2019–20 Champions Hockey League
The 2019–20 Champions Hockey League is the sixth season of the Champions Hockey League, a European ice hockey tournament. 32 teams are competing in the tournament, and qualification was on sporting merits only. The six founding leagues are represented by between three and five teams (based on a three-year league ranking), while seven "challenge leagues" are represented by one team each. One place was awarded to the champion of the 2018–19 Champions Hockey League as well as a wild card spot selected by the board. Unlike in the first three editions of the tournament, founding teams did not automatically qualify.[3]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 29 August 2019 – 4 February 2020 |
| Teams | 32 |
| Final positions | |
Champions  |  Frölunda HC (4th title) |
Runner-up  |  Mountfield HK |
Third place  | Djurgårdens IF Luleå HF |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 125 |
| Goals scored | 683 (5.46 per match) |
| Attendance | 430,750 (3,446 per match) |
| Scoring leader(s) |  Ryan Lasch (Frölunda HC)[1](22 points) |
| MVP | Ryan Lasch (Frölunda HC)[2] |
← 2018–19 2020–21 → | |
Swedish team Frölunda HC successfully defended their Champions Hockey League title, defeating Czech team Mountfield HK 3–1 in the final to win the European Trophy for a fourth time.[4] For the first time in the history of the league, the final was held in the Czech Republic as Mountfield HK earned the right to host the game at ČPP Arena.[5]
Team allocation
A total of 32 teams from 13 different European first-tier leagues are participating in the 2019–20 Champions Hockey League. There were 24 teams from the six founding leagues, as well as the national champions from Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, France, Belarus, Great Britain and Poland qualified. Out of the founding leagues Sweden and Switzerland were allocated 5 teams, Finland and Czech Republic 4 with Austria and Germany given 3. Because no league was allowed more than five teams, the winner of the 2018–19 Champions Hockey League won a berth but at the expense of a place for their league.
Due to the fact that Arlan Kokshetau of the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship were ineligible to qualify for the Champions Hockey League despite winning the 2018–19 Continental Cup, it was announced that the board would select a Wild Card team in its place.[6] On 13 February, the Champions Hockey League announced that the Belfast Giants as Continental Cup runners-up had been approved to take part as the Wild Card entry.[7]
The qualification for these places was set out in the rules as follows:[8]
- CHL champions
- National league champions (play-off winners)
- Regular season winners
- Regular season runners-up
- Regular season third-placed team
- Regular season fourth-placed team
- Regular season fifth-placed team
For the Austrian Hockey League teams are however picked in this order:[8]
- League champions
- Regular season winners
- Pick Round winners
- Pick Round runners-up
- Losing playoff finalists
Note: Great Britain is the lone exception as the EIHL, in line with their traditions, determine their national champion following the regular season (not in the playoffs).[9]
Teams
Group stage
Black: Group A; 
Purple: Group B; 
Blue: Group C; 
Red: Group D; 
Orange: Group E; 
Green: Group F; 
White: Group G; 
Yellow: Group H.For the group stage, the teams will be drawn into 8 groups of 4 teams. Each team will play home and away against every other team for a total of 6 games. The best 2 teams qualify to the round of 16.
Pots
The reigning CHL champions is the top seeded team and therefore given a place in pot 1. In the top pot there will also be the reigning champions of the six founding leagues and the regular season winner of SHL. The 16 remaining teams from the founding leagues will be placed to pots 2 and 3. The fourth pot include the playoff champions from the seven challenge leagues and the Belfast Giants, the wild card team following the 2018–19 IIHF Continental Cup.
