After winning 2-1 in Sweden last week, Sparta Prague start the return game of the CHL Semi-Finals against the Vaxjo Lakers with a one-goal lead on aggregate.

Sparta Prague vs Vaxjo Lakers (2-1)

O2 Arena, 18:30 CET

Referees: Tobias Wehrli (SUI), Mark Lemelin (USA)

Sparta Prague and the Vaxjo Lakers renew acquaintances at O2 Arena on Tuesday in the return game of their Semi-Final. On the strength of their 2-1 win in Vaxjo last week, Sparta enter the game with a one-goal lead on aggregate. While they're pleased with that, they think it could have been more.

See highlights, statistics and a recap of the first game here.

“We played at a high level, and fairly hard. It's just too bad that we didn't convert more of our chances because we could have had a larger lead,” said Sparta head coach Jiri Kalous. “But it's also true that they had their chances, too, and we got great goaltending from Tomas Popperle.”

Popperle stopped 22 of 23 Lakers shots, not beaten until late in the third period on Josh Hennessy's wrap-around. Prior to that, Sparta had scored twice in the first period and threatened for for more in the second, but Viktor Andren wouldn't allow it. Both teams will continue to rely on their goalies in the second leg.

“We did what we set out to do in the first game in Vaxjo, but we know that they're really come at us with a strong response,” Kalous continued. “It'll be hard, but not unmanageable, which is the same thing I said before the first game.”

“We need a little more energy and more speed in our game,” said Vaxjo top scorer Robert Rosen. “We had a little luck and some skill in our penalty killing to hold them off from scoring another goal. There is one game left to turn this around for us. If we show that we want to win this and play with the speed and energy that we have in the SHL lately, then we have a great chance to still win this.”

In the SHL, the Lakers have now won eight games in a row, with two more wins since the first leg of the Semi-Finals. Sparta have also won their two interim league games, so it'll be a battle of two teams that are playing well and full of confidence.

Sparta's fans are also excited about the game, with a crowd of more than 10,000 expected in the Czech capital. That will surely be a boost to the home team, but the visitors are looking forward to it as well.

“I think It's gonna be a great atmosphere and crowd in Prague,” said veteran Lakers forward Ville Leino, who has played before his share of large audiences in the NHL, KHL and NLA. “We have great challenge ahead of us and a great chance to advance to the CHL Final.”