The Champions Hockey League '08

The Championship Hockey League is a strictly European hockey championship league that will start its inaugural season on October 8th, 2008. Each year 12 teams will compete from 12 countires (2 from Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Finland. 1 from Slovakia, Germany, and Switzerland). The 12th team will be determined from the qualifying round.

The teams participating in the tournament are:
Group A:
Karpat Oulu (Finland)
Eisbaren Berlin (Germany)
Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia)

Group B:
HV71 (Sweden)
Espoo Blues (Finland
Qualifier

Group C:
Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia)
HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
HC Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic)

Group D:
HC Slavia Praha (Czech Republic)
ZSC Lions (Switzerland)
Linkopings HC (Sweden)

Teams Competing for Qualifer Spot:
HC Kosice (Slovakia)
SC Bern (Switzerland)
Sinupret Ice Tigers (Germany)

Prize:
Each team that particpates gets $300,000 euros automatically.
Winner gets $1,000,000 euros
Team that wins in each group gets $50,000 euros
Team in Semi-Final wins $200,000 euros
Runner-Up wins $500,000 euros.

$10 million prize money is awarded each season, the most ever in IIHF championship history. The trophy is called The Silver Stone Trophy.

I don't this will get much exposure in Europe... this is not soccer, but i still like the idea.

Is there any schedule out? I wouldn't mind going to watch an Eisbaren game if they play any at home (they just built a new state of the art arena).

Here are the times and games for Eisbaren and these are ones that are being played in Berlin.

October 8th: Eisbaren Berlin vs. Karpat Oulu
December 3rd: Eisbaren Berlin vs. Metallurg Magnitogorsk

I don't this will get much exposure in Europe... this is not soccer, but i still like the idea.

Is there any schedule out? I wouldn't mind going to watch an Eisbaren game if they play any at home (they just built a new state of the art arena).

than, you obviously don´t live in the right part of Europe, in central and eastern Europe ice hockey is at least so much loved and visited as football (soccer). also I believe it is the most popular sport for Sweden and Finland, i can´t really tell because I don´t know that much about those countries....

than, you obviously don´t live in the right part of Europe, in central and eastern Europe ice hockey is at least so much loved and visited as football (soccer). also I believe it is the most popular sport for Sweden and Finland, i can´t really tell because I don´t know that much about those countries....

In Finland I think it's the most popular.

In Sweden it is football(soccer). Though, hockey is very popular too and Sweden has more stars there.

In Finland I think it's the most popular.

In Sweden it is football(soccer). Though, hockey is very popular too and Sweden has more stars there.

ahh okay, thanks for the info, good to know.....

so with the KHL & CHL opening over in europe, does this mean leagues like the RSL, SM-Liiga, DEL, SEL have all folded in favour of them?

so with the KHL & CHL opening over in europe, does this mean leagues like the RSL, SM-Liiga, DEL, SEL have all folded in favour of them?

No. As the name of the CHL states it is a league of the champions of the participating leagues.

so with the KHL & CHL opening over in europe, does this mean leagues like the RSL, SM-Liiga, DEL, SEL have all folded in favour of them?

Its a annual tournament. RSL is the one folding because its being turned into the KHL.

I plan on paying as much attention as I can to this. Id love for this to one day become a real important trophy. I would love for the Victoria Cup to be regarded with a decent level of prestige and not just as an exhibition game for NHL teams.

I know Mettalurg and the Rangers are playing the inaugural one this year. I hope it is on TV here in Canada. I am really hoping the Leafs get to play in this soon. I think having a team like Toronto win could only be good for it as well. MLSE will big it up because were desperate for some form of hardware.:( I hope the Rangers dont treat it like any other exhibition game.

What are the chances these games are available online (and preferably in english)?

edit: Was just wiki'ing and googling all those arenas and dam, im impressed. All of the newer facilites look like top class Canadian Hockey League rinks, and the older ones like the Bern arena obviously are brilliant as they are. I really hope this tournament can get some legs. The Steel Arena, HC Kocise's rink, is a real beauty.

All the team's home jerseys have been revealed (click for larger pics).

http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/club-events/champions-hockey-league/chl-jerseys.html

Qualification Tournament

HC Kosice
http://img235.imagevenue.com/loc574/th_16021_HC_Kosice_122_574lo.jpg (http://img235.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16021_HC_Kosice_122_574lo.jpg)
SC Bern
http://img205.imagevenue.com/loc225/th_16026_SC_Bern2_122_225lo.jpg (http://img205.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16026_SC_Bern2_122_225lo.jpg)
Sinupret Ice Tigers
http://img159.imagevenue.com/loc5/th_16023_Nurnberg_IceTiger_122_5lo.jpg (http://img159.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16023_Nurnberg_IceTiger_122_5lo.jpg)

Group A

Kärpät Oulu
http://img174.imagevenue.com/loc971/th_16353_Karpat_122_971lo.jpg (http://img174.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16353_Karpat_122_971lo.jpg)
Eisbären Berlin
http://img153.imagevenue.com/loc1012/th_16355_Berlin_122_1012lo.jpg (http://img153.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16355_Berlin_122_1012lo.jpg)
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
http://img43.imagevenue.com/loc1094/th_16366_Magnitogorsk_122_1094lo.jpg (http://img43.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16366_Magnitogorsk_122_1094lo.jpg)

Group B

HV71
http://img133.imagevenue.com/loc872/th_16546_HC_71_122_872lo.jpg (http://img133.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16546_HC_71_122_872lo.jpg)
Espoo Blues
http://img230.imagevenue.com/loc259/th_16547_Espoo_Blues_122_259lo.jpg (http://img230.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16547_Espoo_Blues_122_259lo.jpg)

Group C

Salavat Yulayev Ufa
http://img195.imagevenue.com/loc52/th_16671_HC_salavat_yulaev_ufa_122_52lo.jpg (http://img195.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16671_HC_salavat_yulaev_ufa_122_52lo .jpg)
Slovan Bratislava
http://img150.imagevenue.com/loc780/th_16676_HC_slovan_122_780lo.jpg (http://img150.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16676_HC_slovan_122_780lo.jpg)
Mountfield Ceske Budejovice
http://img224.imagevenue.com/loc55/th_16689_Mountfield_122_55lo.jpg (http://img224.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16689_Mountfield_122_55lo.jpg)

Group D

Slavia Prague
http://img182.imagevenue.com/loc385/th_16848_HC_Slavia_Prague_122_385lo.jpg (http://img182.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16848_HC_Slavia_Prague_122_385lo.jpg )
ZSC Lions Zurich
http://img246.imagevenue.com/loc79/th_16852_ZSC_lions_122_79lo.jpg (http://img246.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16852_ZSC_lions_122_79lo.jpg)
Linköpings HC
http://img178.imagevenue.com/loc183/th_16853_Linkoping_122_183lo.jpg (http://img178.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=16853_Linkoping_122_183lo.jpg)

Lets hope this can grow popular. In some sence this is more interesting than some of the "country" international tourneys that are played.

For me to be really personally interested my own team (SSK) has to participate, and to do that SSK need to reach the SEL finals. And that wont be easy.

I really hope this works!!!

Long live hockey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D

All the team's home jerseys have been revealed (click for larger pics).

http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/club-events/champions-hockey-league/chl-jerseys.html


cant NHL teams learn from these? only 2 of those have black as the primary color

So today it begins. The match-ups for this evening.

Eisbären Berlin vs Kärpät Oulu
HV71 vs SC Bern
Salavat Yulayev UFA vs HC Mountfield Ceske Budejovice
Slavia Prague vs Linköpings HC

No one have posted this, so here is the official website.

http://www.championshockeyleague.com/

Salavat vs Ceske(Mountfield)...it is not even fair :shakehead KHL is just too strong fot the european teams...

Ufa is going to run away with this championship i think.

5-0 for HV71 so far against Bern.

Any other scores?

I noticed one funky thing.

All marketing, ads and logos at the rink (including the ice) and the jerseys have been removed and replaced with only "championshockeyleague.com" and Reebok.

Edit:
Any other scores?
Eisbären Berlin vs. Kärpät 3-2
HV 71 vs. Bern 6-2
Salavat Yulaev Ufa vs. HC Ceske Budejovice 7-1
HC Slavia Praha vs. Linköpings HC 4-2

Salavat vs Ceske(Mountfield)...it is not even fair :shakehead KHL is just too strong fot the european teams...

You're laughabale. Even Canadians in junior hockey aren't as cocky LOL.

It is true that Ufa is the strongest team in the Champions League, but their victory is far from certain. I mostly fear the Swedish teams. Luckily one of those lost today against Slavia Prague.

Ufa has four solid five-men units who each can score against any European opponent. Today they missed Andrei Kuteikin (big miss!), Michal Mikeska and Alexey Shkotov who are all regulars and key players for Ufa, but it didn't really show at all against the Czech team.

Anything less than a victory will be a major disappointment for Ufa, but let's not declare them as winners yet.

The other Russian team Metallurg Magnitogorsk is very beatable. They are currently at 14th place in the KHL. I wouldn't be surprised if Metallurg does not qualify from their group.

The other Russian team Metallurg Magnitogorsk is very beatable. They are currently at 14th place in the KHL. I wouldn't be surprised if Metallurg does not qualify from their group.

Good news so the Eisbären maybe have a chance to win their group. Good start tonight! :handclap:

The other Russian team Metallurg Magnitogorsk is very beatable. They are currently at 14th place in the KHL. I wouldn't be surprised if Metallurg does not qualify from their group.

