For Sparta Prague, this is the second appearance in the CHL semi-finals, the first taking place in 2016/17, while for Färjestad Karlstad, it is the first ever appearance in the Top 4 in seven seasons on the biggest club ice hockey stage in Europe. Both clubs have had long and winding journeys to this point in the season, but their December semi-finals proved the most difficult.
Sparta, who play in the Czech Extraliga, had to play overtime to determine who would qualify for the next round, after a spectacular comeback at the end of the match against a very resilient Växjö Lakers team. On the other hand, Färjestad were surprised with a 3-1 defeat in the first match of their quarter-final against Red Bull Salzburg, but bounced back well in the second leg, putting six goals to Atte Tolvanen in a convincing 6-0 victory which allowed him to win the series 7-3 on aggregate. This result was punctuated by another remarkable performance fromOskar Steenwho scored three points on the night (1G, 2A), as the 26-year-old continues to produce for a powerful Swedish club that ranks second in wins this season with eight.
However, Steen, who now has four goals and ten assists for 14 points in ten CHL games, wasn’t the only reason the Swedish team was able to make it to their first semi-final. Färjestad’s success is also due to his penchant for rising to the challenge in tense situations, which he has done with aplomb throughout the season.
Despite their performance against Salzburg, the Swedes have found a way to finish close matches, as they managed to win by two goals or less since the third day derby against Fehérvár AV19, where they beat the Hungarian 3-1. This ability to find ways to win could prove vital for the Swedes in the future. Add to that a top-notch defense, which is allowing just 1.80 goals per game, and you have a confident club that appears to be gaining momentum.
The pendulum, however, swings both ways. This is the case of Sparta, who were practically eliminated from their QF series when the captain of the Växjö Lakers, Joel Perssonextended his club’s advantage less than five minutes from the end of regulation time. But courageous play and a little luck allowed the Czechs to equalize and score the winning goal in overtime thanks to Jani Lajunen.
-Sparta has struggled to remain consistent throughout the season, as evidenced by their 5-1-4 record. Yet, like Färjestad, the Czechs also excelled at desperate hockey when the situation called for it. While their offense still needs to improve, their defense continues to be among the best in the league and their goaltending remains rock solid. Since allowing three goals to Eisbären Berlin on Matchday 4, Sparta’s goalkeepers have always limited their opponents to two goals or less, with the exception of their last match against Växjö.
A duel that seems very balanced, to which we will give a small advantage (based on the two matches) to the Swedes. It remains to be seen which opponent will be best suited, in the final, for the opponent who will be Swiss. Choose Genève-Servette or the ZSC Lions.
(Source: championshockeyleague.com)
