Last week, I went to Prague and managed to catch two games at the brilliant o2 Arena, and hoped to see HC Slavia Praha be victorious in both of their games, firstly against HC Vitkovice Steel and then HC EATON Pardubice.
After catching the Metro from Mustek to Ceskomoravska, I exited the station to the sight of the towering o2 Arena, and swiftly went to the ticket tiosk to pick up my ticket for the game, an expensive 260 Kc (For Czechs that is). I was sat behind the Vitkovice bench, 8 rows from the ice and it was a great vantage point to see the action at one side of the ice, the other side, less so. It would be an interesting game, as Slavia who have been suffering with their netminder situation since the start of the year, took on Vitkovice, with arguably the best goalie tandem in the league, Jakub Stepanek and Filip Sindelar. Stepanek was not at the o2 Arena, so it was time for Sindelar to take to the goal, with youngster Tomas Vosvrda as the emergency backup. The game started well for Slavia, as they got the majority of the puck earlier on, and Roman Cervenka, the top scorer in the Extraliga and just named to the Czech Olympic roster had two good chances. However, Milan Hnilicka, making his debut for Slavia in goal was woeful, allowing 6 goals on 17 shots. Slavia failed to score and Sindelar got what was probably his easiest shutout ever, as the game finished 6-0. More worrying for Slavia was the injuries to Roman Cervenka and veteran David Hruska, who both went off injured in the second period.
So two days later, and I was back at the o2 Arena, this time in Section 107 directly behind the goal and in with the Slavia fan club. That was an experience and a half! 10,500 were at the o2 for this heated derby game, and Pardubice brought around 2000 to 2500 fans, and it certainly created a great atmosphere. In goal for Slavia was Robert Slipcenko, while at the other end, one of the best goalies of all time, Dominik Hasek. Slavia’s offence was absolutely woeful, and they looked completely lost without Cervenka. His usual linemates, Michal Vondrka and Tomas Kurka turned the puck over on numerous occasions, and they only managed to score when Hasek misjudged a wrap around, and emergency call up from HC Havlickuv Brod, Tomas Svoboda put the puck past the Dominator. Slipcenko was very good for Slavia, and was at no fault for Pardubice’s goals (A one timer in the slot and a tipped point shot). The fans were getting restless but never stopped singing, something I rarely see in Britain.
So that’s my Prague hockey experience for the year. Managed to get over twice this season to Prague, and Slavia went 1-3 in those games. Maybe I’m a curse.
So all that’s left for me to say is have a great 2010!
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