Give them some time. Metallurg is a very experienced team with a very experienced coach, I doubt they won't make it out from the group.

You're laughabale. Even Canadians in junior hockey aren't as cocky LOL.

is that OK to lose 1-7 in the tournament called the Champions League?

But, honestly, I really want Russian teams to lose at least once during the group stage, otherwise they can get complacent and lose at the later stages.

is that OK to lose 1-7 in the tournament called the Champions League?

1. Compare season 2008/09 budgets:
- HC Mountfield Ceske Budejovice = 4,5 mil EUR
- Salavat Yulaev Ufa = 40 mil EUR
And roster´s quality relate to this budgets.

2. Actual performance:
- HC Mountfield is in Czech Extraleague on cold streak
- Salavat Yulaev Ufa is in KHL on hot streak (10 wins from 13 games)

3. Is that OK to lose by 4 or 5 goals in Stanley Cup finals?

It is true that Ufa is the strongest team in the Champions League, but their victory is far from certain. I mostly fear the Swedish teams. Luckily one of those lost today against Slavia Prague.

Ufa has four solid five-men units who each can score against any European opponent. Today they missed Andrei Kuteikin (big miss!), Michal Mikeska and Alexey Shkotov who are all regulars and key players for Ufa, but it didn't really show at all against the Czech team.

Anything less than a victory will be a major disappointment for Ufa, but let's not declare them as winners yet.

The other Russian team Metallurg Magnitogorsk is very beatable. They are currently at 14th place in the KHL. I wouldn't be surprised if Metallurg does not qualify from their group.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk dosnt qualify from their group!??? NO WAY! no less than semis.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk dosnt qualify from their group!??? NO WAY! no less than semis.

They have to beat Oulu and Berlin to do that. Are you absolutely sure that this year's dismal Metallurg can beat the Finnish and German champions?

They have to beat Oulu and Berlin to do that. Are you absolutely sure that this year's dismal Metallurg can beat the Finnish and German champions?

nobody cant be absolutely sure in sport but oulu karpat and especially germans arent those teams who can stop them if metallurg playing own game.

no pouskin...

my team espoo blues has great chances to take this tournament. i will carry the famous espoo blues flag when our men takes the golden medal and get some cash

nobody cant be absolutely sure in sport but oulu karpat and especially germans arent those teams who can stop them if metallurg playing own game.

Wow. Great arguing! I'm amazed by your profound indepth knowledge of the level of play of finnish and german hockey clubs.

Unfortunately Metallurg can't be playing "own game". They have to play icehockey. Maybe they'll end up dominating. Maybe not. My point is: It's hard to predict at this stage.

Linkopings makes a joke of SEL by his performance. Hlinka, Hlavac, Fransson, Emvall where are you?:shakehead

Linkopings-Zurich 2-7

What a shame, absolutely horrible by Linkopings.:shakehead

Linkopings-Zurich 2-7

What a shame, absolutely horrible by Linkopings.:shakehead

The problem is: People like you look at the score and go: "2:7 ??!!! against a swiss team??? I can't be possible. it had to be Linköping playing bad, not Zürich playing good."

It's disrespectful. This arrogance by some swedish, canadian, american and especially russian fanboys is really annoying.

Linkopings-Zurich 2-7

What a shame, absolutely horrible by Linkopings.:shakehead

I guess Swedes again dont care about euro tournament and play only 50% of their strength :laugh:

It's disrespectful. This arrogance by some swedish, canadian, american and especially russian fanboys is really annoying.

There is no arrogance by Russian fans, only realistic evaluation of the current situation.

I guess Swedes again dont care about euro tournament and play only 50% of their strength :laugh:

Not this time I think.

They just provided a stinker of a game.

They underestimated their opponent, fell behind and panicked.

Team captain Joakim Eriksson stated after the game that their game was unacceptable and wanted to apologise to the audience.

As per Expressen's article (in Swedish) (http://www.hockeyexpressen.se/Nyheter/1.1343289/linkoping-utklassat-och-utbuat-i-chl).

The problem is: People like you look at the score and go: "2:7 ??!!! against a swiss team??? I can't be possible. it had to be Linköping playing bad, not Zürich playing good."

It's disrespectful. This arrogance by some swedish, canadian, american and especially russian fanboys is really annoying.

I agree some fans are arrogant. But for Salaat to loose the tournament something very drastic must happen. Their's to loose.

nobody cant be absolutely sure in sport but oulu karpat and especially germans arent those teams who can stop them if metallurg playing own game.

Finss couldn't today, loose to Metallrugh on their own ice 0:2. Congrats to Proskuryakov on a shut out.

I guess Swedes again dont care about euro tournament and play only 50% of their strength :laugh:

everyone keeps saying that, but I personally think it's BS. Swedish club hockey is been kinda down for a long time.

I am surprsed Bern has been so helpless, they seem to have a lot of recognizable names on their roster

The problem is: People like you look at the score and go: "2:7 ??!!! against a swiss team??? I can't be possible. it had to be Linköping playing bad, not Zürich playing good."

It's disrespectful. This arrogance by some swedish, canadian, american and especially russian fanboys is really annoying.

So I guess the Zurich team is full of Wayne Gretzky's and Mario Lemieux's? Otherwise losing at home 2-7 is unacceptable.



There is no arrogance by Russian fans, only realistic evaluation of the current situation.

Haha, LOL you are exactly quite arrogant if so.

I guess Swedes again dont care about euro tournament and play only 50% of their strength

No, not this time. Here we can see what underrating your opponent can cause. Shame on Hlinka, Hlavac, Fernholm, Fransson, Eriksson, Emvall, Maesky. How can you lose 2-7 at home with such roster? Some things can't be explained.

everyone keeps saying that, but I personally think it's BS. Swedish club hockey is been kinda down for a long time.
You seem to not know the situation and judging by your feelings or smth. If swedish club hockey is kinda down and FOR A LONG TIME, then finnish and czech is what? Because best players from Finland and some best from Czech go to SEL.

But best swedish players are in SEL exept for 2-3 guys in Russia and 1-2 guys in Switzerland.

I attended Linköping's game yesterday (luckily I didn't have to pay).... and I wouldn't be surprised if that game qualify as one of their 10 worst games in the last decade (not counting their first year in the SEL when they didn't really have good enough roster to be there).

To say that Linköping played at 50% of their capacity might be giving them to much credit for the effort they put into that game. ZSC played a good defensive game and scored on Linköping's mistakes (which were too many). Linköping's unfocused play along with bad ice (they had so much trouble with it that the teams weren't allowed to practise on it earlier in the day) made ZSC's job of stealing the puck a lot easier, and they took good care of their chances.

Corso vs. Seluyanov (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzsJj_7ckAk&fmt=6)


:handclap:

best players from Finland go to SEL.


LOL, like who? SEL is suckage. Sm-liiga is alot more competitive.

Some Week 1 Goals:

Pontus Petterstrom (Linkopings) gets the score to tie the game 2-2 (http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=G5klk5U6CJ8)

Roman Cervenka delivers an amazing pass to Jaroslav Bednar (Slavia) who scores an equally beautiful goal. (http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbXz1easoc)

Jaroslav Bednar (Slavia) puts the game out of reach for Linkoping, making it 4-2 (http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=7NAMIZs7PTY)

Konstantin Kolsov taps the last score in at the side of the net, giving Salavat the win, 7-1 (http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=WY3x3S4djV4)

Jerenmyr

thanks, keep these updates up

Haha, LOL you are exactly quite arrogant if so.

Really? so far the results of Russian teams have not proven me or any other russian wrong, so back off, sport :laugh:

Espoon Blues stole Bern in front of their home audience . I watched the whole game from CHL-homepage which is btw www.championshockeyleague.com

it wasnt the best game i have seen but we used our scoring chances better than Bern did. im very very happy for this win!

Wow. Great arguing! I'm amazed by your profound indepth knowledge of the level of play of finnish and german hockey clubs.

Unfortunately Metallurg can't be playing "own game". They have to play icehockey. Maybe they'll end up dominating. Maybe not. My point is: It's hard to predict at this stage.

did you get my point now!?:sarcasm:

did you get my point now!?:sarcasm:

You didn't have a point. You don't know anything about let's say finish or german teams. You couldn't name one player in the Eisbären squad off your head. You just assume that russian teams are superior. That's what I call arrogant. You were actually proving my point.

Really? so far the results of Russian teams have not proven me or any other russian wrong, so back off, sport :laugh:

Arrogant isn't being wrong. Arrogant is disrespect towards other teams.

LOL, like who? SEL is suckage. Sm-liiga is alot more competitive.

Your National Team players.

But well I must stop here because I'm trying to start an argument vs a guy that predicted Hannes Hyvonen to score 40 goals in SEL.:sarcasm:

But well I must stop here because I'm trying to start an argument vs a guy that predicted Hannes Hyvonen to score 40 goals in SEL.:sarcasm:
I've seen both leagues and Sm-liiga>SEL. And the less SEL players team Finland have used in those euro hockey tournaments the better their succes has been. Nuff said.

An it's compeletely off-topic but if I remember correctly Hannes scored 11goals in 10 games in his last short stint in the SEL so eventhough he's of to a kinda slow start (only 6 goals in 13 games) I think he might be able to score 40 this season. 30 atleast.

Sm-Liiga is as competitive or a bit more even than SEL, althought there moves more money in ''svenssons'' side. we have seen how finnish dmen dominate SEL but cant prove at all in international level..

