Read below for information about the eighth-final series between Linköping HC and Sparta Prague. Linköping won 4–3 on aggregate to advance to the quarter-finals.

Game 2

With Sparta leading the game 2–1 and the series aggregate score tied late in the third period, it appeared overtime might be needed. But with a minute to play Sparta's Robert Sabolic had a glorious chance to win it but just missed on the backhand attempt. At the other end, with just two seconds on the clock, Jacob Micflikier banged home a loose puck in the slot to tie the game and win the series for Linkoping. Sparta got a goal in the game's first minute and it remained 1–0 after two periods, but the two teams exchanged goals near the middle of the third. For Linkoping it is a dramatic win and for Sparta a heartbreaking defeat.

"What can I say about this game?" a shocked Sparta coach Josef Jandac said after it was over. "I think my team played a good game but it was an unlucky break at the end and the luckier team is going on. We had some lineup problems in the home game because four of our players were unable to play due to injury. I think that's the main reason we're not going on." 

"It feels great," said smiling Jonas Junland. "We played a solid two games and we had a good chance to win at home. We played pretty well except for the first 10 minutes today. It was a rough start but we know we're a pretty good team. We were especially good defensively and our goaltending was great."

READ the live blog here | WATCH the highlights here

Taffe says Linköping "got a couple lucky bounces ... It was one of those games"

Game 1

On their home ice, Sparta out-shot Linkoping 29–18 but were unable to solve Marcus Hogberg until the 46th minute. By that time, Linkoping had goals from Jacob Micfliker and Mathias Karlsson. Lukas Cingel got one back for Sparta, which is big, as they cut the deficit to only one goal when the teams meet again next week in Linkoping. 

"We knew we'd have to play a really good away game to beat Sparta," said Linkoping assistant coach Magnus Havelid. "We had a lot of preparation before the game and we talked to the team about how we can do better especially on defence. I think we did a good job. We allowed just one goal and scored two. It was a tight game and good test for our team as it was 2–1 in the third. But that was just the first half. The game continues next week in Linkoping. We know we have to be ready because we aren’t done yet."

"I can’t say there wasn’t any effort on our side, but we weren’t able to score," said Sparta coach Josef Jandac. "We can’t win without scoring goals, so we surely can’t be satisfied. Of course, this was just the first half and the second one is going to take place in Linkoping. It might be better for us to play away at the moment, because we haven’t really been successful at home."

READ the live blog here | WATCH the highlights here

Rahimi & Mikus play internationally in the middle of Sparta – Linkoping series

Linkoping's Vrana back in his hometown: "It was such an emotional game"

Preview

Two group winners meet in this tie, which involves two teams that sit in the top five of their respective leagues. Linköping already beat Czech club HC Pardubice in both games in the group stage, while Sparta beat SHL club Växjö Lakers in both of their meetings in Group G. Both sides have scored well through the group stage, so netminding could become key over the two legs.

Closer look: Linköping HC

(4-1-0-1, 14 points, 20:10, 1st in Group F)

Linköping topped Group F ahead of TPS Turku, despite losing at home to the Finnish side. The Swedish club managed a shootout win in Turku and didn't lose any other games, which helped them finish in top spot, blanking Italian side HC Bolzano 5–0 in the process. In the SHL they sit in the middle of the pack in sixth out of 12 teams.

Jeff

Taffe

4+4, +2

 

CRAMO Top Scorer: With speed and the way he finds the open spaces, Jeff Taffe is always a threat. Good skating, good vision on the ice and dangerous passes make him one to watch, and he has four goals and four assists in the CHL so far. He's the primary playmaker on the line with snipers Broc Little and Jacob Micflikier.

 

Magnus

Johansson

0+3, +3

 

Top Defenceman: Linköping did not get any goals from the defence during the group stage and don't get a lot of offence from the back end in general, but they do have some who are good with the puck. Jonas Junland has 10 points in the SHL, all assists, and Magnus Johansson has three assists in the CHL, is a plus-3 and has fired 12 shots on goal in five games.

 

David

Rautio

93.88%

 

Top Goaltender: Marcus Hogberg played the majority of the CHL group stage games, and came through with a 92.47% save percentage, David Rautio recorded 93.88% in his two games. The pair rotated early on in the SHL, but Rautio has been the man of late, and has better numbers.

 

Click here for team statistics.

Closer look: Sparta Prague

(3-1-1-1, 12 points, 25:19, 1st in Group G)

Sparta Prague confirmed their place in this round with a last-day win over Adler Mannheim – eliminating the Växjö Lakers, who finished with the same point total as them. The 5–2 win in Sweden ultimately carried them through, although they were solid over the group stage. After a slow start to their Extraliga season, Sparta are now in their familiar spot battling for first.

Lukas

Pech

3+5, +4

 

CRAMO Top Scorer: Lukas Pech is a quality player with more than 500 games played in the Czech Extraliga. This forward is valued for his versatility – he scores goals, but also assists his teammates. Pech is one of the key players for Sparta in the Champions Hockey League so far, with eight points in six games. Also watch out for rookie Martin Reway, who has seven points.

Karel

Pilar

0+4, +3

 

Top Defenceman: Sparta has a lot of weapons from the back end, particularly veteran Karel Pilar with four points in the CHL. Also watch out for Adam Polasek and his big shot from the point.

 

Filip

Novotny

88.46 %

 

Top Goaltender: With a solid start in the Czech league, Filip Novotny can come up big for his team. In the CHL he only played two games, coming away with a 88.46 save percentage – something he’ll need to improve in the next round.

 

Click here for team statistics.

Related Links

09.10.2014 – Interview: Rolinek says Sparta "really happy we got through the group stage"

17.06.2014 – Interview: Homecoming King: Martin Reway returns to Prague to make pro debut