22
    Surprising start to the game. After a tough start in the first couple of minutes, SønderjyskE has dominated the last five minutes.
     
    09:50
    HIFK seems to find themselves and Leinonen gets a good chance in the SønderjyskE zone. Frazee with a good save.
     
    11:00
    Big chance IFK Helsinki. Frazee with a save and Corey Elkins hammers the rebound on the post.
     
    12:40
    Another big chance for SønderjyskE as Cory Quirk finds Steffen Frank in front of the net. Just wide!
     
    14:00
    The CRAMO topscorer jerseys are worn by SønderjyskE's Cory Quirk and IFK's Juuso Puustinen.
     
    15:53
    Matti Kupparinen for hooking
     
    17:16
    Goal for SønderjyskE!
    Again some nice powerplay work and again PATRICK ASSELIN is on the right place close to the goal after some fine combinations. Asselin puts the puck under Husso. Assisted by: Cory Quirk, Thomas Spelling.
    ASSELIN - 3:0
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    Sensational first period by the Danish champions! Two great powerplay goals and a big shot from Anders Overmark brings SønderjyskE in front 3-0 after the first 20 minutes.

    Can IFK Helsinki pull back like their fellow countrymen from Tampere earlier today who went from 0-3 to a 7-3 win against Stavanger Oilers? This is gonna be really exciting 40 minutes. Shots on goal in the 1st period: SønderjyskE 10, HIFK 6.
     
    The teams back on the ice getting ready for the 2nd period.
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    20:30
    HIFK with a strong first shift and two good shots from Slovakian forward Tomas Zaborsky.
     
    20:53
    Corey Elkins in the penalty box – hooking.
     
    21:39
    Goal for IFK Helsinki!
    BIG mistake by Thomas Spelling on his own blue line. HIFK's Nykopp picks up the puck and shoots wide but JASSE IKONEN picks up the puck and scores the short handed and important goal for the visitors. Assisted by: Thomas Nykopp.
    IKONEN - 3:1
     
    22:53
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    24:28
    Goal for SønderjyskE!
    Søren Dau Mortensen wins the puck on the HIFK blue line and creates a two on one-situation. Husso blocks the shot, but KIM LYKKESKOV can easily tap the rebound in. Assisted by: Dau Mortensen.
    LYKKESKOV - 4:1
     
    25:02
    Daniel Grillfors in the penalty box for delaying the game.
     
    27:02
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    27:37
    Cory Quirk circles in the HIFK zone and Tomas Zaborsky brings him down. Another two minutes for the visitors – holding.
     
    28:20
    Tyler Gotto hammers the puck on the post in the SønderjyskE powerplay!
     
    29:37
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    30:02
    Five penalties on the evening for HIFK makes it tough for the visitors to get their game going. Can they pull back in the last 10 minutes of the period?
     
    30:19
    Now the chance for HIFK powerplay. Mads Lund gets two minutes for roughing.
     
    31:23
    Goal for IFK Helsinki!
    HIFK gets their second goal of the evening with some huge PP effiency. Jeff Frazee gives a rebound and LAURI TAIPALUS taps it in! Assisted by: Teemu Ramstedt.
    TAIPALUS - 4:2
     
    31:50
    Another BIG chance for the visitors. Toni Leinonen cruises in from right but Jeff Frazee makes the important save.
     
    33:13
    SønderjyskE really under pressure – hard forechecking by HIFK. The Finns dominated the last minutes and the commercial break comes as a relief for SønderjyskE.
     
    34:29
    Wide open play in a minute with some good shots in both ends. Patrick Asselin gets two minutes for hooking.
     
    36:29
    Home team at full strength.
     
    37:12
    Nykopp is very close with his wrist shot. Frazee saves and in the next moment Nykopp brings down Patrick Asselin – interference.
     
    38:52
    BIG chance SønderjyskE. Helsinki misses a shift and Patrick Asselin goes one on one with Husso in the Finnish goal. Glove save Husso!
     
    39:30
    Here comes the Finns again. Thomas Nykopp shoots from close range but Jeff Frazee makes the save.
     
    39:47
    Kim Lykkeskov gets in the penalty box – interference in front of the SønderjyskE goal.
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    Exciting 20 minutes in SE Arena in Vojens. HIFK pulls back with better skating and some good forechecking. But SønderjyskE still in front with two goals.

    Goalie Jeff Frazee is gonna be the key player for the home team in the 3rd period – HIFK has to rely on their top scorers from the last season, Juuso Puustinen and Corey Elkins.

    The Danes looked a little tired at the end of the period. Do they have the energy the Finnish pressure in the last 20 minutes?
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    40:18
    Goal for IFK Helsinki!
    Great move by Teemu Ramstedt who skates through the SønderjyskE defence and passes to ROBERT LEINO who puts the puck behind Jeff Frazee. Assisted by: Teemu Ramstedt.
    LEINO - 4:3
     
    40:18
    Home team at full strength.
     