1. Compare season 2008/09 budgets:
- HC Mountfield Ceske Budejovice = 4,5 mil EUR
- Salavat Yulaev Ufa = 40 mil EUR
Salavat's salary budget is 533.5 mln rubles or about 15.4 mln EUR.
This is an official info published by KHL: http://www.khl.ru/news/2008/10/3/4320.html

Metallurg's = 489.6 mln rubles or 14.1 mln EUR.

now watch for Garl coming and saying that this information is not actual and the salary budget is much, much bigger.

now watch for Garl coming and saying that this information is not actual and the salary budget is much, much bigger.

he's been known as a Russia hater, but denies it when asked.

is that budget just for players or in general?

is that budget just for players or in general?
Just for players.

Just for players.

so the russian teams have around three times the budget any other team in the CL has? wow, interesting.

berlin has 7min budget in general and 4.5mill on players i think. at least those numbers were told at the beginning of the season.

You didn't have a point. You don't know anything about let's say finish or german teams. You couldn't name one player in the Eisbären squad off your head. You just assume that russian teams are superior. That's what I call arrogant. You were actually proving my point.

they are superior to those clubs. thats why i sayd if they play theyr own game they will win. thats it. i was right. you can keep crying i dont care at all:D

he's been known as a Russia hater, but denies it when asked.

thats a FACT!

thats a FACT!

nope, just your opinion.

i personally think garl is one of the few non-homers and always a nice guy to talk with! :nod:

thats a FACT!

Link?


:sarcasm:

Link?


:sarcasm:

take a mirror:D

nope, just your opinion.

i personally think garl is one of the few non-homers and always a nice guy to talk with! :nod:

:clap::joker: yeeaaah

take a mirror:D

There are no haters, so I gotta ask again. Link?


However I love how this thread turned from this dull CL discussion to a Garl-hating club session.:sarcasm:

You're a chairman right?

they are superior to those clubs. thats why i sayd if they play theyr own game they will win. thats it. i was right. you can keep crying i dont care at all:D

why is it so hard for you to understand that the whole discussion isn't about who wins and loses?

too bad there cant be an all-russian final :(

too bad there cant be an all-russian final :(

So, teams have played 1 game you don't know anything about other teams and you are already complaining about no possibility of all-russian final?

Yes you're not arrogant.:sarcasm:

I'm not so sure about Metallurg. It's 1-line team this year.

why is it so hard for you to understand that the whole discussion isn't about who wins and loses?
all about wins and losses!!! but you can imagine what ever you want.... BTW if you still didnt get a point then i can repeat - Metallurg (as most of clubs from KHL) is just on another level than clubs from finnland and germany .

There are no haters, so I gotta ask again. Link?


However I love how this thread turned from this dull CL discussion to a Garl-hating club session.:sarcasm:

You're a chairman right?

to be honest i still respect you . no need to be nervous;)

all about wins and losses!!! but you can imagine what ever you want.... BTW if you still didnt get a point then i can repeat - Metallurg (as most of clubs from KHL) is just on another level than clubs from finnland and germany .

So you are saying now that(of course not missing the point at all) ALL KHL teams are better than teams from finland and germany? I have seen only one russian club that won a finnish team. finland has dominated russia in euro hockey tour for many years but the last year. i believe that the best russian teams are little bit better than other europeans because they put so much money to them, but not all. anyways keep up your arrogant comments and we get more and more info about yourself.

I'm not so sure about Metallurg. It's 1-line team this year.

They have many quality forwards besides the first line of Marek, Kaigorodov and Simakov: Platonov, Kudrna, Gusmanov, Rolinek, Fedorov and Mirnov.

So you are saying now that(of course not missing the point at all) ALL KHL teams are better than teams from finland and germany? I have seen only one russian club that won a finnish team. finland has dominated russia in euro hockey tour for many years but the last year. i believe that the best russian teams are little bit better than other europeans because they put so much money to them, but not all. anyways keep up your arrogant comments and we get more and more info about yourself.

you havnt seen eurohockey tournaments many years allready, as i see(2004-2008):sarcasm:

They have many quality forwards besides the first line of Marek, Kaigorodov and Simakov: Platonov, Kudrna, Gusmanov, Rolinek, Fedorov and Mirnov.

1st line right now is Kudrna-Marek-Rolinek.

Fedorov and Gusmanov are quality forwards? Were not are. Now they are useless.

Platonov, Simakov, Mirnov, KAigorodov are ok players, but they don't have consistent 2nd line.


all about wins and losses!!! but you can imagine what ever you want.... BTW if you still didnt get a point then i can repeat - Metallurg (as most of clubs from KHL) is just on another level than clubs from finnland and germany .

Compared to best finnish teams half of KHL teams are not really good. And of course they are not on another level. You ridiculously overrate KHL teams if you really think so. Dinamo Riga and Barys which on 70 % consist of kazakh and latvian players that would not made SEL or best SM Liiga teams rosters are doing pretty good in KHL.

Barys or Dynamo Riga would beat almost any SEL or SM-Liga team for sure. If SEL second best team loses to Slavia and Lions, you should not even mention them beating a KHL team.

salzburg lost only 6-7 to los angeles kings last year. since we all know that the NHL is better than the KHL, it means that the austrian league is at least as good as the KHL.

no, if you judge this way, you are not right. Magnitogorsk lost 4-3 to the best(according to the current NHL table) NHL team, and your austrian club lost to the second-worst. So, KHL is still better :laugh: :sarcasm:

no, if you judge this way

me? i just did what some russian homers do. writing nonsense and comparing apples and oranges. ;)

me? i just did what some russian homers do. writing nonsense and comparing apples and oranges. ;)

Nice excuse.

Barys or Dynamo Riga would beat almost any SEL or SM-Liga team for sure. If SEL second best team loses to Slavia and Lions, you should not even mention them beating a KHL team.


pure arrogance here.

You're assuming Slavia (czech champion) and ZSC (swiss champion) are pushovers. Let's just assume they are not (I know I know...that's hard for you to grasp) then your equation doesn't make sense. Apples and Oranges. Wouldn't you agree?

I have nothing against those teams, just got tired of Garl's homer posts

Russian League, KHL, you name it is better than any European League today - that's for sure. How much better? Not "another level" better, but better. Teams like AO, Salavat, Loko, are heads and shoulders better, teams like Dynamo (M), CSKA, SKA, Magnitogorsk - better by a slight margin.

Barys and Riga are carried by good foregin players and are not limited in the amount of foreign players like other Russian teams are. Riga is carried by Hossa, Ellison, Hartigan, Wescott and Barys by Dallman, Stumpel, Glazachev and Spiridonov less by Kloucek and Mezei...

On the other hand I hope that EisBaren can give Magnitka a game, and I think they can as Magnitka has many weaknesses, unproven GK, shaky D, not enough depth up front.

1st line right now is Kudrna-Marek-Rolinek.

Fedorov and Gusmanov are quality forwards? Were not are. Now they are useless.

Platonov, Simakov, Mirnov, KAigorodov are ok players, but they don't have consistent 2nd line.




Compared to best finnish teams half of KHL teams are not really good. And of course they are not on another level. You ridiculously overrate KHL teams if you really think so. Dinamo Riga and Barys which on 70 % consist of kazakh and latvian players that would not made SEL or best SM Liiga teams rosters are doing pretty good in KHL.

Dynamo riga are on 12 place and Barys on 14 place out of 24 . i wouldnt call that " pretty good" . by the way they are moving down right now as it was expected. Platonov and Kaigorodov arent worse than Marek or Kudrna . calling useless a guy(fedorov fedor) who made 2 goals against Canada less than half year ago and didnt make a Russian national team roster only because of guys like ovechkin,kovalchuk,semin and so on. is just reckless. but maybe we are talking about different players...

Dynamo riga are on 12 place and Barys on 14 place out of 24 . i wouldnt call that " pretty good" . by the way they are moving down right now as it was expected. Platonov and Kaigorodov arent worse than Marek or Kudrna . calling useless a guy(fedorov fedor) who made 2 goals against Canada less than half year ago and didnt make a Russian national team roster only because of guys like ovechkin,kovalchuk,semin and so on. is just reckless. but maybe we are talking about different players...

They are not moving down, Riga is on the level and Barys is actually rising.

Platonov and Kaigorodov aren't worser than Jan Marek?:laugh: Really where you got it?

As for Fedorov, it's Evgeni Fedorov not Fedor.

no, if you judge this way, you are not right. Magnitogorsk lost 4-3 to the best(according to the current NHL table) NHL team, and your austrian club lost to the second-worst. So, KHL is still better

And CSKA lost to Leksand which doesn't even play in SEL, so KHL is worser than swedish 2nd division.:sarcasm:


I have nothing against those teams, just got tired of Garl's homer posts
Once again where did I wrote homer things in this thread?

You for example have done it several times already.


Barys or Dynamo Riga would beat almost any SEL or SM-Liga team for sure. If SEL second best team loses to Slavia and Lions, you should not even mention them beating a KHL team.
Yup, and in preseason Barys lost to finnish div 2 team as I remember.
Barys and Dinamo R consist of local player on 70%. And their quality is what? Lavins and Tribuncovs as TOP 4 defensemen? Naumov(played in Italy) and Sperrle(didn't made SEL this year) as main goalies?

Amur, Sibir, Metallurg Nk, MVD, Khimik, Vityaz, Barys, Severstal, Spartak, Neftekhimik, Traktor, Dinamo Minsk, Torpedo, Lada. That's 14 teams that would have hard time making playoffs in league like SEL.

