CHL Round of 16 – Full Match-Up Preview | IHM News
Six heavyweight clashes. Twelve contenders. One path to European glory.
By IHM News · November 7, 2025
The Champions Hockey League enters the Round of 16 with one of the most balanced and unpredictable playoff grids in recent years. Traditional powerhouses, resurgent contenders, surprise newcomers – all collide now, as Europe’s top clubs begin the two-game battles that will determine who advances toward the quarterfinals.
IHM News breaks down all six matchups with a full scouting preview, trends, form guides, key players and tactical storylines.
This is your complete, elite-level CHL playoff roadmap.
🟥 Match-Up 1: Sparta Prague vs EV Zug
First CHL meeting ever between two long-established clubs
Despite a combined 15 CHL seasons, Sparta Prague and EV Zug enter their Round of 16 clash having never before crossed paths in Europe’s top competition. That changes now – and this matchup could be one of the tightest of the entire round.
✅ Sparta: elite form, defensive discipline, world-class goaltending
Sparta enter Switzerland as one of the form teams of the tournament:
- 5-1-0 in the Regular Season
- Just 9 goals conceded in six games
- Finished with a commanding 4-0 win over Grenoble
The Czech giants are built around structure and execution.
Their goaltending has been nothing short of spectacular:
Jakub Kovář – 95.8 SV%, 0.65 GAA – best numbers in the CHL.
Offensively, the trio of Řepík, Hyka, and Dzierkals has driven consistent scoring, while the power play (14.8%) and penalty kill (82%) both remain reliable, if not explosive. The only question: can they generate more on man-advantages in playoff pressure?
✅ Zug: volatility, firepower, and depth scoring
Zug’s 3-3 Regular Season run was uneven but dangerous:
- OT wins over Luleå
- Strong offensive displays vs Grenoble and Belfast
- But defensive lapses vs Ingolstadt, Rauma and Kometa Brno
Despite inconsistency, Zug scored 20 goals in six games – proof of how lethal they are when transitions open up.
Key scorers:
- Dominik Kubalík – 6 pts
- Tomáš Tatar – 6 pts
- Andreas Wingerli – 6 pts
- Grégory Hofmann – 6 pts
Tim Wolf’s 90.3 SV% gives Zug stability, but they will need an A-level defensive performance to break Sparta’s rhythm.
✅ X-Factor: The Kovář brothers
For the first time in a CHL knockout series:
Jakub Kovář (Sparta) vs Jan Kovář (Zug) – brother vs brother.
Veteran vs veteran.
Backbone vs playmaker.
A storyline worthy of the Round of 16 spotlight.
🟥 Match-Up 2: Grenoble vs Frölunda
A first-ever CHL Playoffs appearance vs the CHL’s greatest dynasty
Grenoble wrote one of the feel-good stories of the Regular Season.
Frölunda – four-time CHL champions – now stand in their way.
✅ Grenoble: historic playoff run, explosive offense, chaotic defense
The French side enters the Playoffs for the first time ever, after a fearless Regular Season loaded with high-event hockey:
- 8-5 win over Bremerhaven
- Shootout win vs Eisbären Berlin
- But 24 goals conceded in six games – the worst among playoff teams
Grenoble are fast, brave, and unpredictable. Beauchemin and Boivin combined for 16 points, while veterans Treille, Englund and Binner supply experience and stability.
Goaltending remains the swing factor:
Matija Pintarič - 87.6 SV%
He must elevate against Frölunda’s relentless five-man offense.
✅ Frölunda: pedigree, structure, tournament experience
The Swedes are built for this stage:
- 5-1-0 in the Regular Season
- 21 goals scored, 11 allowed
- Only loss: tight 4-2 game vs Sparta
Max Friberg leads with 8 points, while Innala, Lindholm and Peterson provide layered scoring.
Defensively, Henrik Tömmernes remains the heartbeat – controlling breakouts, power plays and tempo.
Goalie Tobias Normann (92.6 SV%, 1.33 GAA) looks locked in.
✅ X-Factor: pace vs polish
Grenoble’s chaos vs Frölunda’s control.
One wants to disrupt.
One wants to suffocate.
The first 10 minutes will dictate the tone.
🟥 Match-Up 3: Bremerhaven vs Ilves
Unbeaten Regular Season winners vs the CHL’s biggest wildcard
Ilves Tampere enter the Playoffs as the first team ever to finish a CHL Regular Season with:
- ✅ 6-0 record
- ✅ 18 points
- ✅ +17 goal difference (24-7)
Bremerhaven?
They scraped into the playoffs at 3-3.
And yet – they are dangerous.
✅ Bremerhaven: high-event rollercoaster, but big-game capable
Their campaign included:
- OT win vs ZSC Lions
- A 5-8 defensive collapse vs Grenoble
- A shutout win vs Luleå
- A tight loss in Hamar
Veteran leader Jan Urbas (8 points, 6 goals) is one of the CHL’s most consistent scorers.
