Oceláři Třinec and Leksands IF enter their match-up as polar opposites in the standings.

Třinec looked like a totally different team to begin their second meeting with Fribourg-Gottéron, until they weren’t, as they dropped their third consecutive contest. Three games and three losses mean that the seven-time qualifiers will need an outstanding effort in the last leg of matches if they wish to keep their Round of 16 dreams alive.

If they can match their first period success against Fribourg, they stand a chance. Třinec's three goals in the first frame set them up nicely as David Kofroň, Aron Chmielewski, and Tomáš Marcinko all scored to give the Czech side a 3-0 advantage. But giving up four unanswered goals in the remaining stanzas dashed any hopes of the home team coming away with the victory. Now they enter Saturday’s tilt with the weight of their season on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, Leksands extended their record to 3-0 with a win over Slovan Bratislava as their future for the Round of 16 looks all but guaranteed. With their win over Slovan, the Swedish side are on track to competing in the Playoffs to begin their Champions Hockey League career. By the numbers, Leksands are comfortably outdoing Třinec in every metric - goals for (12) to (7), powerplay efficiency (25%) to (12.5%) and penalty kill percentage (100%) to (58.33%).

Leksands’ success can be attributed to their balanced offensive output, as they have received contributions from up and down their roster. Mikael Ruohomaa has thrree goals and two assists for five points in three games, while defenceman Matt Caito is sporting five points, as well, with one goal and four helpers.

Numbers aside, it will take an enormous effort for Třinec to climb out of their current situation. But, of course, impossibility isn’t in their vocabulary. If their first match-up, a close 3-2 contest, is any indicator, the Czech side are capable of competing against the Swedish side on any given game day. And they will have to if they want to continue playing hockey against Europe’s elite come fall.