We've completed six full seasons since top-flight European hockey returned in 2014. Over those Champions Hockey League campaigns some players have stood out on more than one occasion, and over the next few weeks we’re going to be taking a look at those that are on top of Europe.
When it comes to team statistics, we’ve looked before at which sides have scored the most goals on average in CHL games, now we’re focussing on the opposite – which teams give up the fewest amount of goals?
The top three are a clear cut above the rest in our all-time standings across the Champions Hockey League’s six seasons to date. Kärpät have the CHL’s stingiest defensive record with the team from Oulu giving up just 1.70 goals on average in their 47 games to date! Goalie Sami Aittokallio played 15 of those on his way to having the best save percentage in the CHL so far.
Next up come Biel-Bienne who’s debut season saw them go into the Quarter-Finals in 2019/20, helped in no small part by giving up just 1.80 goals a game on their 10-game ride this season. Matching that run to the final eight were Espoo Blues in 2014/15, and they come third in our list at an average of 1.90 against.
Ambrì-Piotta weren’t able to get out of their group in their debut campaign this season, but conceding only two goals a game puts them inside the top five of all time, while SaiPa Lappeenranta also gave up just two a game in their 18 played to date.
Four-time Champions Frölunda find themselves sixth in this particular list, but an average of 2.01 goals against across 73 games is one of the most impressive statistics around! Behind them with just a 2.08 goals against average are ZSC Lions and Linköping HC from 40 and 26 games played respectively.
Two German teams complete the top ten: 2019 finalists Red Bull Munich place ninth overall with 2.12 goals given up on average in 43 games, while Adler Mannheim on 2.13 from 32 played finish our top defensive teams!
Honourable mentions
With 46 games played, Skellefteå AIK, Tappara Tampere and SC Bern have clocked up more matches than all bar two of the top ten and logically, therefore, had more games to defend their net in. The Swedes have the best goals against average from this group of teams at 2.22, while the Finns are on 2.35 and the Swiss at 2.65.