Orli Znojmo Take Game One in Thrilling Series Opener Against Uherský Brod

Znojmo, Czech Republic – HC Orli Znojmo opened their best-of-seven playoff series against HC Spartak Uherský Brod with a hard-fought 3-1 victory on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The win gives the Orli a 1-0 lead in the series, confirming their status as favorites, though the series promises to be a competitive one.

From the opening faceoff, Znojmo asserted their dominance, keeping Uherský Brod goaltender Šurý busy. The pressure paid off early, as Martin Böhm found the back of the net at 8:00 of the first period, giving the Orli a 1-0 lead. The goal energized the home crowd and nearly led to a quick second, but Šurý denied a scoring chance from Bartoš. While Znojmo controlled much of the play, the first period wasn’t without its tense moments. Uherský Brod threatened on the counterattack, forcing Znojmo’s Synek to be sharp in net.

Late in the first, a penalty to Znojmo’s Bícha gave Uherský Brod a power play opportunity. The visitors capitalized, with Tomáš Martinec scoring a crucial equalizer at 18:47, sending the teams into the first intermission tied at 1-1. Martinec’s goal came off a quick passing play, finding an open lane in front of Synek’s net.

The second period saw Znojmo regain the lead quickly. After a scoring chance from Beránek was turned aside, Matyáš Svoboda scored a go-ahead goal, converting a skillful tip-in during a power play opportunity for Znojmo. The Orli continued to press, but found themselves facing more penalty trouble as the period progressed. A roughing penalty to Lukačka of Uherský Brod resulted in a two-minute major for an illegal check to the head of Synek, but Znojmo was unable to extend their lead during the extended power play.

The third period proved to be a dramatic affair. Znojmo came out strong, with Jenyš nearly adding to the lead in the opening minute. Uherský Brod continued to battle, and Synek was forced to make several key saves to preserve the Orli’s lead. David Bartoš finally provided some breathing room for Znojmo, extending the lead to 3-1 with a goal following a series of rebounds.

As the game neared its conclusion, a five-minute major penalty to Znojmo’s Beránek gave Uherský Brod a significant opportunity to mount a comeback. However, Znojmo’s penalty kill unit, led by Synek, successfully weathered the storm, and despite pulling their goalie for an extra attacker, Uherský Brod couldn’t break through. A late penalty shot attempt by Uherský Brod was likewise denied, sealing the victory for Znojmo.

Coaches Weigh In

Znojmo head coach Milan Procházka acknowledged the challenge posed by Uherský Brod, stating, “It wasn’t an straightforward game, but we managed to win successfully. Brod is an unpleasant opponent, but the quality is on our side. The players approached it brilliantly and worked as a team. We have a point, we move on, and I hope we will continue like this. We will go to Uherský Brod with a consistent team performance and we want to win, nothing else.”

Uherský Brod coach Robert Svoboda conceded that Znojmo deserved the win, but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete in the series. “It was a balanced game that we would have preferred to win, but the favorites are the home team. They were able to use the power play and we had a great opportunity to reduce the deficit with a penalty shot, but unfortunately we didn’t convert it. Towards the end, the pressure and stress played a bit against us, but it’s the first game and on Thursday we will have the advantage of our home environment, where we have the support of our fans all season long, and we believe that their support will be great this time too.” Svoboda added that his team’s pre-season preparation was rushed, but their goal was simply to avoid relegation and reach the playoff round, which they have now achieved, and that they believe they can surprise Znojmo in the series.

This victory marks a strong start for Znojmo in their quest for playoff success. The Orli will now travel to Uherský Brod for Game Two of the series, scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026. The series is currently 1-0 in favor of Znojmo. Fans can expect a fierce battle as Uherský Brod looks to even the score on their home ice.

The outcome of this series will have significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations. Znojmo, as the higher seed, will be looking to maintain their momentum and advance to the next round. Uherský Brod, meanwhile, will be determined to defend their home ice and prove they are a force to be reckoned with.

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