One of the biggest games of Game Day 6 was Pinguin Bremerhaven's clash with Sparta Prague on Tuesday. It was all to play for in north Germany, as heading into the game, no one was sure of Playoff qualification.
Sparta were top of the Group A standings with ten points, whilst Bremerhaven were second on nine. To make the situation worse, third-placed team, the Växjö Lakers, were also still in with a chance of stealing one of the Playoff spots if results were to go their way.
Both teams needed to pick up valuable points to make sure of their chances of Playoff qualification, but that wasn't how the night ended up panning out.
Sparta's Michal Moravčík scored early into the second period to give the visitors the lead. The Czechs added their second two minutes into the final period, before the hosts opened their scoring on the night with a late comeback goal ten minutes before the final buzzer.
It was tense for the remainder of the game, as picking up just a single point could have potentially resulted in Bremerhaven's Playoffs qualification, but two minutes before the final buzzer, Sparta's Patrik Prymula shattered any chances of a late equaliser with a cross-ice empty-net goal to make it 3-1.
Växjö, who were closely watching this game after doing all they could against TPS Turku, were ecstatic when the final buzzer sounded, as the result propelled them in front of Bremerhaven in the Group A standings and into the Playoffs.
We came up against a better team tonightPinguins Bremerhaven captain Mike Moore
„We had some chances but we came up against a better team tonight," said Pinguins Bremerhaven captain Mike Moore.
„Franz played well in net for us, but we came up short.“
„We can be proud of ourselves and proud of our fans who made the trip to every country.“
„We hope we represented Bremerhaven well.“
Moore also reflected on Bremerhaven's first taste of pan-European hockey: "Playing in the CHL has meant a lot for us. Five years ago we came into the DEL and now we are here.“
„It’s hard hockey in the CHL, but that’s what it’s all about. You play some of the best team’s in Europe and we want to have our name in that category“
„We were close to moving on this year but we can be proud of our effort.“
Sparta's Michal Moravčík played an important role in this match, scoring the first goal of the game and a goal that kickstarted his side's rush on the net.
„The atmosphere was amazing – the arena is quite small, but it was packed with fans and I really enjoyed playing here“
„We came with a plan to play well defensively and I think we stuck to that from start to finish."
I think we deservedly won.Sparta Prague's Michal Moravčík
"We only conceded a single goal and created chances on the other end, I think we deservedly won.“
Sparta are no CHL newcomers - the Czech Extraliga side are in their fourth season and have never failed to qualify for the Playoffs.
In 2016/17, the Czechs even made it all the way to the CHL Final, which is something they talked about replicating heading into this season. What does Moravčík think about their chances on doing that?
„I hope we can make the Final again,“ he said smiling.