Five-time Czech Extraliga champions Oceláři Třinec dropped leads of 2-0 and 3-1 against visiting Skellefteå AIK but came back to take the win when Champions Hockey League Top Scorer Libor Hudáček scored the game-winning goal with 3:54 to play in the First Game.
This seven-goal game was very close, with the Czechs and Swedes racking up a combined 100+ shots and nine powerplays.
"This was a really even game," started Třinec's Jakub Jeřábek, who scored the first goal of the game under two minutes in and ended the night on two points.
"The score could have easily ended the other way round," admitted the offensively minded d-man who sits on five points (1G+4A) in seven games so far this season.
Třinec scored a late goal to take a one-goal lead, but Jeřábek isn't convinced it makes much of a difference for his team.
"I don't think it means much, the result is definitely still open for next week's Return Game," said the ex-NHLer and Stanley Cup Champion.
"Details will decide this match-up"Jakub Jeřábek, Oceláři Třinec
"Both teams are really aggressive and strong on the puck, especially powerplays have been good for both of us."
Třinec will head to northern Sweden to face Skellefteå next Tuesday at 18:00 CET and with only one goal between these two veteran CHL teams, it will definitely be a tense game. What will Třinec focus on?
"We have to focus on the details because they will decide this match-up," ended the 32-year-old.