2023-24_Champions_Hockey_League

2023–24 Champions Hockey League

2023–24 Champions Hockey League

2023–24 Champions Hockey League season


The 2023–24 Champions Hockey League was the ninth season of the Champions Hockey League, a European ice hockey tournament. The tournament was competed by 24 teams, with qualification being on sporting merits only. Apart from the reigning champion, the six founding leagues were represented by three teams each, while five "challenge leagues" were represented by one team each.

Quick Facts Tournament details, Dates ...

Swiss team Genève-Servette HC won their first Champions Hockey League title, defeating Swedish team Skellefteå AIK 3–2 in the final. This made Genève-Servette HC the first Swiss side to win the title.[4] The title holders Tappara finished 18th in the regular season and did not qualify for the playoffs.[5]

Czech left forward Dominik Lakatoš from Czech team Vítkovice Ridera became the top scorer with 12 points.[2]

Format changes

Starting from the 2023–24 season the format was changed. The number of teams was reduced from 32 to 24 teams. The group stage was replaced with the regular season in which teams played six games each, with the teams being ranked in overall standings and 16 best-ranked teams advancing to the playoffs.

In the regular season draw, teams were allocated into four pots featuring six teams each. The seeding depends on the teams’ achievements in their national leagues and the respective league’s standing in the CHL league ranking. Each team was drawn against two teams from each of the other three pots.

In the playoffs, teams formed pairs based on the overall regular season standings.[6]

For the first time since the 2015–16 season, the IIHF Continental Cup winners did not get a wild card spot.[7]

Team allocation

A total of 24 teams from different European first-tier leagues were scheduled to participate in the league. Besides the title holders Tappara, 18 teams from the six founding leagues, as well as the national champions from Denmark, France, Norway, Slovakia and the United Kingdom participated.[8]

The qualification criteria for national leagues was based on the following rules:[6]

  1. CHL champions
  2. National league champions (play-off winners)
  3. Regular season winners
  4. Regular season runners-up
  5. Regular season third-placed team

Note: the national league champions of the United Kingdom are distinct from the national champions, who are determined in play-offs following the regular season. In 2023, Belfast Giants won both competitions.[9]

Teams

More information Team, City/Area ...

Round and draw dates

The schedule of the competition was as follows.[1][10]

More information Phase, Round ...

Regular season

In the regular season the 24 teams were combined into one table. Each team played home and away against six different opponents once. The best sixteen teams qualified to the round of 16.

The draw of the regular season took place on 24 May 2023 in Tampere, Finland.[10]

Pots

The participating teams were seeded into Pots A to D according to their achievements in their national leagues and their respective league’s standing in the CHL league ranking. The reigning CHL champions Tappara were the top seeded team and therefore given a place in pot A. The top pot also contained the reigning champions of four of the top five founding leagues according to the league rankings (Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and ICE Hockey League), as well as 2022–23 Liiga regular season runners-up.[11]

Grid

Teams were allocated their opponents based on a pattern in connection to the positions in the regular season grid. They played the teams on the left-hand side at home and the ones on the right-hand side away excluding teams from the same row. Teams from the last column played teams from the first column away, and teams from the first column played teams from the last column at home.

League table

More information Pos, Team ...

Regular season tie-breaking criteria

Teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win in regulation time, 2 points for a win in overtime, 1 point for a loss in overtime, 0 points for a loss in regulation time). If two or more teams were tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria was applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings (see 8.4.4. Tie breaking formula group stage standings):[12]

  1. Greater number of wins in regulation time (3 point wins);
  2. Greater number of wins in total (regulation time wins + overtime and shootout wins);
  3. Better goal difference;
  4. More goals scored;
  5. More away goals scored;
  6. The higher position in the CHL Draw pot allocation.

Results

More information Home \ Away, AAL ...
Source: Champions Hockey League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Playoffs

Format

In the playoffs, pairings were formed based on the positions of the teams in the regular season as follows: the team finished 1st in the regular season face the team finished 16th, the team finished 2nd face the team finished 15th, and so on. There were no play-off draw or any reseedings for the quarter-finals and semi-finals. In each round except the final, the teams play two games and the aggregate score decides which team advances. The first leg was hosted by the team with the lower seed with the second leg being played on the home ice of the other team. If aggregate score was tied, a sudden death overtime follows. If the overtime was scoreless, the team who wins the shoot out competition advances.