1st line right now is Kudrna-Marek-Rolinek.

Fedorov and Gusmanov are quality forwards? Were not are. Now they are useless.

Platonov, Simakov, Mirnov, KAigorodov are ok players, but they don't have consistent 2nd line.


I forgot to mention Chistov. He is a quality player too.

Guys like Kaigorodov, Simakov, Platonov and Mirnov would be first-line players in most of the SM-liiga and SEL teams.

Magnitogorsk actually has quality players to fill three lines in Marek, Kudrna, Rolinek, Kaigorodov, Simakov, Chistov, Platonov, Mirnov and Fedorov.

I don't understand your point about Fedorov. He is only 28. Gusmanov is old but he looked better than most of the Kärpät forwards in the game in Oulu.






Compared to best finnish teams half of KHL teams are not really good. And of course they are not on another level.

I think KHL has about 6-10 teams that are better than the best Finnish teams. These teams include Mytischi, Ufa, Kazan, CSKA, Dynamo, Magnitogorsk, Yaroslavl, St.Petersburgh, Cherepovets and Omsk.

The best teams in Finland would also have very hard time defeating teams such as Riga, Spartak, Novokuznetsk, Nizhnekamsk, Astana and Balastikha.




You ridiculously overrate KHL teams if you really think so. Dinamo Riga and Barys which on 70 % consist of kazakh and latvian players that would not made SEL or best SM Liiga teams rosters are doing pretty good in KHL.

Riga also has better core of foreign players than any team in SM-liiga and maybe even SEL.

Amur, Sibir, Metallurg Nk, MVD, Khimik, Vityaz, Barys, Severstal, Spartak, Neftekhimik, Traktor, Dinamo Minsk, Torpedo, Lada. That's 14 teams that would have hard time making playoffs in league like SEL.

Exclude Spartak and Serverstal from these group. From what I have seen this year they are good teams. Spartak plays a feisty style of hockey and it has some very talented players like Ruzicka, Rybin, Yunkov brothers, Baranka, Drozdetsky, Radivojevic, Upper and Akifyev.

By the way Garl, what is your prediction of this year's Champions league? Which team would you pick to win the whole thing?

By the way Garl, what is your prediction of this year's Champions league? Which team would you pick to win the whole thing?

you really cant find anything bad from KHL teams?

you really cant find anything bad from KHL teams?

Depends of what do you mean by "bad".

By the way Garl, what is your prediction of this year's Champions league? Which team would you pick to win the whole thing?

Salavat. But it's hard to say after 1 game.

Salavat has the best depth among all teams.

Exclude Spartak and Serverstal from these group. From what I have seen this year they are good teams. Spartak plays a feisty style of hockey and it has some very talented players like Ruzicka, Rybin, Yunkov brothers, Baranka, Drozdetsky, Radivojevic, Upper and Akifyev.
Don't get me wrong, I even like Spartak, but this teams are really inconsistent.

I forgot to mention Chistov. He is a quality player too.
I don't know, but he had potential but looks average this season. His highlight of the season is by far the fight vs Galkin.

Guys like Kaigorodov, Simakov, Platonov and Mirnov would be first-line players in most of the SM-liiga and SEL teams.
Mirnov probably. Kaigorodov yes maybe, at least in FInland. Platonov, I doubt personally, Simakov, well he is an alright player, but he is way to small(165 cm I believe), doubt he would be succesful in Finland for example.

I don't understand your point about Fedorov. He is only 28. Gusmanov is old but he looked better than most of the Kärpät forwards in the game in Oulu.
Not impressive right now. Maybe needs a trade?

think KHL has about 6-10 teams that are better than the best Finnish teams. These teams include Mytischi, Ufa, Kazan, CSKA, Dynamo, Magnitogorsk, Yaroslavl, St.Petersburgh, Cherepovets and Omsk.
Yes, smth like that. Karpat was a powerhouse of same level as Salavat, Ak Bars etc, but they lost most of their stars. Other teams from SM Liiga are of Spartak/Severstal level or worser.

Riga also has better core of foreign players than any team in SM-liiga and maybe even SEL.

Here it's hard to agree. Well
Mar-l Hossa obviously a good player
Ellison-Nothing special
Hartigan-AHL veteran, around PPG there.
Petrovicky-I'm his fan, but I must admit he was nothing special in SEL
Novak-OK defenseman, underrated, but there are better foreign D-men in SEL
Westcott-same as Novak
Sperrle-Carrer backup in SEL.

They are nothig special. But they play very good, because team staff treats them well, relies on them. In other teams it's not always like that. Look at Cernik or Pavlikovski in Sibir. At Hentunen or Kapanen in Kazan. Good players, but they're are ruined because of wrong treatment.

Peter, to be honest with you, i dont think you know enough to judge other leagues.. you just say that A is better than B, but where do you base all this?

Salavat. But it's hard to say after 1 game.

Salavat has the best depth among all teams.


I agree. without serious injury trouble Salavat will win their group pretty easily, but they need to get Kuteikin and Mikeska back before the semifinal. How long will they be out anyway?



Don't get me wrong, I even like Spartak, but this teams are really inconsistent.


When I have seen Spartak play they play better than most of the teams in SM-liiga. I don't follow SEL so I can't compare them to SEL teams.




I don't know, but he had potential but looks average this season. His highlight of the season is by far the fight vs Galkin.


When I watched him play agaisnt Kärpät his skill level was still above most of the players on ice.





Mirnov probably. Kaigorodov yes maybe, at least in FInland.


Kaigorodov is a very good player and I think he would do really good in SEL. If Fedor Fedorov can excell in SEL so can Kaigorodov. This guy is a Russian national team player in Eurotour level.



Platonov, I doubt personally, Simakov, well he is an alright player, but he is way to small(165 cm I believe), doubt he would be succesful in Finland for example.


Platonov is actually an ideal second line player, but he would be a first line winger in most of SM-liiga teams. He was at times dominating against Kärpät with his size and strength. Simakov also handled himself very well against Kärpät and he has experience in the Russian national team as well.






Yes, smth like that. Karpat was a powerhouse of same level as Salavat, Ak Bars etc, but they lost most of their stars. Other teams from SM Liiga are of Spartak/Severstal level or worser.


Last year's Kärpät was stronger than the current Kärpät but it was nowhere near teams like Ufa or Yaroslavl. The best Kärpät team was the 2004-2007 version of the team which had players like Janne Pesonen, Jari Viuhkola, Michal Bros, Petr Tenkrat, Viktor Ujcik, Lasse Kukkonen, Mikko Lehtonen, Jussi Jokinen, Niklas Bäckström, Mika Pyörälä, Janne Niinimaa, Josef Boumedienne, Ross Lupaschuk, Juhamatti Aaltonen, Kalle Sahlstedt and Hannes Hyvönen. That was a real powerhouse team in Finnish level anyway, but it failed to win the European championship title losing to a Russian team each time (against Omsk in 2005 and against Dynamo Moscow in 2006).

Last year's Kärpät was considerably weaker even if it won the Finnish championships. Especially the defense was a lot weaker with players like Lupaschuk, Boumedienne, Niinimaa and Kukkonen gone.





Here it's hard to agree. Well
Mar-l Hossa obviously a good player
Ellison-Nothing special
Hartigan-AHL veteran, around PPG there.
Petrovicky-I'm his fan, but I must admit he was nothing special in SEL
Novak-OK defenseman, underrated, but there are better foreign D-men in SEL
Westcott-same as Novak
Sperrle-Carrer backup in SEL.

They are nothig special. But they play very good, because team staff treats them well, relies on them.


As I said I don't follow SEL closely so I can't compare this group to any SEL team, but I can say for sure that no SM-liiga team has as good a core of foreign players as Riga does. Can you provide an example from SEL with better foreigners than Riga?




In other teams it's not always like that. Look at Cernik or Pavlikovski in Sibir. At Hentunen or Kapanen in Kazan. Good players, but they're are ruined because of wrong treatment.

Kapanen is doing quite good in Kazan actually.

As for the others, Hentunen has regressed since last year when he was very good. How is Kazan using Hentunen differently this year than last year? It is Hentunen who has regressed. He isn't the same player he was last year.

Peter, to be honest with you, i dont think you know enough to judge other leagues.. you just say that A is better than B, but where do you base all this?

Give me an example where I say that league A is better than league B and I will then try to explain.

Kaigorodov is a very good player and I think he would do really good in SEL. If Fedor Fedorov can excell in SEL so can Kaigorodov. This guy is a Russian national team player in Eurotour level.

A remark about Fedorov. He was playing for a VERY bad team, so it was pretty easy for him to get ice time. however, he didn't played in SEL much, most of his time he played in kvalserien, and it's not really a SEL quality tournament.
However, Fedorov progressed nicely after his swedish career.))))))

Kai, well let's look at SEL 1st line centers:

Brynas-Mikael Lind<Kaigorodov
Djurgerden-Engqvist<Kaigorodov(So far, but he is more physical and bigger and has good potential)
Frolunda-Kallio>Kaigorodov(For Frolunda Kallio is >>>>>>>>Kaigorodov:))
Farjestad-R.Wallin=Kaigorodov
HV 71-Voutilainen/Davidsson>Kaigorodov
Linkopings-Hlinka>Kaigorodov
Lulea-Chabada<Kaigorodov
MODO-N.Sundstrom>Kaigorodov
Rogle-J.Johansson<Kaigorodov
Skelleftea-Moran=Kaigorodov
Sodertalje-Pakaslahti<Kaigorodov
Timra-Wandell=Kaigorodov(From this season, it's hard to make a judgement on Wandell, since he's a rookie).

