Group H
In the final deciding match it was again the team that had won the first of the back to back meetings that was successful in the second match. That meant that Swiss HC Lugano dumped out the reigning champions, Finland's JYP Jyväskylä away from home. It was 33 year old Canadian Maxim Lapierre that enabled Lugano to win by the narrowest of margins, 1-0, as he netted from the doorstep past JYP keeper, Eetu Laurikainen. Drafted by Montreal Canadiens in 2003, Lapierre played for MODO Hockey in 2015/6 before joining Lugano where he has remained ever since. The centre is coming from one of the best season's of his career in 2017/8 in terms of points production. He also collected a Silver medal from Olympics in Pyeongchang to add to his 614 NHL games and surely won't mind if Lugano go on to be the first Swiss team to win the CHL.
The Czech Republic's HC Pilsen played in the other group H match. They go into the playoffs as the only team that maintained their 100% record on Wednesday night. But only just - they drew 2-2 in regulation with HC05 Banská Bystrica. Czech international forward David Stach's assist on the Ovetime goal not only gave the bonus point for the team but takes him into the lead on Total Points in the competition with 11 (3G + 8A).
The Second Round
The draw for the second round will take place on Friday 19 October and the other qualifying teams are:
Frölunda Indians SWE
Red Bull Munich GER
Malmö Redhawks SWE
Skellefteå AIK SWE
Kometa Brno CZE
ZV Zug SUI
Kärpät Oulu FIN
SC Bern SUI
Red Bull Salzburg AUT
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