Rögle Ängelholm carry a three-goal aggregate lead back to Sweden as they’ll suit up for their Return Game against Sparta Prague.

In their First Game, the Czechs took an early lead off the stick of Erik Thorell and seemed to be the better team from the get-go. But Rögle were like a lion in wait as they found their footing and pounced on every opportunity to find twine, eventually putting five past Sparta netminder Matěj Machovský to take the game 5-2. Looking at their three-goal aggregate deficit, the Czechs, who boast one the better defences in the CHL, will look to reclaim that identity that helped them to the Quarter-Finals.

A strong showing on defence won’t suffice, however, as Sparta will need contributions from their domestic juggernauts Thorell, Filip Chlapík and captain Michal Řepík. While Řepík continues to pace the Czech side in the CHL with two goals and five assists for seven points, Thorell (2G, 1A) and Chlapík (3G,1A) will look to right the ship heading into the Return Game. Sparta could also benefit from a change in the crease as Machovský has dropped both of his CHL starts this season while conceding seven goals on 56 shots in those appearances. 

If Rögle have any issues heading into their home match-up against Sparta, scoring certainly isn’t one of them. The Swedish side led the CHL in PP% last week and, at least in that regard, nothing has changed. They also enjoy the second-highest Goals For with 35, and the third-highest Goals Per Game Average with 3.89. Looking at their roster, this club has scorers in spades in the likes of Ludvig Larsson and Adam Tambellini upfront while Lucas Ekeståhl Jonsson leads all blueliners with 12 points and is tied for third in league scoring. 

Generating goals might be the Swedes' strong suit, but defending their lead against a hungry team in Sparta Prague will be a Herculean task in and of itself as dropping consecutive decisions has been a rarity for the Czechs, with their last two contests being the sole exception. For Rögle to realize a Semi-Finals appearance, they'll need to stick to what's been their bread and butter this entire tournament - superb special teams, solid goaltending, and a balanced attack.