Kladno, Czech Republic – In a thrilling contest that went to overtime, Rytíři Kladno defeated HC Sparta Praha 2-1 on Thursday, taking a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven Extraliga play-in series. A sold-out crowd of 5,200 at the Kladno Arena witnessed Niko Ojamäki score the decisive goal in a power play at 60:41, bringing Kladno within one victory of advancing to the quarterfinals.
The game, a fierce battle between rivals, followed a pattern established in the first three matchups of the series, with each contest requiring overtime to determine a winner. The atmosphere was electric as Kladno looks to continue its unexpected playoff run.
Ondřej Bláha opened the scoring for Kladno late in the second period, netting his first career Extraliga playoff goal. Sparta quickly responded with a goal from Michal Řepík, tying the game and setting the stage for a tense finish. The game remained tied through regulation, ultimately requiring Ojamäki’s clutch performance to decide the outcome.
“It was a hard-fought game, a real battle,” said Kladno coach Plekanec after the game, as reported by Czech News Agency (ČTK). “The guys showed a lot of character to come back and win in overtime, especially in front of such an amazing crowd.”
Sparta Facing Elimination
With the loss, Sparta now faces a precarious situation. They are one defeat away from being eliminated from the playoffs. The pressure is mounting on coach J. Nedvěd and his team to respond in Game 4, scheduled for Friday at 18:00 local time (17:00 UTC). The team will need to find a way to contain Kladno’s offensive momentum and improve their power play, which went scoreless in Thursday’s contest.
The series has been characterized by tight checking and strong goaltending. Jakub Kovář, Sparta’s netminder, faced a barrage of shots, but ultimately couldn’t prevent Ojamäki’s game-winning goal. Kladno’s Brízgala was equally impressive, stopping numerous Sparta attacks and keeping his team in the game.
Other Extraliga Playoff Results
Thursday similarly saw action in other Extraliga play-in series. HC Oceláři Třinec completed a sweep of HC Olomouc, winning 2-1 in overtime to secure a 3-0 series victory. Ondřej Kovařčík scored the winning goal for Třinec in a penalty kill situation at 61:37. Třinec, a perennial contender, will now face Hradec Králové in the quarterfinals. This marks Třinec’s ninth consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals, having lost in the semi-finals last season to Sparta.
HC Energie Karlovy Vary also advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating HC Vítkovice Ridera 2-1 in Ostrava to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Robin Sapoušek was the hero for Karlovy Vary, scoring both goals in the decisive game. They will face Liberec in the next round.
Finally, HC Kometa Brno took a 2-1 lead in their series against Banes Motor České Budějovice with a 4-2 victory on the road. Jakub Flek scored the power-play goal that sealed the win for the defending champions. The series continues Friday, with Brno looking to close out the series and advance.
Game Details: Kladno vs. Sparta
Rytíři Kladno – HC Sparta Praha 2:1 v prodl. (0:0, 1:1, 0:0 – 1:0)
Goals and Assists: 23. O. Bláha (Lisler), 61. Ojamäki (M. Marcel, M. Procházka) – 27. Řepík (Chlapík, Sirota).
Referees: Hribik, Hacaperka – Brejcha, Gerát.
Penalties: 5:5. Power Play: 1:0. Attendance: 5200 (sold out). Series Standings: 2:1.
What’s Next
Game 4 between Kladno and Sparta is scheduled for Friday, March 13th, at 18:00 local time (17:00 UTC) in Kladno. The game promises to be another intense affair, with Sparta desperately needing a win to avoid elimination. Fans can follow the game live on Czech Television (ČT) and through updates on the Extraliga’s official website.
The outcome of this series will have significant implications for the Extraliga playoffs, potentially opening the door for an underdog story if Kladno can pull off the upset. The other series will also continue Friday, with Karlovy Vary and Třinec already securing their spots in the quarterfinals.
What do you think? Can Sparta rally to force a Game 5, or will Kladno complete the series victory on Friday? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
