Mountfield HK and Kärpät Oulu finish up the Group F schedule in Hradec Králové, with Kärpät already through to the Round of 16 as group winners and Mountfield finishing their Champions Hockey League ride for this season. The two teams played in northern Finland a week ago with a lot on the line, and Kärpät secured their place in the next round with a narrow 3-2 win. That result also sealed Mountfield’s fate to finish outside the playoff picture for the second straight year. However, on their home ice in front of their passionate fans, they will want to go out on a high.

Despite their CHL troubles, Mountfield have been riding high in the Czech Extraliga, as they top the table with 23 points in 11 games. They have lost two of their last three domestic league games, however, most recently falling 3-2 in a shootout in Pilsen on Sunday. Kärpät also lead the Finnish Liiga standings, making this a match-up of two league leaders. In fact, Kärpät have won eight straight domestic encounters, most recently shutting out Vassan Sport 5-0 on Sunday, so they really are a team on fire right now.

Kärpät centres Nicklas Lasu, Michal Krištof and Rasmus Kupari are all among the CHL’s top scorers, while Tomáš Vincour continues to lead Mountfield with four points in four games.