Sparta Prague host EV Zug at Hala Fortuna for the Return Game of the Round of 16, looking to respond after a difficult night in Switzerland. The First Game could hardly have started worse for the Czechs, as Zug struck early and often on their way to a 6-0 victory, taking firm control of the series. Due to injuries up and down the roster, the Czechs weren't at their best out on the road.

Zug’s opening period was decisive. The Swiss side scored four times in the first 20 minutes, with Grégory Hofmann setting the tone before Dominik Kubalík, Mike Künzle and Colin Sean Lindemann all added to the tally. Sparta struggled to settle into the game, spending long spells under pressure and unable to generate sustained offence of their own. 

Things didn’t ease up after the break, as David Sklenička and Fabrice Herzog added goals in the second and third periods to round out the win. At the other end, Leonardo Genoni posted a flawless outing, turning away all 16 shots for his sixth CHL shutout.

Zug now arrive in Prague with the momentum and a six-goal cushion. Their attack has been one of the most productive in the competition, led by Grégory Hofmann, Dominik Kubalík, Tomáš Tatar, and Andreas Wingerli, while their special teams continue to perform at a high level. With strong goaltending options and a balanced lineup, the Swiss side will look to manage the game and avoid giving Sparta any early belief.

For Sparta, the focus shifts to delivering a strong home performance in front of their supporters. Despite the First Game setback, the Czech side have shown quality throughout the CHL campaign. They’ve been defensively reliable, received timely scoring from Mārtiņš Dzierkals, Tomáš Hyka, and Roman Horák, and generally excelled at home. A positive start, discipline, and better puck management will be key if they hope to put Zug under any kind of pressure, given some of their star players make a timely return at home.

While overturning the aggregate score will be an immense challenge, Sparta will aim to restore pride, dictate the tempo on home ice, and make the visitors work for every shift. Zug, meanwhile, enter the night with one foot in the Quarter-Finals but will still need a mature and composed performance to finish the job.