A hard shot on net by Kometa misses just nearly

Kometa holding Sparta in their own zone

Sparta's attack pushed back at the redline by Kometa

Kometa manage to regain the puck and get into offensive zone but Sparta quickly puts down any chances

Sparta wins the faceoff and carries the puck back behind their net before breaking out and down the ice

Kometa won the faceoff and pulled back into their own zone before rushing forwards. A good chance was created but the referees called a disputable offside on Kometa

Sparta regrouped back in the neutral zone but called offside as they attempted to gain the offensive zone

Sparta attempted to get into Kometa's zone but play was stopped as the puck was swatted down on a high sticking

Puck is dumped into middle ice and Kometa quickly rush the zone but the shot goes wide and back out around the boards

Sparta win the faceoff but are pushed back into their own zone

Offside called to Kometa

Kometa continue to control the play and rush forwards again on a 2on2

Sparta was able to dump the puck but Kometa quickly took control and rushed forwards again, getting several chances on rebound in front of the Sparta net

Kometa won the faceoff and right away started up the ice and a hard slapshot from the left circle narrowly missed the net

Another quick attempt by Kometa goes wide of the net

Sparta wins the faceoff but Kometa manages to get the puck up ot middle ice

The sold out crowd of 7200 people are shouting and cheering Kometa on to score another goal for the win :)

Visiting team timeout.

Sparta's breakout ends up behind the Kometa net but there it's quickly taken away by the Kometa defencemen who are then forced to ice the puck

Sparta regroups behind their net after Kometa's dump-in

Kometa races up on a 3on2 but the shot narrowly misses the net!

Kometa has definitely gained momentum by tying the game and are now trying to get another quick goal by shooting from all angles

Kometa dump the puck back in

Faceoff won by Kometa but the pas up middle ice is deemed offside by the ref and Kometa has to turn back

Puck dumped in by Sparta and Kometa is forced to ice the puck due to the forechecking by Sparta

a 3on2 for Kometa is stopped as the Spartan defence manage to poke the puck back

Sparta gains the offensive zone and hold the puck in the corner

Another odd-man rush by Sparta is covered by Kometa's defense

Sparta wins the faceoff but don't get farther than the offensive blueline as Kometa dumps the puck back in

Offside called on Kometa

Puck dumped in by Kometa and cleared out by Sparta again

Kometa shoots the puck into the offensive zone but it's quickly carried back out by Sparta

Puck is dumped in by Sparta after the faceoff but Kometa manages to break out

Offside called on Sparta as they try to regain the zone after Kometa clears it out

Sparta manages to get the puck out and race down the ice to crash the net but Trvaj holds on for the whistle

Kometa again dumps and chases the puck, this time recovering it behind the net but all their passes out front are blocked

Faceoff won by Sparta who quickly carry the puck to middle ice

Play is whistled down as Melichercik holds on to the loose puck.

Kometa manages to dump the puck into the offensive zone but can't regain control of it

Another shot on net by Sparta set aside by Trvaj

Sparta are holding the puck in Kometa's corner and not letting them break out of their own zone, getting several shots on net but none dangerous to Trvaj

A mistake at their own blueline leaves Kometa's defense in a 3on1 situation but luckily the puck is cleared out by Trvaj

Kometa is still unable to get the puck anywhere near Melichercik and after a dump in by Sparta are forced to ice the puck

Sparta dumps the puck into the zone again and Kometa regroups behind the net

Kometa break out and get to the net but lose the puck

Sparta dumps and chases the puck into the offensive zone

Kometa manages to turn the play around again but the pass misses the forward rush and Sparta's goalie holds on to the loose puck

Weak attempt by Kometa to gain the offensive zone is turned around by Sparta quickly

Sparta manages to dump the puck up the ice forcing Kometa to regroup at their blueline

Kometa drive the puck into the corner but the puck is swatted loose by Sparta back to the blueline for a shot by Kometa's defencemen. The shot however goes up over the glass

Sparta rush down the ice but Trvaj holds on to the puck shot from the blueline for the whistle

Kometa is desperately trying to get the tying goal but Sparta is focusing on a tight defense to hold the lead

Kometa are able to dump the puck into the corner and hold it there. A pass out front to the net is intercepted by Sparta's goalie who holds on for the whistle.

