4Nations Face-Off Exciting Line Combos Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMTE4MTEwNDUzMzc2NTQ3/2025-01-14_spa-fbk-103072-imag.jpg] In the first of two semifinal games between two league-leading teams, Färjestad Karlstad from Sweden stunned Czech club Sparta Prague 6-2 before 11,682 fans at O2 Arena in the Czech capital and will carry a commanding four-goal lead into their home game next week. Both of these teams came into this game red-hot domestically, both leading their respective leagues and neither having lost yet in 2025. Sparta came into the game having won seven Extraliga games in a row, while Färjestad has won five straight SHL games. Färjestad was led offensively in this game by Slovak winger Marián Studenič [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/after-8-years-in-north-america-marian-studenic-looks-forward-to-security-passionate-fans-in-sweden], who had a goal and three assists. Oskar Steen [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/oskar-steen-heading-home-signs-long-term-with-farjestad] scored two goals and, with 17 points, is now tied for the CHL scoring lead with Sven Andrighetto of ZSC Lions Zurich, who play tomorrow. Sparta outshot Färjestad 30-23 but Canadian Maxime Lagacé was very strong in goal and Färjestad was opportunistic on its chances. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvbKQ9STF4s[/embed] With the score tied 1-1 late in the first period, Färjestad controlled the puck down low and Joel Kellman backhanded a pass out front to Steen, who fired it past Josef Kořenář. Entering the third period, the score was 3-1 but a costly turnover at the Sparta blueline gave a breakaway to Studenič, who made no mistake. And midway through the third period, when Miroslav Forman gave Sparta a glimmer of hope by reducing the deficit to 5-2, Joel Nyström responded just 11 seconds later to restore the four-goal difference. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDULlKHB9Xs[/embed] Sparta opened its quarterfinal against the Växjö Lakers with a loss at home before coming back on the road, but that was only a one-goal deficit to overcome. Only one CHL team has ever overcome a four-goal deficit after one game, and that was Swedish team Leksands IF against KAC Klagenfurt from Austria in 2021-22. Färjestad now has a chance to make the Champions Hockey League final for the first time ever. The return leg goes next Tuesday at Löfsberg Arena in Karlstad starting at 19:00 CET. The other semifinal features two Swiss teams – defending CHL champion Genève-Servette hosts the ZSC Lions on Wednesday, with the return game going in Zurich next Tuesday.
