Two minutes remaining of the 3rd period.

Sparta is still the better team in this period and if it wouldn't have been for Johan Gustafsson's tremendously solid efforts – and with help from his defencemen – Sparta could definitely has taken the lead here. Sparta's up 16-3 on the shots here in the 3rd period.
It's a thriller right into the end!

It's definitely a coast-to-coast-game here with both teams solid defences overwhelming their offensive strenghtens.

And as Lukas Pech got credited for the secondary assist on the 3-3-goal, he's just one point behind Casey Wellman and Joel Lundqvist in the point scoring standings.

Sparta leads the shots on goal 10-2 with 8 minutes played of the 3rd period. It's a game that turns around a lot and it will definitely be interesting to see which team that can take command of the last and determing parts of the game.

Sparta's first goal scorer in the game, Lukas Cingel, gets a great chance from the low slot and tries the wrist shot, but Gustafsson has a clear sight and can save the shot rather easy.

Sparta is showing a quite good power play here, but can't capitalize and Frölunda are back on full strength.

Wow, laying on the ice, Johan Gustafsson manage to keep the puck out of the net as Sparta's Juarj Mikus gets the shot.

Sparta is back on full strength after an extremely solid penalty kill.

Sparta is defending pure rock solid during this penalty kill and Frölunda can't even enter the zone.

Another long Frölunda attack leads to that Sparta a forced to clear the puck for an icing call.

Frölunda has really taken command of the 2nd period and is more or less dominating it right now with a lot of puck in offensive zone during long attacks. Tomas Pöpperle is just rock solid in the net and is giving the guests a calming impression. 14-3 in shots on goal for Frölunda in just the 2nd period (29-19 in total).

Sparta started the period best and had a lot of puck in the offensive zone, but couldn't capitalize nor getting any really dangerous scoring chance. But the goal for Frölunda didn't occur totally without logic, as they had started get things going in the period with faster skating, more accurate passing and more puck in offensive zone. It's a wide open game that can end in any way.

The beginning of the 2nd period hasn't been not as nearly as intensive as the 1st, but Sparta's taken a little grip of the period so far.

Sparta can't capitalize on the power play and Frölunda are back on full strength.

One minute remains of the first period, which has cooled down a bit after the crazy first 10 minutes.

Sparta's now back playing with full strength after just allowing one goal during that long penalty kill (which included 3 on 5 for 1:30).

Sparta's back with four players on ice. Just 30 seconds left on the, so far looong, penalty kill.

Frölunda's forward Patrik Carlsson stays on the ice and wants medical attention. The situation leads to a penalty for Sparta.

Sparta Prague is actually leading the shots on goal with 9-3 already – much thanks to all the rebounds on the attack leading to the first goal.

Frölunda manages to get a hang of the puck in offensive zone with a long attack, but only one shots get on goal and it's not enough to beat solid Tomas Popperle.

What an extraordinary atmosphere there is here in Frölundaborg at the beginning of the game. Truly fantastic from both home fans as well the massive crowd from Prague!
High tempo so far on the ice, but nothing much to report.

National anthems of Sweden and Czech Republic has been played and we're about to get started.

Players of both teams have now entered the ice here in Frölundaborg, both to flames and heavy metal music. They're not standing on opposite blue line with the Champions Hockey League Trophy on the center line. Who will win it?

Power Play
Frölunda has the 9th best power play in the tournament with 14 goals on 55 attempts (25.45%). Sparta's power play is ranked 26th as they have scored 8 goals on 45 attempts (17,78%).

Penalty Kill
Both teams have been quite solid on the penalty killing whereby Sparta has some tremendously great numbers. They're tournament-2nd with their 94.29% PK (2 goals allowed on 35 attempts). We find Frölunda a bit below (ranked 11th) with 87,80% (5 goals allowed on 41 attempts).

Maybe, special teams will be one of the determining things tonight?

We're about 20 minutes away from puck drop here in Frölundaborg, Gothenburg, which is sold out for the night. There are a lots of potential game winners in this one, let's start with the netminders of both teams.

Frölunda will start with 24 year old Johan Gustafsson, who has been in net for 9 of Frölunda's 12 games in the CHL 2016/17. He has allowed 13 goals on 175 shots against (a saving percentage of .926), has an GAA of 1.45 and earned 2 shutouts.

Tomáš Pöpperle of Sparta Prague has been in net for the same amount of games (9 of 12) and also earned 2 shutouts. He has though allowed 12 goals on 196 shots and have the better save percentage of .939.

Offensively, team captain Joel Lundqvist is Frölunda's Cramo Top Scorer with 13 points (3+10) in 12 games.
In Sparta Prague we find Lukáš Pech, whom with his 12 points (6+6) on 12 games has a distinct lead in the scoring standings of Prague.

Starting lineups:

Frölunda Gothenburg: Gustafsson (Bakala) -
Tömmernes, Nørstebø, Donovan, Nyberg, Sigalet, Larsson, Dahlin -
Rosseli Olsen, Lasu, Stålberg – Grundström, Sundström, Figren – Bergenheim, Carlsson, Wellman – Olofsson, Lundqvist, Hjalmarsson – Ehn.

Sparta Prague: Pöpperle (Novotný) –
Mikuš, Gernat, Kalina, Švrček, Eminger, Nedomlel, Barinka -
Hlinka, Vrána, Řepík – Deveau, Klímek, Forman – Pech, Kumstat, Ihnačak – Kudrna, Procházka, Uher – Cingel

Referees: Kaukokari, Fonselius (both FIN) – Kaderli, Kovacs (both SUI).

Frolunda Gothenburg and Sparta Prague are two of the most recognizable names in European hockey right now. While Sparta is the bigger name with respect to history, in recent years Frolunda have dominated European club hockey. This is their third straight trip to the CHL Final – they won last year, and now want a second straight title. Sparta will be out to stop them and win their first European club title, after previously losing in title games in 2000 and 2008.

These teams have met previously in a European championship – in the bronze medal game of the European Hockey League in 1996-97, Frolunda beat Sparta 4-3. The only player on either roster in this game is Sparta captain Jaroslav Hlinka.

Both of these teams have demonstrated that they can play both offensively and defensively – alloing about 1.5 goals against over the course of the competition, and scoring at least 3 (or in Frlunda's case, nearly 4). This game could get decided by special teams, as both teams are dangerous on the power play and will therefore both want to avoid taking penalties.

After playing the last two Finals on the road, Frolunda play this one at home, where they are very tough to beat, both in the CHL and SHL. If playing the Final at home makes Frolunda favourites, however, it's only by a slight margin. Sparta have been remarkably successful on the road in the CHL, where they have not lost yet. That includes three wins in Sweden already. Add that to the fact that Sparta have been hot domestically as of late, with Frolunda sputtering somewhat.

Welcome. Game starts at 19:05.