A three-goal buffer for Czech side Vítkovice Ridera provided a huge advantage as they welcomed first-time Champions Hockey League Playoffs qualifiers the Lahti Pelicans to the Ostravar Aréna in Czechia.

The Return Game action opened with an intense first period saw the hosts gain an early lead through Top Scorer and club captain Dominik Lakatoš, and close out the game with a 4-1 win on aggregate. Matěj Machovský was on point for his side making 29 saves to ring in the victory.

The win for the Czech Extraliga side means they've earned a coveted place into the CHL Quarter-Finals, a feat they last managed way back during their 2016/17 campaign!

Period one unfolded with Lahti's Top Scorer Aatu Jämsen millimetres from scoring after a bobbling puck bounced within striking distance of the net. His efforts weren't in vain though, as they drew a hooking call on defenceman Matěj Prčík giving the Pelicans the first powerplay of the night. The Finns looked dangerous as Swedish forward Lars Bryggman came dangerously close to scoring.

A hooking penalty called on Lakatoš gave man-advantage number two to the Finns, but they were staved off by the hosts. 

Another hooking penalty saw blueliner Petteri Riihinen sent to the box, and the Czechs wasted no time maintaining their top-ranked powerplay. Lakatoš lit the lamp less than a minute into the play to put his side up 1-0. The wrist shot rifled in from the right side, bested the glove side of Jasper Patrikainen to extend the aggregate lead (4-0) with less than 12 seconds before the period intermission.

With the side from Czechia in a commanding position, the Pelicans would kick off the second period by killing off the tail end of their penalty and in turn sent every loose puck in Machovský's direction.

A call in favour of Vítkovice saw the Pelicans shorthanded again but Patrikainen was stunning coming up with save after save. With even-strength play resuming, and less than half the game remaining, a high-sticking call on Marek Kalus was good fortune, but frustratingly unproductive for the Finnish visitors who were having no luck with their powerplay.

Bryggman had one of the best chances of the second stanza pulling the trigger on Machovský, but it clipped the helmet of the netminder and Vítkovice would close the period with their one-goal lead intact. 

Nathan Schnarr would be the man to net the 1-1 equaliser for the Pelicans at 44:10. The powerplay goal which was hammered in on the doorstep of Machovský brought renewed energy for the Finns, who had been kept scoreless for two periods.

Things nearly went awry for the visitors after Patrikainen played a puck which was turned over directly in front of his crease. Lucky to come away unscathed, the Pelicans would have to hold off another Vítkovice powerplay losing precious offensive minutes.

With less than two minutes remaining, and the game slipping out of reach for the Pelicans, the goalie was pulled in a last-ditch effort to gain ground. Despite the additional man, Vítkovice managed to intercept the play and shovel three long-distance dishes at a wide-open Pelicans net. The final buzzer would sound 1-1 in favor of Vítkovice who closed out their Round of 16 4-1 on aggregate. 

The loss is a bitter end for the Pelicans who managed a stunning Regular Season run, and faced the adversity of a three goal deficit heading into their Return Game. For Vítkovice a new door opens to the next stage of the Playoffs.