Story Summary
Radim Rulík’s return to the Extraliga bench went well. The 61-year-old coach, who led the Czech national team to the 2024 world title in Prague, was back in club hockey after three years and watched his Kladno side overturn a 0-2 deficit to beat Vítkovice 4-3 in the opening round of the 2026/2027 season. Kladno were 2-1 down after the second period before winning the third 3-1. The visitors drew level early in the third on a power play, Michal Kempný scored shorthanded while Kladno were a man down, and Pietroniro struck the winner in the 49th minute. Rulík described the win as fortunate rather than a sign that his team were clearly better.
Key Facts
- Radim Rulík returned to the Extraliga bench after three years; he is 61.
- Rulík led the Czech national team to the 2024 world title in Prague.
- Kladno beat Vítkovice 4-3 in the opening round of the 2026/2027 Extraliga season.
- Kladno trailed 0-2 at one point and won the third period 3-1.
- Kladno levelled 2-2 at the start of the third period on a power play.
- Michal Kempný scored a shorthanded goal for Kladno while the visitors were down a man.
- Pietroniro scored Kladno’s winning goal in the 49th minute.
- Šimon Stránský scored for Vítkovice and his goal stood after a coach’s challenge failed because officials found no conclusive video angle.
- Referee Robin Šír explained the decision on the video review to the arena.
- Italian defenceman Pietroniro received a two-minute penalty after a confrontation with Vítkovice forward Krivošík.
- Rulík said the job with a club is different from the national team: ‘It is day-to-day work, different from the national side.’
- Rulík praised the impact of experienced new arrivals, mentioning Kempný and Stránský by example.
IHM Discussion
The match provided a clear example of how single incidents and special teams can swing close Extraliga games. Vítkovice opened a two-goal lead and survived a coach’s challenge from Kladno after the referees could not find a conclusive video angle to prove an offside. Robin Šír explained the decision to the arena, underlining how marginal such reviews can be.
Kladno’s route back began with a goal to make it 2-1 before the second intermission, followed by a power-play equaliser early in the third. Pietroniro then took a two-minute penalty after his confrontation with Krivošík, but Kladno scored shorthanded through Michal Kempný while killing that penalty. Pietroniro later scored the winner in the 49th minute. Rulík praised Kempný’s support of the play and finish, while also highlighting Šimon Stránský’s display for Vítkovice.
Why It Matters
Rulík’s successful return matters for Kladno’s early-season narrative. A road win after a comeback offers a positive start for a coach returning to club hockey after three years. For the wider league, the match reflected Rulík’s assessment of a tightly contested season: beyond Pardubice, whom he described as having the best-assembled squad, he expects fine margins to separate many teams. The game also highlighted the match-day use of stadium communicators to explain video-review rulings to spectators, and the influence of special teams on the result.
Mini Q&A
Did Radim Rulík return to the Extraliga?
Yes. Radim Rulík returned to the Extraliga bench after three years; he is 61 and had previously coached the Czech national team to the 2024 world title in Prague.
What was the final score and where was the game played?
Kladno beat Vítkovice 4-3 in Ostrava (Vítkovice’s arena) in the opening round of the 2026/2027 Extraliga season.
How did Kladno overturn the deficit?
Kladno trailed 2-0 during the second period but pulled one back before the interval. They tied the game 2-2 on a power play early in the third, scored shorthanded through Michal Kempný while killing a penalty, and Pietroniro won it in the 49th minute.
Was any goal subject to a coach’s challenge?
Yes. Kladno requested a coach’s challenge for an offside on a Vítkovice goal by Šimon Stránský, but the challenge failed because officials found no conclusive video frame; referee Robin Šír explained the decision to the arena.
Were there any disciplinary incidents?
Yes. Italian defenceman Pietroniro received a two-minute penalty after confronting Vítkovice forward Krivošík at the boards. Kladno then scored shorthanded through Michal Kempný while killing the penalty.
What was Rulík’s assessment after the match?
Rulík said the team were ‘luckier’ rather than clearly better, described club coaching as day-to-day work different from the national side, and praised the positive early impact of experienced players such as Michal Kempný.
Coach Mark Comment
Kladno’s response showed the importance of staying connected to the game after falling behind. The power-play equaliser created a reset, while the shorthanded goal during their own penalty kill gave the visitors a decisive swing in momentum. Rulík’s measured assessment was right: a comeback win is valuable, but the details of Kladno’s start and game management still matter.
IHM Final View
Kladno’s 4-3 win in Ostrava was an encouraging start to Radim Rulík’s return to club coaching. His side recovered from 2-0 down, found a power-play equaliser, scored shorthanded through Michal Kempný and won it through Pietroniro in the 49th minute. Rulík nevertheless struck a guarded note, saying Kladno were luckier rather than better, a fitting assessment after a tight opening-night comeback.