The Sheffield Steelers punched their ticket to the Playoffs on Game Day 6 becoming only the second EIHL club to do so and the first to do so under the new competition format. Their opponents, Eisbären Berlin, secured their own victory on Game Day 6, netting a whopping eight tallies en route to an 8-0 shutout against Danish challengers SønderjyskE Vojens. Both clubs sport a 4-2 record through six contests as the German side return to the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign.
- Sheffield are only the second EIHL club to qualify for the CHL Playoffs
- Berlin's PK should be a priority for the German side
- The British side's aggressive play could be an X-factor
Following their Game Day 1 defeat at the hands of the Växjö Lakers, Eisbären Berlin went on to claim three games in a row over the course of the Champions Hockey League Regular Season. During that span, they potted ten tallies and only allowed three goals against.
Notwithstanding their 9-3 collapse against Swiss side Fribourg-Gottéron, the Germans have been one of the better defensive squads of the 2024/25 season. Their 2.50 goals against per game has them among the league leaders in the category and they're the only team to have posted two shutouts in the Regular Season.
Despite their decent defensive numbers at 5-on-5, one area the Germans should prioritise as they get set to take on the Sheffield Steelers is their PK as they currently sit in 20th-place with a 74.07 PK%. Fixing their flaws on special teams could see the Germans on to the next leg of the competition as their offence has proven that it is more than capable of helping Berlin win hockey games.
Oh, and let's not forget what a special game this is going to be for the DEL team's Liam Kirk who is a product of Sheffield's youth teams and played for the club in the CHL back in 2016/17.
Sheffield also succeeded in turning the page after their Game Day 1 loss as they went on to manufacture three consecutive victories, upsetting two CHL Finalists in the process in Sparta Prague and Skellefteå AIK.
For the British side, being the underdog has been a driving force behind their aggressive play which oftentimes sees Sheffield taking risks with their quick transition game. It was a swift up-ice rush that saw them seal the victory on the powerplay in OT against the Växjö Lakers and that playing style has been more of a blessing than a curse for the British.
Now as they prepare to take on their first German opponents of the competition, Sheffield need an all-out effort from the likes of Team of the Regular Season goaltender Matthew Greenfield and team scoring leader Daniel Leavens (4G, 1A). The entire squad need to be playing at their absolute best if they are to topple the reigning DEL champions.
The EIHL side would do well to make sure their brazen play doesn't get the best of them as Berlin have been successful in shutting down lanes and closing the gaps. On the other hand, Berlin need to up their PK game and be on the lookout.