Former Ottawa Senators player Filip Chlapik sealed Sparta Prague’s victory over Canada in the Spengler Cup hockey tournament quarterfinals, scoring the decisive goal in a 5-1 triumph on Monday. Martins Dzierkals kicked off the scoring early in the third period, later adding an empty-net goal for the Czech team. They are set to clash with the U.S. Collegiate Selects in the upcoming semifinals.
Kristian Vesalainen netted a second empty-net goal, while David Nemecek wrapped up the scoring with just a second left on the clock. Matthew Peca leveled the score at 1-1 for Canada at 13:07 of the third period, but Chlapik swiftly responded with the game-winner 95 seconds later.
Jakub Kovar made 29 saves for Prague, while Connor Hughes stopped 21 shots for the Canadian side. Canada, a 16-time champion of the tournament, currently shares the record for most titles with host HC Davos. However, they have not clinched a title since their dominant run from 2015 to 2019.
Chlapik, originally drafted by Ottawa in the 2015 NHL draft, had a brief stint with the Senators, featuring in 57 games and tallying five goals and six assists. He is currently in his third season with Sparta Prague, his hometown team.