This is the last Group A game for both of these teams, with both Sparta Prague and Jukurit Mikkeli knowing their fate in the Champions Hockey League’s Group Stage. It will also be the only meeting between the two teams. Last week, a mechanical issue with the charter flight that Sparta had opted for to take them to Finland resulted in a forfeit win for Jukurit. As a result, Jukurit secured a place in the Round of 16 and Sparta were eliminated.

Sparta and the Aalborg Pirates are tied for third place in Group A with three points each, and therefore whichever team gains more points on Game Day 6 will avoid the group basement. With nine points, Jukurit are six points back of group leaders Luleå Hockey, and therefore will finish second, but will look to go into the Playoff Stage on a winning note.

Despite missing a game and the team’s lack of production overall, Sparta captain Michal Řepík is 11th in CHL scoring with seven points in four games. In fact, Sparta have the seventh-best powerplay in the CHL at 25.00 percent. On the other side, Jukurit have the competition’s fourth-best penalty kill at 92.31 percent. No Jukurit player has more than four points, attained by Niko Huuhtanen, Pekka Jormakka and Juhamatti Aaltonen.

Since last week’s travel misadventure, Sparta played once domestically, beating Motor České Budějovice 3-2 in overtime on Friday night. They sit fourth in the Extaliga standings with 14 points. Jukurit also played once, losing 4-3 to Kärpät Oulu. With 11 points in 10 games, they sit 13th in the Liiga standings.