That’s right. Třinec has won five of the last five completed extra league years, but this season it is mainly showing its shortcomings. After sixteen matches played, only the struggling Liberec and Pilsen are worse off in the table. The Steelers were able to win only three games for three points (České Budějovice 4:0, Hradec Králové 4:1 and Liberec 6:3), all at home. They have yet to win away from home and have only picked up two points.
“We cannot submit to the team, everyone does what they want on the ice. If we continue to play like this, we have no chance of success,” said Andrej Nestrasil after the defeat in České Budějovice (2:5).
This was followed by a game on the ice of Komety Brno and the sixth defeat (2:3) away. “One does what he wants on the ice, the other yells at the referee, the third is a passenger. There is no determination and willingness to submit to what has graced us in recent years. If we don’t get it in our heads, we can’t think about any high goals,” Nestrasil suggests that the spring comfort from the playoffs is there.
The Steelers’ club leadership is, at least outwardly, calm for the time being. But the representative break is approaching, in which anything can happen. “We have an important weekend ahead of us,” says Moták before the home games with Vítkovice (on Friday from 5 p.m.) and with Mlada Boleslaví (on Sunday from 3 p.m.).
“These are the last two games before the international break against tough opponents who play quality hockey and are above us in the table. Vítkovice has three forwards (Abdul, Kalus and Nellis) in the first places in Canadian scoring. They are excellent in finishing, emphatic around the goal area and have a great power play. These are the things we have to be careful about,” reminds Moták.
Photo: Petr Kotala
Valentin Claireaux (left) and Třinec captain Petr Vrána will no longer meet on the ice in the derby.
The coach with a Vítkovic past believes that the atmosphere of the derby can help his team. “We need to get going and bounce back from those tough games. I firmly believe that the fans will support us and that they will stand on our side,” wishes the coach from Třinec, who is still missing two injured. Long-term marauder Martin Růžička and also defender Martin Marinčin, who is troubled by problems in the upper part of his body.
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CHANGE: HC Vítkovice Ridera vs. HC Steelers Třinec 2:1 ppVideo: Tipsport Extraliga / BPA
Vítkovice acquired Říčka from Brno
The Ostravas are also reporting problems with the lineup before Friday’s second match of the season (the first at home Vítkovice won 2:1 in extra time). But at the same time, also movement in the cadre. Injured are Rihards Bukarts and Jan Bambula, in addition, the French forward Valentin Claireaux unexpectedly said goodbye to his teammates during the week, who ended his career for family reasons.
His place in the cabin of Vítkovice did not remain empty for long. He was filled by Robert Říčka, a native of Hávíř, who terminated his contract in Brno on Thursday morning and became a reinforcement of the team from Ostrava in the afternoon. So far on loan until the end of the season with the possibility of an option.
“When the possibility of acquiring Robert appeared, we did not hesitate. He is a player who comes from our region, has an excellent mentality and has been showing his qualities in the extra league for the eleventh season,” explains the club’s sports manager Roman Šimíček.
“In addition, he is a right-handed player who can play both on the wing and in the center,” adds Šimíček, adding that the club management is still looking for a replacement for Claireaux. “It could be clear within the next week,” adds Šimíček.
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