As I said I don't follow SEL closely so I can't compare this group to any SEL team, but I can say for sure that no SM-liiga team has as good a core of foreign players as Riga does. Can you provide an example from SEL with better foreigners than Riga?
I will try:

Frolunda-Soderholm, Mantylya, Ahonen(backup), Hahl, Kallio, DiPenta, Eller, Larsen.
Linkopings-Hlavac, Hlinka, Surovy, Saravo, Aalto, Beaudoin
Farjestad-Granak, Sevc, Goren, Somervuori, Holos, Bastiansen, Holtet, Vallin.
Skelleftea-Dimitrakos, Moran, McDonnell, Skrbek, Marttinen

Smth like that.

And don't forget, that most domestic players of this teams are better than Barys domestic players or Riga.

Give me an example where I say that league A is better than league B and I will then try to explain.

do you ever read your own comments after you have written them?

Where do you base on by saying that team A's best players would be team B's best players etc. where do you base on with this? Do you know anything about finnish teams? obviously you dont. you dont bring anything on the table.

we are talking CL league here, it's not a finnish league discussion.

:rant:

i just say it once!

this thread is about the champions league of hockey. it's neither about individual users nor about which nation has the longest one.

stay on-topic and behave!

well, since I am not persuaded by birth certificate here:sarcasm:

I am much looking forward to watching Braun and the Weiss clan today to see how they match up with Magnitogorsk

yikes, quick 2-0 lead for Magnitogorsk

3:0 No surprise for me. Eisbären has been way too nervous so far. They keep playing what they've been playing during the last league matches as well. This game comes at the wrong time. Would have been nice to see an in-form Eisbären team against the ruskies. Too bad.

zepp has been horrible through half period. the berlin defense, not much better

edit -- make that 4-0

zepp has been horrible through half period. the berlin defense, not much better

But Metallurg being so good is only half of the reason. Eisbären has been like that against Krefeld and Mannheim as well. Krefeld could have scored a lot more against us on Sunday.

4:0 huge mistake by Andy Roach.

this is my first game watching either of these teams this season, I'm just shocked at the the first period essentially being a 20 minute PP for Magnitogorsk.

this is my first game watching either of these teams this season, I'm just shocked at the the first period essentially being a 20 minute PP for Magnitogorsk.

I think the very wide rink in Magnitogorsk is giving the home team perhaps an unfair advantage over Berlin. Magnitogorsk can skate and pass so well that Berlin seems unable to do anything to stop them, and because of the wide rink Magnitogorsk has lots of extra space to do their tricks.

I don't think Magnitogorsk will be this dominant in Berlin mainly because the rink is much smaller there.

I think the very wide rink in Magnitogorsk is giving the home team perhaps an unfair advantage over Berlin. Magnitogorsk can skate and pass so well that Berlin seems unable to do anything to stop them, and because of the wide rink Magnitogorsk has lots of extra space to do their tricks.

I don't think Magnitogorsk will be this dominant in Berlin mainly because the rink is much smaller there.

huh and i thought it's just a mirage or something that the rink appears wider than normal.

2nd period looks much better (so far). maybe they got used to the wide rink now.

4:1 now and almost 4:2. damn.

Metallurg allowed first CHL goal in their history

Metallurg allowed first CHL goal in their history

in their second game of the competition. wow

period 2 was a much better period all-around. should be an interesting period 3

well, lets see what Slovan has to say against Salavat.

Metallurg scored early in the 3rd but huge chances on both sides. Still 5:1.

Now Eisbären with a 5 on 3

5:2. Ustorf with the final goal. Robinson alone should have scored a few this period. Too bad Eisbären totally blacked out for the first 20 minutes. I don't know what they did but it wasn't hockey. I feel bad because Berlin can do much better than they did tonight.
Well deserved win by Metallurg. Congrats.

I think if Berlin gets their form back which they had earlier this season they can beat the russians @home which means that they still can make it to the semi-finals.

Well deserved win by Metallurg. Congrats.

:cheers:

3:0 No surprise for me. Eisbären has been way too nervous so far. They keep playing what they've been playing during the last league matches as well. This game comes at the wrong time. Would have been nice to see an in-form Eisbären team against the ruskies. Too bad.

:shakehead yeaaahhh

5:2. Ustorf with the final goal. Robinson alone should have scored a few this period. Too bad Eisbären totally blacked out for the first 20 minutes. I don't know what they did but it wasn't hockey. I feel bad because Berlin can do much better than they did tonight.
Well deserved win by Metallurg. Congrats.

I think if Berlin gets their form back which they had earlier this season they can beat the russians @home which means that they still can make it to the semi-finals.

dream on dude:D

:shakehead yeaaahhh
dream on dude:D

good day to you too little troll ;)

Puck dropped in Blues - HV71

Seems to be a packed arena. Couch ->

Uh-oh... 1-0 Slovan

2-0 A very mediocre SEL player Jari Tolsa scored. It's getting insane.:shakehead

1st period done in Espoo, 2-1 for Blues.

Altho HV71 looked really strong at times. Blues had a good start, but after that HV took control. This will get interesting.

good day to you too little troll ;)

did i touch your heart :sarcasm:

What's up with all this penalties?

I guess we won't see a Swedish team in the semifinals. Is that surprising?

So what we have.

PIM:
Espoo-8
HV 71-20

Shoots

Espoo-28(5 in 3rd)
HV 71-35(14 in 3rd)

Score

Espoo-3
HV 71-2

It's getting more stupid with every gameday.

I guess we won't see a Swedish team in the semifinals. Is that surprising?

Surprising? That would be stupid.

However, they still have a home game, and you are writing them off absolutely prematurely

Judging by todays game they need to:
1.Start playing at 0:00 not at 10:00
2.Bribe the refery. Well, do smth. about penalties.
3.Score when they have chanses.

So what we have.

PIM:
Espoo-8
HV 71-20

Shoots

Espoo-28(5 in 3rd)
HV 71-35(14 in 3rd)

Score

Espoo-3
HV 71-2

It's getting more stupid with every gameday.

Yes Swedes were better. They still have a chance to win the group but they will have to win the rest of their two games.

Yes Swedes were better. They still have a chance to win the group but they will have to win the rest of their two games.

Don't see anything impossible here.

Salavat Julayev-Slovan 4:2 . Bratislava Samsung Arena (8025)

Salavat Julayev-Slovan 4:2 . Bratislava Samsung Arena (8025)

Poor game by Ufa by it's standards. They looked slow and nonchalant in the first period, but played a little better for the rest of the game to secure a victory.

Ice was really bad in Bratislava.

This win practically secured a group win for Ufa. I don't see them losing to Bratislava at home. And if I'm right the Czech team would have to beat them by several goals at home to win the group, because the Czechs lost 1-7 to Ufa in Russia.

Magnitogorsk is also very close winning their group. We will probably see a Russian semifinal this year. Too bad the Russian teams must play each other in the semifinals.

did i touch your heart :sarcasm:

no but please keep trying

They should have let three Russian teams play (2 best from the RSL + ECC winner)..

They should have let three Russian teams play (2 best from the RSL + ECC winner)..

why? i personally think they should have taken the champions of the 12 best countries.

it's "champions" and not "2nd place".

it's just the same mistake like in soccer. i hate the soccer CL. same washed up teams every year. i hope the hockey CL gets more interesting.

why? i personally think they should have taken the champions of the 12 best countries.

it's "champions" and not "2nd place".

it's just the same mistake like in soccer. i hate the soccer CL. same washed up teams every year. i hope the hockey CL gets more interesting.

more interesting? you mean smashing slovenian champion 20-0?

Who smashed anyone 20-0? It was a 7-1 and that's a result that happens in hockey (ask Atlanta or the Isles). Middle Europe and Scandinavia are the markets who count if this tournament wants to become successful and who wants to see another team that's located almost in Asia with another time zone than the rest of Europe. I agree fully with Zecke26 here, only the champions of their respective country should participate

more interesting? you mean smashing slovenian champion 20-0?

if you want to watch a russian team versus a russian team, i suggest you should watch the KHL. ;)

seriously, let the champions play. games might be lopsided, but that's sports. but i think the smaller countries would profit and improve over the years.

but a CL with 3 russian teams, i'm not interested in. i'm not even sure if i like the current CL. it's interesting to see the different styles of hockey, the leagues are pretty different and for berlin it's a nice experience to play much faster teams (the DEL is damn slow), but the whole league is so artificial.

The "lesser" hockey nations are supposed to be part of the CHL, but they aren't during this initial year. Just as in soccer those teams will have to play qualification rounds to the actual tournament. I think basically every nation in Europe is supposed to be part of it in the end.

The "lesser" hockey nations are supposed to be part of the CHL, but they aren't during this initial year. Just as in soccer those teams will have to play qualification rounds to the actual tournament. I think basically every nation in Europe is supposed to be part of it in the end.

that makes it right, i am sure there are teams in austria, france, italy, slovenia, obviously kazahstan, belorus and latvija, Ukraine, Hungary that would love to have a chance and bring Russian, Swedish, Finnish champs...they all should fight for a spot, by adding one more team to each group.

Do you think Barys Astana, Dynamo Riga and Dynamo Minsk should be allowed to participate in the CHL (with two Russian KHL teams) as a representatives of their countries?

