Liberec – TPS 1:2 (2:3 after SO) | Sparta – Cracovia 5:4 (end) | Lukko – Zürich 2:3 (1:2 after SO)
Kärpät – Vitkovice 1:0 (end) | Zug – IFK Helsinki 2:1 (end)
final
EV Zug
2:1 (1:0, 0:0, 1:1)
IFK Helsinki
Friday 26.08.2016, 19:45 • BOSSARD Arena • Champions League • Group G
     
    Thanks for following our live coverage from Zug.
    Good night. (22:51:22)
     
    Here in Zug the cheering will continue tonight. EV Zug are celebrating their season-opening party outside the arena, including presentation of the squad and live music.
    Surely, both players and fans will be in a good mood, as the Swiss side now have good chances to qualify for the next stage of the Champions Hockey League for the first time. Having won 6 out of 6 points from two games they will travel to Finland as indisputable leaders of group G.
     
    The two teams will meet again in a week's time, on Friday 2nd September, when IFK Helsinki will host EV Zug to try and keep the better end for them in their home arena.
     
    Total shots on goal: EV Zug 27 – 20 IFK Helsinki.
     
    It was a game of two dominating goalkeepers. Therefore it does not surprise that both, IFK's #37 Niklas Backstrom and EVZ's #51 Tobias Stephan were nominated as best players of their respective teams.
     
    What a great hockey party tonight in hockey town Zug!
    The fans celebrate their team as they win their second successive game in this season's Champions Hockey League.
    IFK Helsinki have been the expected tough opponent, although they hardly ever really got into the game. The first minutes of the second period as well as the last minutes before the end were Helsinki's. The rest of the time the home team were more or less controlling the game. They had more clear chances and thus deserve the three points.
     
    Game over.
     
    60:00
    EV Zug manage to defend their 2:1 lead though. A very tight but well deserved win in front of their home fans.
     
    59:37
    IFK Helsinki throw in everything they have now. They get considerably close to find a last minute equaliser.
     
    59:04
    Backstrom leaves the ice again.
     
    58:15
    Goal for IFK!
    IFK's efforts pay off. TOMMI TAIMI's slapshot from the blue line finds a way past Stephan to make it 2:1. Assisted by Teemu Eronen and Robert Leino.
    58:15 TAIMI - 2:1
     
    58:00
    Two minutes left in the game.
    IFK with a 6 on 4 powerplay.
     
    57:56
    Visiting team IFK Helsinki timeout.
     
    57:53
    Backstrom leaves the ice in favour of an extra attacker.
     
    57:33
    Zug manage to clear the puck out of their defensive zone.
     
    56:51
    This powerplay could be IFK's last chance to find their way back into this game.
     
    56:51
    Penalty for EV Zug (Schnyder – 2 min., slashing).
    Recommend
    Commentary by

    Patrick Brand

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 20. Martschini (Diaz, Holden), 54. Peter (Diem, Schlumpf) – 59. Taimi (Eronen, Leino)

    EV Zug: Stephan (Bader) – Helbling, Grossmann, Diaz, Alatalo, Schlumpf, Erni, Morant, Schmuckli – Klingberg, Immonen, Senteler – Suri, Holden, Martschini – McIntyre, Lammer, Zangger – Diem, Peter, Schnyder
    IFK Helsinki: Backstrom (Lankinen) – Taimi, Eronen, Grillfors, Salmela, Finley, Teppo, Karjalainen, Heikkinen – Aaltonen, Puustinen, Nykopp – Ikonen, Petrell, Elkins – Saarelainen, Leino, Rask – Mieho, Asten
    Referees: Krawinkel (GER), Mollard (SUI) – Kaderli, Kovacs (both SUI)
    Attendance: 3016