Florida Panthers defenseman Filip Kuba (pictured in Ottawa garb) and his Vitkovice Steel club fell by a 2-0 count to Sparta Praha in Thursday action from the Czech Extraliga. Kuba played on Vitkovice’s third defensive pairing with Marek Malik and finished with a -1 rating. He also picked up a minor penalty in the final minute of the game.
Sparta Praha got on the board at the 11:34 mark of the first period on a power play goal from Peter Ton. Vladimir Sicak picked up the only helper on the tally. Dominik Pacovsky scored seven minutes later to extend the lead to 2-0 with assists going to Ton and Jaroslav Hlinka.
Washington Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth made 24 saves to post the shutout win for the home team while Filip Sindelar turned aside 21 shots in the losing effort for Vitkovice.
Note: Jack Skille did not suit up in Rosenborg IHK Elite’s 6-3 win over Lorenskog IK on Thursday. It was the second straight game Skille missed.