If the league gets expanded, surely they have to be allowed since they are MUCH better teams than others in their countries, they just chose to play in a better league. Also, they are not worse than many western european teams.

Do you think Barys Astana, Dynamo Riga and Dynamo Minsk should be allowed to participate in the CHL (with two Russian KHL teams) as a representatives of their countries?

how can you not? it would be pretty unfair...

how can you not? it would be pretty unfair...

I assume the argument for it would be something along the lines of since its champions league club competetion, the representatives are selcted via ranking of leagues rather than countires, cause this is not an international competition. I am not in favour of this as i think it dilutes from the already limited talent pool in this competition, however it certainly appears that way it gonna go down because the IHHF current plan of expanding champions league is baseed on selecting additional teams from the list of domestic leagues other than the top 4.

If the league gets expanded, surely they have to be allowed since they are MUCH better teams than others in their countries, they just chose to play in a better league. Also, they are not worse than many western european teams.

I doubt that Dinamo Minsk is MUCH better than some Belarus teams, if better at all.

I doubt that Dinamo Minsk is MUCH better than some Belarus teams, if better at all.

you are just knit picking right now, they are better, and the gap will only be getting larger. they had invested in a wrong coach and wrong foreign players, now with some experience they will improve.

I assume the argument for it would be something along the lines of since its champions league club competetion, the representatives are selcted via ranking of leagues rather than countires, cause this is not an international competition. I am not in favour of this as i think it dilutes from the already limited talent pool in this competition, however it certainly appears that way it gonna go down because the IHHF current plan of expanding champions league is baseed on selecting additional teams from the list of domestic leagues other than the top 4.

you're right on the argument, but the solution could be a three game series between riga/minsk against the champion of latvia/belarus.

and the CHL can only survive if there are as many countries as possible involved. so far the interest in germany for example is low. but that could change if the CHL is able to establish itself.
and playing (and beating up :D) an austrian team is for germans simply more interesting than playing a russian team.
but at least the interest in the KHL is higher than in the RSL. a step into the right direction for russian marketing.

you're right on the argument, but the solution could be a three game series between riga/minsk against the champion of latvia/belarus.

and the CHL can only survive if there are as many countries as possible involved. so far the interest in germany for example is low. but that could change if the CHL is able to establish itself.
and playing (and beating up :D) an austrian team is for germans simply more interesting than playing a russian team.
but at least the interest in the KHL is higher than in the RSL. a step into the right direction for russian marketing.

people in germany wanna see how Kochnev and Levandovskiy are doing? Where's Patzold now, i know he got waived by Vityaz.

people in germany wanna see how Kochnev and Levandovskiy are doing? Where's Patzold now, i know he got waived by Vityaz.

he signed with hannover and for 09-10 already signed with ingolstadt.

and i don't know if people really care about kotschnew and lewandowski. especially the latter wasn't really loved by fans. most were happy to see him go. lack of effort.
the KHL is something new and the talent in the league is obvious. so hockeyfans try to see if it's interesting.

and it's the same with the CHL. it's new, people might care, but the product has to be good so the interest will stay. but it's only the on ice product. germans have no relations to russian hockey. they don't even know magnitogorsk. but they would love to play salzburg for example. it will take years until the KHL teams may be considered worth watching. maybe some rivalries on CHL level can be build. that's why more russian teams would simply kill the CHL and the idea behind it.

you are just knit picking right now, they are better, and the gap will only be getting larger. they had invested in a wrong coach and wrong foreign players, now with some experience they will improve.

I'm not sure if they are better. They don't have teamplay. They have more potential for sure, but right now they are not better IMO. And actually I know that Belarus wants another team in KHL, don't know if they will be allowed though.

I know they do, who in former soviet republics doesn't? it's keeping their hockey alive and giving their NT players a chance to compete against potent players, rather than their pitiful domestic leagues.

Starting today all the games will be streamed for free on the CHL website (some of the games may be streamed on other websites if you live in a certain country, in which case they will tell us).

http://www.championshockeyleague.com/index.php?id=35&cHash=4a5d16a089&tx_ttnews%5btt_news%5d=278&tx_ttnews%5bbackPid%5d=34

If the league gets expanded, surely they have to be allowed since they are MUCH better teams than others in their countries, they just chose to play in a better league. Also, they are not worse than many western european teams.
Perhaps they will do something similar to what CONACAF champions league did with Canada. 1 MLS team (Toronto) had a qualifying tournament with 2 USL teams (Montreal and Vancouver). Toronto is the better league and Montreal and Vancouver are both in the teir II league, it actually was pretty exciting and much better then just giving it to the team that was supposed to be better based on the league they play in.

Perhaps they will do something similar to what CONACAF champions league did with Canada. 1 MLS team (Toronto) had a qualifying tournament with 2 USL teams (Montreal and Vancouver). Toronto is the better league and Montreal and Vancouver are both in the teir II league, it actually was pretty exciting and much better then just giving it to the team that was supposed to be better based on the league they play in.

ok, I agree

Starting today all the games will be streamed for free on the CHL website (some of the games may be streamed on other websites if you live in a certain country, in which case they will tell us).

http://www.championshockeyleague.com/index.php?id=35&cHash=4a5d16a089&tx_ttnews%5btt_news%5d=278&tx_ttnews%5bbackPid%5d=34

Wow, that's amazing! great job promoting CHL. I actually have a feeling this time this "European league" will work. Been very surprised for the attendances so far. Almost every game's been sold out except in Switzerland.

Starting today all the games will be streamed for free on the CHL website (some of the games may be streamed on other websites if you live in a certain country, in which case they will tell us).

http://www.championshockeyleague.com/index.php?id=35&cHash=4a5d16a089&tx_ttnews%5btt_news%5d=278&tx_ttnews%5bbackPid%5d=34

BUT you have to install a new viewer to watch. I am at work and unable to do so. I am disappointed as I had aranged my lunch break so I could watch and now won't be able to. Does anyone know of anywhere else to watch a game online in Canada?

Btw. it's a good thing we have all these swedes telling us how SEL is the second best league in Europe (or even on bar with KHL). Coz' otherwise I wouldn't believe it.

SEL teams with 2 losses in CHL again this night!
SEL teams so far in CHL: 1 win, 5 losses. Talking about brutal!

Berlin beat Oulu 3:2 in overtime. They should have won it in regular time because they were better overall but I do have some hope that Oulu will play for their pride and get a point in Magnitogorsk and we'll have a final in Berlin.

At the same time Linköping lost at home against Slavia Prague 4:5. Great comeback by Linköping didn't get rewarded in the end.

Bern with their first win in a scoring fest. 7:5 @ home against the swedish champion HV71.

Budweis lost @ home to Ufa 0:3.

another great performance by swedes. I'm wondering if swedish homers still think that SEL is the second best league in Europe...:)

another great performance by swedes. I'm wondering if swedish homers still think that SEL is the second best league in Europe...:)

If you look at the rosters of the SEL teams you will notice it is the second best league in Europe.

Why Swedes can't win in Champions Hockey League? That's a good question.

if the ticker was correct, swedish teams gave up 6 (!!!) shorthanded goals today. :amazed:

another great performance by swedes. I'm wondering if swedish homers still think that SEL is the second best league in Europe...:)
SEL best league in the world! :laugh:
They don't care about CHL! :laugh:

Swedish teams dont care about CHL. Even the coaches said it is not a priority, SEL is.

another great performance by swedes. I'm wondering if swedish homers still think that SEL is the second best league in Europe...:)

I guess it's just like the russian homers who think theyre a better hockey nation than Sweden in the last 20 years russia has won 2 WHCs, 1 olympic golds while Sweden has 5 WHC wins and 2 olympic golds.

Well Kenta Johansson will be fired after this.
**** him

Swedish teams dont care about CHL. Even the coaches said it is not a priority, SEL is.

and what about super six tournament? ... hockey cup for 6 champions from RUS, FIN, SWE, CZE. SVK, SUI/GER

last three years:

2008 ... 6th place MODO Hockey (SWE) 0 pts
2007 ... 6th place Färjestads BK (SWE) 0pts
2006 ... 6th palce Frolunda HC (SWE) 0 pts

Swedish teams dont care about CHL

sorry but that is simply untrue. I've only watched parts of the game but from what it looked like and from what the announcer said Linköping played their hearts out tonight and it wasn't any different in the the games before. Same is true for HV71.

It's a mix of badluck and strong opponents. That's why they swedish teams havn't been successfull so far.

and what about super six tournament? ... hockey cup for 6 champions from RUS, FIN, SWE, CZE. SVK, SUI/GER

last three years:

2008 ... 6th place MODO Hockey (SWE) 0 pts
2007 ... 6th place Färjestads BK (SWE) 0pts
2006 ... 6th palce Frolunda HC (SWE) 0 pts

no one here cares, I never seen a swedish hockey fan excited over club hockey in europe, that is the truth.

sorry but that is simply untrue. I've only watched parts of the game but from what it looked like and from what the announcer said Linköping played their hearts out tonight and it wasn't any different in the the games before. Same is true for HV71.

It's a mix of badluck and strong opponents. That's why they swedish teams havn't been successfull so far.

but it's funny to see russian homers come in here and trashtalk SEL for it. Have fun when KHL goes bankrupt, some teams already cant pay the salaries, lol.

it's run in typical russian style.

