This Round of 16 match-up pits two familiar opponents against each other as Bavarian giants Red Bull Munich face reigning Swiss NL champions EV Zug in the first round of the 2022/23 Champions Hockey Leauge Playoffs!
- Munich finished second in Group C with a 4-2 record
- Zug topped Group B, and didn't drop a game
- The two sides clashed last season, each winning a game
It wasn't an easy run in the Group C gauntlet for Red Bull Munich, but the German contenders managed a 4-2, win-loss record to finish three points shy of Group leaders Tappara Tampere. The second place ranking secured Munich's entry into the Round of 16.
Leading the offensive charge for Munich is Ben Street. The Canadian forward returned for a second season ripping nine points (7G, 2A) over six Group Stage games, while team stalwart Andreas Eder (2G, 6A) and Frederick "Freddy" Tiffels (2G, 5A) were reliable contributors. Netminder Mathias Niederberger has shouldered the bulk of the responsibility between the pipes during his first season with the DEL side, posting an 89.19% Save Percentage.
This time last year Munich were in a similar position, albeit in Group D, having also potted a 4-2 record to secure second spot to eventual CHL Champions Rögle Ängelholm. The team from Munich would also end EV Zug's hopes of seeing the next round with a 6-1 thumping during the final round of Group Stage games, although Zug took a 4-3 win in their first match-up.
In contrast, the bitter disappointment of the last season must've ignited something deep within Zug, because they rolled through Group B like a freight train. Five wins in regular time and a sixth win in OT were enough to top their group, but most noteworthy are their stats. With 27 goals for and just 9 goals against, the Swiss side were one of the top teams for offense, and one of the best defensively.
American forward Brian O'Neill was a prolific scorer for his side netting 12 points (5G, 7A), while teammates Lino Martschini (3G, 5A) and Swedish blueliner Niklas Hansson (2G, 6A) were regular point-getters.
Finally, Zug's last line of defence looks rock-solid. A duo of Swiss netminders consisting of Leonardo Genoni and Luca Hollenstein have split games evenly to date, and sit at a healthy save average of 91.80% and 93.55% respectively. With these two giving up less than two goals per game, Munich are going to need to find that extra offensive punch if they're to rattle Zug for a second year straight.
With two skilled sides going toe to toe, this opening match is a vital chance for the Swiss side to settle some scores, while Munich are no doubt looking to better their performance from their last CHL season where they forged ahead all the way through to the Semi-Finals.