The final was played on the home ice of the team with the higher accumulative ranking across the entire campaign, including play-off games.[13]

Bracket

Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
                  
16 Switzerland SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers 4 3 7
1 Germany Adler Mannheim 1 1 2
16 Switzerland SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers 2 1 3
9 Czech Republic Vítkovice Ridera 1 5 6
8 Finland Pelicans 0 1 1
9 Czech Republic Vítkovice Ridera 3 1 4
9 Czech Republic Vítkovice Ridera 2 2 4
5 Sweden Skellefteå AIK 4 1 5
13 Switzerland EHC Biel-Bienne 3 4 7
4 Sweden Färjestad BK 5 6 11
4 Sweden Färjestad BK 4 1 5
5 Sweden Skellefteå AIK 3 4 7
12 Czech Republic Oceláři Třinec 4 2 6
5 Sweden Skellefteå AIK 3 5 8
5 Sweden Skellefteå AIK 2
7 Switzerland Genève-Servette HC 3
15 Germany ERC Ingolstadt 1 3 4
2 Sweden Växjö Lakers 4 3 7
2 Sweden Växjö Lakers 1 3 4
7 Switzerland Genève-Servette HC 4 2 6
10 Germany Red Bull München 3 1 4
7 Switzerland Genève-Servette HC 2 3 5
7 Switzerland Genève-Servette HC 2 3 5
3 Finland Lukko 2 2 4
14 Austria HC Innsbruck 2 1 3
3 Finland Lukko (OT) 2 2 4
3 Finland Lukko 6 2 8
11 Czech Republic Dynamo Pardubice 4 3 7
6 Finland Ilves 1 2 3
11 Czech Republic Dynamo Pardubice 3 2 5

Round of 16

The first legs were played on 14 and 15 November with return legs played on 21 and 22 November 2023.

More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
  • ^
    The first game between Pelicans and Vítkovice Ridera on 14 November was cancelled due to poor ice conditions at Isku Areena, Lahti, Finland. Vítkovice Ridera was awarded the win per league's sports regulations.[14]
  • (1) Adler Mannheim vs. (16) SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers

    14 November 2023
    19:45 CET
    SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers Switzerland4–1
    (2–1, 0–0, 2–0)
    Germany Adler MannheimSt. Galler Kantonalbank Arena, Rapperswil
    Attendance: 3,515
    More information Game reference ...

    21 November 2023
    19:30 CET
    Adler Mannheim Germany1–3
    (0–1, 0–1,1–1)
    Switzerland SC Rapperswil-Jona LakersSAP Arena, Mannheim
    Attendance: 3,812
    More information Game reference ...
    SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers won 7–2 on aggregate.

    (2) Växjö Lakers vs. (15) ERC Ingolstadt

    14 November 2023
    18:30 CET
    ERC Ingolstadt Germany1–4
    (0–2, 1–2, 0–0)
    Sweden Växjö LakersSaturn Arena, Ingolstadt
    Attendance: 2,654
    More information Game reference ...

    21 November 2023
    18:00 CET
    Växjö Lakers Sweden3–3
    (2–1, 0–0, 1–2)
    Germany ERC IngolstadtVida Arena, Växjö
    Attendance: 2,771
    More information Game reference ...
    Växjö Lakers won 7–4 on aggregate.

    (3) Lukko vs. (14) HC Innsbruck

    14 November 2023
    20:20 CET
    HC Innsbruck Austria2–2
    (0–2, 1–0, 1–0)
    Finland LukkoTiroler Wasserkraft Arena, Innsbruck
    Attendance: 2,000
    More information Game reference ...

    22 November 2023
    18:30 EET
    Lukko Finland2–1 (OT)
    (1–0, 0–0, 0–1)
    (OT 1–0)
    Austria HC InnsbruckKivikylän Areena, Rauma
    Attendance: 1,602
    More information Game reference ...
    Lukko won 4–3 on aggregate.

    (4) Färjestad BK vs. (13) EHC Biel-Bienne

    14 November 2023
    19:45 CET
    EHC Biel-Bienne Switzerland3–5
    (1–1, 1–3, 1–1)
    Sweden Färjestad BKTissot Arena, Biel/Bienne
    Attendance: 3,533
    More information Game reference ...

    21 November 2023
    19:00 CET
    Färjestad BK Sweden6–4
    (2–0, 2–2, 2–2)
    Switzerland EHC Biel-BienneLöfbergs Arena, Karlstad
    Attendance: 2,397
    More information Game reference ...
    Färjestad BK won 11–7 on aggregate.

