Sparta beat Olomouc and got to the top of the extra league

Prague – The hockey players of Sparta defeated Olomouc 3:2 in the preliminary game of the 20th round of the extra league. At home, they succeeded for the seventh time in a row and moved to the top of the score competition ahead of Pardubice, who they outclassed 8:1 on Friday. The people of Prague scored all the goals in the first period today, Michal Řepík scored two points. Olomouc lost away for the sixth time in a row and failed in the eighth out of nine matches at the opponents’ ice rinks.

In contrast to Friday’s game, the home team lacked forwards Kousal and Sobotka, Michajlov got a chance in goal instead of the resting Kovář. At the age of 30, the goalkeeper of the first division Litoměřice started in the extra league for the first time since the beginning.

The Hanáci were missing the punished Orsava and, just like the day before in Litvínov, they quickly cashed in. Machovský was beaten by defender Krejčík at 0:37, thus Olomouc kept a clean sheet two seconds longer than in the north of Bohemia. In addition, defender Korenčík was sent off for a foul in the attacking third after two minutes, and Kryštof Hrabík added another goal to the home side’s successful entry.

The guests then optically caught up with Sparta, but did not create significant chances. On the contrary, Machovský had to confirm his solid form several times. Three seconds before the end of the first period, however, he conceded for the third time, when Kunc inadvertently moved the puck to a free Řepík, who did not hesitate.

At the beginning of the second period, Horák was sent off and Hanáci lost. Nahodila’s goal was recognized by the referees only on the basis of a video colleague’s suggestion and a few minutes of review. According to their verdict, the puck crossed the goal line before they stopped play.

Olomouc could have dramatized the duel even more with other numerical advantages, but Michajlov held Sparta back several times. He also handled the ending of Plášek after a two-to-one renumbering. From a similar situation, Prague could have struck, even Machovský, but Kemiläinen’s shot did not surprise.

The guests were more active in shooting and got their reward in the 43rd minute when Doktor reduced the score to 2:3 with a backhand stop. In the 52nd minute, Chlapík could calm down Sparta, whose shot went past Machovský. But Macuh managed to play the puck to safety even before it crossed the goal line. In the end, the home team kept their narrow lead and avenged their opponent’s defeat in the first match of the season.

Coaches’ votes after the game:

Pavel Gross (Sparta): “After Friday’s match, we had a solid start again. It was again played in a beautiful atmosphere, the hall was full. Playing matches Friday – Saturday is not easy in the season, but it’s the same in the playoffs, so there’s nothing to make excuses for. I’m glad that even a match that we expected we won. We know that we won’t always win 6:1 or 8:1. We play against good opponents If we succeed, we will take it, but we are happy that we managed such a difficult match , but it tastes even better.”

Jan Tomajko (Olomouc): “We started very badly, the first period was disastrous from our side. We let Sparta take a three-goal lead, and it is very difficult for a team like that to score three goals. Even though we played excellently for the next two periods, we unfortunately lacked a piece. The first period we it cost the game, which is a terrible shame. Sparta is in excellent form now and we matched them at least for two thirds.”

Sport hockey 20th round AUDIO Sparta extraliga Olomouc PHOTO