“It’s 2:0, but we’re not giving up. I believe we can do the same thing that the opponent did with us,” said Vítkovic coach Miloš Holaň after Wednesday’s 2:3 defeat in overtime.
After the last match, Ridera felt she was harmed by the referees, the club owner Aleš Pavlík even accused the main referees of corruption. However, the referees’ commission confirmed that both Mountfield’s goals, which Vítkovice disputed, were recognized in accordance with the rules. The inappropriate behavior of Pavlík, who is also the chairman of the Association of Professional Clubs and the vice-president of the Czech Ice Hockey Association, will be dealt with by a disciplinary committee.
The Vítkovic people must now forget about the feelings of grievance, which the players are aware of. “We will go to Hradec simply to fight, at least in the first match we will give everything one hundred percent and we will believe that we will win both matches. We were not worse in the last match, but Hradec was happier,” said captain Dominik Lakatoš.
Photo: Jaroslav Ožana, CTK
From the left, goalkeeper Matěj Machovský from Hradec Králové, Patrik Marcel from Hradec Králové and Peter Krieger from Vítkovice.
Hradec Králové won 1:0 in Ostrava after separate raids and 3:2 in overtime, thus winning six matches in a row in the playoffs. Coach Tomáš Martinec’s team managed to beat Vítkovice in five out of six matches in the season, but four times in extra time or after raids.
“The fact that we got two points in Vítkovice is wonderful. But they are such a team that they are able to come next time and give us eight goals in complete peace. If they get a good night’s sleep,” Hradec captain Radek Smoleňák pointed out.
“It’s just up to us how well we will keep our heads and how much we will value the two points won. We will be driven by a lot of people at home and I dare say that the atmosphere will be even denser than in Vítkovice. I am looking forward to it,” added the 36-year-old forward.
The East Bohemians have been active in the top competition since the 2013/14 season and since then they have only reached the semi-finals. In 2017 and 2018, they lost 2:4 in matches with Brno and Třinec, respectively.
Saturday’s game will start at 17:00, Sunday’s one hour earlier.
