A stunning third-period collapse cost HC Litvínov dearly as they fell 5-2 to Vítkovice in Czech Extraliga action today.Despite building a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead, Litvínov couldn’t hold on, allowing Vítkovice to rally and secure a vital victory that impacts the league standings. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Vítkovice and highlighted costly individual errors for Litvínov, according to post-game analysis.
Foto: Matyáš Rjabi, hcverva.cz
Litvínov squandered a promising two-goal lead and ultimately fell to Vítkovice 5-2, a result that significantly impacts the standings in the Czech Extraliga. After dominating the first two periods, a stunning collapse in the third saw the Steelmen take control and secure a crucial victory.
“It’s a shame. When you’re up 2-0, you have to close out a game like this,” said Litvínov forward
Pawel Zygmunt
útočník, 26 let
Pawel Zygmunt, who had given Litvínov the two-goal cushion in the 35th minute.
“Takový zápas si musíme pohlídat.”
“We started well, we forechecked hard, but once Vítkovice scored to cut the deficit, we got nervous,” explained the Polish forward. “This game was lost due to individual mistakes, and we need to learn from them and start winning. There’s no other way.”
Litvínov assistant coach František Ptáček echoed that sentiment. “We knew Vítkovice weren’t having a great season. We expected them to be more passive, and that’s what happened initially.”
„Dobře bruslili a napadali, z čehož pramenily naše individuální chyby.”
“We took a 2-0 lead, but even at the end of the second period it was clear that our opponents would come out strong. They skated well and forechecked effectively, which led to our individual errors. You could say that Vítkovice controlled the game in the third period.”
Vítkovice head coach Václav Varaďa was understandably pleased with his team’s performance, which snapped a four-game losing streak and demonstrated resilience.
„Takhle si náš výkon představuju, byli jsme bojovní a urputní.”
“We got into trouble with the first two goals against, but the entire bench believed we could turn things around. We really value this three-point win from Litvínov,” Varaďa stated.
Václav Varaďa | Foto: Petr Kotala, hc-vitkovice.cz
“This is the kind of performance I expect from our team – we were fighters and relentless. Every team will have setbacks during the season, but I believe today’s game showed us the way forward.”
Jan Bernovský
útočník, 24 let
played a key role in Vítkovice’s comeback.
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