Story Summary
Jiří Smejkal helped Pardubice recover from two deficits for a 5-3 win away to Kometa, a result that lifted Dynamo into second place in the Czech Extraliga behind Třinec.
Smejkal scored Pardubice’s second goal and later reflected on the growing understanding within a forward line featuring Matěj Stránský and David Tomášek. The 29-year-old has four goals in six games, matching Stránský as Pardubice’s leading scorer at this early stage.
The visitors’ attacking quality again proved decisive, but the match also exposed the defensive improvement Smejkal believes is required. Pardubice have scored 24 goals in six games, while conceding 17.
Key Facts
- Pardubice beat Kometa 5-3 away from home after trailing twice.
- Kometa forward Andrej Kollár opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
- David Tomášek and Jiří Smejkal put Pardubice ahead before Hynek Zohorna and Adam Zbořil restored Kometa’s advantage in the second period.
- Pardubice turned the game in the third period through captain Sedlák and Mandát, before Mikliš sealed the win into an empty net.
- Smejkal scored his fourth goal in six games and is level with Matěj Stránský as Pardubice’s leading scorer.
- Smejkal, Stránský and David Tomášek form a Pardubice forward line, with Smejkal praising their chemistry on and off the ice.
- Pardubice have scored 24 goals in six games; only Třinec are close to that total, with 22 goals and a game in hand.
- Dynamo have conceded 17 goals and Smejkal said the team must be more aggressive and, at times, more patient defensively.
- Pardubice are second in the table behind Třinec and have played more games than any other side.
IHM Discussion
Pardubice’s victory carried both sides of their early-season identity. Their forward depth supplied the response every time the game moved away from them, with Tomášek and Smejkal first overturning Kometa’s opener before the visitors produced another late swing after falling behind again.
Smejkal’s goal was a product of sustained pressure. He described Pardubice keeping Kometa pinned in their own end for 30 to 40 seconds before Miguël Tourigny found him with a cross-ice pass for an open-net finish. It was a clear example of a line creating a scoring chance through possession rather than forcing an immediate shot.
The second period was the warning within an ultimately successful night. Smejkal felt Kometa were more active than Pardubice had expected, leaving Dynamo without the puck for long stretches and making them chase play unnecessarily. Zohorna and Zbořil converted that spell into a lead for the home side.
Pardubice nevertheless regained control in the third period. Smejkal said the visitors were patient and aggressive from the opening minute to the end of the final frame, doing what they had intended. The result reinforced the scale of the club’s attacking resources: Smejkal pointed to four strong lines and expressed confidence that goals will come.
His assessment of the defensive side was more measured. The 17 goals conceded show that Pardubice’s attacking output has not removed the need for greater defensive discipline. In Smejkal’s words, there are moments when less is more.
Why It Matters
The win gave Pardubice a valuable league-position boost, taking them to second, but it also underlined the balance they must find. Their 24 goals in six matches show why they can recover from difficult game states. Yet conceding 17 times means opponents have also found opportunities to keep games open.
For Smejkal personally, four goals in six appearances is a strong opening return. His connection with Stránský and Tomášek gives Pardubice another productive combination within a team that Smejkal says has four excellent lines.
Mini Q&A
Who scored for Pardubice in the 5-3 win over Kometa?
David Tomášek, Jiří Smejkal, captain Sedlák, Mandát and Mikliš scored for Pardubice.
How many goals has Jiří Smejkal scored this season?
Smejkal has four goals in six games, level with Matěj Stránský as Pardubice’s leading scorer.
Who do Pardubice play next?
Pardubice are due to play České Budějovice at home on Tuesday.
Coach Mark Comment
Pardubice showed the value of composure after momentum shifted against them. The third-period response combined aggression with patience, a useful contrast to the second-period passages in which they spent too much time chasing Kometa. The key coaching message from this performance is not to reduce attacking ambition, but to ensure that puck pressure and defensive positioning remain connected when the game becomes stretched.
What Comes Next
Pardubice are scheduled to host České Budějovice on Tuesday. České Budějovice are third in the table, two points behind Dynamo.
IHM Final View
Pardubice left Brno with the points and another demonstration of their scoring strength. Smejkal’s finish and his line’s early production offer encouraging signs, while his own post-game assessment made clear that Dynamo see defensive consistency as the next area to sharpen.