HC Davos become the first road team to win in the eighth-finals, winning by 2 goals in front of a sell-out crowd in Liberec. Meanwhile, Sparta Prague also won by 2 goals at home against Karpat, Skelleftea AIK won by 3 in Berlin, and Lukko Rauma got a late goal to win in Stockholm.
Djurgarden Stockholm 1–2 Lukko Rauma
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These two teams were tied 1–1 after 40 minutes and it appeared that's how it would end, but Illka Mikkola buried a low wrister just inside the post with 3:17 on the clock to give Lukko the win, and the lead on aggregate heading into their home game next week. Sami Lahteenmaki opened the scoring for Lukko in the 9th minute before Linus Hultstrom tied it for Djurgarden late in the second period of a defensive battle.
Eisbaren Berlin 2–5 Skelleftea AIK
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Die Eisbaren were confident at the start on home ice, but gave up 2 goals in the first 12 minutes and were never able to recover. Tim Heed and Erik Forsell each had 3 points for a Skelleftea team that is now in a very good position heading home. Laurin Braun and Barry Tallackson had 2 points each for a Berlin squad that now faces an uphill climb.
Sparta Prague 4–2 Karpat Oulu
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They had surrendered only 1 goal in their first six CHL games this season and shut out Sparta Prague for the first half of this one, but the Czech club hit the net 4 times in the last half to take a 2-goal aggregate lead. Karpat out-shot Sparta 32–17, but Tomas Popperle was brilliant in goal, particularly early, to keep his team in position to win.
“It was a typical game between Czech and Finnish teams,” figured Karpat assistant coach Mikko Manner. “Sparta were playing with all five players close to each other and we are used to being strong in our defensive zone. And as many times already happened in hockey, when you don’t score your scoring chances, the opponent scores goals. They were good in front of both nets, they were blocking shots and played very well in penalty killing. Our power play was bad today, we had six power plays and didn’t score at all. So we’ll get a little bit rest and then we will see how it goes back in Oulu.”
“I agree (with Manner), we were strong in front of both nets and played almost perfectly on the penalty kill,” nodded Sparta head coach Josef Jandac. “In the second period we changed our game little bit and gained the lead. It’s a little bit unfortuante the second goal against us was scored on the next shift right after our 3–1 goal. Other than that we played solid. And if you want to ask what this result means for the next game in Oulu . . . it means nothing. Everything is open.”
Bili Tygri Liberec 3–5 HC Davos
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A sell-out crowd of 7,500 saw an exciting hockey game in Liberec with eight goals, but didn't get to see their hometown White Tigers win. Davos scored twice in the first 10 minutes, and the teams traded goals after that, meaning the Swiss club will open next week's game at home with a 2-goal lead. Andres Ambruhl led Davos with 2 goals and 1 assist, while veteran Branko Radivojevic replied with 2 goals for Liberec.
“We played a strong opponent, and furthermore, Davos were really efficient today,” Liberec coach Filip Pesan said in praise of the visiting Swiss club. “It's a shame we didn't score the first goal, because the game would've possibly looked different. But the truth is that our opponent played very well tonight.”
Davos coach Arno del Curto reacted, “We were missing a lot of players, especially on defence today. I am really satisfied with our performance here because we beat a top team in the Czech league. Liberec now must play even better to come back. I expect them very strong next week.”