For Sparta Prague, this is their second trip to the CHL Semi-Finals, with their first back in 2016/17 seeing them make the Final, while for Färjestad Karlstad, it's their very first time among the Top 4 in seven seasons on Europe's biggest club ice hockey stage. Both clubs have had long and twisty journeys to this point of the season, but their Semi-Finals clashes in December proved their toughest fights yet. 

Czech Extraliga side Sparta had to take the decision of who made it to the next round into an extra frame after a spectacular late comeback against a resilient Växjö Lakers side. On the other hand, Färjestad were stunned by a 3-1 loss in the First Game of their Quarter-Finals match-up against Red Bull Salzburg, but rebounded nicely in the Return Game, putting six past Atte Tolvanen in a convincing 6-0 win that saw them take the series 7-3 on aggregate. This result was punctuated by another standout performance from  Oskar Steen who registered three points on the night (1G, 2A) as the 26-year-old continues to produce for a potent Swedish club that sits second in wins this season with eight.

Still, Steen, who now has four goals and ten assists for 14 points through ten games CHL played, was not the only reason the Swedish side was able to move on to their first Semi-Finals appearance. Färjestad's success was also a product of their penchant for rising to the challenge in tense situations - something they've done with aplomb all season long.

Notwithstanding their follow-up performance against Salzburg, the Swedes have found ways to close out close contests as they've managed to win by two or fewer goals dating back to their Game Day 3 derby against Fehérvár AV19 where they defeated the Hungarians 3-1.

Having that ability to find ways to win could continue to prove vital for the Swedes moving forward. Add to that their first-ranked defence, which is only allowing 1.80 goals against per game and you have a confident club that only seems to be gaining more momentum.

The pendulum, however, swings both ways. This spells true for a Sparta club that was all but out of their QF series when Växjö Lakers' captain Joel Persson extended his club's advantage with less than five minutes to go in regulation. But some gutsy play coupled with a little bit of puck luck would not only help the Czechs eventually secure the equaliser, but also a dramatic OT game-winner courtesy of Jani Lajunen.

For Sparta, staying consistent has been an issue all season long as evidenced by their 5-1-4 record. Yet, like Färjestad, the Czechs have also excelled at playing desperate hockey when the situation demands it. While their offence continues to look for improvement, their defence continues to be among the best in the league and their netminders remain rock solid. Since giving up three tallies to Eisbären Berlin back on Game Day 4, Sparta's netminders have held their opponents to two or fewer goals, with the other exception being their most recent contest against Växjö.

Sparta's defence and goaltender need to be on red alert when high-scoring Färjestad, with an average nearing four goals a game, come to town. The Swedes are also impressively strong on the powerplay, but the Czechs would do well to strike while the Regular Season Winners are on the penalty kill!