Both Kometa Brno and EV Zug are headed to the Playoffs following the Czech champions’ 4-3 road victory.

The game got off to a frantic start with the teams trading goals in the opening three minutes.

It took the home side just 27 seconds to open the scoring when Tobias Geisser’s one-timer from the point beat Kometa goaltender Jan Kavan.

Just over two minutes later, Jan Erkt tried to beat Zug goalie Tim Wolf with a backhander off the rush. The Zug keeper kept it out, but was unable to cover it before David Moravec followed up and knocked it in.

Kometa took the lead in the 12th minute. On the power play, Danny Chludil’s shot deflected off the skate of 16-year-old Michal Hartl. Following a video review, the goal was allowed to stand.

After an evenly-played opening period, Zug dominated the middle frame, outshooting Kometa 20-11, but Kavan came up big in goal on several occasions. Midway through the period, the young goalie made a brilliant glove save off of veteran Tomáš Tatar.

However, Tatar would finally beat Kavan with 3:48 to go in the middle frame when he received a pass in the slot from Czech defenceman David Sklenička and backhanded it past the Kometa goalie.

With 12:41 to play, Kometa regained the lead on a 2-on-1, with Moravec scoring his second of the game converting a pass from Ekrt. Then Jakub Kos made it 4-2 and it looked like Kometa had the game firmly in hand.

Veteran Czech Jan Kovář got Zug back within a goal with 4:04 to play on a shot that went off Kovan’s mask and in. The goal came on a delayed penalty, which meant Zug went to the powerplay after the goal with a chance to tie it.

However, Zug were unable to score with the man advantage, or with Wolf on the bench for an extra attacker, and Kometa held on to win.