The steel dynasty is not over yet. The hockey players from Třinec won 4:1 over Sparta in the fourth semi-final of the Tipsport Extraliga playoff, and with a score of 1:3, they are returning to Prague in the battle for the final. The first period was key to the victory of the reigning champions, for whom striker Daniel Voženílek could start again. The Slezans first defended the double overpowering of the Praguers, then opened the scoring with their numerical advantage and soon increased their lead. The awakened Slovak shooter Marko Daňo took care of both goals with the first hits in the series. However, the Spartans are still closer to advancing to the battle for the Masaryk Cup, who can confirm their progress on Tuesday on the pitch in the O2 Arena.
Striker Daniel Voženílek returned to Třinec’s lineup after a one-match disciplinary punishment, and coach Zdeněk Moták changed the composition of all four attacking formations. In the beginning, after fouls by Dravecký and Čach, both for slashing the opponent’s stick, Sparta had the possibility of a long power play, including 84 seconds in five against three, but Kacetl resisted. Kempný especially fired dangerously.
At 6:57, the Steelers were rejoicing at the Kempné penalty. For Kovař, Daňo’s puck arrived at the time when, after pushing Moravčík, Voženílek fell into the goal area and was in contact with the Spartan goalkeeper with his feet. The people of Prague took the coach’s challenge, but referees Jeřábek and Kvétoň recognized the goal after checking the video.
This was followed by the expulsion of the guests, in which they defended themselves. In the 13th minute, Hudáček made a breakaway, but the puck escaped him. In three minutes, the home team was leading by two goals. Daňo skillfully freed himself in the right circle and beat Kováře between the concretes through the shadowing Voženílk.
At the beginning of the second half, Kacetl dealt with the run of David Vitoucha and the subsequent stop. On the other side, after Helewk’s pass, the gunner missed Růžička, who had not scored in the 15th game in a row. In the 29th minute, Sparta reduced the score when defender Krejčík scored from the blue line over the shadowing Hrabík, which decided Saturday’s duel in overtime.
In the 34th minute, Sobotka failed to beat Kacetl from a stoppage, and Krejčík didn’t beat him immediately with another attempt. On the other side, Kovář dealt with Voženílkova čeča and Růžička got the finish, who did not aim accurately. With a shot from the left circle, Daňo had the opportunity to complete the hat trick, but the Spartan goalkeeper hit a trap.
At the start of the third period, after Čach’s pass, Nestrašil passed the puck past Kovář with a backhand, but Sobotka took it away from the goal area. Daňo also threatened after the break. In the 46th minute, Sparta’s captain Řepík came close to equalizing, hitting the left post.
At 48:54, during a power play due to a bad substitution by Sparta, Nestrašil ensured the lead from the stop, who made his way after Marinčin’s shot. With 121 seconds left, the Steelers sealed the result in an empty net on a power play courtesy of Vrána, who was passed by Hrehorčák, who was fouled by Řepík. Repík received a penalty for five minutes and until the end of the game. Battles between Daňa and Chlapík and Kundrátek and Kempný took place on the ice.
Testimonials from coaches
Zdeněk Moták (Třinec): “From our side, the first period was excellent after defending the weakness three on five, we led 2:0. The second third is good, but a little apprehensive. The third period was well played. I have to thank the boys for a fighting, brave performance.’
Pavel Gross (Sparta Prague): “Congratulations to Třinecký for the victory. We saw an interesting match. We didn’t succeed in the first third, that’s where things broke down. In the second we were better and could have added something, but they didn’t and the result is what it is. We’re going on Tuesday.”
Goals
Homemade: 06:57. Tax, 15:07. Tax, 48:54. He didn’t scare, 57:59. Crow
Assemblies
Homemade: Kacetl (Švančara) – Marinčin, Smith, Kundrátek, Nedomlel, Mar. Adámek, Šenkeřík, Polášek – Hrehorčák, Čacho, Nestrašil – L. Hudáček, Cienciala, Daňo – M. Růžička (A), Helewka, Voženílek – Dravecký (A), Vrána (C), M. Roman.
Guests: J. Kovář (Kořenář) – Mozík, Kempný (A), Mikliš, Krejčík, Irving, Němeček, Moravčík – Řepík (C), Sobotka (A), Forman – Chlapík, Horák, D. Vitouch – Konečný, Lajunen, Buchtele – P. Kousal, O. Najman, Hrabík.
Referee
A. Jeřábek, L. Kvétoň – Zíka, P. Šimánek
Stadium
Werk arena, Třinec
Visit
5,400 (sold out) spectators
HC Steelers Třinec Everything about the club HERE
HC Sparta Prague Everything about the club HERE
