Oceláři Třinec ran into problems against a tough defence in Red Bull Munich as the Czech side dropped their second game of the campaign 2-0. Meanwhile, top-ranked Ilves Tampere bulldozed through HC Bolzano to the tune of a 7-1 final.

Ilves had no trouble finding the net in Italy, potting three goals in the first and adding four more in the second. Their defence was equally successful, limiting Bolzano to just one goal – a powerplay marker – over 60 minutes. Despite the small sample size, it’s evident the Finns are a dangerous group and have the firepower and the defensive prowess to make a run for the European Trophy.

Their 5 goals per game and 1 goal against per game averages are both ranked second league-wide and their +8 goal differential is good for first heading into Game Day 3. The other team from Tampere have been dominant on both sides of the puck and should prove a stiff test for a Czech squad that has yet to secure a win.

A sound defensive effort and spectacular goaltending from Marek Mazanec would be for nought as Třinec would allow two goals in the final ten minutes of an otherwise quiet match-up to fall in their second contest. The Czechs failed to capitalise on any one of their five powerplay chances and were left wanting as they fought to climb out of a two-goal deficit.

Now, heading into their battle with Ilves, Třinec will need to reevaluate their special teams play and execute when they have the opportunity – the Czechs generated six high-danger chances but weren’t able to finish, they also produced more shots, but couldn’t solve the netminder. These areas will need improvement if they hope to claim their first game of the season.