Quick Glance:

Two Northern Conference powerhouses will battle in Round 2. Helsinki seems to have the edge. They finished higher in the regular season (120 points to Copenhagen’s 106) and they have eliminated Copenhagen both times they met in the playoffs recently (Seasons 13 and 16). The Tridents will be facing a familiar face in goal. Andres De La Garma was their goalie for 9 seasons and 2 Cup victories. This year, the 34-year-old Mexican is having a very good season. His save percentage of .903 was higher than his career best and he only got better (.934) in the playoffs against Dublin.

Goalies (in playoffs):

• Copenhagen – Joonas Korpisalo (2.58 GAA; .894 save percentage)
• Helsinki – Andres De La Garma (1.43 GAA; .934 save percentage)

Top Plus/Minus players (in playoffs):

• Copenhagen – Curtis Lazar and Anton Lundell (+9)
• Helsinki – Kyle Connor (+8)

Expert Panel Predictions:

• Commissioner Chuck: Copenhagen in 6 games. The teams are similar in many ways. Both have strong, deep forward lines and their goalies are more equal than their recent statistics show, I believe. The Tridents’ defensemen are more dangerous with the puck and they will swing the series.
• Rose: Helsinki in 6 games. They didn’t get to be the best team in the league this season with defensemen who couldn’t do the job, oh great commissioner. Maybe you should stick to mishandling paperwork. There will be close games, but Helsinki led the league in goals per game and were second to Minsk in goals against. They have the confidence and will overpower the Tridents.