Two games are tied up on aggregate, while another two teams will be hoping for big comebacks in tonight's Champions Hockey League games!
Sparta Prague vs. SC Bern (1-1)
O2 Arena, 18:30
Referees: Mikael Holm & Mikael Nord (SWE)
Sparta host Bern with the sides all square from last week's first leg. In each of the previous two rounds, Bern have had enough of a lead to tie the return game and advance – however, that won't be enough tonight for the CHL's only remaining unbeaten team. Both sides won their pair of domestic games over the weekend, so someone's streak has to go tonight.
“I think being among the top eight teams in the competition is a huge success for Sparta and for all of Czech hockey, but we want to continue,” promises forward Lukas Pech. “There is no reason not to believe we can beat Bern. We have eliminated one of the best Finnish and Swedish teams, so we want to show the Swiss too. We know that we have a chance to go to the Semi-Finals.”
"We know what's going to come at us in Prague. Sparta are a very good team, solid defensively and dangerous at the other end – but we have the qualities to get through," emphasises Tristan Scherwey. "I think it'll be a tight game. We need to stay disciplined and solid at the back, and up top take our chances when they come."
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Vaxjo Lakers vs. ZSC Lions Zurich (0-0)
Vida Arena, 19:00
Referees: Oldřich Hejduk & Vladimir Pesina (CZE)
After the goalless tie last week, it's winner takes all in Vaxjo as the Lakers welcome the Lions. ZSC go int this game off the back of two wins, while last time out the Lakers were defeated in a 13-goal thriller in Frolunda.
"We weren't really there for the first eight minutes last week, then we killed a couple of penalties," admitted Lakers' assistant coach Fredrik Hellgren. "That woke us up and then we pressed better the rest of the game. (We had) good penalty killing, but it's too bad we didn't get more done on our power plays.”
"The Lakers are a very good, competitive team," said ZSC centre Reto Schappi. "We need to be on them from the first puck drop."
Fribourg-Gotteron vs. Vitkovice Ridera Ostrava (5-2)
BCF Arena, 19:45
Referees: Andris Ansons (LAT) & Stephan Bauer (GER)
Last week's dominant display in Ostrava gives Fribourg a three-goal cushion tonight, potentially giving the last-placed team in the NLA one foot already in the Semi-Finals.
"They say the three-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey," said Larry Huras, Fribourg's head coach. "They're a proud team that's well-coached and they'll be ready for us, so we'd better be ready as well.”
His opposite number Jakub Petr added: “A three-goal deficit is a lot, but it's the Quarter-Finals and anything can happen. I don't think we were worse while 5-on-5 last week, especially in the second period, so there's still a chance.”
Linkoping HC vs. Frolunda Gothenburg (0-4)
Saab Arena. 20:00
Referees: Anssi Kalevi Salonen (FIN) & Marc Wiegand (SUI)
Defending champions Frolunda have the most comfortable lead of any team going into the return leg, up by four against SHL rivals Linkoping. The hosts have however won their last two home games against the Indians by 5-0 and 3-0 respectively, and not lost to Frolunda in Linkoping since November 2015. They'll need that to continue, and keep the goals coming, to have any chance of advancing.
"Obviously we'd rather have gone into this game four goals up ourselves, but this is the situation and we have to be on the attack from the start," admitted defenceman Johan Akerman. "We need come out with better energy, play better shorthanded, and win more pucks."
"If there's anything we've learned from Leksand and Vaxjo games (in our own league), it's that we must be involved from the start," says Frolunda assistant coach Johan Lundskog who expects an aggressive Linkoping side. "Four goals can happen quite quickly. They put us under a lot of pressure and we expect that they will continue. Discipline is important – and our special teams."