When these two teams met last Friday, Danish champions Aalborg Pirates gave Sparta Prague a bit of a surprise, twice coming from behind and upsetting the Czech Extraliga runners-up 3-2 in the Czech capital. While it can’t be said that Sparta took their guests lightly in that opening game, one has to assume that they will be better prepared for the Danish team’s speed in the rematch.

Two days later, Sparta again fell 3-2 on home ice, this time to Luleå Hockey from Sweden, meaning that the Czech team now finds itself in quite a hole – still sitting on zero points with three of four games remaining. Therefore, it’s pretty much a given that Sparta must win this game if they’re to entertain any hope of advancing beyond the Group Stage.

As for Aalborg, they visited Jukurit Mikkeli in Finland in their second game and fell 5-3. That gives them three points and some reason for optimism heading into two home contests. Looking ahead to the fact that they will finish the Group Stage with two games against a tough Luleå side, they will no-doubt be looking to take as many points as possible from these next two games to give themselves a decent chance to become the first Danish team to advance. The Pirates are currently tied for second in Group A with Jukurit on three points each. Both teams trail Luleå, who are so far perfect with six.

Through two games, Aalborg’s offensive leader is defenceman Anders Koch with three points, all assists. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Pirates go back to George Sørensen, who stopped 24 of 26 shots against Sparta last time. Sparta’s offensive leaders are linemates Michal Řepík and Jan Buchtele, who each figured in on both Sparta goals against Aalborg.