Although their Group G schedule is finished, the Växjö Lakers will be watching Wednesday's Sparta Prague – Adler Mannheim game with great interest, as it will determine whether or not their CHL run will continue. After being five points out of first place after three games, the Lakers have taken nine points in a row – including Tuesday's crucial 3–1 win in Kuopio – to put themselves in this position.

by Derek O'Brien and Juha Koljonen

KUOPIO – Halfway through the group stage it didn't look like they had a chance. The Växjö Lakers were tied for last place in Group G with three points, five points behind leaders Sparta Prague, who had just beaten them for the second game in a row.

Since then, however, they have reeled off three straight wins and now find themselves on top of the group with 12 points. The last two of those wins came against KalPa Kuopio, with Tuesday's win coming in Kuopio by a 3–1 score.

"It's mentally tough to move from your own league to the Champions League. I think it's easier on the road. We came here yesterday and we were ready tonight," Växjö coach Sam Hallam said, trying to explain his team's strong start. "In the first period we pressured KalPa all over the ice and forced them into turnovers." He further added, "I'm really happy that Kiiskinen scored the first goal. That's a great thing for him being back in his hometown."

Tuomas Kiiskinen had been looking forward to Tuesday's game ever since he found out the two teams had been drawn together, saying "I hope the KalPa fans remember me."

He gave them a reminder at the 8:54 mark, converting a pass from Nick Johnson and beating Samu Perhonen high glove side. "I didn't know whether I should cheer or not," the Kuopio product quipped afterward, noting the odd feeling of scoring for the visiting team in the rink he grew up in.

Kiiskinen also assisted on the second Vaxjo goal and they led 3–0 after the first period. KalPa pushed back in the second with lots of time on the power play. They out-shot the Lakers 11–4 in the middle frame but only scored once.

"In the second period we were killing penalties for most of the first 10 minutes," said Hallam. "Our top guys didn't see the ice for a long time and it killed the rhythm of our game. After that KalPa was the better team."

Better team or not, they could only beat goalie Stefan Steel once in the game.

But although Växjö are finished their Group G schedule and sit first, they still don't know if they have any more CHL games to play this season. With a regulation win, Sparta Prague would tie them in points. The Czech club would then win the tie-breaker and the group by virtue of winning both head-to-head meetings with the Lakers.

"We were happy to come here with a chance," Hallam reasoned, considering the situation his club was in halfway through the competition. "We knew that we would have to win to put some pressure on Sparta. Now we just wait and see what happens."