Chomutov, Czech Republic – A dramatic final day in the Czech First Hockey League saw Chomutov secure their Maxa League status with a decisive 3-0 victory over Jihlava, while Poruba suffered relegation despite winning their match against Pardubice B. The outcome marks a heartbreaking conclude to the season for Poruba, a team that had aspirations of reaching the Czech Extraliga, and a sigh of relief for Chomutov, who clinched survival on goal difference.
The tension was palpable at the Chomutov arena as they knew a win would guarantee their safety, regardless of Poruba’s result. Cole Coskey opened the scoring for Chomutov in the 24th minute, followed by goals from Petr Kratochvíl and Michal Gut, solidifying a 3-0 lead. Crucially, goaltender Pavel Jekel delivered a stellar performance, stopping all 23 shots from Jihlava, earning a well-deserved shutout. This victory, combined with a superior head-to-head record against Poruba, sealed Chomutov’s place in the league for another season.
Poruba, meanwhile, fought valiantly, securing a 4-3 win against Pardubice B. However, Chomutov’s victory rendered their efforts futile. Despite the win, Poruba finished level on points with Chomutov, but lost out on the tiebreaker due to their inferior record in head-to-head matches. The club’s head coach, Tomáš Potěšil, expressed his devastation, stating, “We knew what we had to do and that it wasn’t in our hands. But we believed that if we won, Jihlava might be able to beat Chomutov. The boys deserve praise for their performance, attitude, and play, but of course, considering the final result, this season ended in disaster.”
Potěšil revealed the tricky atmosphere in the locker room during the match, explaining that the team attempted to shield the players from the unfolding events in Chomutov. “We turned off our phones so we wouldn’t be distracted, but after the second period, when there was a lengthy delay due to a goal review, the players likely found out, and it showed in their play,” he said. Despite their efforts, the weight of the situation proved too much to overcome in the third period.
This relegation marks a significant setback for Poruba, a club that has consistently been a contender in the First League in recent years. They finished third in 2023, first in 2024, and fourth in 2025, but consistently fell short in the playoff quarterfinals. Their most successful run came in the 2020/2021 season, reaching the semifinals before being defeated by Kladno. The club had openly expressed ambitions of reaching the Czech Extraliga, but those hopes have now been dashed.
The season’s outcome wasn’t solely about the battle for survival. Slavia Prague secured the top spot in the league standings with 100 points, despite a 2-3 loss to Tábor in the final round. Kolín, with 99 points, fell short in their attempt to overtake Slavia, losing 1-3 to Vsetín. Jihlava finished third with 96 points.
Frýdek-Místek clinched the final direct qualifying spot for the playoffs with a 4-0 victory over Třebíč. Třebíč will now face Tábor in the preliminary round, while Pardubice B will take on Zlín. Sokolov, who had been in contention for a playoff spot, dropped to 11th place after a 1-5 loss to Přerov.
Radek Číp of Sokolov finished the regular season as the league’s leading scorer with 57 points and 27 goals, but his individual success couldn’t prevent his team’s slide down the standings.
The relegation of Poruba brings an end to eight years in the First League. Coach Potěšil acknowledged the team’s struggles throughout the season, stating, “We lost it somewhere along the way. It’s not my place to evaluate the season in these emotional moments. It’s an unpleasant situation for the club, and we’ve been relegated, which is bad.”
Looking ahead, the Czech First Hockey League playoffs are set to begin, with Slavia Prague entering as the clear favorites. The competition promises to be fierce, as teams battle for a chance to earn promotion to the prestigious Czech Extraliga.
The next confirmed action is the start of the playoff pre-qualification round, with dates and times to be announced by the league. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Czech First Hockey League and the road to the Extraliga.
What are your thoughts on Poruba’s relegation and Chomutov’s survival? Share your opinions in the comments below!
