Zlín Advances to Czech Hockey League Finals After Rachůnek’s Overtime Winner
Zlín, Czech Republic – In a thrilling finish to their semifinal series, PSG Berani Zlín secured their place in the Maxa Liga finals after Tomáš Rachůnek scored the decisive goal in overtime against HC Kolín. The 1-0 victory on Saturday, March 28, 2026, sends Zlín into a championship series matchup against HC Dukla Jihlava.
The game, played in front of a spirited crowd of 5,611, was a tense affair that ultimately required extra time to determine a winner. Rachůnek’s goal at 61:01 of the third period ignited celebrations amongst the home fans and extended Zlín’s impressive playoff run. This marks Zlín’s fourth consecutive appearance in the league finals.
Dramatic Semifinal Series
The series between Zlín and Kolín proved to be a tightly contested battle, with five of the six games requiring overtime. Zlín ultimately prevailed with a 4-2 series victory. Kolín, despite the loss, earned a historic bronze medal for their performance throughout the season and the playoffs.
Zlín’s journey to the finals wasn’t without its challenges. The team experienced a difficult start to the season, finding themselves at the bottom of the league standings in December. However, a mid-season turnaround, coupled with strong playoff performances, propelled them to this point. They finished ninth in the regular season and had to navigate a preliminary playoff round before reaching the semifinals.
Jihlava Awaits in the Finals
Zlín will now face HC Dukla Jihlava in the championship series, vying for a chance to compete for promotion to the Czech Extraliga – the country’s top-tier hockey league. Jihlava advanced to the finals after defeating Litoměřice 4-2 in their own semifinal series, overcoming a 5-2 victory in the sixth game of the series.
The first game of the final series is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 17:00 local time in Jihlava. The second game will follow on Friday, April 3, 2026, also at 17:30 in Jihlava.
Oremus Praises Team’s Resilience
Zlín’s head coach, Peter Oremus, who took over the team in late November, lauded his players’ determination and resilience. “Stala se velká věc (A great thing has happened),” Oremus said, as reported by sources. “Prvního ledna jsme byli poslední v tabulce a uhrát to nakonec až do finále s těmito chlapci a s tímto realizačním týmem je pro mě skutečně pěkné (On January 1st we were last in the standings and to make it to the finals with these guys and this coaching staff is truly nice).”
Oremus also emphasized the difficulty of overcoming a strong Kolín team. “Přetlačit Kolín, který se dlouhodobě pohyboval v popředí tabulky, bylo náročné (Overcoming Kolín, who were consistently at the top of the standings, was difficult),” he stated. “Naše hra byla velmi dobrá. Čekali jsme na příležitost, byli jsme aktivní a agresivní a vítězství přišlo (Our game was very great. We waited for our chance, we were active and aggressive and the victory came).”
Looking Ahead: The Baráž
The winner of the Maxa Liga final will face off against Litvínov in a baráž (relegation/promotion playoff) to determine which team will play in the Czech Extraliga next season. This adds another layer of significance to the upcoming championship series.
For Zlín, reaching the finals represents a significant achievement, especially considering their struggles earlier in the season. The team’s ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure will be crucial as they prepare to face Jihlava in the battle for the championship. The city of Zlín is now buzzing with excitement as fans prepare to rally behind their team in their quest for glory.
The next confirmed checkpoint is Game 1 of the finals between Zlín and Jihlava on April 2nd. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Maxa Liga playoffs and the pursuit of a championship.
What are your thoughts on Zlín’s incredible turnaround? Share your predictions for the finals in the comments below!
