Olomouc – Liberec 2:3, the White Tigers won in Olomouc and stayed in the game for the elite four

The home side’s Navrátil got the first significant chance on the power play, but Neužil moved against his attempt in time. In the seventh minute, the home team took the lead, Škůrek opened the scoring with a precise shot into the top corner of the goal. But Liberec was soon able to equalize when Faško-Rudáš took advantage of the first power play in the match with a shot from the left circle. Over four thousand spectators watched the balanced duel. It wasn’t until the 27th minute that, after a subtle action, the puck in the circle reached Vlach, who sent Liberec into the lead with a shot between Konrád’s concretes.

After that, thanks to the power play, Olomouc had more of the game, but Neužil covered both Ondrušek’s shot and Nahodil’s shot. But then the Olomouc players stopped the Liberec counterattack only at the cost of a foul, and Flynn converted the ordered penalty shot with ease. Immediately after, Káňa from Olomouc was able to cut down in a weakened state, whose shot was knocked out by Neužil with a jumper over the goal. However, the same player made a breakthrough a little while later when he dribbled Rutar’s throw behind Neužil’s back.

At the beginning of the third period, Strapáč could have equalized twice, but the first time he did not hit the puck perfectly in front of the open goal, and the second time Neužil hit his shot from close range, who this time got a chance instead of Kváči’s number one.

The Liberec goalkeeper was also attentive during Káni’s skillful run and his subsequent finish. Navrátil could have equalized as well, but he did not succeed in front of Neužil himself and aimed only at the chest of the well-catching guest goalkeeper.

Liberec mainly focused on defense and only got a hint of chances. Five minutes before the end, however, Balinskis passed in front of the open goal to Birner, who, unfortunately for the visitors, did not hit the puck perfectly and headed beyond the three posts. However, the guests did not have to regret it, they defended the narrow lead until the final siren.