Story Summary
Martin Faško-Rudáš registered his first goal of the new Champions Hockey League season for Bílí Tygři Liberec, but his strike was not enough as Tappara Tampere defeated Liberec 6-3 in the opening round. Czech sides HC Škoda Plzeň and HC Dynamo Pardubice enjoyed comfortable victories, with Plzeň winning 4-0 at home against Rögle BK and Pardubice beating GKS Tychy 6-0. Slovak champions HK Nitra are scheduled to begin their campaign at home against Skellefteå on Friday at 18:00.
Key Facts
- Martin Faško-Rudáš scored for Bílí Tygři Liberec in a 6-3 Champions Hockey League defeat at Tappara Tampere.
- Tappara Tampere beat Bílí Tygři Liberec 6-3 in the opening round.
- Tappara goalscorers were Räsänen (2nd, 30th, 53rd), Vanhatalo (37th), Suvanto (47th) and Almari (48th).
- Liberec scorers were Lenc (16th), Martin Faško-Rudáš (42nd) and Najman (50th).
- HC Škoda Plzeň defeated Rögle BK 4:0 at home; Plzeň goals came from Čech (34th), Katic (35th), Filip (43rd) and Merežko (50th).
- HC Dynamo Pardubice beat GKS Tychy 6:0; scorers were Stránský (10th, 58th), Kondelík (16th, 22nd), Tourigny (19th) and Sedlák (43rd).
- EC Red Bull Salzburg lost 2:5 at home to Kolín Haie; Salzburg goals by Schneider (24th) and Huber (38th, from Raffl). Kolín Haie scorers included Russell (17th), Noebels (17th, 44th), MacLeod (30th), Aubry (40th).
- EC-KAC Klagenfurt beat Bordeaux Boxers 2:1 after overtime; Unterweger (33rd) and Petersen (62nd) scored for Klagenfurt, Tomasino (13th) for Bordeaux.
- HC Fribourg-Gottéron won 4:2 at Graz99ers; Graz scorers Collins (20th) and Vela (59th), Fribourg scorers Hedlund (4th), Rathgeb (54th), Richard (55th, 60th).
- Slovak champions HK Nitra are scheduled to open their Champions Hockey League campaign at home against Swedish side Skellefteå on Friday at 18:00.
IHM Discussion
The opening fixtures produced contrasting nights for the Czech clubs in the Champions Hockey League. Plzeň beat Rögle 4-0 at home, with Čech, Katic, Filip and Merežko scoring. Pardubice followed with a 6-0 win over GKS Tychy, as Stránský and Kondelík each scored twice. Liberec, meanwhile, received a goal from Martin Faško-Rudáš but lost 6-3 at Tappara, where Räsänen completed a hat-trick.
Why It Matters
The opening results give Plzeň and Pardubice clean-sheet victories to build on in the Champions Hockey League, while Liberec will look to respond after conceding six at Tappara. Nitra’s home opener against Skellefteå gives the Slovak champions their first opportunity to enter the competition.
Mini Q&A
Who scored for Liberec in their 6-3 defeat?
Lenc, Martin Faško-Rudáš and Najman scored for Liberec.
Which Czech teams kept clean sheets in the first round?
HC Škoda Plzeň kept a 4-0 clean sheet against Rögle BK and HC Dynamo Pardubice kept a 6-0 clean sheet against GKS Tychy.
Who recorded a hat-trick in Tappara’s win?
Räsänen scored three times for Tappara (2nd, 30th and 53rd minutes).
When and against whom does HK Nitra begin their campaign?
HK Nitra are scheduled to open their Champions Hockey League campaign at home against Skellefteå on Friday at 18:00.
What Comes Next
HK Nitra are scheduled to begin their Champions Hockey League campaign at home against Skellefteå on Friday at 18:00.
IHM Final View
Plzeň and Pardubice opened with emphatic clean-sheet wins, while Liberec’s 6-3 defeat at Tappara came despite Faško-Rudáš getting on the scoresheet. Nitra are next to enter the competition against Skellefteå.