Story Summary
Olomouc coach Petr Fiala believes his side’s sharper finishing can become more than a one-off after a home performance in which the Kohouti made decisive use of their power-play opportunities against Motor. Ondřej Matýs scored after Jan Ordoš received a double minor for high-sticking Jakub Navrátil, while Jakub Orsava added Olomouc’s fourth goal during a five-on-three advantage.
The pivotal sequence came in the second period, when Motor’s penalties gave Olomouc nine minutes with the extra skater. Jan Štencl was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for a cross-check to the head-and-neck area of Jakub Kos, while Michal Bulíř was already serving a minor penalty.
Fiala also singled out goaltender Oldřich Cichoň, whose shutout was his first of the season. The coach said his players maintained their work rate in the third period because they wanted to help Cichoň complete it.
Key Facts
- Petr Fiala said Olomouc were efficient rather than overwhelmingly dominant against Motor.
- Jan Ordoš received a two-plus-two-minute penalty after high-sticking Jakub Navrátil in the face.
- Ondřej Matýs converted the ensuing Olomouc power play.
- Jan Štencl received a five-minute major and game misconduct for a cross-check to the head-and-neck area of Jakub Kos.
- Jakub Orsava scored Olomouc’s fourth goal during a five-on-three advantage while Michal Bulíř was serving a minor penalty.
- Oldřich Cichoň recorded his first shutout of the season for Olomouc.
- Motor assistant David Vrbata called it his team’s worst performance so far and said the home side were quicker across the first two periods.
IHM Discussion
Fiala’s assessment was measured. He did not portray Olomouc as having swept Motor aside, but he recognised that early goals and improved special teams changed the game’s shape. The coach said the club have been scoring more regularly from the power play recently, with players training the unit seriously and discussing it together.
Motor’s second-period indiscipline gave Olomouc the chance to turn that improvement into a meaningful advantage. Vrbata identified the same passage as decisive, pointing to two quick goals followed by the two power-play strikes. For the visitors, the problem was not confined to the penalties: Vrbata said Motor were poor in the opening two periods and repeatedly second to pucks.
Why It Matters
Olomouc’s power play supplied the difference at the point where Motor lost control of the match. That gives Fiala tangible evidence that the work being put into the unit is producing goals, while his caution remains important: he said his players must keep working hard on their finishing rather than assume one productive outing settles the issue.
Cichoň’s shutout adds another positive outcome. Fiala said the goaltender’s recent performances have been very good, and the team’s determination to protect his clean sheet was a notable feature of the final period.
Mini Q&A
Why was the second period decisive for Olomouc?
Motor’s penalties gave Olomouc nine minutes on the power play, including more than a minute at five-on-three, and the home side scored through Matýs and Orsava.
What did Petr Fiala say about Olomouc’s finishing?
Fiala said Olomouc must continue working hard on finishing and hoped the improved scoring was not simply a one-off.
What was Oldřich Cichoň’s achievement?
Cichoň recorded his first shutout of the season, with Fiala praising his recent form.
Coach Mark Comment
The five-on-three goal is the detail that should stay with Olomouc. A long advantage can become a cluttered stretch of passing if players are trying too hard to make the perfect play. Here, Orsava’s fourth goal gave the situation a clear return and made Motor’s penalty trouble hurt immediately.
Fiala was right not to make too much of it. His side had practised the power play and spoken about it, but he also knows that scoring habits are built over repeated games, not one productive second period. The more encouraging part is that Olomouc did not relax after taking control. They kept working in the third to get Cichoň his shutout, which gave a strong team performance a proper finish.
IHM Final View
Olomouc found the efficiency Fiala had been seeking, and their special teams made it count when Motor handed them extended opportunities. The shutout for Cichoň completed an encouraging night, but Fiala’s focus is already on whether the improved finishing can be sustained.