Thanks to a brilliant goaltending performance from Alexander Salák, Sparta Prague will take a two-goal lead home after a 3-1 road win over Skellefteå AIK.

Sparta started off with more energy with Erik Thorell getting an early chance and then Filip Chlapík opening the scoring at 1:01 when he swept in a rebound after Radek Jeřábek’s point shot. But for the rest of the first period it was all Skellefteå, who had the only two power plays and great scoring chances by Stefan Loibl and Tom Kühnhackl, but couldn’t equalise.

Skellefteå finally capitalised on their third power play early in the second period, when Oscar Nilsson perfectly served up a one-timer from Oscar Möller that beat Salák on the short side. Otherwise, the Sparta goalie was brilliant on the night, however, keeing Sparta tied until they could take the lead in the last minute of the second period. As time ticked away, Thorell unleashed a shot that missed the net, but the puck rebounded off the end boards to Tomáš Pavelka, who put it in the near side before Strauss Mann could slide across.

Sparta led 2-1 heading into the third period despite being outshot 26-9, and that trend continued into the third period with Salák making saves until Thorell was able to widen the lead midway through the third, taking a beautiful wrister from the top of the circle that went top corner on a screened Mann.

Skellefteå were unable to mount much of an offensive the rest of the way, meaning they’ll have their work cout out for them when they travel to the Czech Republic next week.