    40:30
    Important powerplay goal for HIFK makes it a one goal game again. It is gonna be some tough 19 minutes for SønderjyskE.
     
    42:13
    Mads Bødker gets a penalty for hooking.
     
    44:13
    Home team at full strength.
     
    47:00
    It seems like most of the play in the 3rd period will be in SønderjyskE zone. The Danes will have to rely on their counter attacks.
     
    47:40
    Commercial break and time for SønderjyskE to regroup. The HIFK players looking concentrated and will try to challenge Frazee for the equalizer.
     
    48:51
    SønderjyskE got their counter attack. Steffen Frank on a breakaway but BIG save from Husso!
     
    51:19
    A little more open play now. Both teams circle for a couple of good opportunities. Nine minutes left. We have a big hockey drama right now!
     
    52:37
    Today's attendance is: 1826.
     
    53:08
    We have the next commercial break. SønderjyskE now have some more breakouts from their own zone, but now HIFK will come with everything they have to chase the equalizer.
     
    53:50
    BIG chance Zaborsky on a Frazee rebound. But the SønderjyskE goalie makes the save!
     
    54:30
    HIFK is closing in on Frazee's goal. The goaltender makes two-three saves to keep out the Finnish forwards!
     
    55:48
    Zaborsky tries with a wraparound. Frazee save!
     
    57:00
    Nick Dineen, SønderjyskE – tripping in the neutral zone. The big chance for HIFK!
     
    59:02
    Goal for IFK Helsinki!
    Two big shots from Grillfors and Söderholm in the powerplay, but Frazee saves. Just after Nick Dineen comes in, LAURI TAUPALUS shoots from the blue line and gets the equalizer! Assisted by: Robert Leino.
    TAUPALUS - 4:4
     
    60:00
    3rd period finished.
     
    What a game here in Vojens. HIFK gets the equaliser just when time was running out for the favourites. Now we are ready to play for the bonus point!
     
    60:01
    Overtime began.
     
    60:43
    Breakaway Cory Quirk. Husso makes the save.
    Breakaway Cory Quirk.
     
    60:43
    Taipalus two minutes for hooking!
     
    62:41
    SønderjyskE with three-four big chances in 4 on 3. Great saves by Husso!
     
    62:43
    Visiting team at full strength.
     
    64:30
    Lauri Taipalus creates a big chance for HIFK with only 30 seconds left of the overtime.
     
    65:00
    Overtime finished.
     
    65:00
    The drama continues and the Zamboni makes the ice ready for the deciding penalty shots!
     
    Start of shootout.
     
    Thomas Spelling is the first shooter. Backhand. No goal!
    SPELLING - 0:0
     
    There goes Zaborsky. Buries it into the roof of the net! 1-0 HIFK
    ZABORSKY - 0:1
     
    Cory Quirk's finish is just wide!
    QUIRK - 0:1
     
    Frazee saves Puustinen!
    PUUSTINEN - 0:1
     
    Husso just saves Asselin's backhand shot!
    ASSELIN - 0:1
     
    Matti Kuparinen slides it through Frazees legs! 2-0 HIFK
    KUPARINEN - 0:2
     
    And Husso saves Nick Dineens shot! HIFK wins it after OT and penalties!
    DINEEN - 0:2
     
    65:00
    Tomas Zaborsky gets the game winner in penalty shots!
     
    65:00
    IFK Helsinki has won after the penalty shoot-out.
    TOMAS ZABORSKY gets the gamewinner!
     
    Game over. (22:46:38)
    Recommend
    Commentary by

    Michael Sovso

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 6. Overmark (Lund, Lykkeskov), 8. Asselin (Bødker), 18. Asselin (Quirk, Spelling), 25. Lykkeskov (Mortensen) – 22. Ikonen (Nykopp), 32. Taipalus (Ramstedt), 41. Leino (Ramstedt), 60. Taupalus (Leino), dec. p.s. Zaborsky

    SønderjyskE Vojens: Frazee (Lee-Olsen) – Galbraith, Gotto, Bødker, Eskesen, Sørensen, Overmark, Hansen – Spelling, Quirk, Frank – Nielsen, Dineen, Asselin – Lykkeskov, Lund, Dau Mortensen – Mohr, Skov, Eskildsen – Stockfisch.
    IFK Helsinki: Husso (Lankinen) – Taipalus, Söderholm, Grillfors, Moberg, Salmi, Heikkinen, Tarkkanen, Blomqvist – Zaborsky, Ramstedt, Leino – Luttinen, Elkins, Puustinen – Leinonen, Kuparinen, Partanen – Ikonen, Nyberg, Lamberg.
    Referees: M. Brill (GER), J. Grumsen (DEN) – H. Haurum (DEN), T. Andersen (DEN)
    Attendance: 1.826