Saturday's Spotlight Game brings together two clubs with rich European pedigrees and high expectations. Frölunda arrive determined to keep their perfect start intact, while Sparta will look to right past wrongs and show progress. With proven scorers on both sides and plenty of experience on display, this game could be an important early checkpoint in the Regular Season.
- Sparta have earned two wins from their opening three games
- Frölunda arrive with a perfect 3–0 record
- Faced each other in 2017 CHL Final
Sparta Prague enter Game Day 4 on the back of a pretty good start to their new Champions Hockey League season. The Czech side opened with a convincing 4–1 away victory over KAC Klagenfurt, highlighted by two spectacular goals from Mārtiņš Dzierkals. A setback followed in Norway, where they fell 4–2 to Storhamar Hamar despite creating plenty of chances. Sparta then regained their footing at home on Game Day 3 with a dramatic 2–1 shootout win over former CHL Champions Luleå Hockey.
Jakub Krejčík and Filip Chlapík delivered the key goals in their first home game, while goaltender Jakub Kovář once again proved dependable. With two wins already secured, Sparta have underlined both their scoring talent and their ability to grind out results.
Scoring has been equally spread out among the Sparta roster, with no player amassing more than two points so far. The Czechs have scored eight goals, which is decent, won over 50% of face-offs and had reasonable success with their penalty kill units, but a low sub-9% powerplay efficiency needs improving, especially against an opponent of Frölunda's calibre.
“A very good hockey team with a bunch of experienced players from the NHL and national teams. A sound defensive structure, good goalies and a speedy transition game. An efficient team with strong special teams.”Robert Ohlsson, Frölunda Gothenburg Head Coach
Frölunda Gothenburg, meanwhile, have looked every bit the CHL powerhouse they are renowned to be. The Swedes opened with a 3–0 win over HC Bolzano before edging Lausanne HC 5–2 in a game that saw Jacob Peterson score twice in the first period.
Most recently, they overcame a stubborn GKS Tychy side 3–1, with captain Max Friberg and Noah Hasa providing the decisive goals. Tobias Normann has been steady in net, helping Frölunda maintain a perfect record.
With five recorded assists, Jere Innala is among the top point scorers in the CHL, while plenty of teammates have surpassed the golden point-per-game mark.
Four-time CHL Champions Frölunda have a perfect penalty kill, have been disciplined and also punished their opponents on the powerplay 21.42% of the time. They've recorded a shutout and with 11 goals scored across three Game Days, they are one of the highest scoring teams of the competition so far.
“Frölunda are a team that are very well known in the Swedish league. It will be similar to facing Luleå. They will play all over the ice and generally be hard and uncomfortable.”Pavel Gross, Sparta Prague Head Coach
A full 60-minute effort will be needed from these two teams if one is to beat the over and we wouldn't be surprised to see this one go into overtime or even a shootout!
Don't miss the game on Saturday, 5 September at 15:30 CEST!