- Växjö score both goals on the powerplay
- Sparta Captain Michal Řepík scores his team's only goal of the match seconds before the final buzzer
- Deserved win for Växjö who outshoot Sparta 40 to 28
The Växjö Lakers deservedly beat a tired Sparta Prague side that looked rusty both offensively and defensively during the opening game of Group A. Växjö scored both their goals on the powerplay, whilst Sparta’s sole goal of the game came just seconds before the final buzzer.
Both Sparta and Växjö were cautious after the opening puck drop of the game as things got off to a slow start in Sweden. Eight minutes in, Erik Josefsson from the home side got called for tripping but Sparta failed to utilise their two-minute powerplay.
At 14:00, Ladislav Zikmund made Sparta’s first mistake of the game and was sent off the ice for two minutes. Unlike their opponents, Växjö made good use of the extra man on the ice, as 22-year-old forward Olle Lycksell blasted home a powerful one-timer giving the home side the lead.
Växjö’s momentum was evident as they returned for the second period – they seemed to be everywhere, fighting for every puck and capitalising on each Sparta mistake. The Swedes hit the post just a few minutes in and Alexander Salák was forced to pull off a big save on the rebound.
David Němeček’s two plus two for checking to the head/neck didn’t help matters, as just seconds into the powerplay, Julius Nättinen slotted home his first of the season giving Sparta a lesson in how not to defend with a man down. The rest of the second period saw goaltender Salák constantly in action as Michal Moravčík and co. fended off attack after attack.
Sparta had two powerplays midway through the final period but failed to find the back of the net on both occasions. Though they kept the puck at the Växjö end of the ice for the majority of the period, the home team's deep defending and a few good saves from goalie Janis Kalnins kept the score in Växjö's favour.
Two minutes before the final buzzer, Salák left his net and an extra skater jumped on for the away team. The game looked done and dusted but with just six seconds to go, Sparta Captain Michal Řepík found the top of the net, scoring a lovely consolation goal for the Czech side.