Story Summary
Dynamo Pardubice and SaiPa Lappeenranta will meet for a second time this season in the Champions Hockey League Round of 16, with the tie to be decided across two games and a place in the quarter-finals on the line.
SaiPa won the sides’ earlier meeting 3-2 after building a 3-0 lead, then withstanding a Pardubice push that brought the Czech side close to forcing extra time. That result remains Pardubice’s only defeat of the campaign, giving the Finnish club a meaningful recent reference point despite the contrasting regular-season finishes.
Pardubice finished fourth with a 5-1 record, while SaiPa placed 13th at 3-3. The Czech Extraliga club bring strong special-teams numbers into the knockout phase, while SaiPa return to this stage after their first Champions Hockey League appearance since 2016.
Key Facts
- SaiPa Lappeenranta beat Dynamo Pardubice 3-2 in their previous meeting this season.
- Pardubice finished fourth in the regular-season standings with a 5-1 record, while SaiPa finished 13th at 3-3.
- Pardubice entered the knockout rounds with a 27.27% power play and a 92.86% penalty kill, the competition’s second-best penalty-kill rate.
- Lukáš Sedlák recorded three goals and four assists in the regular season, while Matěj Stránský posted three goals and three assists.
- SaiPa led Pardubice 3-0 in their earlier meeting before holding on for the 3-2 victory.
- SaiPa conceded six goals in each of their regular-season losses to Frölunda Gothenburg and HC Pilsen.
IHM Discussion
This is a tie between teams whose regular-season profiles point in different directions. Pardubice combined a 5-1 record with dependable goaltending, a strong defensive record and productive special teams. They have also remained unbeaten at home, which adds another encouraging element to their form.
SaiPa’s route was less settled. Their six games against opponents from Czechia, Sweden, Austria, Slovakia and Denmark produced three wins and three losses, with the earlier victory over Pardubice standing as their clearest positive result. SaiPa showed that they could survive a sustained late spell from the Czech side, even after allowing their three-goal advantage to narrow.
The Finnish side also carry clear warning signs from defeats in which they conceded six times. Their ability to stay firm around their own blue line and in front of goal will sit alongside the memory of what worked when they faced Pardubice previously.
Why It Matters
A quarter-final place is at stake, but the earlier 3-2 result also gives the series a sharper competitive edge. Pardubice have been one of the stronger regular-season teams and possess special teams capable of influencing close games. SaiPa, however, already proved they can beat this opponent.
For Pardubice, the task is to bring their regular-season consistency into a matchup against the one club that stopped them winning. For SaiPa, their previous result offers evidence that they can compete with the Czech side, while their uneven defensive record underlines the importance of repeating the more resilient parts of that performance.
Mini Q&A
Who won the previous meeting between Pardubice and SaiPa?
SaiPa Lappeenranta won 3-2 after taking a 3-0 lead and holding off a late Pardubice push.
How did the teams finish in the Champions Hockey League regular season?
Pardubice finished fourth with a 5-1 record, while SaiPa were 13th after going 3-3.
Which Pardubice players led their scoring?
Lukáš Sedlák had three goals and four assists, while Matěj Stránský recorded three goals and three assists.
Coach Mark Comment
SaiPa’s earlier win was not a comfortable 3-0 victory; it became a 3-2 game after Pardubice pressed hard in the final period. That matters in the memory of a series because both benches have already felt the game change shape.
SaiPa know they can create a lead against Pardubice, but they also know how much work was required to protect it when the Czech side took over long stretches of play. Pardubice, meanwhile, have a very specific picture of the pressure they were able to build without quite finding the equaliser. There is no mystery in the matchup now; there is simply a demanding two-game test of who handles those decisive spells better.
What Comes Next
Pardubice and SaiPa will play a two-game Round of 16 series, with the aggregate winner advancing to the Champions Hockey League quarter-finals.
IHM Final View
Pardubice arrive with the stronger regular-season record, unbeaten home form and standout special teams, yet SaiPa own the most relevant previous result between the clubs. Their 3-2 win does not settle the new series, but it ensures the Finnish side enter it with proof that Pardubice can be beaten.