Antti Raanta Shutout Highlights First Legs Of Champions Hockey League Quarterfinals

Three of the Champions Hockey League's four quarterfinals saw their first games on Tuesday, with the Växjö Lakers from Sweden, Red Bull Salzburg from Austria and,Genève-Servette from Switzerland were all winning. The day's big stories were Michal Špaček scoring in his Sparta debut, albeit in a losing cause, and 35-year-old Antti Raanta recording his second shutout in his third CHL game.  

Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 – Växjö Lakers (SWE) 2

Debuting with his new team after signing a multi-year contract, Michael Špaček opened the scoring for Sparta in the 35th minute. Counting the 12 points he recorded with Genève-Servette, Špaček is in a three-way tie for the CHL scoring lead with 13. But less than three minutes after his goal, Sebastian Strandberg tied it. The opening leg appeared headed to a draw, but with Växjö applying pressure in the Sparta zone, Elias Rosé snapped home the go-ahead marker with two minutes to play. That gives the Lakers a one-goal advantage heading into their home game in the return leg.

These two teams met in the CHL semifinals in 2016-17, with Sparta winning.

Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) 3 – Färjestad Karlstad (SWE) 1

After going through the group stage and round of 16 unbeaten, Färjestad suffered its first defeat of the competition in Salzburg and, as a result, will need to outscore their opponent by three goals back in Karlstad to advance to the semis. The score was tied 1-1 after one period but second-period goals by Nash Nienhuis shorthanded and Scott Kosmachuk on the power play have made the difference in the aggregate score after one leg.

Salzburg advanced to the CHL semifinals in 2018-19 and are now a win, tie, or one-goal loss away from returning.

Genève-Servette (SUI) 4 – Pinguins Bremerhaven (GER) 0

Genève is the reigning CHL champion and looks in good shape to return to the final four. Bremerhaven outshot Genève 35-22 in this game but Antti Raanta was brilliant in goal, stopping everything he faced. In three CHL games since joining the team, the veteran Finn has two shutouts and has allowed only one goal. Ex-NHL defenseman Sami Vatanen led the offense with a goal and an assist.

These two teams are now headed back to where they began this CHL season, as Bremerhaven beat Genève 3-2 back on gameday 1 of the regular season. However, a one-goal home-ice win won’t be enough to this time for Pinguins.

Wednesday’s game:
Eisbären Berlin (GER) – ZSC Lions Zurich (SUI)

Return legs on Tuesday, Dec. 17:
Växjö Lakers (SWE) 2 – Sparta Prague (CZE) 1
Färjestad Karlstad (SWE) 1 – Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) 3
Pinguins Bremerhaven (GER) 0 – Genève-Servette (SUI) 4
ZSC Lions Zurich (SUI) – Eisbären Berlin (GER)