- Michael Špaček scored the game-winning goal and recorded 2+1 on the night
- Frölunda scored three on the powerplay
- Mladá Boleslav put up a very good performance, but leave without a point
Frölunda Gothenburg came up against a rejuvenated BK Mladá Boleslav side that put on a great show against the reigning CHL Champions. The Czechs scored first and were in the game throughout the entire 60 minutes, but a late powerplay cost them points as Michael Špaček fired in his second of the night to win Frölunda the game.
There was no time to waste in Sweden, as from the moment the puck hit the ice, the game was on. Ondřej Najman opened the scoring on the night for the away team on the powerplay. The Czech sniper took the puck from the corner and fired it into the Frölunda net from close range 11 minutes in.
Mladá Boleslav defensive duo Martin Ševc and Pavel Pýcha both got called 16 minutes in and offered an active Frölunda side the perfect opportunity to tie the game level during a two minute five-on-three powerplay. And that’s exactly what they did – Jacob Nilsson launched the puck into the top of the net from right in front of the goaltender after a lovely pass from teammate Ryan Lasch.
The second period left of right where the first ended. Frölunda were on the puck a lot, playing high up the ice and peppering the away team net with shot after a shot. A two minute slashing penalty for Adam Zbořil gave the Swedes a bit of extra space and they punished them with another goal on the powerplay.
Mladá Boleslav were quick with the comeback, as just four minutes later the score was 2-2, thanks to a lovely long range shot from Pavel Kousal that bounced its way into Matthew Tomkins’ net to round out the second period action.
Frölunda scored another goal early into the third period. This time it was Michael Špaček who found the back of the net on the rebound after a lovely solo effort by Jan Mursak.
Mladá Boleslav goaltender Jan Růžička had a lot going on in the third period. He pulled off save after save and kept his side in the game. The Czechs tied the game at 48:31 and as the minutes ticked away it looked like the game was heading to OT, but a late powerplay for Frölunda tipped the balance in their favour and the extra skater on the ice helped them find the space to create they needed.
After some lovely combination play in front of the Mladá Boleslav net, Michael Špaček fired the game-winning goal home with just thirty seconds of game time left as Frölunda sealed all three points and sent the Czechs onto their next away game with nothing.