A better showing by KalPa Kuopio was dwarfed by an equally impressive showing courtesy of Brynäs IF, who entered their Return Game of this Champions Hockey League Quarter-Finals series leading by four goals on aggregate. The Swedes found the net three as they ended the series 8-3 in aggregate scoring and will continue their 2025/26 campaign into the new year.

KalPa made a dent in their four-goal aggregate deficit just 18 seconds into their first man-advantage of the night. Juuso Mäenpää dished a feed through traffic which Jaakko Rissanen promptly one-timed into the back of the net to draw first blood.  

The hosts were successful in governing the pace of play during the first period, outshooting Brynäs 13 to 6. Powerplay tally aside, however, the Swedes maintained their aggregate lead 5-2 following the first 20 minutes.

Special teams continued to be the difference maker for both teams. This time, it was the Swedes retrieving their four-goal aggregate lead on the powerplay when Nicklas Bäckström punched the puck towards Johan Larsson, who was parked at the top of the crease, as he guided it into the back of the net at 35:15.

Then, with just 19 seconds left in the period, Mattias Norlinder increased his club's lead to a five-goal aggregate margin when he capitalised on a nifty cross-ice backhand feed from Axel Jonsson-Fjällby. The 25-year-old defenceman skated in all alone near the top circle where he collected the puck and swept one low glove past Talyn Boyko.

The hosts' powerplay found twine again when Konsta Kapanen scored his team's second of the night and third on aggregate at 50:06. 

But Brynäs eventually answered back when Norlinder secured his second of the night, rifling it past the netminder to help cement his team's place in the Semi-Finals.