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | BIE | TAP | KAC | FAS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  EHC Biel |
6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 9 | +7 | 15 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 1–0 | 4–2 | 2–1 | |
| 2 |  Tappara |
6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 11 | +10 | 12 | 1–0 | — | 8–3 | 7–3 | ||
| 3 |  EC KAC |
6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 20 | −2 | 9 | 3–6 | 3–2 | — | 3–0 | ||
| 4 |  Frisk Asker |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 22 | −15 | 0 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | — |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | EVZ | PLZ | HPK | RUN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EV Zug |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 11 | +11 | 14 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 5–2 | 3–4 (SO) | 5–2 | |
| 2 | HC Plzeň |
6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 16 | +8 | 12 | 2–1 (SO) | — | 5–4 (OT) | 9–3 | ||
| 3 | HPK |
6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 16 | −3 | 7 | 1–3 | 1–2 (OT) | — | 2–0 | ||
| 4 |  Rungsted Ishockey |
6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 26 | −16 | 3 | 0–5 | 2–4 | 3–1 | — |
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | LHF | AUG | LIB | BEL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luleå HF |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 15 | +11 | 14 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 2–3 (SO) | 4–1 | 4–0 | |
| 2 |  Augsburger Panther |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 15 | +3 | 12 | 4–5 (OT) | — | 2–3 (SO) | 3–1 | ||
| 3 | Bílí Tygři Liberec |
6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 4–5 (OT) | 2–3 | — | 6–1 | ||
| 4 |  Belfast Giants |
6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 26 | −14 | 4 | 3–6 | 2–3 (OT) | 5–4 | — |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | LAU | YUN | TRI | PEL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lausanne HC |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 17 | +3 | 12 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 3–2 | 5–3 | 4–3 (SO) | |
| 2 |  Yunost Minsk |
6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 17 | −2 | 9 | 3–2 (OT) | — | 2–0 | 2–3 (SO) | ||
| 3 | Oceláři Třinec |
6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 14 | +3 | 8 | 2–1 (OT) | 7–2 | — | 5–3 | ||
| 4 | Pelicans |
6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 20 | −4 | 7 | 4–5 (SO) | 2–4 | 1–0 | — |
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SKE | SCB | KAR | BdL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skellefteå AIK |
6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 14 | +5 | 11 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 3–2 (SO) | 2–0 | 1–2 | |
| 2 | SC Bern |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 14 | +3 | 11 | 4–5 (SO) | — | 1–2 (SO) | 4–1 | ||
| 3 | Kärpät |
6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 11 | 5–4 (SO) | 2–3 (OT) | — | 3–1 | ||
| 4 |  Brûleurs de Loups |
6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 21 | −13 | 3 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 2–6 | — |
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MAN | DIF | VIC | GKS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adler Mannheim |
6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 10 | +13 | 14 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 2–1 | 4–0 | 5–0 | |
| 2 | Djurgårdens IF |
6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 14 | +6 | 12 | 6–3 | — | 3–6 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | Vienna Capitals |
6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 21 | −6 | 6 | 1–6 | 1–2 | — | 5–2 | ||
| 4 |  GKS Tychy |
6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 23 | −13 | 4 | 2–3 (OT) | 2–6 | 4–2 | — |
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | RBM | FBK | AMB | BAB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Bull München |
6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 12 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 2–1 | 3–0 | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Färjestad BK |
6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 10 | +7 | 11 | 3–1 | — | 2–1 | 6–1 | ||
| 3 | HC Ambrì-Piotta |
6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 10 | 2–3 (SO) | 2–1 | — | 4–3 | ||
| 4 |  HC '05 Banská Bystrica |
6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 23 | −13 | 3 | 3–2 (SO) | 3–4 (OT) | 0–4 | — |
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FHC | MHK | CAR | GRA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frölunda HC |
6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 17 | +17 | 13 | Advance to Playoffs | — | 2–3 | 9–2 | 5–6 (SO) | |
| 2 | Mountfield HK |
6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 13 | +9 | 12 | 3–4 | — | 5–2 | 7–1 | ||
| 3 | Cardiff Devils |
6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 30 | −12 | 8 | 2–9 | 3–2 | — | 4–3 (SO) | ||
| 4 | Graz 99ers |
6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 28 | −14 | 3 | 1–5 | 1–2 | 2–5 | — |
Group stage tie-breaking criteria
If two teams were tied in points after the group stage is finished, the teams precedence is decided by head-to-head games. If the teams are still tied after that, then the team that was ranked higher prior to the tournament will take precedence. When comparing head-to-head results, the following criteria will be applied:[9]
- more points in games against the other tied team
- better goal difference in games against the other tied team
- more goals scored against the other tied team
- more goals scored in a single game against the other tied team
- overtime wins against the other tied team
- more goals scored in the two game winning shot competitions
- higher position in the 2016–17 CHL club ranking
Playoffs
Qualified teams
| Group | Winners (seed) | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| A | EHC Biel |
Tappara |
| B | EV Zug |
HC Plzeň |
| C | Luleå HF |
Augsburger Panther |
| D | Lausanne HC |
Yunost Minsk |
| E | Skellefteå AIK |
SC Bern |
| F | Adler Mannheim |
Djurgårdens IF |
| G | Red Bull München |
Färjestad BK |
| H | Frölunda HC |
Mountfield HK |
Format
In each round except the final, the teams will play two games and the aggregate score will decide which team advances. As a rule, the first leg will be hosted by the team who has the inferior record in the tournament with the second leg being played on the home ice of the other team. If aggregate score is tied, a sudden death overtime will follow. If the overtime is scoreless, the team who wins the shoot out competition advances.
