In an all-Scandinavian, Storhamar Hamar make their second trip to the Round of 16 after rallying to finish second in Group E, while Skellefteå AIK, CHL Semi-Finalists in 2014/15, qualify as winners of Group C.
Back in the first CHL season, Skellefteå were one of the strongest teams, and now finally they’re back in the competition and eyeing another long run. In the Group Stage, they showed how strong they are by winning four times in regulation, while their only two losses were each in extra time. They have plenty of firepower up front, with Oscar Möller, Joakim Lindström and 2014/15 CHL MVP Mathis Olimb leading the way. The Storhamar fans are well familiar with Olimb, the Oslo-native who is a regular on the Norwegian national team. In the CHL Group Stage, Gustaf Lindvall and Lithuanian Mantas Armalis each played three games with very similar statistics, while Lindvall is playing about two-thirds of the games in the SHL.
Like Skellefteå, Storhamar are also making their second CHL playoff appearance - and for the Norwegian champs, their second unexpected run into the Round of 16. In their unlikely second-place finish in the group, they opened at home with a shootout win over Tappara Tampere and then had a late 2-0 lead against Djurgarden Stockholm before succumbing 3-2 in overtime. Following regulation losses in Stockholm and Tampere, they needed to beat Oceláři Třinec twice and get help to advance, and that’s exactly what they got. Now, led by Norwegian star Patrick Thoresen, their LGT Top Scorer in both the CHL and Norwegian Ligaen, they look to keep their luck going. If they’re to do so, they’ll need Swedish netminder Oskar Östlund to continue his solid play.