    (5) Skellefteå AIK vs. (12) Oceláři Třinec

    14 November 2023
    18:00 CET
    Oceláři Třinec Czech Republic4–3
    (2–0, 0–1, 2–2)
    Sweden Skellefteå AIKWerk Arena, Třinec
    Attendance: 3,547
    More information Game reference ...

    21 November 2023
    18:00 CET
    Skellefteå AIK Sweden5–2
    (1–1, 2–0, 2–1)
    Czech Republic Oceláři TřinecSkellefteå Kraft Arena, Skellefteå
    Attendance: 1,892
    More information Game reference ...
    Skellefteå AIK won 8–6 on aggregate.

    (6) Ilves vs. (11) Dynamo Pardubice

    15 November 2023
    18:30 EET
    Ilves Finland1–3
    (1–1, 0–2, 0–0)
    Czech Republic Dynamo Pardubice Nokia Arena, Tampere
    Attendance: 3,538
    More information Game reference ...

    21 November 2023
    17:30 CET
    Dynamo Pardubice Czech Republic2–2
    (0–1, 1–1, 1–0)
    Finland IlvesEnteria Arena, Pardubice
    Attendance: 4,597
    More information Game reference ...
    Dynamo Pardubice won 5–3 on aggregate.

    (7) Genève-Servette HC vs. (10) Red Bull München

    15 November 2023
    19:30 CET
    Red Bull München Germany3–2
    (2–0, 0–0, 1–2)
    Switzerland Genève-Servette HCOlympia Eishalle, Munich
    Attendance: 3,027
    More information Game reference ...

    22 November 2023
    19:45 CET
    Genève-Servette HC Switzerland3–1
    (0–1, 1–0, 2–0)
    Germany Red Bull MünchenPatinoire des Vernets, Geneva
    Attendance: 5,527
    More information Game reference ...
    Genève-Servette HC won 5–4 on aggregate.

    (9) Vítkovice Ridera vs. (8) Pelicans

    14 November 2023
    18:30 EET
    Pelicans Finland0–3Czech Republic Vítkovice RideraIsku Areena, Lahti
    More information Game reference ...

    21 November 2023
    18:00 CET
    Vítkovice Ridera Czech Republic1–1
    (1–0, 0–0, 0–1)
    Finland PelicansOstravar Aréna, Vítkovice
    Attendance: 4,007
    More information Game reference ...
    Vítkovice Ridera won 4–1 on aggregate.

    Quarter-finals

    First legs were played on 5 and 6 December with return legs played on 12 December 2023.

    More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...

    (2) Växjö Lakers vs. (7) Genève-Servette HC

    5 December 2023
    19:45 CET
    Genève-Servette HC Switzerland4–1
    (3–0, 1–0, 0–1)
    Sweden Växjö LakersPatinoire des Vernets, Geneva
    Attendance: 3,494
    More information Game reference ...

    12 December 2023
    19:00 CET
    Växjö Lakers Sweden3–2
    (0–0, 1–0, 2–2)
    Switzerland Genève-Servette HCVida Arena, Växjö
    Attendance: 1,752
    More information Game reference ...
    Genève-Servette HC won 6–4 on aggregate.

    (3) Lukko vs. (11) Dynamo Pardubice

    6 December 2023
    20:00 CET
    Dynamo Pardubice Czech Republic4–6
    (2–4, 0–1, 2–1)
    Finland LukkoEnteria Arena, Pardubice
    Attendance: 4,129
    More information Game reference ...

    12 December 2023
    18:30 EET
    Lukko Finland2–3
    (0–0, 2–1, 0–2)
    Czech Republic Dynamo PardubiceKivikylän Areena, Rauma
    Attendance: 3,172
    More information Game reference ...
    Lukko won 8–7 on aggregate.

    (4) Färjestad BK vs. (5) Skellefteå AIK

    5 December 2023
    19:00 CET
    Skellefteå AIK Sweden3–4
    (1–1, 0–2, 2–1)
    Sweden Färjestad BKSkellefteå Kraft Arena, Skellefteå
    Attendance: 3,417
    More information Game reference ...

    12 December 2023
    19:00 CET
    Färjestad BK Sweden1–4
    (1–1, 0–0, 0–3)
    Sweden Skellefteå AIKLöfbergs Arena, Karlstad
    Attendance: 4,837
    More information Game reference ...
    Skellefteå AIK won 7–5 on aggregate.