Kometa dumps the puck back in but Sparta quickly regains control rushing up the ice and sending the puck into the corner but Kometa's defence are there first and get the puck back into the neutral zone

Kometa wins the faceoff but don't get a shot off from the point before Sparta is able to gain control and break out

Kometa apply pressure in the offensive zone forcing Sparta to ice the puck

Visiting team at full strength.

Kometa dumps the puck and are circling the puck around

Kometa on the powerplay. They manage to get the puck into Sparta's corner bur are having trouble creating any chances as Sparta dumps the puck down the ice

Home team at full strength.

Kometa break out but are called offside on the offensive blueline

Sparta breaks out of their zone but are stopped at the redline but then manage to dump the puck in

Kometa finally manages to dump the puck down the ice

Sparta continued to circle the puck in the offensive zone but Kometa managed to block almost all of the shots

Another hard shot off a pass from behind the net blocked by Trvaj

Sparta gained the offensive zone after winning the faceoff and Trvaj had to cover up a hard shot from between the slots

Sparta kept up the pressure, not allowing Kometa to get farther than the redline, forcing them to ice the puck

Kometa regrouped behind their net and attempted to break out but Sparta successfully pushed them back with good forechecking

Kometa won the faceoff at the start of the period but both teams couldn't make good on their chances to break into the offensive zone as the puck mainly stayed in the neutral zone.

Kometa continue to apply pressure but can't get any shots off

Kometa wins the faceoff and manage to keep the puck in the offensive zone, circling it around the boards in the corner

Sparta regroups behind their net and go on the break out but the pass between the lines misses it's mark and icing is called

Kometa gained the offensive zone and circled in the corner but weren't able to hold on to the puck for long

Kometa wins the faceoff but Sparta manage to poke the puck out of the zone

Icing by Sparta

Emotions are running high after no penalty was called against Sparta on several situations that were clearly penalties

Kometa controlled the puck in the offensive zone but the pass to the slot was blocked and Sparta managed to break out down the ice

Offside called on Sparta

Beautiful chance off a Sparta's defensive mistake for Kometa but the shot goes through the goalie's pads but misses the net

Sparta applied pressure after the faceoff but Kometa managed to clear their zone

Kometa wins the faceoff but the puck is iced again as the pass goes wide and is cleared down the ice

Icing by Kometa

Sparta fouling Kometa's players in Sparta's zone but no call was made

Kometa's defence effectively block their attempt and get the puck back into Sparta's zone

Kometa wins the faceoff but Sparta regains control and rush down the ice

Melichercik covers up a loose puck for the whistle

Visiting team at full strength.

Sparta manage to dump the puck into the neutral zone

Kometa tries to get the puck out in front of the net from behind but Sparta manages to ice the puck

Kometa win the faceoff and circle the puck back to the point for a shot that was deflected wide

Kometa dump the puck but Sparta breaks out and gains the offensive zone

A single Sparta player tries to crash the net with the puck but Trvaj covers up

Sparta dumps the puck into the offensive zone but Kometa quickly dump the puck back into the neutral zone

Kometa turns the play around and crash the Sparta net but no good chance evolves from the situation

Sparta regains control of the puck and rush down the ice but don't get a shot off

Visiting team at full strength.

Faceoff in front of the Sparta net won by Kometa who quickly get the puck to the point for a shot thats blocked

Melichercik covers up the puck after Kometa manage to get several dangerous shots on net that could of been golden chances

A quick pass from the blueline to the slot is sent on the Sparta net but the goalie deflects the puck into the netting behind him

Another attempt by Kometa failed as Sparta ices the puck

Sparta ices the puck after narrowly escaping several chances by Kometa

Home team at full strength.

