- Only one point between the teams in the Regular Season Standings
- Třinec looking for second win on home ice
- Netminders will be ones to watch
A late game-tying goal from Oceláři Třinec's Daniel Kurovský would send them and Färjestad Karlstad to OT, but it would be the Swedes who came away the victors as they defeated the Czech side 3-2. Unia Oświęcim's win was much more decisive as they took down the Straubing Tigers 4-1.
Despite the loss, the Czech side has been successful so far this campaign, sporting a 3-2 record with their two losses being two close decisions. Taking on a tough opponent in Färjestad, forced Třinec to reevaluate some areas of their game, and while the Swedes did dictate play for stretches of the contest, the Czechs were able to contend for most of the match and, again, keep the game close thanks to excellent netminding from Marek Mazanec.
While being one of the more capable backstops in the tournament, Mazanec's play this season has been inconsistent. Of the netminders that have played three or more games, the 33-year-old is in 12th place, compiling a 92.86 SV% and a 2.33 GAA with a 1-2 record. If he does get the call against Oświęcim, another effort like his most recent could bode well for a Třinec team looking to make it the Round of 16 for a second straight year.
The Polish side shocked their German challengers when they ochestrated a convincing win against a Straubing team that entered their Game Day 5 contest having recently dispatched one of the stronger clubs in Dynamo Pardubice. Despite being outshot 48-21, Oświęcim came away with the win and are in contention for a Playoff place, trailing Třinec by just a single point.
Like Mazanec for Třinec, Linus Lundin for the Poles was the difference maker, stopping 47 of 48 shots en route to Oświęcim's second victory. But also like Mazanec, Lundin has been inconsistent, sporting similar numbers despite playing two more games - 92.52 SV% and a 3.18 GAA and a 2-3 record. If his play against the Germans is any indication, though, the Polish side have a chance to ochestrate another upset and advance to the Playoffs in their Champions Hockey League debut.