In front of 2,103 spectators, Växjö had a dream start to the match. After just over four minutes of play, Marcus Sylvegård scored 1–0 for the away team. After that, the Pelicans never got into the game. After two periods, the home team had the lead with 4–1, after among others Joachim Blichfeld was noted for two goals.
In the final minute, Brian Cooper established the final result, from his own zone, by scoring 5-1 in an empty box.
Pelicans’ consolation goal was scored by Sweden’s Lars Bryggman.
Until this year, the CHL has been reduced by eight teams, from 32 to 24, and the group division has been scrapped. The teams play six games each, three at home and three away, and the top 16 teams go to the playoffs.
The winner of the tournament takes home 360,000 euros, equivalent to roughly 4.2 million kroner.