Read below for information on the Round of 32 series between Red Bull Munich and Lukko Rauma. Lukko won 8–3 on aggregate to advance to the Round of 16.

Game 1

On home ice, Lukko scored 5 goals on 18 shots and were securely in the driver's seat, leading Munich by 4 goals late in the third period. In the last two minutes, however, the Red Bulls scored twice to close the gap to 2, and greatly increase their chances of pulling even in their home half in two weeks' time. Janne Lahti led Lukko with 1 goal and 3 assists, while Janne Niskala and Toni Koivisto each had 1 goal and 2 assists, and all three of those players scored in a six-minute span on the second period to break the game open. Nobody recorded more than 1 point for Munich, who scored 3 goals on 22 shots. 

“This series is interesting,” noted Munich head coach Don Jackson. “We know that the total goals matter and the two goals at the end were huge for us. We started the game with a lot of confidence and as the game went by we made some mistakes that Lukko capitalized. In the second period their defencemen did great job getting the puck towards the net and we missed many blocks we should have taken. Lukko is a very organized club and we’d love to beat them. This is going to be our next challenge; to have a good next game against them. They were better at delivering the puck to the net and they are tough in front. A good hockey team. We’re looking forward to the next game.”

“In the beginning we had problems getting out of the pressure. They gave us good pressure, also the tempo of the game was good,” explained Lukko assistant coach Juha Vuori. “After getting out of the pressure we were able to get into power play situations where we were able to execute our plays. Our penalty killing was also good today. Overall I think we had a solid game today.” 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS | LIVE BLOG & STATS

Preview

This match-up pits the experience of Lukko Rauma against up-and-coming Red Bull Munich. While Lukko don't have a ton of hardware to show off in their trophy case, their respectable showings in recent Finnish Liiga seasons, and their march to the quarter-finals in last year's Champions Hockey League – which including playing four times against eventual champions Lulea with not much to tell the teams apart – makes them one of the more formidable group runners-up in the Round of 32. Munich, meanwhile, are relative newcomers to top-level professional hockey altogether, much less international competition – however, they've impressed so far. With Munich unbeaten in the CHL – and unbeaten at home in all meaningful competition so far this season after opening their DEL home schedule with a win over defending champions Adler Mannheim – Lukko would be best advised to come away with something from their home game before travelling to Bavaria. 

Closer look: Red Bull Munich

(4-0-0-0, 12 points, 15:4, 1st in Group H)

Red Bull Munich's ride to the top of European hockey is a big success story in a short space of time. Having finished as runners-up in the DEL regular season season last year, they debuted in the Champions Hockey League this season and came through the group stage not only unbeaten, but with a perfect record of four wins as well. Having only conceded four goals in as many CHL games, they come into the Round of 32 with one of the tighter defences in the competition. It must be noted, however, that Lukko will be their toughest challenge yet, and as they're facing an opponent that can be equally stingy defensively and not likely to panic, they'll have to tenaciously stick to their game plan.

Michael

Wolf

4+0, +2

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Your captain should always lead by example, and that's what Michael Wolf has done so far. The Munich club and German national team captain contributed 4 goals, which is a quarter of the team's goals  in the group stage.  But every one of the forwards on the team is able to score, which makes the team not dependent on one single player to lead the attack.

 

Florian

Kettemer

0+2, +3

 

Top Defenceman: Only four goals against in four games is quite impressive. If you combine that with a two important assists you definitely can name Florian Kettemer as the top defenceman on the Munich team. He combines great physical attributes blazing speed on the ice. One should also mention Toni Soderholm, who came from IFK Helsinki at the beginning of the season and has really fit into the team very well.

 

Danny

aus den Birken

95.00 %

 

Top Goaltender: Even back when he played for Kolner Haie, Danny aus den Birken has always been a good goalie, and given every team he's played with lots of stability and security between the pipes. He saved 95% of his shots in the three group-stage games he played, with backup Lukas Lang winning his game as well.

 

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Closer look: Lukko Rauma

(1-1-1-1, 6 points, 11:12, 2nd in Group K)

After their seemingly traditional group-stage battle with Lulea, Lukko Rauma finished as runners-up behind the defending CHL champions in Group K, with only victories over third-place Fribourg-Gotteron to their name – one in regulation, the other in overtime. Lukko got to the quarter-finals of last year's competition, beating TPS in the Round of 16 before going out to old friends Lulea in the last eight. Their experience of playing this deep in the CHL may come in useful against a team very new to the competition, and suit them for the battle of attrition they may be forced into against such a tight defensive team.

Janne

Lahti

0+5, +2

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Despite his size, Janne Lahti is slick and quick on skates. The 2011 World champion has also played in the KHL and AHL in his career. A goal-scorer in the rink and a skilled guitarist outside the arena, Lahti is often seen practising his fiery shot after team drills. The man has yet to score a goal in the CHL this season, but with 5 assists he leads the team in points nonetheless. Knowing his background, it's hard to believe he'll be kept blank in the goal column much longer.  

 

Ilkka 

Mikkola

0+3, -6

 

Top Defenceman: Ilkka Mikkola is one of the most successful players in the Finnish Liiga with eight titles, and is a respected team leader. The experienced captain leads the game by playing conservatively in his own end every shift and starting attacks with accurate breakout passes. He's not easily agitated, but doesn’t hesitate to protect his net and goalie by any means necessary. 

 

Ryan

Zapolski

92.31 %

 

Top Goaltender: Ryan Zapolski quickly became a Lukko fan favourite by keeping his first non-American team near the top of the Finnish Liiga in 2013–14 with confident goaltending. Ever consistent, only once has Zapolski finished a season with s ave percentage below 90 since his first NCAA season. He's a hero among Lukko fans, a well-liked teammate and an opposing forward’s worst nightmare.

 

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