Jeglič continues to set up the offense, while Jensen and Bruggisser anchor the blue line.
Goaltender Kristers Gudļevskis – 91% SV – will need his best performance against Ilves.
✅ Ilves: the most complete team in the field
Ilves combine defensive structure with elite transition scoring:
- 24 goals for
- Only 7 goals allowed
- Top-tier goaltending tandem:
- Roope Taponen – 97.1 SV%
- Dominik Pavlát – 92.4 SV%
Their forward group, led by Mäntykivi and Lööke, operates with precision, and their special teams are among the best in the field.
✅ X-Factor: Can Bremerhaven survive the first period?
If Ilves score early, the series could get away quickly.
If Bremerhaven hold their ground… we have a fight.
🟥 Match-Up 4: Ingolstadt vs Red Bull Salzburg
Central European battle of momentum vs balance
This might be the most stylistically even matchup of the entire round.
✅ Ingolstadt: late surge, high-scoring form, PP threat
After starting 0-2, Ingolstadt finished with four straight wins:
- 7-3 vs Zug
- 8-2 vs Odense
- 23 goals in six games
Riley Barber leads with 8 points; Sheen, Keating and Abbandonato offer depth scoring.
Defender Alex Breton added 3 goals from the back end.
Goaltending:
- Brett Brochu (3 wins)
- Devin Williams providing support
Their power play and face-off efficiency are among the best in the CHL.
✅ Salzburg: pedigree, structure, elite goaltending
Salzburg finished 3-3, but their underlying play is far more controlled than the record suggests.
Home wins over Berlin, Bremerhaven and Tychy highlighted their balance.
Key names:
- Connor Corcoran (point man weapon)
- Raffl, Nissner, Thaler up front
- Atte Tolvanen – 92.9 SV% – steady as ever
✅ X-Factor: zone exits
Ingolstadt pressure aggressively.
If Salzburg break cleanly – they neutralize Ingolstadt’s transition game.
🟥 Match-Up 5: Storhamar vs Lukko
Norwegian resilience vs Finnish structure
Storhamar fought their way into the playoffs with late-season momentum.
Lukko arrive with a polished Liiga-style game.
✅ Storhamar: late surge, strong goaltending, home ice advantage
After a slow start, Storhamar closed with wins over:
- Sparta
- Brynäs
- Bremerhaven
Veterans Martinsen and Liss drive the playmaking.
On defence, Hurrød and Krupic provide mobility and transition strength.
But the true difference-maker:
Markus Røhnebaek Stensrud – 93.8 SV%
He’s kept them alive all season.
✅ Lukko: stability, structure, elite blue line
A 4-2 Regular Season.
21 goals scored, 14 allowed.
Strong two-way identity and disciplined puck pressure.
Eric Gélinas (8 points) is the central piece.
Beaucage and Morand carry the offense.
And in net – the CHL’s silent star:
Antti Raanta – 95% SV, 1.00 GAA
✅ X-Factor: the opening 10 minutes in Hamar
Storhamar’s crowd is a weapon.
If Lukko survive the initial push, their depth takes over.
🟥 Match-Up 6: ZSC Lions Zurich vs KalPa Kuopio
Reigning champions vs the hottest team of the season
This matchup is pure drama.
✅ Zurich: tricky season, but playoff pedigree
Their Regular Season:
- OT loss vs Bremerhaven
- Wins vs Tychy and Odense
- Then three straight losses (Brynäs, Sparta, Ilves)
Still – Zurich are built for playoffs.
Their system is structured, fast and experienced.
Key players:
- Balcers + Malgin (8 combined points)
- Mikko Lehtonen quarterbacking the blue line
- Christian Marti anchoring the defence
- Šimon Hrubec – 93.5 SV%, 1.83 GAA – elite under pressure
✅ KalPa: perfect Regular Season, dominant in all phases
KalPa finished 6-0, scoring 24 and conceding only 8.
Their playing style is fast, disciplined and highly structured.
Offensively:
- Juuso Mäenpää
- Cade Borchardt
- Patrick Curry (relentless worker)
Defensively:
- Ketola and Räsänen lead a mobile blue line
Goaltending tandem:
- Patrik Kerkola
- Stefanos Lekkas
Combined save percentage: over 95%
✅ X-Factor: transition speed vs defensive structure
Zurich can slow teams down.
KalPa can run teams over.
One of the best stylistic battles of the round.
🧠 Coach Mark Comment
Each of these ties has a unique tactical identity. Round of 16 hockey in the CHL often comes down to two elements: defensive layers in the neutral zone and the ability to generate second pucks around the crease. Ilves, Sparta and KalPa have the best structure. Zug, Frölunda and Ingolstadt have the most transition danger. Watch for the special teams efficiency – several of these games will be decided by details rather than dominance.