In this make-or-break match-up, Sparta Prague claimed redemption over Oceláři Třinec, defeating their fellow Czech challengers in this Champions Hockey League Round of 16 series 5-2 on aggregate. What they began last week, the visitors finished in this fixture as Sparta will return to the Quarter-Finals for the first time since the 2021/22 campaign.

In a period of errant passes and unforced icings, neither team seemed to have much going as the puck dropped in the Werk arena.

Late in the first frame, however, both clubs seemed to settle down and with 22 seconds left in the period, it was Valtteri Kemiläinen converting on the powerplay to give Sparta a 5-1 aggregate advantage and lead in the Return Game. The D-man positioned himself at the top of the triangle where he wired a shot through traffic to open the scoring.

In a second period where Třinec needed a response, the hosts were unable to mount any extended time in the offensive zone. Sparta's defence did well closing gaps and forcing the hosts outside into the low-danger areas. Whatever opportunities they did generate were effectively snuffed out by Jakub Kovář as the Czech netminder continued to deny his opponents' attempts on net.

Problems persisted for the hosts in the third period as the pressure continued to build with a four-goal aggregate deficit still hanging over their shoulders. Třinec were unable to exit their zone for stretches of play and this afforded Sparta more opportunities on the attack. Marek Mazanec managed to hold off the visitors' offensive, but the gap was too much for Třinec to overcome.

As time wound down on their season, the home side didn't do themselves any favours, racking up multiple penalties including a game misconduct from Petr Sikora, leaving Sparta with consecutive powerplays and even some 5-on-3 play.

Some consolation would eventually come to the struggling home side when Patrik Volas redirected a shot from Marko Daňo at 57:41. But the breakthrough came too little too late as Třinec, who ended the Regular Season in fourth place, exited in the Round of 16 for the second consecutive season.