Swedish teams dont care about CHL. Even the coaches said it is not a priority, SEL is.
Like Swedish junior team don't care about World Junior Championship (exept WJC2008)? :)

but it's funny to see russian homers come in here and trashtalk SEL for it. Have fun when KHL goes bankrupt, some teams already cant pay the salaries, lol.

it's run in typical russian style.

I'm german and I wasn't trashtalking. I just don't agree with the argument that swedish teams don't care about the CHL.
But I also don't think that swedish teams are as bad as the results might indicate. Linköping outshot Slavia 14:5 in the 2nd period tonight.

Swedish teams dont care about CHL. Even the coaches said it is not a priority, SEL is.

But why?

By "caring" about CHL they could earn lots of money and prestige in Europe. I would think that even the Swedish teams would like to prove that their league is on par with KHL. And the only way to prove that is to win the KHL teams in the CHL. And they would win lots of money at the same time.

Why do they even participate in the CHL if they don't "care"?

Well Kenta Johansson will be fired after this.
**** him

Well, there's one Swedish fan who cares. Too bad the Swedish players don't.

I'm german and Linköping outshot Slavia 14:5 in the 2nd period tonight.

and Slavia outshot Linkoping in the 1st and 3rd period ...

and Slavia outshot Linkoping in the 1st and 3rd period ...

what does that have to do with my point? Swedish teams did not care about the old EHL. That's true. They might not have cared about the Champions Cup. But judging from the way they play (the motivation, the style, not resting the best players) they take this tournament just as serious as any other participating club. They lost a few times now but they still know how to play pretty good hockey. The results so far kind of underrate their abilities in my opinion. But that's sport.

what does that have to do with my point? Swedish teams did not care about the old EHL. That's true. They might not have cared about the Champions Cup.

I was just watching CHL highlights and can you say me if swedish teams and players don't care about CHL why Stefan Liv (HV71 goalie) hit the post with his stick and broke it when HV71 lost in Bern?

I am not saying how good/bad are swedish teams, but I don't like excuses ( ... swedish teams didn't care about EHL, they don't care about CHL ... )

As an LHC fan i've got to say that i'm ashamed of the performance (or rather lack of performance) of the team in the CHL. There are no excuses for it, maybe the team just isn't good enough.
Congratulatons to Slavia and Zürich. You were clearly better teams then us at the moment.

To all the swedes trying to justify this by saying that the teams don't care: Give it a rest, we've got to start realizing that the SEL might just not be better then this... :help:

Well, I am tired of this crap. If it is ok for swedes to embarrass their country, it is their problem, but making these stupid excuses of "we dont care about european cups" is just miserable. If you dont care - dont play!!So far every tournament has proved that SEL is an average league much worse in game quality than Czech Extraliga and Finnish SM-Liiga. KHL is just another level. End discussion.

does anybody have attendance figures (and tv numbers if possible) for the CHL so far? Glad to see that it seems to be a success.

I was just watching CHL highlights and can you say me if swedish teams and players don't care about CHL why Stefan Liv (HV71 goalie) hit the post with his stick and broke it when HV71 lost in Bern?


I specifically stated that I think that swedish teams do care about the competition. I said that a couple of times actually. Read the posts you're quoting!

As an LHC fan i've got to say that i'm ashamed of the performance (or rather lack of performance) of the team in the CHL. There are no excuses for it, maybe the team just isn't good enough.
Congratulatons to Slavia and Zürich. You were clearly better teams then us at the moment.

To all the swedes trying to justify this by saying that the teams don't care: Give it a rest, we've got to start realizing that the SEL might just not be better then this... :help:

I don't think you should be ashamed about yesterday’s game against Slavia. In my opinion it could have gone either way. When Linköping got that 4-3 lead early in the third they still needed to win by more and tried to put on even more offense... it didn't work out that well.

After having watched both Linköping's home games I have come to the conclusion that Slavia's and Zurich’s style of play is better suited to the circumstances that these games are played under. Since all text and logos have to be removed from the ice on short notice the quality of it is far from good. This most definitely showed from how the puck behaved in both games. A puck that bounces over the sticks a lot and don't get enough speed when passed favors the teams that get their offense from turnovers (Slavia, Zurich) over the team that sets up and creates pressure in the offensive zone (Linköping). Not surprisingly Slavia and Zurich scored a lot of their goals on turnovers.

A note should perhaps be made about HV71. They might be last season Swedish champions, but this year you currently find them 9th place out of 12 (although it's very close... just 15 points between 1st placed Linköping and 12th placed Timrå).

Finally something that people here doesn't seem to take into consideration. We have two teams per league playing in the CHL in groups of three teams playing each other home and away. What do these results tell us about the quality of the leagues as a whole? Not much.

A note should perhaps be made about HV71. They might be last season Swedish champions, but this year you currently find them 9th place out of 12 (although it's very close... just 15 points between 1st placed Linköping and 12th placed Timrå).


That's a good point. It's the Champions hockey league but many teams participating are far from the best teams ATM in their respective leagues. HV71and Magnitogorsk are good examples and so is Kärpät. As I was already writing yesterday (couldn't sent the message some reason) it's a shame for Kärpät and especially their fans to see how mediocre their team is this season after beeing like 4-5 years such a powerhouse (they are currently 8. in Sm-liiga 25 points behind the league leader JYP)

Kärpät was a huge dissapoinment. They have sucked in SM-League this year, but i really thought that they would win some games in CHL. I would also liked to see Swedish teams in the semi finals, but Blues, Bern and Slavia Prague are also really strong teams. Lets hope that Blues can make to the finals and beat the Russians :).

HV71and Magnitogorsk are good examples

Metallurg is 4th in the KHL standings, I would not consider this that bad

Avangard Omsk won the 2005 European Championhips when they were only in 10th place in the Russian Superleague.

I was just watching CHL highlights and can you say me if swedish teams and players don't care about CHL why Stefan Liv (HV71 goalie) hit the post with his stick and broke it when HV71 lost in Bern?

I am not saying how good/bad are swedish teams, but I don't like excuses ( ... swedish teams didn't care about EHL, they don't care about CHL ... )

good post!:handclap:

Well, I am tired of this crap. If it is ok for swedes to embarrass their country, it is their problem, but making these stupid excuses of "we dont care about european cups" is just miserable. If you dont care - dont play!!So far every tournament has proved that SEL is an average league much worse in game quality than Czech Extraliga and Finnish SM-Liiga. KHL is just another level. End discussion.

;) just under the skin

Metallurg is 4th in the KHL standings, I would not consider this that bad

Sorry my bad. The last time I checked they were 10th. They seem to have stepped their game up a notch.

Sorry my bad. The last time I checked they were 10th. They seem to have stepped their game up a notch.

The upper part of the KHL is also very tight. With a couple of wins a team can rise 5-6 places in the standings.

Btw, yes this years CL was an epic fail for swedish teams, I'm espescially dissapointed with LHC embarassing results. Though both LHC and HV had bad luck in close games, I must say that teams with class must not allow anything like that.

Now what I don't understand is where were Hlinka, Hlavac, Zackrisson, Aalto, Gunarsson and Emvall in this tournament? I mean you can say whatever you want aboutt level of SEL, but why "star" players did SO BAD? 3 pts for this 6, and total -20!:amazed: I mean no way Hlinka or Hlavac are as bad as stats say. They are proven international players.
LHC leaders in CL were Niklas Persson, Beaudoin and Joakim Eriksson who are not as good as Hlinka or Zackrisson.

LHC is probably biggest underachiever in CL this year.

How much are tickets going for these games generally?

Also, this is unrelated, but how much do tickets cost (on average) in European leagues (KHL, DEL, Elitserien, SM-Liga etc.)?

in KHL, I believe, they start from $5 and up to $100

How much are tickets going for these games generally?

Also, this is unrelated, but how much do tickets cost (on average) in European leagues (KHL, DEL, Elitserien, SM-Liga etc.)?

These are the ticket prices for the Eisbären Berlin:
http://www.eisbaeren.de/content/42.php

Use this site for translations:
http://dict.leo.org/

Prices are the same for DEL and CL games.

Ticket prices for the Krefeld Pinguine for comparison:
http://www.krefeld-pinguine.de/_cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=75

Einzelticket = single ticket

today!

met - karpat very close game so far met is winning 2:1

3:1 victory

Champions Hockey League

Best European Teams

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Metallurg (RUS) vs. Karpat (FIN) @ Magnitogorsk, RUS 10 AM ET

Zurich (SUI) vs. Linkoping (SWE) @ Zurich, SUI 1:30 PM ET

Live & Free

http://www.universalsports.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&KEY=&SPID=11661&SPSID=95607

Universal Sports has the coverage of the Euro Champions League tourny.

http://www.universalsports.com/Sport...61&SPSID=95607

Schedule says two games a week, and Semis & Finals. Cool part is that it's free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yet another fiasko of SWE teams. Yeah, I know, they don't care, lol!

yet another fiasko of SWE teams. Yeah, I know, they don't care, lol!

I have already posted my thought and impressions.

However, is it me or thread of EUROPEAN hockey champions league turned to swedish eliteserien bashing?

Nothing to speak about? How about almighty Metallurg from another universe level league desicive destruction of Karpat toady?

Elitserien is the best league in euro.

no question about it ;)

Elitserien is the best league in euro.

But they just don't care :)

But they just don't care :)


I am going to pee my pants)))

I have already posted my thought and impressions.

However, is it me or thread of EUROPEAN hockey champions league turned to swedish eliteserien bashing?