The final will be played on the home ice of the team who has the better record in the tournament.
Bracket
The 8 group winners and the 8 second-placed teams advanced to the Round of 16. The teams were divided into two seeding groups and group winners were randomly drawn against runners-up. Teams who had faced each other in the group stage couldn't be drawn against each other in the round of 16.[8] The draw took place in Helsinki, Finland on 18 October 2019.[10]
| Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||||||||
| Djurgårdens IF |
3 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skellefteå AIK |
3 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Djurgårdens IF |
5 | 3 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Red Bull München |
1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Yunost Minsk |
2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Red Bull München |
3 | 6 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||
| Djurgårdens IF |
1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mountfield HK |
3 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tappara |
3 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| EV Zug |
3 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| EV Zug |
1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mountfield HK |
1 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mountfield HK |
1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Adler Mannheim |
0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mountfield HK |
1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Frölunda HC |
3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Augsburger Panther |
2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| EHC Biel (OT) |
2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| EHC Biel |
3 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| ' Frölunda HC (OT) |
2 | 5 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Färjestad BK |
6 | 2 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Frölunda HC |
3 | 8 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||
| Frölunda HC |
2 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Luleå HF |
3 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| SC Bern |
0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Luleå HF |
3 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Luleå HF |
2 | 5 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lausanne HC |
1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| HC Plzeň |
1 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lausanne HC (OT) |
2 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
Note:
- The teams listed on top of each tie were runners up in the group stage and play the first leg at home. The bottom team were group winners and play the second leg at home. Skellefteå AIK, however, would play their first leg at home in their tie against Djurgårdens IF.
- The order of the legs (which team starts at home) in the future rounds may be changed as the team with the best record should have the second game at home.
Final
| 4 February 2020 18:45 (UTC+1) | Mountfield HK | 1–3 (1–3, 0–0, 0–0) | Frölunda HC | ČPP Arena, Hradec Králové Attendance: 6,890 |
| Game reference | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marek Mazanec | Goalies | Johan Mattsson | Referees: Kristian Vikman Mikko Kaukokari Linesmen: Andreas Hofer Joep Leermakers | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| 10 min | Penalties | 8 min | ||||||||||||
| 18 | Shots | 29 | ||||||||||||
Statistics
References
- "LGT Top Scorer:Ryan Lasch". Champions Hockey League. championshockeyleague.com.
- "LGT Most Valuable Player:Ryan Lasch". Champions Hockey League. championshockeyleague.com.
- "New CHL format for 2017–18! 32 teams & on-ice qualification only". championshockeyleague.net. 2016-06-14. Archived from the original on 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
- "Fourth for Frölunda with victory over Mountfield HK". championshockeyleague.com.
- "First CHL Final in the Czech Republic: ČPP Arena". championshockeyleague.com.
- "CONTINENTAL CUP DOESN'T UNVEIL FIRST CHL QUALIFIER". championshockeyleague.com.
- "BELFAST GIANTS INVITED TO 2019/20 CHL". championshockeyleague.com.
- "Qualification criteria updated for 2019/20". championshockeyleague.com. 2018-09-19. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
- "The CHL Format". championshockeyleague.com. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
- "Playoff draw in the books! The road to the final starts now!". championshockeyleague.com. Retrieved 21 October 2019.