The new Czech Extraliga season begins today and if the off-season signings and pre-season tournament theTipsport cup are anything to go by we could be in for yet another extremely competitive season. The usual lots will be classed as the favourites though with Sparta, Pardubice, Slavia and Liberec all expected to do well. This year also sees the introduction of a new team to the league. Slovan Ústečtí Lvi will be taking part in their 1st ever Extraliga season.
Unfortunately the leagues governing body also saw it fit to kick out legendary extraliga side Vsetín from the league over the summer for financail troubles so the number of clubs taking part this year remains at a steady 14.
This year aswell, you will be able to catch highlights of nearly all the games and could well be able to view complete games possibly re-live at hokejzive.cz. The channel will also cover the Czech national team through out their EHT campaign. So keep an eye on that if you are interested.
The first fixture of the new season is:
Slavia vs Mountfield - Both clubs shared the spoils during their two pre-season games. Slavia got the better of C.B at the Sazka Arena winning 3-2 with goals from Malát, Beránek, Micka. The reverse fixture saw C.B win 2-1 with Toman and V. Hübl doing the business for Ceske Budejovice that night. So home advantage could prove to be the deciding factor again tonight. Face-off 4.30 our time.
Tomorrow's game:
Liberec vs Ústí nad Labem
Fridays fixture:
Třinec vs GEUS OKNA Kladno
RI OKNA Zlín vs Sparta
Litvínov vs Znojmo
Plzeň vs Vítkovice Steel
Karlovy Vary vs Moeller Pardubice
Pardubice face a tough road-trip away to a much improved Karlovy Vary side. Pardubice themselves have improved their squad a lot adding must more strength and skill to the defensive lines. The team looks to be better than last seasons beaten playoff finalists.
The visitors will have to be wary though, sure they defeated K.V just two weeks ago in the Tipsport cup final but I'm sure the home side will be looking for a little bit of revenge for that, should be a great early season encounter.
Full results can be seen at hokej.cz
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Liberec will outscore Usti by some 4 - 6 goals today... Pardubice has a very tough schedule to start the season. Vary, Znojmo, Ceske Budejovice... All of these are play-off contenders and strong at home...
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