Chance to reach the CHL final for the first time

On Tuesday, 20 January, the EVZ will play the semi-final second leg in Luleå. The Zug team has the opportunity to reach the CHL final for the first time. However, after nine defeats in a row, they need a liberating blow.

The starting position ahead of the second leg of the semi-final in northern Sweden promises hope: a 2:3 draw after 60 minutes means that the EVZ must have scored at least one more goal than the hosts after regulation time in Luleå. If the score is level after 120 minutes, there will be a ten-minute overtime with 3 against 3 before the penalty shoot-out decides the winner and thus the finalists.

It would be EVZ’s first ever appearance in the final, and Luleå’s third. They won the competition in the 2014/15 season and lost at home to Tappara Tampere in the final in 2022/23.

“It’s clear: we absolutely have to win this game. We are ready to take on this challenge.”

EVZ forward Andreas Wingerli on the starting position for the second leg

However, form clearly speaks against the Kolinstädter: they have not won a single match since the start of the year and have already suffered nine successive defeats across the league. However, the prospect of playing in the European finals could release new energy – the problems of late have often been of a mental nature. The Swedes are in a different mood: After the win in Zug, they were also successful twice in the championship, scoring a total of 7:1 goals.

The task in northern Sweden will be difficult for Zug, but not impossible. They already beat Luleå away from home in the summer – but only after extra time. In the meantime, the Swedish champions have also added a number of new regulars to the team, including forwards Linus Omark, Brendan Shinnimin and goalie Joel Lassinantti.

“Luleå is an extremely strong team offensively. We have to be compact and accept that we will play a lot in our defensive zone.”

Michael Liniger, EVZ Head Coach

KUBALIK NOMINATED AS MVP

EVZ top scorer Dominik Kubalik has been nominated for the LGT MVP Award as the most valuable player of the 2025-26 CHL season. The Czech has scored five goals and six assists in eleven games for Zug so far. Fans can vote for the MVP here from Monday, 19 January.