The 2023 Champion Hockey League Final promises to be nothing more than packed full of action as two European heavyweights line up against each other with silverware on the line. The two contenders are Finland's Tappara Tampere and Sweden's Luleå Hockey.

Both know what sort of pressure a CHL Final brings, but only one of them can win!

For Finnish side Tappara, it's been a long and twisty road to the 2023 CHL Final. The reigning Liiga champions are back where they were last season - this time hoping to get their hands on the elusive European Trophy and first title of Champions of Europe! 

The eight-time participants of Europe's premier international club ice hockey competition are back in the Final for a second year in a row, following six straight exits in the Round of 16 or earlier between 2014-2020.

Their composed, defense-focused style of play that emphasises building up play rather than turn-overs has paid off, with the Finns recording an astonishing four shutouts while only letting 17 goals in over 12 games.

They've only scored 35 times, which is six times less than fellow Finalists Luleå, but their goals have been backed up by another season of table-topping goaltending from Christian Heljanko who has been their go-to man in net and is once again a huge reason behind their success in 2022/23.

Jori Lehterä leads the team with nine assists so far this season, while Niko Ojamäki's 12 points (7G, 5A) are the most for the Finns. 

Unbeaten Luleå enter the 2023 CHL Final as the team to beat this season as the 2014/15 CHL Champions eye their second title of Champions of Europe.

Luleå have turned games around with late goals, won in OT, came out on top in a shootout and have managed games when they've needed to with tight defending and reliable goaltending, cementing them their place in the ultimate game of the pan-European competition.

Furthermore, their near-perfect sporting record also earned them the right to host the biggest game of the season in Luleå, in front of their faithful home fans.

The Swedish team have everything in place to end their memorable season on the European stage with another win and, more importantly, the European Trophy high above their heads!

Aiding them on their quest of seeing their name on the shiny silver trophy will be ace passer Juhani Tyrväinen and snipers Brendan Shinnimin and Isac Brännström.

Tyrväinen has managed seven points (2G, 5A) in 10 games played and his 13 points have him in third place CHL-wide

Shinnimin is tied for third among Luleå’s forwards in points but his seven tucks lead the team while Brännström, who's second in scoring with ten points, has registered six tallies.