Penalty to Michal Bros for interference (Sparta)

Sparta dumps the puck in and try to fight it out in the corner

Sparta turned away again at the blueline and Kometa manages to dump the puck down the ice

Sparta regroup but don't get past mid-ice

Kometa wins the faceoff but the puck is stuck in the corner as players fight for it. Kometa is able to ice the puck

Trvaj holds on to the puck for the whistle as Sparta continues to shoot and crash the net

Sparta wins the faceoff and are trying to set up in the zone for a shot from the point

Kometa gains the offensive zone but dont' manage to threaten the Spartan net

Play stopped as Trvaj covers up a dumped puck

Sparta wins the faceoff, passes the puck back to the point for a shot but the shot is blocked and deflected into the neutral zone

Play whistled down as a wild shot from the point is deflected up over the glass

Sparta breaks out after winning the faceoff and gain the offensive zone

Kometa wins the faceoff but have a hard time getting the puck out of their zone. They manage to rush up the ice, but the shot is deflected into the netting

Trvaj holds on to a loose puck and stops play

Sparta wins the faceoff and quickly race up crashing the net but Trvaj handles the load and players fight over the loose puck in front of the net

Puck dumped in by Kometa but Melichercik covers up the loose puck before any one can get to it

Sparta manages to clear their zone and dump the puck

Kometa continue to hold the offensive zone, shooting from every angle possible

Kometa attempts to break out but are stopped in the neutral zone and Sparta dumps the puck back in

Play whistled down in front of Trvaj as he covers up another chance by Sparta

Sparta gets a quick start off the faceoff and attack Kometa's net but Trvaj turns them aside

Kometa wins the faceoff but Sparta manages to keep the puck in the zone

Sparta continue to dominate play in Kometa's zone

Sparta gain control of the puck in the offensive zone and pass it cross ice to a player by himself but doesn't get a good shot off

Another mistake by Sparta's defence on the offensive blueline but manage to dump the puck back in

Sparta wins the faceoff and race up the ice but are pushed towards the corner and the shot deflects into the netting

Icing by Sparta again

Kometa win the faceoff and manage a shot from a wide angle but that bounces wide

Icing to Sparta

Sparta turns the play around and dump the puck

Kometa finally get the puck out and carry into Sparta's zone but don't get a shot off

Kometa manages to get the puck out to the neutral zone but Sparta dumps it back in

Home team at full strength.

Sparta continues to hold the zone but Kometa's defence are blocking all attempts

Kometa manages to ice the puck but Sparta quickly regroups

Sparta continues to circle the puck and another hard shot from the point is put aside by Trvaj

Great stop by Trvaj as a hard shot from the point goes on net and he covers it up

Sparta break out and gain the offensive zone where the circle the puck

Sparta holding the offensive zone but Kometa manages to skate the puck down the ice

Sparta forechecking hard and Kometa is unable to get the puck out to safety

Sparta wins the faceoff and shoot the puck on the net

Offside called on Sparta as they break out of their zone and try to gain the offensive zone

Sparta goes on the offensive but are stopped again at the blueline

Another 2on2 for Kometa but the resulting shot is blocked

Sparta stopped at Kometa's blueline and Kometa goes to dump the puck

Sparta having trouble breaking out of their zone as Kometa continues to apply pressure

Another hard shot by Kometa's defence finds the net but the goalie was prepared

Kometa dumps the puck in and circle

Home team at full strength.

Another shot on net from the point by Sparta gets turned aside by Trvaj

Slippery situation in front of Trvaj's net and a rebound almost gets netted but Trvaj handles the situation!

Sparta regain the puck but are called offside as they try to attack the zone

Sparta is actively passing the puck around in the offensive zone but no shot on goal so far

Sparta go in on a 2on1 but are fouled

Kometa dumps the puck in but can't gain control of the puck as Sparta breaks out

Visiting team at full strength.