    (9) Vítkovice Ridera vs. (16) SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers

    5 December 2023
    19:45 CET
    SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers Switzerland2–1
    (2–1, 0–0, 0–0)
    Czech Republic Vítkovice RideraSt. Galler Kantonalbank Arena, Rapperswil
    Attendance: 2,933
    More information Game reference ...

    12 December 2023
    18:00 CET
    Vítkovice Ridera Czech Republic5–1
    (0–1, 3–0, 2–0)
    Switzerland SC Rapperswil-Jona LakersOstravar Aréna, Vítkovice
    Attendance: 4,055
    More information Game reference ...
    Vítkovice Ridera won 6–3 on aggregate.

    Semi-finals

    First legs will be played on 9 January with return legs played on 16 January 2024.

    More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...

    (3) Lukko vs. (7) SC Genève-Servette HC

    9 January 2024
    20:15 CET
    Genève-Servette HC Switzerland2–2
    (1–0, 1–2, 0–0)
    Finland LukkoPatinoire des Vernets, Geneva
    Attendance: 4,371
    More information Game reference ...

    16 January 2024
    20:30 EET
    Lukko Finland2–3
    (2–0, 0–2, 0–1)
    Switzerland Genève-Servette HCKivikylän Areena, Rauma
    Attendance: 4,322
    More information Game reference ...
    Genève-Servette won 5–4 on aggregate.

    (5) Skellefteå AIK vs. (9) Vítkovice Ridera

    9 January 2024
    18:00 CET
    Vítkovice Ridera Czech Republic2–4
    (2–2, 0–1, 0–1)
    Sweden Skellefteå AIKOstravar Aréna, Vítkovice
    Attendance: 5,455
    More information Game reference ...

    16 January 2024
    19:00 CET
    Skellefteå AIK Sweden1–2
    (1–0, 0–1, 0–1)
    Czech Republic Vítkovice RideraSkellefteå Kraft Arena, Skellefteå
    Attendance: 4,029
    More information Game reference ...
    Skellefteå AIK won 5–4 on aggregate.

    Final

    20 February 2024
    19:30 CET
    Genève-Servette HC Switzerland3–2
    (3–1, 0–0, 0–1)
    Sweden Skellefteå AIKPatinoire des Vernets, Geneva
    Attendance: 7,135
    More information Game reference ...

    Statistics

    Scoring leaders

    The following players led the league in points.[15]

    More information Player, Team ...

    Leading goaltenders

    The following goaltenders led the league in save percentage, provided that they have played at least 40% of their team's minutes.[16]

    More information Player, Team ...

    Awards

    Team of the Regular Season

    The Team of the Regular Season was announced on 2 November 2023.[17]

    More information Position, Player ...

    MVP

    The winner of the LGT MVP Award was announced on 20 February 2024.[3]

    More information Player, Team ...

    Team of the Season

    The Team of the Season was announced on 11 March 2024.[18]

    More information Position, Player ...

    References

    1. "Playing dates 2023/24". championshockeyleague.com. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
    2. "Ryan Lasch is the 2022/23 LGT Top Scorer!". championshockeyleague.com. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
    3. "Sami Vatanen 2023/24 LGT MVP Award Winner". championshockeyleague.com. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
    4. "Genève-Servette win 2024 Final to lift European Trophy in Switzerland!". championshockeyleague.com. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
    5. "Biel-Bienne qualify for Playoffs". championshockeyleague.com. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
    6. "New CHL competition format for 2023/24 revealed". championshockeyleague.com. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
    7. "CHL will not award Wild Card to IIHF Continental Cup Winners". championshockeyleague.com. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
    8. "Places for Challenger Leagues in 2023/24 confirmed". championshockeyleague.com. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
    9. "The CHL Format". championshockeyleague.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
    10. "2023/24 CHL Draw 24 May, 16:00 CEST". championshockeyleague.com. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
    11. "2023/24 CHL Draw Seeding". championshockeyleague.com. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
    12. "Tie Breaking Formula Regular Season Standings" (PDF). championshockeyleague.com. Champions Hockey League. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
    13. "R16 First Game in Lahti cancelled, Vítkovice win 3-0 forfeit". championshockeyleague.com. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
    14. "Statistics 2023/24: Players". Champions Hockey League. Champions Hockey League (CHL) AG. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
    15. "Statistics 2023/24: Goalkeepers". Champions Hockey League. Champions Hockey League (CHL) AG. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
    16. "Team of the Regular Season│2023/24". www.championshockeyleague.com. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
    17. "Team of the Season│2023/24". www.championshockeyleague.com. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.

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