Sparta Prague are on their way to face TPS Turku in Finland for their second game of the 2021/22 Champions Hockey League season. The Czech side lost their opening game against the Växjö Lakers 2-1, as did Turku, who were unexpectedly defeated by a determined Pinguins Bremerhaven side on their CHL debut. One team will end tonight with a win, but who will it be?

It could be Sparta. The Extraliga regular season winners outshot their Swedish rivals, who they had beaten four times prior in the CHL, but unnecessary time in the box cost them dear.

The Czech side looked tired as they lacked both offensively and defensively, often having to rely on the quick reactions of goaltender Alexander Salák. Up front, captain Michal Řepík was the only name on the Sparta score sheet, as the team from the Czech capital gave away passes, missed the target and were unnecessarily scared to shoot.

Head Coach Josef Jandač is aware of these shortcomings and will be focusing his team on keeping composure and avoiding unnecessary penalties ahead of their game against Turku.

Turku had a pretty solid game against Bremerhaven if you go by the stats. They outshot their opponents 38 to 23, kept the puck for long periods of play and didn’t pick up crazy penalty minutes. Yet Bremerhaven kept them out of the game, mostly by denying them chances after faceoffs.

And faceoffs are an area the Finns need to improve on if they want to control the game against Sparta a bit more.

All in all, this will be a big game for Group A as, ideally, both sides need to pick up points!