Historically, Färjestad have had a lot more CHL experience than Biel-Bienne, but that hasn’t translated to more success. This is the third time in six tries that the Swedish club has advanced to the Round of 16, and are trying to reach the Quarter-Finals for the first time.

Biel-Bienne played in the CHL on only one previous occasion in 2019/20 where they reached the Quarters and came agonizingly close to reaching the Semi-Finals, losing to eventual champions Frölunda Gothenburg in overtime.

These two teams met in Karlstad on Game Day 3. The home team entered with a win and a loss while Biel-Bienne had two wins. In the game, Ramon Tanner gave the visitors a 1-0 first-period lead but Färjestad stormed back with four straight goals, led by two from Joel Kellman, to win 4-1.

Since that game, the teams’ fortunes went in different directions. Färjestad won three straight to finish fourth with 14 points, while Biel-Bienne lost a pair to set up an all-important do-or-die matchup with Tappara Tampere on Game Day 6. Biel-Bienne won 6-3 and qualified for the Playoffs from 13th place.

Färjestad have been strong at both ends of the ice, with 26 goals for ranking them second in the Regular Season and 11 goals against tied for second-best. They have the CHL’s second-best PK at 95.45 % and are the competition’s best faceoff team at 58.43 %.

Michael Lindqvist is all over the CHL statsheet. His four goals lead the team and he's tied for third-best in the CHL. He also has the most expected goals at 3.55, is tied for the most shots on goal with 25, and is tied for the best plus-minus at +7 with teammate Joel Nyström and several other players. David Tomášek is the team’s top scorer with six points.

Biel-Bienne have been middle of the road in most statistical categories, with 19 goals for and 17 goals against giving them a +2 differential. One area where they outperform Färjestad is on the powerplay, 18.52 % (11th) to 10.00 % (19th).

Offensively, forward Gaëtan Haas and defenceman Ville Pokka lead the team with five points each – Haas has three goals while all of Pokka’s points are helpers. With 25 shots on goal, Toni Rajala is tied for the CHL lead in that category with Färjestad’s Lindqvist.

Domestically, these two teams are on almost opposite ends of the spectrum. Färjestad are on fire, leading the Swedish Hockey League, while Biel-Bienne, on the other hand, sit towards the bottom of the 14-team National League. 

Swedes Färjestad enter this tie with a chance to make the Quarter-Finals for the very first time in their CHL history but Biel-Bienne have shown us in the past, and recently against Tappara, that they do best when it's all or nothing - Playoff hockey could suit them well!