The Regular Season unfolded on Game Day 1 for Rapperswil with an edging out of Oceláři Třinec 7-6 in OT. They’d suffer two more losses before coming back to beat the reigning CHL Champions Tappara Tampere 4-2, only to take a nail-biting defeat from Växjö Lakers 3-2 in OT! 

Swiss duo Gian-Marco Wetter and Tyler Moy have found twine for their side seven times, making them the top offensive contributors with seven points (2G+5A) apiece. Moy was stellar with a three-point night against Tappara. Close behind are teammates Jordan Schroeder and defenceman Maxim Noreau who have collected five points each over their appearances. 

With a 3-3 win-loss record in tow, Head Coach Stefan Hedlund’s team now face their biggest hurdle yet in German contenders Adler Mannheim. 

Forging their way through six Game Days, Mannheim collected five wins and a single loss to give them a 5-1 record, the best in the CHL. Their toughest challenge to date was during Game Day 3 where they went 2-1 down in a shootout to Tappara. Korbinian Holzer was the lone scorer for his side, although teammate Ryan Macinnis pulled the trigger six times over the course of the evening.

Despite their depth of experience, the eight-time CHL Qualifiers, have never been able to get past the Round of 16. This season however might be different.  

The Germans have been superb defensively, giving up a mere 1.50 goals per game. Solid goaltending has been at the epicentre of this stat. Netminders Felix Brückmann and Arno Tiefensee sport save averages of 95.95% and 91.07% respectively and look to be in fine form, which should unsettle any of their rivals.   

Leading the team in points is forward David Wolf who has been averaging a point per game and has six points (4G+2A). Blueliner Jordan Murray has been equally reliable with six points (2G+4A) over six games, while teammates Kris Bennet, Tyler Gaudet and Linden Vey have netted five apiece. 

Overall, and while neither team comes close to Vítkovice Ridera’s ridiculously good powerplay conversion of 32.00%, Rapperswil at 21.74% have been nearly twice as effective compared to Mannheim’s 11.54%. That aside, Mannheim have been dominant on two vital metrics, face-offs where they’ve won 57.06% of the puck drops, and goals against per game, at 1.50. 

Adler Mannheim are on a three-game winning streak, and have been consistent performers so far. If Rapperswil are to have any chance in making headway, they’re going to have to find a way to crack open Mannheim’s defence, and find what little real-estate remains around their netminder.