Sparta ices the puck

Kometa still haven't been able to get a good chance on goal but are holding the puck in the offensive zone

Sparta ices the puck after a turnaround in the neutral zone

Sparta goes 2on1 but the shot on goal is deflected wide

Kometa win the faceoff and circle the puck but Sparta manages to break out

Kometa rushes up the ice but are fouled on the boards and a penalty will be called to Sparta

Home team at full strength.

Another dump in by Sparta is turned aside

Sparta gets the puck into the corner but are quickly stripped of the puck and Kometa ices it

Sparta still unable to gain the offensive zone

Kometa ices the puck after Sparta dumps the puck in

Sparta having trouble gaining the neutral zone as Kometa actively defend

Kometa wins the faceoff and ice the puck

Kometa break out, race up the ice on a 2on2 and get a quick snap shot off that's deflected wide

Sparta continue to forecheck aggresively

Sparta break out and dump the puck in and Kometa having trouble breaking out

Icing called on Sparta

Sparta is defending well and manage to get to Trvaj's net but Kometa's defence quickly turn the play around and break out

Quick shot on Trvaj blocked and Kometa races up again but are stopped at the blueline

Sparta dumps the puck in but Kometa quickly clear it out and go on the offensive

Kometa are holding the puck behind Sparta's net and get a quick pass out front that clears everyone and goes out of the zone

Play whistled down as the puck is deflected over the glass in Sparta's defensive zone

Kometa manages to break out and are circling the puck in the corner

Sparta wins the faceoff and immediately attack Kometa's zone

Starting lineups:

HC Kometa Brno: Trvaj, (Falter) - Zizka, Kovacik, Dujsik, Valach, Bicanek, Svrcek, Hruska - Erat, Cermak, Zohorna, Svoboda, Burian, Dlouhy, Korejs, Petrovicky, Hruska, Wasserbauer, Divisek, Docekal

HC Sparta Prague: Melichercik, (Sedlacek) - Gregorek, Sicak, Koci, Pilar, Milam, Hanzlik, Philipp, Krstev - Bros, Sekac, Rachunek, Hlinka, Hovorka, Bahensky, Tenkrat, Pribyl, Treille, Jansky, Ton, Forman

Referees: Konc, Kubus - Barvir, Blumel.

Coach's Corner:

Zdenek Venera (HC Kometa Brno):
"This is a totally different Sparta than what was at the beginning of the season. Now they are last year's Sparta from the regular season that are playing very well and collecting points without doubts. Their result over Pardubice evokes respect. Maybe, this could be good for us as we will enter the game with more respect and more discipline in our own defense." (source: www.hc-kometa.cz)

Jan Votruba (HC Sparta Praha):
"We see it as a direct battle for a position in the Top 6, but every point is important for us. There are experienced players in the team that know it's important to keep our feet on the ground and that even if it went easily on Wednesday, Friday's game can be completely different. Our game has to continue to be full of fight and aggressiveness. Hopefully Kometa won't catch their first 3-point game on us." (source: CTK)

HC Sparta Praha didn't gain any points only in one of their past 11 games and that was when they lost to 1st place HC Skoda Plzen. Thanks to their performance, Sparta has climbed back up from the bottom of the league to 8th place and are looking forwards at getting into the Top 6.

Having beaten last year's champions, HC Pardubice, with a score of 9-2 in their last game, Sparta is sending a clear message to Kometa that they don't plan to leave Brno tonight without any points.

HC Kometa has been in somewhat of a slide, having fallen from 2nd place down to 6th place and they need to fight for every point to stay in the Top 6 in the standings. In their last game, Kometa managed to win against Liberec in overtime and fans truly hope that their slide has stopped.

Going into today's game against Sparta, Kometa can take some assurance from the fact that Sparta has lost their past 3 games in Brno but this of course doesn't have to mean anything. Sparta will definitely be looking to take 3 points home and so we can expect a highly energized game that can go both ways.

Welcome to today's 39th round of the Czech Tipsport ExtraLiga with HC Kometa Brno hosting HC Sparta Praha. The game starts at 18:00.