Plzeň vs. Sparta: Hockey Playoff Prediction & Analysis | Tipsport

Filip Chlapík scored the winning goal in overtime as Sparta Prague defeated Kladno 3-2 on Sunday, securing their place in the quarterfinals of the Czech Tipsport Extraliga playoffs. The goal, scored at 76:54 in the extra period while on a power play, ended a 28-year drought for Sparta in decisive playoff games.

The victory over Kladno, a series marked by intense competition, sets up a quarterfinal matchup against Plzeň, who finished second in the regular season. The first game of the series is scheduled to be played in Plzeň on Wednesday.

The game remained tightly contested throughout, with Sparta initially taking the lead in the 23rd minute through a goal by Roman Horák. Kladno responded in the second period with a goal from Daniel Audette, and later took the lead in the 53rd minute courtesy of Martin Procházka. With just under three minutes remaining in regulation time, Devin Shore scored for Sparta, forcing the game into overtime.

According to Sparta coach Jaroslav Nedvěd, the series against Kladno was closely fought. “The series was balanced and one winner emerged. That’s us. I must praise the qualities of our opponent and send a big thank you to our locker room,” Nedvěd said following the match.

Kladno coach Tomáš Plekanec acknowledged his team’s strong performance but lamented the late-game collapse. “Excellent performance from the boys, incredibly hard-working. For most of the game, we were the better team, going for it. Unfortunately, we conceded the lead unluckily just before the finish. Overtime decided by two penalties, Sparta punished one of them,” Plekanec stated.

The win marks Sparta’s sixth consecutive appearance in the league’s quarterfinals, though the club has not secured a championship title since 2007. The team will now turn its attention to preparing for the challenge posed by Plzeň, a team known for its strong defensive record, having conceded an average of just two goals per game during the regular season.

The other quarterfinal pairings are Pardubice versus Kometa Brno, Mountfield Hradec Králové against Třinec, and Karlovy Vary versus Liberec.