Kometa Brno host the Frölunda Indians in the first leg of this Champions Hockey League Quarter-Final between two of Europe’s most successful clubs in recent years. Frölunda have won two of the last three CHL titles and are perennial contenders in Europe’s best-ranked domestic league. Kometa have won back-to-back titles in the Czech Extraliga and are making their second-straight trip to the CHL Quarters. Historically, Kometa won three straight European club titles in the late 1960s but they haven't been back in Europe's final four since. 

As dominant as they’ve been in the CHL, Frölunda have had their share of trouble with Czech teams. Last season, they were knocked out by Bílí Tygři Liberec in the Round of 16 and two years ago, Sparta Prague took them to overtime in the Final.

Both of these teams have had their share of domestic troubles of late, although they play in two of Europe’s most competitive leagues and are both still very much in contention. Kometa have won only two of their last seven Extraliga games, and are coming off a 5-2 loss in Liberec on Sunday. They sit eighth in the 14-team league with 38 points in 24 games, but are only five points out of second place. Frölunda have won three of their last seven, but two of those were in extra time. Their most recent game was a 3-0 loss in Mora on Saturday, putting them fourth in the 14-team league with 38 points in 23 games, and are only four points out of first place.

Frölunda’s Ryan Lasch is the top scorer in both the SHL and CHL with 22 and 14 points, respectively. He played a huge factor in Frölunda’s advancement past HC Lugano in the Round of 16, producing four points in the return leg and scoring the aggregate-winning goal late in the third period.

Peter Mueller was Kometa’s biggest performer against Tappara Tampere in the Round of 16, recording four points over the two games. Mueller played for the Malmö Redhawks in 2015/16, so is somewhat familiar with Frölunda. As well, word is that veteran forward Martin Erat, who hasn’t played in any games yet this season, will return to play soon and might play in Tuesday night’s home game.