As he did after the first game, Sparta Prague forward Petr Vrana shared his thoughts on the return game of the Round of 16 against HV71 Jonkoping

by Anders Borjesson

JONKOPING – After the first game of the Round of 16 against HV71, Sparta Prague forward Petr Vrana was optimistic about his team's chances of advancing, despite the two-goal deficit heading into the road game.

“We have to get off to a good start,” he told Championshockeyleague.net's Karolina Antosova ahead of the return game. “It won’t be easy and we will have to be patient. There is a two-goal difference, so we need play solid defence and produce more goals than in the first game.”

While it wasn't so much their start that was impressive – the first goal came in the last minute of the first period – they certainly reached their goals of playing solid defence and producing more goals. Only 18 shots against and no goals combined with five goals scored on offence means that Sparta beat the odds and overcame the aggregate deficit to advance to the Quarter-Finals. 

What turned this series around?

“I think we finally played the game we wanted to play – solid and get the puck out on defence in a good way. And the offensive chances we had we executed very effectively.”

What adjustments did you make after the last game at home?

“I think we didn’t play very well at home, especially the second period – that cost us the game. Today, as I said, we played exactly the way we wanted. All the guys blocked shots, really sticking their heads into every situation out there. That decided this game.”

What about your own game?

“Our line created a lot of chances, even though we didn’t score. But you can’t score every game.”

This game must get Sparta a real boost of confidence. What do you think about the going further in the CHL playoffs?

“Well, it’s a long road ahead of us. Right now we will concentrate on the next round. It will be two hard games against SC Bern. There’s going to be a lot of fans in Bern and we’ll surely be in for a real tough game there.”

Your fans was really good today in Jonkoping. You dominated both on the ice and in the stands.

“It was great to see them here ” we saw them arrive earlier in the day. They’re taking holidays from their jobs to come here and support us, and they were great the whole game. I really glad we won and they can go home happy!”