Innsbruck High fights in the Champions Hockey League after a sensational season. Clubs from the ICE Hockey League travel to Finland as outsiders. Nevertheless, Haie will look to give Lukko Rauma a tough test after a surprise 2-2 draw on Wednesday (5.30pm). “After the close game in Innsbruck, they will want to set an example in front of their home crowd,” said Haig head coach Mitch O’Keefe before the second leg of the CHL’s Round of 16.
O’Keefe was able to welcome everyone on board Tuesday. From Munich we took a flight to Helsinki, and from there a bus to Rauma. The plan for the match against the Finnish team, ranked sixth in the table, had already been worked out. “If we can reduce their chances, control the middle third as best we can and switch well ourselves, then something is possible,” O’Keefe said. In the first leg, the Tyroleans overcame a 0–2 defeat against an increasingly passive favorite thanks to two goals from striker Brayden Shaw.
