final
Bílí Tygři Liberec
2:6
(1:1, 1:2, 0:3)
HC MOUNTFIELD
Bill Meltzer
Goals and assists:
2. Nedvěd (Simmonds), 28. Simmonds (pen.) - 19. Kotalík (Šimánek), 24. Podlešák (Mertl), 39. Kotalík (Jank), 47. Kohn (Kotalík), 55. Michálek M., 59. Kotalík (Šimánek, Kohn)
Referees: Wagner, Hribik - Kis, Rozlílek.
Attendance:
Penalty missed:
Bílí Tygři Liberec:
Pavelec (Pinc) - Čakajík, Šmíd, Výtisk, Derner, Čutta, Havíř, Kajínek - Bárta, Dušek, Víšek, Špaček, Galamboš, R. Vlach, Kudrna, Filippi, Stewart, Kica, Simmonds, Bulíř, Nedvěd.
Subs:
Coach:
HC MOUNTFIELD: Kantor (Sáblík) - Ptáček, Kolarz, Frühauf, Vráblík, Prokop, Ference, Jank - Suja, Hanzal, Kotalík, Kohn, Šimánek, Dej, Rousek, Podlešák, Květoň, M. Michálek, Mertl, Knotek.
Subs:
Coach:
Subs:
Coach:
HC MOUNTFIELD: Kantor (Sáblík) - Ptáček, Kolarz, Frühauf, Vráblík, Prokop, Ference, Jank - Suja, Hanzal, Kotalík, Kohn, Šimánek, Dej, Rousek, Podlešák, Květoň, M. Michálek, Mertl, Knotek.
Subs:
Coach:
Referees: Wagner, Hribik - Kis, Rozlílek.
Attendance:
The Tigers repeatedly turned over pucks and had coverage breakdowns, and Ondrej Pavelec was unable to come up with "momentum saves" when they were needed the most. However, it would have been hard for ANY goalie to win with the way Liberec played defensively.
On the bright side for Liberec, Wayne Simmonds and Petr Nedved showed good chemistry in their second game together. Simmonds accounted for both Liberec goals, setting up Nedved on their first shift of the game and later converting a penalty shot. It was a quiet performance for Chris Stewart, however.
Over on the Ceske Budejovice side, the team got stronger and stronger as the game progressed. Pavel Kantor's save on Liberec's second penalty shot was a big momentum builder.
From there, Ceske Budejovice's talented group of veteran forwards with NHL experience -- Ales Kotalik, Milan Michalek and Ladislav Kohn -- took over the game offensively. (21:12:22)
Once again Pavelec was hung out to dry on a turnover deep in the defensive zone with no defenders helping out in front. Kotalik took full advantage.
Michalek made Pavelec look bad on that power play goal. Picked his spot and sniped it.
Another hideous turnover by Liberec, this one right in the middle of the slot. Ladislav Kohn had all day to wind up and rip a shot over Pavelec.
Bad goal. Kotalik fired a cannon of a shot from the left circle on the rush, but Pavelec came way out of the net and should have an angle on it. Goal was scored high to the long side.
Simmonds was grabbed on a shorthanded rush to the net, and awarded a penalty shot. He went on on the forehand, made a little head and shoulder fake and then snapped the shot on past Kantor almost before the goalie could react.
Bad turnover at the defensive blueline by Liberec created a 2-on-0 down low for HC Mountfield. Pavelec stopped the initial shot by Mertl but the puck laid in the crease and was knocked in the net by Podlešák.
Chance at one end for Liberec;s Nedved line, HC Mountfield counters and goes the other way to score. Ales Kotalik snaps a wrist shot from the bottom the circle over the glove.
Simmonds carried up the wing and threw a backhander toward the net. Nedved collected the puck and wristed it home quickly.
Bílí Tygři Liberec: Pavelec (Pinc) - Čakajík, Šmíd, Výtisk, Derner, Čutta, Havíř, Kajínek - Bárta, Dušek, Víšek, Špaček, Galamboš, R. Vlach, Kudrna, Filippi, Stewart, Kica, Simmonds, Bulíř, Nedvěd.
HC MOUNTFIELD: Kantor (Sáblík) - Ptáček, Kolarz, Frühauf, Vráblík, Prokop, Ference, Jank - Suja, Hanzal, Kotalík, Kohn, Šimánek, Dej, Rousek, Podlešák, Květoň, M. Michálek, Mertl, Knotek.
Referees: .
Today, the White Tigers welcome their two marquee additions, NHL forwards Wayne Simmonds and Chris Stewart, for their first home game with their new team. Both players were in the lineup on Tuesday, failing to record a point in Tuesday's 3-1 road loss to Sparta.
The brightest spot for Liberec this season has been the play of veteran Petr Nedved. The 40-year--old former NHL star ranks eighth in the league in scoring (6 goals, 11 assists, 17 points in 14 games). Nedved will also play a key role in helping the team's North American arrivals, assisting them both on and off the ice to get accustomed to hockey and team life in the Czech Republic.
HC Mountfield Ceske Budejovice hasn't had a much better season than Liberec. The 12th-place team is just one point ahead of Liberec and has been terrible on the road, with just two wins in eight tries and has been outscored 28-13 in the process.
Sniper Jiri Simanek has racked up 10 goals for HC Mountfield through the team's first 15 games, while former NHL forward Ales Kotalik ranks second on the team with 8 points.