Comet goalkeeper Dominik Furch picked up his fifth shutout of the season. In addition, he conceded only twice in the last five games. “This series is one of the best in my career. It is the merit of the improved defensive play of the entire team. I got along with that too. The boys are making a lot of sacrifices in defense now. They clean it well in front of me, and it’s easier for me,” Furch praised his teammates in the field with a smile. He admitted that luck is also on his side now. “In the first period, the crossbar and the stick were ringing for me,” he recalled.
According to him, Brno’s victory did not come easily. “The Pilsen team created quite a few chances. Some procedures were quite difficult for me. We certainly didn’t get three points for free,” Furch claimed.
He confided that he hasn’t been following the top league table since his team went through a protracted game and result crisis at the turn of the year. “Of course, I have an idea of where we are. At the end of the regular season, every game is extremely important for us. We want to score as many points as possible. And if there is a chance to enter the elimination fights at home, it would be a shame not to grab it by the scruff of the neck,” he reflected.
Photo: Václav Šálek, CTK
From left, goal scorer Adam Zbořil, Tomáš Kundrátek, Luboš Horký, Kim Strömberg and Petr Holík from Brno.Photo: Václav Šálek, CTK
Comet coach Patrik Martinec praised Furch. “He did great, he has a huge share in the victory. But all players deserved a valuable win. Mainly because of how they were able to strengthen the defense. We were patient going forward. We didn’t let ourselves get carried away with headless attacking, and we waited for our opportunities. They came,” he reveled. “The table is very even, so we consider the three points extremely important,” he added.
So far, he has no idea what the immediate future will be for forward Zdeňko Okál, who is allowed to alternate starts in Kometa from first-league Přerov. After February 15, however, he can finish the season in only one team. “I hope that he will continue with us, but it is not definitive yet. Negotiations are still ongoing between the clubs. I would be happy if I could continue to count on Zdenek,” revealed Martinec.
Pilsen coach Petr Kořínek was obviously annoyed by the defeat. “We probably had more of the game, but hockey is about goals. Unfortunately, we did not provide them in Brno. Our onslaught was so futile. It required more pressing in front of the opponent’s goal. The home team had a greater desire to win, but on the other hand, they made the most of the minimum,” he said. His team is already waiting for eight extra league matches to gain a full point gain.