Nothing to speak about? How about almighty Metallurg from another universe level league desicive destruction of Karpat toady?

how 'bout it? they won 3:1, won every game so far and they are not an elite team this year in Russia, they are just a good team.

I predict a final of Salavat - Slavija.

how 'bout it? they won 3:1, won every game so far and they are not an elite team this year in Russia, they are just a good team.

I predict a final of Salavat - Slavija.

I think Espoo is too strong for Slavia. They are playing really good hockey now.

Espoo might give lots of troubles to Ufa too if they keep playing like this.

I think Espoo is too strong for Slavia. They are playing really good hockey now.

Espoo might give lots of troubles to Ufa too if they keep playing like this.

seriously - how many games of HC Slavia have you seen this season? ...

I haven't seen any, but I recognize a lot of names on Slavia's roster.

Elitserien is the best league in euro.

You do realise that the Swedish fans usually talk about the leagues as a whole and not just the supposed "best" teams? This kind of tournament don't really tell us anything about the teams left at home (except that they during the last season finished behind the teams who get to play in the CHL).

Anyway... I think we should thank Linköping for losing the last game against Zürich (another close game I might add)..... otherwise all the groups would have been decided before the last game. Thanks to the loss group D is still up for grabs. ;)

no question about it ;)




sweden has the best hockey fans in the world..no question about it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBpjZ52lVsk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-LCvbNAS3I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzDPpaHrJEs&feature=related

sweden has the best hockey fans in the world..no question about it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBpjZ52lVsk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-LCvbNAS3I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzDPpaHrJEs&feature=related

these guys are not fans, they are ultras. The ones that do the same thing at soccer games. And it is not only in Sweden. Swiss, Finns, Germans and Russians also have many good performances.

Zenit fans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fmxGyFBzvo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-m26Mpasxc&feature=related

Zenit fans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fmxGyFBzvo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-m26Mpasxc&feature=related

that's soccer, not hockey.

the KHL games i've watched online had no real atmosphere like that. but it were usually smaller clubs.

so how's the atmosphere in moscow at hockey games? do the soccer ultras go the hockey games too since it's the same club?

Zenit fans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fmxGyFBzvo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-m26Mpasxc&feature=related

um that's soccer.

I have never seen russian supports cheer on their hockey team like that.

the atmosphere seem really poor in russia. I read that KHL had major attendence issues as well.

I have never seen russian supports cheer on their hockey team like that.

is seeing believing?

avangard:
http://www.hawk.ru/pic/pg/2141.jpg
http://www.hawk.ru/pic/pg/2154.jpg

that's soccer, not hockey.

the KHL games i've watched online had no real atmosphere like that. but it were usually smaller clubs.

so how's the atmosphere in moscow at hockey games? do the soccer ultras go the hockey games too since it's the same club?


um that's soccer.

I have never seen russian supports cheer on their hockey team like that.

the atmosphere seem really poor in russia. I read that KHL had major attendence issues as well.
jackan said that our fans sucks. He did not say that our hockey fans. I have only shown an example of fans. Football fans. :)

Es709Y3bkP4

8BINTDi7Xdc

387zf0HadeM

wRVAMn3bSqs


http://i057.radikal.ru/0811/90/e646925f20b4.jpg

http://fanat1k.ru/imagegal-369.php

It took me like 10 minutes to find those videos and photos.

jackan said that our fans sucks. He did not say that our hockey fans. I have only shown an example of fans. Football fans. :)

hehe, but you know, i know and most know that russia has fans and ultras. and they can be extremely loud.
but that's at soccer. i really wonder if there are some videos of russian hockey fans chanting.

edit: ViD beat me to it. thanks for the videos.

hehe, but you know, i know and most know that russia has fans and ultras. and they can be extremely loud.
but that's at soccer. i really wonder if there are some videos of russian hockey fans chanting.

edit: ViD beat me to it. thanks for the videos.

and that's just ten minites of research. I can find tons of photos and videos. The thing is that in some cities like Ufa or Khabarovsk, there are always sellouts and there is no place for an ultras group. Moreover, in some cities like Magnitogorsk people dont really know what organized support is. It is not a secret that most things come from soccer ultras and if a city has a hockey team and no soccer team, it is hard for fans/ultras to get experience.

and that's just ten minites of research. I can find tons of photos and videos. The thing is that in some cities like Ufa or Khabarovsk, there are always sellouts and there is no place for an ultras group. Moreover, in some cities like Magnitogorsk people dont really know what organized support is. It is not a secret that most things come from soccer ultras and if a city has a hockey team and no soccer team, it is hard for fans/ultras to get experience.

so basically CSKA ultras for example support the whole club, not just soccer. they go to the hockey games too?

in germany we don't have elite hockey teams and elite soccer teams on the same club and quite often the hockey fans hate the soccer fans from the same town/city.

my knowledge about russian soccer and their fan/hooligans is ok, but i don't know about hockey. the support in magnitogorsk sounded indeed very lose.

so basically CSKA ultras for example support the whole club, not just soccer. they go to the hockey games too?

definitely.

Of course, there are some ONLY hockey groups, but many people support the club at both soccer/hockey and even basketball games.

my knowledge about russian soccer and their fan/hooligans is ok, but i don't know about hockey. the support in magnitogorsk sounded indeed very lose.
Support in Novosibirsk is much better than in Magnitogorsk. But there is no TV translations from our city. :(

i guess i have to post it again....

Kiev has hockey-exclusive Sokol Ultras, but also Dynamo Kiev ultras and other support groups come out

Es709Y3bkP4

8BINTDi7Xdc

387zf0HadeM

wRVAMn3bSqs


http://i057.radikal.ru/0811/90/e646925f20b4.jpg

http://fanat1k.ru/imagegal-369.php

It took me like 10 minutes to find those videos and photos.

great job!

Today: Magnitogorsk actually has a tough away game against Berlin German-Canadian combo))

Salavat probably wins at ease if they choose so.

Swedish refs decided not to give penalty from a serious looking high stick to the face of Igor Shadilov of Ufa. Then the Swedes continued their "outstanding" performance by giving Ufa five straight 2 minute penalties in the 1st period.

Any info on Shadilov?

Any info on Shadilov?

whats happend to him? by the way 5-2 allready for a salavat.

whats happend to him? by the way 5-2 allready for a salavat.

He got high sticked and it looked like it might have hit an eye.

The player who high sticked him wasnt even penalized.

whats happend to him? by the way 5-2 allready for a salavat.

looks like Slovan pretty much pissed Salavat off by going 2-1

looks like Slovan pretty much pissed Salavat off by going 2-1

They are more pissed about losing Shadilov with an unpenalized high stick.

Russian clubs have been so strong so far that all other HFBoards members who used to were here and support other teams are dissapointed and havnt shown them selfs here anymore:)

Russian clubs have been so strong so far that all other HFBoards members who used to were here and support other teams are dissapointed and havnt shown them selfs here anymore:)
Not many Finnish posters on these boards alltogether and with Karpat laying an egg inthe league and Blues already securing a spot in the semis, it's quiet over here. i expect thing to heat up when the semis roll around.

total manhandling by Salavat 8-2

Jeez, 8-2 and this is in the game that does not mean anything.

Let's hope Shadilov is OK. I think he is the most outstanding defenseman of Ufa. Ufa cannot do without him in the semis and finals.

allhockey.ru died

Russian clubs have been so strong so far that all other HFBoards members who used to were here and support other teams are dissapointed and havnt shown them selfs here anymore:)

Hi, wazzup.

This whole thread's been kinda silent recently and like Bonkers already stated Kärpät's been out of the competition pretty much since the first match and Blues on the other hand's been in semis for quite a while. So what's there to really talk about for us finns? And there have only been swedes, finns and russians in this thread from the beginning anyways...Gotta admit the swedes been awfully silent recently though. Wonder what's that all about...;)

It's dificult for me to translate it. Comment of Salavat fan:
"Щадилову глаз спасают в НИИ Глазных болезней"

upd:
Another comment.
"В заблуждение водить не буду. Но звонил в НИИ ГБ,люди добрые сказали, что у Игоря сильный отек и повреждение под глазом. Вмешательство хирургов не понадобилось."

"Щадилову глаз спасают в НИИ Глазных болезней"

Wll I wouldn't bet my money on that one.

HV71-Blues, 0-3 the first period not even being over yet.

Mikhailev said Schadilov out at least for a month.

Go Eisbären Go!

Berlin is leading 2-0 against Metallurg after 27 minutes.

What a beautiful goal by Metallurg. Berlin first on a short-handed break-away misses a big chance then play rushes to other end and Magnito scores a real beauty.

And Tero Konttinen makes it 4 to nothing for Blues...and I lol'd! I mean Tero Konttinen actually scored a goal?! I've seen it all...

Mikhailev said Schadilov out at least for a month.

If it is only a month then he will be ready for the finals.

Konttinen makes it 6-0 for Blues...A small joy for Blues though as they appearently lost Kokko and Kurki (in result of Torp kneeing him) in this game. Basicly that means they have guys like Clarke, Kokko, Kurki, Huzcowsky, Heiskanen from D and Öhman, Tolsa, Eaves from forward out of the semifinal match against Zurich due to injuries...

I think it's already pretty safe to say it'll be a Salavat vs. Zurich match up in the Final.

HV71 has been absolutely disgraceful. Thörnbergs headbutting on Lostedt kinda sums up the whole team in this game. Cheapshotting every step of the way.

I'm glad Blues beat the **** out of them today.